Peaky Blinders One Shots

1. Birmingham

The air hung heavier around Birmingham. It was not just the coal dust and the smoke, it seemed as if tyranny had choked the life out of this place. Soot covered children ran down the street but something felt missing from their innocent eyes. 

The women who dotted the sidewalk wore worn-out old fashioned clothes that seemed to have been in vogue years ago. It would have almost felt like I had travelled back in time if it was not for a lone car driving down the street.

Everyone seemed to retreat into their houses at the sound of the car. A stranger hush fell on the strange place as I clasped the handle of my portmanteau tighter still. Uncertainty, fear and a host of other emotions I had tried to bury deep down seemed to surface again and I took a step back and stood closer to the wall. Whoever was in the car clearly inspired fear and awe among these people and I knew I had better stay clear from imminent danger till I was safely settled.

The car passed by me and I could see a man in a newsboy cap and a grey suit driving it. He glanced at me with the corner of his stark liquid eyes, his high cheekbones barely turned in my direction but I knew he had seen me, not just seen me but gauged me within the millisecond our eyes had met. I held my breath looked down at my feet when it suddenly struck me that this must be one of the Peaky Blinders.

I had been warned about them; they were a vicious family-run gang and had a monopoly over most of the illegal dealings that took place around Birmingham, from betting to murders they did it all. Their weapon of choice was a razor concealed in the fold of the cap.

The street suddenly came to life as the car rattled out of earshot and brought me out of my reverie. I realized I must get going if I wanted to secure my lodgings before nightfall. I spotted a pub built in the centre of the street and entered intending to ask for directions. I opened the door a hush fell upon the crowd. I could feel all eyes on me as I went up to the counter and asked for Mildred Ivan's place.

The barkeep seemed nice, he gave me directions and eventually everyone went back to their business throwing only an occasional look my way.

"What business do you have at old Mildred's place?" the barkeep, who was called Harry, asked me.

"Someone has obtained lodgings for me at her house," I answered gathering my bags.

"What's a nice lassie like you do to end up here? You know about this place eh?" he squinted at me and looked me up and down.

I was sure I would get these questions from the people around me. In the dress I was wearing, I stuck out like a sore thumb among these people even though it was a hand-me-down from Ms Anne and about two years old. It was not like I fit in very well at the last place I was at either so I was used to it. At Grosvenor Square, I would be the talk because of how old fashioned and worn my dress looked and how the cut resembled french gowns from two years ago.

" Rotten luck I guess." I braved a smile and set out to find the blue building at the end of the road.