In Bleak Midwinter

Chapter Twenty-Five

Before the Shelby family were able to leave the Garrison, Johnny Dogs crashed through the doors, panting desperately to catch his breath and grab Tommy's attention.

Arthur turned to the commotion and immediately looked prepared for danger. Tommy and Emily both tilted their heads up to look over at Johnny who was now standing directly in front of the them. Tommy pressed out his cigarette and raised his eyebrow.

"Tommy! Kimber and his men are approaching the Garrison" Johnny gasped. "They have loaded weapons and at least 30 men!"

Tommy immediately got up and began to shout orders. Within seconds, John, Arthur and the rest of the Peaky boys started to scramble about. Briefly watching the ruckus, Emily rushed behind the bar and loaded herself a gun; as she placed the loaded weapon on the bar. Tommy placed his hand on top of Emily's and shook his head.

"No. You stay here" Tommy demanded.
"I'm not letting you go out there alone Thomas" Emily retorted and pulled her hand away, placing the gun in her coat. Tommy clicked his tongue.
"Stay here and don't come out until I say so"
Emily rolled her eyes and sighed reluctantly.

Tommy then leant over the bar and cupped Emily's cheeks, kissing her forehead softly and smiling reassuringly as he walked out the Garrison doors.

Mary quickly rushed over to Emily's side.
"We should hide out in the back... just incase?" Mary said revealing a concerned tone.
Emily nodded and followed Mary out to the back rooms of the Garrison.

The two women scraped their feet along the floorboards waiting for Tommy to return.
Emily placed her hand upon her forehead as time passed slowly; it was becoming increasingly evident that something was wrong.

"Somethings not right" Emily announced abruptly.
Mary immediately stood by her friends side and reached her arm round her shoulders for comfort.
"It will be okay Em. I'm sure they won't be too long".
Emily shook her head as she begun to think about all the worst possibilities.
"I have to go out there" Emily said determinedly.
"You can't. It's not safe" Mary protested.

Emily scanned the room for options; she had noticed the small side door behind the bar - maybe she could sneak out and discover what Kimber wanted?

Before Emily could talk to Mary, her impulsive thoughts took over. Emily quickly ran with conviction to the door and slipped out. She made sure no one could see or hear her approach what looked like an aggravated stand-off in the street. Emily watched cautiously as Kimber shouted across to Tommy. She couldn't quite make out exactly what was being said, but she knew it wasn't a pleasant conversation.

The men on both sides stood, guns cocked, and ready for action. It was a though a bomb was about to explode, but nobody knew when or where. Noticing her breath increasing, Emily placed her hand over her chest and felt her heart pound. She had never felt this way before - she was genuinely fearful for Tommy's safety.

Just as Emily was beginning to understand the dialogue, she watched as Kimber shouted aggressively and then pulled his gun from his coat, shooting Tommy in the chest with one blow. Emily screamed with horror at the swift turn of events; a brief second had passed before both Kimber's and the Peaky lads begun firing at one another.

Adrenaline rushed around Emily's body, forcing her to run towards Tommy to check he was okay; however, before she got there, and in an act of complete anger, her hand reluctantly pulled the gun from her coat and fired at Kimber from afar.

John, after momentarily covering Tommy, turned to look at Emily before Kimber fell flat on the floor. Kimber's men immediately blew up in a brawl of anger and charged towards where the loose bullet emerged from. Panicked, Emily ran towards Tommy, dodging various bullets that ricocheted around the enclosed street.

Blood dripped from Tommy's hand as he stumbled around in a daze of pain. His eyes trailed amongst the chaos, watching Emily approach him swiftly. Just as she was about to reach him, two men, that seemingly appeared from no where, grabbed each of her arms and dragged her in towards a car which was parked behind Kimber's men.

Emily scrambled and screamed, attempting to fight off Kimber's men, but she was no match for them. Tommy had spotted Emily as she was being pulled away and immediately began to shoot at the men, despite the pain he was evidently in.

"Hold your gun Tom!" Arthur shouted in the distant, not wanting his brother to behave irrationally in his daze.

By the time the the two men had successfully hoisted Emily in the back of the car, Kimber's men retreated defensively and escaped.
John ran desperately towards the car as it drove away, shooting his gun in attempts to burst the tyres.

Tommy fell to his knees in the street, blood pouring from his open wound, as he gasped for breath.
"Get him inside!" Jeremiah called....