Criminal Royalty

Meeting Rose

Tommy was a man of many responsibilities, which was why it frustrated him so much to undertake such menial tasks. And yet, he had partially volunteered to collect this "friend" of Polly's.

Selfishly, he'd agreed to Polly's demands, but it was more so in an attempt to get a read on the woman rather than being kind-hearted, but he was posting bail nonetheless. Tommy still wasn't sold on the idea that this Rose was someone to be trusted.

A lot of the police were still on his payroll, but the new inspector had certainly been affecting his sway on the force. Before he'd simply say her name and she would be free but now he had to post bail, like some sort of peasant compared to the King he was.

"I'm here to collect a woman for assaulting inspector Campbell, all the money is in this envelope."

The police officer looked at him, fear in his eyes at dealing with a notorious gangster. He barely muttered an acknowledgement before scuttling off to find her.

He returned, no more than five minutes later but this time he wasn't alone.

A small woman, who was probably still more of a girl than a woman, met his eyes as they walked up to him. Her eyes sparkled with mischief which reminded him of his brother John, and she wore a smile which contrasted with the nerves of the officer. When Tommy had envisioned Polly's friend, this young woman certainly was not what he'd had in mind.

"Thanks for having me Gareth, been a lovely stay," Rose smirked. "I'll be sure to recommend you to all of my friends."

Tommy mirrored the smirk now; he had been right with his comparisons of her and John- Rose was quite the character.

This poor fellow, George or something, didn't know what to do. Not only was he unused to such attitude from a woman but he was too frightened by her clear connections to the local gang- the Peaky Blinders.

Luckily for him, Tommy wasn't in the mood to stick around. He had places to be and activities higher on his priority list.

Not wanting to speak further in the station, he turned with little more than a nod toward Rose and left.
...

Once outside in what could barely be described as fresh air, Tommy pulled out a cigarette.

"They'll kill you."

He simply quirked a brow, yes, she was definitely a character.

"Is that so?" Tommy drawled between drags of his cigarette.

She nodded like a child eager to share the events of their day (no matter how mundane).

Looking at her, like an overeager puppy, he wondered how old she actually was.

"And what would you know about that, eh?"

She looked affronted, as though he had questioned her very existence.

"I'll have you know I'm a registered nurse, so I know a fair bit," Rose bit back.

Now not many things surprised Thomas Shelby, but that did. Small Heath's girls did not become nurses and when they did, they left and didn't return. Then again, she didn't particularly sound like the typical Small Heath girl; she was missing that infamous Birmingham drawl. Maybe she could become an asset of his, with the blinder life came an immense need to medical intervention and a nurse could really help with things.

He hated to admit it, but maybe Polly had made a good choice in her friend. Nevertheless, that didn't mean he trusted her. Not yet at least.