The Return [T. Shelby || Peaky Blinders || Shelby's Girl Book 2]

- 13 -

On Monday, Tommy and Astella were in Camden Town, both still arguing about Angela and what Astella should've done. They were watching the man work at the docks, loading a boat with crates. Johnny Dogs walked over to them, "So, how's your life been, Tom, Stella?" Johnny asked.

"On the up, Johnny. On the up," Tommy said.

Astella scoffed, "Idiot," Astella said.

"Trouble?" Johnny asked.

"Tommy isn't happy with me," Astella said.

"Alright... Come on, Tom, how is it?" Johnny walked over to them, "You know, I'm happy for you both but you know I hate to see you both in this stage... What's going on?" Johnny asked.

"I found my little sister," Astella said.

"That's amazing! Isn't that amazing, Tom?" Johnny asked.

"That's what he isn't happy with," Astella said.

"Astella is the girl's legal guardian and didn't tell me," Tommy said.

"How many times have you not told her things?" Johnny asked.

"See? Johnny gets it," Astella said.

"Anyway, how about your sister?" Johnny looked at Tommy, "How's she doing? I hate to hear that she ain't even married yet... I have a nice cousin for her, she'd make his life hell," Johnny chuckled as both Tommy and Astella looked amused, "He deserves her," Johnny got to work and Tommy and Astella stood there in silence, "We haven't had a good old wedding in a long time," Johnny said.

Astella cleared her throat as she took out her packet of cigarettes, took out one and her lighter, she lit her cigarette, "Have you had a look inside these boxes then, Johnny?" Tommy asked.

Johnny looked at him, "Now, why do I want to look at car parts, Tommy? When I haven't even got a car," Johnny said.

Tommy cleared his throat, "Faith in family is a fine thing, eh?" Johnny nodded looking confused as Astella rolled her eyes, "And I won't even be counting. If 25 becomes 24, then 24 it is," Tommy said as he walked over to Johnny and Astella looked at them.

"You know I am no good with numbers, Tom," Johnny said.

Tommy placed his arm over Johnny's shoulders, "But if 24 ever became 23, then that would be tax," Johnny nodded silently, still confused, "And we don't pay tax," Tommy said.

"No, Tom," Johnny said.

"Good man!" Tommy said and patted his back as he walked down the docks and Astella shook her head and followed him.

Tommy and Astella walked over to some stairs, Tommy looked at Astella and she walked past him and they headed up some stairs to meet Billy, "I put an iron door on. And we put iron bars on the windows and across the skylights." Billy said as they walked past him.

"Good," Tommy said.

Billy followed after them, "So, what will be keeping in here, Tommy, Astella?" Billy asked.

"Temptation, Billy. Temptation," Tommy said.