Cruel To Be Kind - Peaky Blinders Fanfiction

Fleeing London

FLEEING LONDON

On the twentieth, it came as no surprise that Finn showed up at the door with James, the pair of them with sheepish smiles on their faces as I greeted them at the door. In the last couple of days, I'd bounced back as if I'd never been poisoned.

Papa on the other hand was taking his time to make a recovery. Luckily he was out of the woods and the doctors were all on the same agreement that he'd make it through this.

Rose had been a lifesaver, ensuring me that she was here to care for Papa and give him the best care she could provide.

It seemed with Finn's arrival Papa had a new companion too.

In the evenings I could find the pair of them sitting on Papa's bed as the older man taught the young boy how to play chess. Finn could be quick as a whip and I knew, if he focused on it, he'd be as smart and quick-witted as Tommy.

The last eight days with Finn here in London had been quiet, peaceful even and some part of me wanted to stay here forever. If I didn't have Tommy and the rest of the family stuck in Small Heath I'd consider staying here until things settled down.

I was disturbed from my thoughts as Henry slipped into the library, his eyes showing discomfort as he rushed to me.

"What—"

"You need to leave," he hissed, grabbing my arm and dragging me through the back room and up the old servant staircase.

"What? Has something happened to Tommy?" I asked, watching as I entered my room and Henry helped Rose and Zara pack up my things. "What's going on?"

"Your Grandmother is pushing my buttons, Elsie. She's under the assumption that you and Tommy have split, that's why you're here." Henry tugged at his hair, giving out a frustrated sigh as he went over to my window and looked down into the street. "She's got this man coming to have a look at you tonight."

"What do you men have a look at me?"

"Since in her mind you're technically still married to Tommy, you're damaged goods so she's trying to find a potential man that wouldn't mind you being broken. Her words, not mine."

"That's insane." I shared a look with Zara as the girl let out a gasp. "Of course I'm fucking married to Tommy. Look, let me set things straight with her."

I was shocked when Henry grabbed my arm and gave me a heartbroken look. I knew there was something more. Something he didn't really want to tell me.

"She knew you'd refuse, she's called in a favour with Doctor Richardsons." Why did that name sound familiar?

"No, she did not," snapped Rose, her face paling as she stepped back in shock.

"Who's Doctor Richardsons?" I asked at the same time Zara did.

"He runs an asylum," Rose said softly, the pain in her voice one that made me think she had experience in this area. "I've seen some of the women they sent there. Women rich families have lost control over. You need to leave. Now."

Seeing the fear on Rose's face had me swallowing and nodding along with Henry as he helped escort me out of the house, going through the back staircase to be unseen from my grandmother.

I wasn't surprised to see Finn and James already waiting in the car, Gunner in the backseat with the youngest Shelby.

"This fucking family," James muttered as Zara climbed into the back with Finn and Henry squeezed my hand in farewell as he closed the door and James drove away.

"Tell me about it," I muttered, turning back as I shared a sad, defeated look with Finn.

Tommy was going to lose his fucking mind when he found out.