𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡, 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦, 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟐
Disaster blankets the Shelby family, like the morning fog that surrounds them as they make their way down to the cut.
There, stood on the edge of the canal, was the fifth youngest Shelby sibling. Her light blue dress stained with dots of crimson, head looking up towards the gloomy sky as her fingertips dripped blood. The air was tense, nobody but the eldest Shelby taking a few hesitant steps towards the girl.
"Eve," he reluctantly spoke, voice teetering on the edge of a whisper. From his position he could see the lifeless body of a man floating in the water in front of the girl, tears falling freely down her flushed cheeks. "Charlie came and got us from the Garrison, said he saw you shoot some lad."
Evelyn didn't respond, but she did turn around to face Arthur; it was then that he caught sight of the barrel of a gun between her fingers – she noticed his eyes dart to her hand and dropped the weapon. Her legs were trembling, so much so that she wasn't sure how she was still standing upright.
The hoarse voice of Tommy Shelby echoed throughout the area around them, his glamorous blue eyes staring directly at his sister. "Who was he?" Straight to the point.
"A traitor," was all the girl spoke, her brown curls now fallen from the pins that previous held them away from her face; the wind causing strands to get stuck to her damp tears.
"What'd he do?"
There was no hidden questions behind Thomas' words; he just wanted a straight, honest answer from her. With a sigh, Evelyn wiped her face before wrapping her arms around herself – the air suddenly becoming cooler; chills coating her body.
"Back when you were in France," she started, eyes briefly meeting Tom's piercing gaze before they settled to staring at her shoes. "This group of wanna be Peaky's tried to betray Polly and I and take over the business. We took most of 'em out before you came home, didn't get all of 'em though. Found that fucker creeping around Charlie's yard. I did what we always do."
With a nod Tommy walked over to his sister, shrugging his coat off before placing it around her shoulders. His thumbs found her wet cheeks, gently brushing away the tracks that were left behind by her salty tears; his knees bending slightly so he could meet her blue eyes with his.
"Did he hurt you?" Tommy muttered, referring to the scuffle Evelyn had recently got herself in – voice so soft that nobody else could hear his question. Evelyn briefly smiled at his concern before it dropped off her face.
"He got a few hits in," she confirmed, pointing to a bruise forming on her neck. "You should see his face though."
The Shelby siblings shared a collective laugh at Evelyn's ability to remain witty under such a circumstance. Pulling his sister into his side by her shoulders, Tommy held his other arm wide open – turning them to face a crooked smiling John Shelby, an awkward Finn Shelby and a sheepish Charlie Strong.
"Let's go get drunk and plan to take over the Derby, eh," Tommy chuffed, everyone cracking a smile when Evelyn buried her head in her brothers chest. "Charlie will take care of the mess and then join us."
~~~~~~~
The war had done a number on the soldiers who had returned, their only escape being through the alcohol that coursed through their veins. Therefore, no matter the hour, when the Garrison pub was open it was sure to be buzzing with laughter, booze and the occasional fight.
The regular pub goers were always the most lively, their loud voices chanting random songs that they had put together while raising their liquor filled glasses in the air. Newcomers enjoyed the atmosphere, often staying until the early hours of the morning until the barman, Harry, decided to lock the place up – kicking them out.
The Shelby's were practically considered royalty in the damn place – they could do what they wanted, drink what they wanted and say whatever spilled from between their lips with a little bit of liquid courage. Which is why Arthur was currently stood on top of the bar, demanding the attention of everyone with a loud yell.
"A toast to a strong Shelby woman!" He gestured his cup towards Evelyn, a light blush colouring her face when everyone simultaneously turned their heads in her direction. It would have been creepy, if she too wasn't slightly intoxicated from the whiskey in her hand. "Some fuckers thought that they could try to take over our bloody business, but thank god we have tough women, eh?!"
A cheer of encouragement spurred from the crowd that was paying attention to the eldest Shelby; none of them noticing him almost losing his footing. Twice. With a quick rush, Tommy gestured for Arthur to get down, shaking his head while scolding him.
