Time and Fate - Peaky Blinders // Tommy Shelby

Nine

It was the sunniest day of the whole year, no one wanted to be inside, trapped in the heat of the pub. Harry had given Bellatrix the day off and with the rest of her time she didn't want to spend it inside, sweating away from the sunshine, she wanted to be out, in the heat, for it was bound to only last one day with it being England.

Bellatrix was yet to explore Small Heath, all she knew was Garrison Lane, the bonfire hill and the street where the market stalls were. Not wanting to be stuck outside, she took to the streets, pacing them up and down, trying to find something beautiful within the inner city.

Every step that she took, she moved further away from the lane, towards the canals, the places where only small boats seemed to come by. Down there it was peaceful, there was no one about, unlike the hill, the parks, that had been flooded with people wanting to enjoy the weather.

For the first time, she could smell the warmth in the air, the way that it seemed to cling to her body, like it was heavier than winter's air. The cardigan that she wore every day was sent around her waist, unveiling the mess of a shirt that she still wore. With no one around she rolled up the sleeves, letting the sunlight hit her pale skin.

There seemed to be no noise by the canals, so that her footsteps were sent echoing around. The water was rippling, yet the small gentle waves seemed to make no sound. It was only her there, traipsing through the streets, getting lost in thought.

The sun was piercing through the industry's smoke, causing a haze upon the horizon. It should have been still, a cloudless sky, with the sun, the lack of wind, yet the world was creating a different environment for itself and thinking about that only caused goose bumps to rise upon Bellatrix's skin.

The world seemed simple, like there was nothing wrong in the world, like it was humming along blissfully unaware of the future and what laid in store.

As she turned the next corner, down a different canal, she saw a figure leaning against the wall, completely lost in thought. A cigarette was dangling between his lips, puffing upon it with no true lust for the nicotine, it was only to keep him occupied. It was the stance, the smart clothes, the way he was leaning, that Bellatrix immediately recognised him.

"Tommy?"

His name was thrown from her mouth without any true acknowledgement for it, she was surprised to see him there, to see anyone at all, for she had walked for hours without seeing a soul.

Tommy turned his head, recognising the sweet voice anywhere. Even in the best of weather no one would traipse down by the canals, there was prettier places to be in the city. Better ones to explore. It was odd, almost like fate had sent her there.

He was feeling the heat as well. His jacket laid beside him on the wall, the cotton spirals latching onto the jagged rock face. His sleeves rolled up, showing the tops of his arms. The first two buttons of his shirt open. There was no tie, no waist coat, a simple ensemble for the hot weather.

"Trixie, what are you doing down here?"

"I went for a walk, I'm probably lost actually," she replied as she looked around herself, she hadn't truly been paying attention of each turn she had taken. "You?"

"Greta sneaks out of her house at one on Thursdays, we meet here..." Tommy said with a cough, not knowing if Bellatrix would want to know such information, following the events of Saturday night. "I came to see if she would come, and she hasn't. So, I'm just here now."

Tommy flicked the cigarette into the water, sending it floating down to the bottom. Though Bellatrix tried to forget about it, joining him by his side before jumping against the wall, letting her feet dangle off.

"Well thank God I found you or I would be lost."

"You should be careful," Tommy said turning to view her, feeling slightly uncomfortable with having her in the place that he and Greta had met for over a year. "Why aren't you at work?"

"The weather, there's no one there, nothing to do."

"So, you came to the canal's?"

"Why not?"

"Because they're dodgy places, you shouldn't really come by yourself."

"Dodgy?" Bellatrix said with a laugh. "So, why are you here?"

Tommy shook his head at her, a smile moving across his lips, the woman was unbelievable, always wanting to dig more information out of him.

"You know what I do," Tommy said turning to face her entirely, almost wanting to stand in between her legs, to come close to her, because it was so easy to do that with her, to flirt with her.

"Truth be told, I don't," Bellatrix said with a shrug. "You steal things, alcohol, but that can't be your only source of income..."

"You're right," Tommy replied with a small smirk. "But why would you want to know, eh?"

A laugh escaped both of their lips at the same time, to which Bellatrix slowly shrugged, displaying her nonchalance about it. Tommy didn't seem like a bad person, regardless of what he did whilst she wasn't around. And the poverty that surrounded the Garrison was tragic, it was almost acceptable to Bellatrix, that he would take an illegal life, if that was the only way. Because all the men that worked in the factories seemed to become injured. Every day she would hear of a new death from the industry. To the big people, it was like life didn't matter at all. Though it wasn't much better where Bellatrix came from.

"We take bets, on the races... that's what we mainly do."

"And it's illegal?" Bellatrix asked, not understanding the history of licensed betting.

"Of course," Tommy said with a laugh. "All of it... now does that change your opinion."

"Not at all," Bellatrix replied, not understanding why it would.

"A good girl who wants to be bad," Tommy stated with a smile as he inched slightly closer to Bellatrix.

"You think I'm so good, it's annoying," Bellatrix laughed. "I let you into the pub, I've done things I shouldn't of."

"Have you?"

A smirk moved across Tommy's face, sending Bellatrix's heart racing. She shook her head eagerly, telling him to stop. The teasing, the tormenting that they did with one another, it was too much, they were far too flirtatious for their own good.

"Maybe I should do something I shouldn't," Tommy said his eyes drifting across Bellatrix, "Come on."

Tommy held out his hand to Bellatrix, wanting for her to hold it, to be led away. She couldn't deny him, not one part of her wanted to, even though she was meant to.

"Where are you taking me to?" Bellatrix said as she jumped off the wall, suddenly appearing very small to Tommy.

"The betting den."