𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐃 ᵖᵉᵃᵏʸ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵈᵉʳˢ

52

"Welcome to the opening of the Grace Shelby Institute for the non insured children of the poor" Polly spoke. "I would very much like you to join me in thanking the man that made the founding of this establishment actually possible"

Lottie passed Aurora over to Isaiah in attempt to calm the girl who had began fussing.

Tommy stood, "Ladies and gentleman, Mr Thomas Shelby"

People began clapping as he stood, Charlie in his arms. "Come on, Speech" Arthur shouted. Lottie smiled brightly at her older brother. "Say it Tom, say it to 'em"

He stood at the front of the hall. "Lay the foundation" John shouted.

Everyone sat.

"I didn't come here today to make a speech but i will say this. These children are now safe. In our care, they will be safe.  Because we are from the same cold streets as we are. And in our care, they won't be shipped away to the colonies. Or separated from Kin, or made to work for man in their various ways" he said.

"They will grow up here at home. Loved, in Birmingham. Because this is our city"

"By order of the Peaky Blinders" Arthur interrupted, causing Lottie to roll her eyes.

Everyone clapped again, well most people did. Tommy nodded and returned to his seat.

"Now let us sing, Immortal Invisible" Polly spoke.

Tommy left the room, staring at the portrait of Grace in the hall. "Hear that Grace?" he asked. The door opened, Father Hughes appearing behind him.

"The absence of my invitation to this event was obviously an oversight on your part, Mr Shelby"

He ignored him.

"But, look. I have the keys" he showed Tommy. "I've allocated myself an office, just there, two doors in from the street. It's the one that already has the stove and crucifixion on the window. Mr Shelby?"

"It is the one that has the crucifixion on the window in orange and red. That will be my office. And i will take them to Saint Aloysius for confession. You do understand these key are part of our broader arrangement?"

Tommy sighed, keeping his eyes on the portrait.

"In the next 24 hours, you will do exactly as you have been instructed, you'll not deviate, you'll not fail" The priest whispered, walking away.

Micheal stopped as he watched him walk past.

"The lord mayor would like you to come and eat cake and drink some tea" Micheal kept his eyes on the door that Father Hughes had went through.

Tommy stayed quiet, letting Micheal leave.

-

"Tommy says mingle and smile" Ada reminded both Lottie and Polly. "It must be the trains" Polly said.

"No Ruben?" Ada asked. "Do you know any other guests from London not turned up?" Polly asked sarcastically.

"Some, i think, yeah. Pol, i'm paid by the company now so i have to talk to other people" she said, smiling at her sister and walking away.

"Where's Isaiah?" Lottie asked Polly. "I'm not sure, love"

"Mr Shelby i'd would just like to say that i wish i had met your dear wife before she was taken from us and i would like to allocate an hour a day of each my ladies time to make winter clothes for the little ones" A woman told Tommy.

"Speak to my secretary, Miss Stark, in the grey hat" he pointed over toward Lizzie. "She knows my diary"

The woman nodded and left.

"Fuck me Tom, i don't know how you do it. Incoming"

"Mr Shelby". Another woman approached. "Yes"

"Your little boy looks so much like you" she smiled. "Yea he's a little rascals isn't he" he nodded. "And who's that" she pointed toward the more tanned girl with dark hair beside him.

"My sister, Lottie's little girl" he pointed at Lottie who stood talking to Ada.

"Aren't they just adorable" The woman smiled. "Mr Shelby would it be too inconvenient to steal you for a moment" she asked.

"No no, no inconvenience at all" he shook his head, walking with her. "Tommy i'm sorry, he wants you" Ada sighed, handing the crying boy over to Tommy.

"Oh, come here, Charlie" he said, taking the boy. "It's so lovely seeing a man willing to hold his child in public" one of the women said.

"From the members of the Moseley War Widows Institute" they said, handing him a small statue of a horse.

"Made from a photograph of your horse that ran at the Derby"

"Oh that is very kind, thank you very much"