Firecracker- John Shelby

-five-

Once we arrived back in small the Heath the streets where devastated. Like a war had broke out.
"Now what the bloody els being going on ere"Arthur said
"Jesus Christ" Tommy said looking around at the mess
"It'll be that new copper" I said, not being able to think of another explanation
I went back to the house with the Shelbys to find out myself what had happened.
"The coppers told everyone Arthur had agreed to it when he was arrested. They said the peaky blinders had cleared out to the fair to let them do it" polly explained
"I never said nothing to that copper about smashing up bloody houses" Arthur said angrily
"Alright. Which pubs did they do?" Tommy said tiredly
"The guns, the chain, the Marquis. All the ones that pay you to protect them. The only one they didn't touch was the garrison. Make sure people think we were in on it. He's smart this copper. So go on, drink your beers. Get out. You better show people your still the cocks of the walk"Polly said
"Hand out some cash to the landlords of the pubs. Pay some veterans to fix the places up"Tommy said
"What about you Tommy? Shirley?" Arthur asked
"I have to go to Charlie's to stable the horse. She looked footsore in the box" Tommy said
"I'm going to go find out where the hell adas gone" I said sincerely, while doubting Tommy's excuse.
Once everyone had left and it was just me Tommy and poly left. Polly turned to Tommy and said.
"So we both know what they where looking for. You don't read the papers"
"Racing papers" Tommy said
"She's in on it?" Polly asked pointed her cigarette at me
"I know about it"I said not wanting to deal with Pollys wrath myself
"Let me tell you the odds" she carried on when she knew it was safe to talk in front of me
"I recon it's 3 to 1 there'll be a revolution." She said
"I wouldn't bet on that" Tommy said
"That coppers betting on it. He's not gonna let it rest till he gets those guns back."polly said
"Did he talk to you pol" I asked concerned
"In the church."she answered
"Did he try to find our Ada" tommy asked
"She was sleeping" polly said
I snickered.
"Where was she sleeping pol"I asked
I know there's something going on with her.
She didn't answer
"He knows your the boss. He wants to meet you. And you" she said pointing to me
"Why me" I asked taken aback
She shrugged.
"Will you talk to him" polly asked us
"No. You don't parley when you're on the back foot" Tommy said thoughtfully
"Strike a blow back first" I said to Tommy as if reading his mind
He nodded then signalled me to stand with him.
Once we left the room Tommy turned to me.
"Shirley. You have single handedly been running this business from the behind the scenes since we met you. I have big plans for Shelby company limited and I can't do it without you. I heard about how we where doing business wise during the war, I've seen the books, you have a brilliant mind. You get results, your tough, your exactly what this enterprise needs" he said, as if I was supposed to know what he was asking, though I must admit I sort of did.
"What about Arthur" I asked
"Arthur isn't cut out for this" Tommy said shaking his head.
"Are you sure you want a woman as a business partner" I said to him teasingly
He half smiled at me.
"What do you have planned for this copper"

Shirley and Tommy are gonna be besties. So don't go shipping them. Her and John have zero feelings for eachother yet. Also the best part about writing a book is the feedback, so please you don't know how much I'd appreciate it if you just let me know what you think. Thank you all!!