Mae Shelby

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Okay I wanted to try a new type of structuring, kinda, with the chapters in this story.

Generally, I don't like this prologue of other Peaky Blinders books, however, I want to add this.

I'd like to show the relationship between the siblings before the war. I deem it as an important background filler.

But you are, of course, welcome to skip this part. I know it can be boring so..

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1914

"B-But I don't want you to leave, Tommy!" Little Mae exclaimed. Tears rolled down the six year olds face, saddened by the news of her three elder brothers leaving.

She didn't quite understand, Finn too. They were just too young to get their petite minds to comprend the concept of war.

Tommy knelt down, hand holding his youngest sisters. "Don't cry. I'll be back before you know it, Mae."

He picked Mae up, hugging her before Arthur snatched her from his grasp.

"There's my little ladybug!" Arthur chuckled at his sister as she squealed from his actions.

"Hey! Where's my hug?" John came through the betting shop doors into the kitchen of the family home.

Mae jumped from her eldest brother's hold into John's. The nineteen year old squeezed her tight, enjoying the warmth she gave him.

"I'll miss you, Johnny! I'll miss all of you!" She sounded enthusiastic but in reality, sobs were pushing to be released.

Eventually, she couldn't hold them back anymore and the first sob left her lips, followed by another.

John noticed since he was holding her. "Aw, don't cry Mae. We'll be okay and so will you. Ada and Polly will keep you safe." He rocked her from side to side, hoping to soothe her cries.

Finn could hear his twin's cries from where he was in his shared room. Although, he was only a child, he was very knowing of other people's feelings.

He knew his sister's feelings.

He knew he needed to comfort her too. After all, it'd be him looking after her now that his brothers won't be there to protect her.

It was cute really. Six year old twins looking out for each other but, not in the slightest, having a clue what the real world was like.

Finn Shelby ran down the creaky steps of his family home, reaching the kitchen in no time.

"Mae!" He tackled his sister into a bone-crushing hug, or that's what it felt like to Mae.

"Finn!" She sobbed, she thought of her brothers leaving her but then the fact that her twin wasn't going anywhere brought her some much needed comfort.

"It will be okay, Mae! I will be here to protect you." The three eldest Shelby brothers watched their youngest siblings with sorrow filled eyes.

Arthur would miss their hugs.

John would miss their laughter.

And Tommy, he'd miss their smiles. Something that small would give him the most happiness. Especially Mae's little cheeky grin.