STORM 🚬 PEAKY BLINDERS [on hold]

CHAPTER FIVE

KING OF THE RACETRACK

Thomas hadn't come home after the storm, and Clara hadn't spoke a word of the horse or the Lee family's threats. For she had something else to focus on. Polly and she were accompanying Ada to the train station so she could go take care of the baby in peace.

"You okay?" Polly questioned her eldest niece as the three walked arm-in-arm.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Ada responded from middle but not even she could believe herself.

Clara gestured towards the platform "I think there are some carriages over there that are gonna be empty—"

The three rounded the corner at the platform only to find the Thorne man standing waiting "Jesus." Polly gasped "Freddie."

Ada's eyes widened "You came back?"

"I got a tip off." Freddie glanced to her swollen stomach in awe.

"Freddie, Tommy will kill you." Polly warned.

Freddie smiled "It was Tommy who tipped me off. Maybe he's got half a heart after all."

Clara beamed "He did it?"

"Tommy got a message to me." Freddie confirmed "Said 'get of town, take her with you.' So," the Shelby women watched in surprise as he got down on one knee "Ada Shelby, will you marry me?"

"Yes!" Ada responded after a moment of stunned silence "Yes. Yes!"

Polly and Clara shared a tearful grin as Freddie happily slipped the simple ring on her finger before the newly betrothed couple shared a kiss.

Ada pulled away from her husband-to-be to Dave her family and the three grinned before breaking out into a squeal of excitement. They shared a group hug before Polly smiled "Right, get on that bloody train and get out of here. Come on, both of you—"

When Freddie shook his head, Ada frowned "Freddie, come on. Cardiff's okay. Anywhere but here's okay."

"We're not going anywhere Ada. We're gonna stay here and we're gonna marry here." Freddie looked to Polly who pursed her lips "I'm not afraid of Tommy Shelby."

Clara blew out a breath before muttering "I am."
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The distraction of Ada's engagement had soon turn to guilt over witnessing their elopement alongside Polly for the pair wouldn't wait for Thomas to ruin it. She'd promised her Aunt that she'd let her tell her brother of their sisters secret nuptials and so when she met her family in The Garrison, a smile hadn't touched her lips. Not even as the punters sang The Sunshine of Your Smile.