"Get off the fucking bar, Arthur," he pleaded, trying to keep a stoic expression – gritting his teeth to stop the smile that was begging to grow across his face from doing so.
Arthur let out a disgruntled moan at Tommy's request, before using his brothers shoulder for support while he clambered down off the counter with a whine of "ah, c'mon Tom."
Mindlessly twirling her drink in her hand, Evelyn's eyes floated across the pub before they glanced at each of her brothers. She knew that they had left for the war innocent men and returned haunted by demons that she couldn't possibly understand.
Both her and her aunt Polly had previously tried to grasp just how much the Shelby brothers witnessed and participated in had affected them, but miserably failed. The older woman explaining to Evelyn that they both could "barely comprehend the pain that they're suffering with alone right now. When they want help – they'll come to us."
The young girl was just happy to see smiles on their faces; even if they were due to being drunk
"You turn twenty-bloody-one in two days," John slung his arms around his sisters shoulders from behind, his chin coming to rest upon her shoulder as he lead them both into the private room. "Fuckin' remember when you were nothing more than a baby wailing your eyes out just to be held. Now look at yer'! A full grown Shelby woman!"
"We all have to grow up at some point, Johnny boy," Evelyn beamed, her hands gripping her brothers as the rest of the Shelby clan joined in on their conversation.
"Pretty soon you'll be married to some lad, livin' in a posh house and will barely come to visit us," Arthur joked, moving to take a seat next to his sister. "Don't get up the duff like Ada and run away from us."
Evelyn's heart stung at the memory of her older sister. Ada had left for London after her husband had passed, taking her nephew with her – only keeping in contact through letters to Polly and the occasional phone call. However, she rolled her eyes at Arthur's drunken words, swiftly swatting his shoulder.
"Arthur!"
With a hearty laugh from her siblings, John pressed a kiss to his sisters temple, grabbing the gin bottle from Tommy's hand – the older brother letting out a groan of protest. John pointed the end of the bottle towards Evelyn.
"I don't know what'd I'd do if you fuckin' ran away from us. Break my heart, you would."
"I'm not going to run away, John."
The youngest Shelby, Finn, took that moment to enter the conversation; a smug look on his face. "So yer' going to get pregnant then?"
His older brothers didn't miss a beat collectively chiming a "fuck off, Finn."
With a pointed gaze towards Finn, Evelyn picked her glass back up; lifting it to her lips before taking a gulp. The burn helped her remain alert to the conversation going on around her – well, more specifically, about her.
"We should host a gathering for your birthday," Tommy proposed, lighting his cigarette before leaning back in his chair. Evelyn shook her head.
"I don't need a fuckin' party, Tom."
"Well, good thing you don't have much choice in the matter."
Rolling her eyes, Evelyn took the bottle of gin that John was holding, hitting him upside the head for drinking straight from it; pouring some into her glass.
"Aren't you going to be in London for business that day?" She raised an eyebrow in his direction.
"Yes, but that's none of your concern. Arthur, John and I have everything under control," he shook his head, tapping his cigarette over the ashtray. "You're all going to come to London with me, stay with Ada while I do business and then we're going to The Eden Club."
"Tom," Arthur piped up, weariness in his voice. "Yer' sure that's a good idea? How bout yer' just bring Ada back with ya and we celebrate right here in the Garrison."
Tommy held a hand up to silence Arthur. "No need, I already sorted everything out. The pub is ours for the night."
With a grunt, Arthur nodded once before picking up his glass, raising it towards everyone before downing the alcohol in one gulp.
"I want all of yer' to dress up to the nines, aye," Tommy grinned, pointing the end of his cigarette towards Evelyn. "Wear that dress – the one that mum used to wear. It's a special occasion and we're all going to fucking celebrate."
Reluctantly agreeing, Evelyn slumped back in her seat, head resting against John's shoulder, her other hand gripping Finn's that was rested in his lap.
"Welcome to the new decade boys," she chuckled, her eyes shutting. "It's going to be a fucking ride."