STORM 🚬 PEAKY BLINDERS [on hold]

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE PRODIGAL FATHER RETURNS

With Freddie still in police custody, Ada had hid herself and her son away in their flash far from the family. But that didn't mean they didn't try and see her, talk to her or bring her necessities. Thomas looked up from his cup of tea at the sound of the front door, watching as Polly walked in, basket of groceries in hand "Did you speak to her?"

"She didn't speak back." The woman sighed, setting the basket on the table.

"Well, did you tell her?"

Polly's sharp gaze snapped to his "I'll only tell her what I know to be true."

Thomas rolled his eyes in frustration "It's the last time I'm gonna say this. It wasn't me who shopped Freddie Thorne."

"Tommy, I'd ask you to swear in the Bible, but you can't swear on that, can you?" Polly shook her head as she headed for the shop "Nothing you hold sacred."

The Shelby man gripped the bridge of his nose, eyes closing tiredly "You can come out now, Clara."

The strawberry blonde smiled sheepishly as she stepped in front the hallway "I believe you, Tommy."

"You do, eh?" He peeled his eyes open, a slight smile twitching at his lips "And why's that?"

"I can see it in your eyes." She murmured, blue clashing with blue.

Thomas smiled a little before checking his pocket watch and kissing her temple "I've got work to do but I'll be back. Keep an eye on our Finn for me."

Clara watched him go before sighing as she grabbed the basket of groceries from the table, ready to put them away when the door opened once more and she watched Arthur stroll in a with a wide smile while John trailed behind, face blank. Her eyebrows furrowed before her eldest brother grinned "Guess who's here?"

"What?" She chuckled "Who is—"

As the all too familiar man stepped into the kitchen, Clara felt her heart drop into the pit of her stomach, the basket of groceries in her hand going with it, clattering to the floor with a loud thud. Arthur Sr. smirked as he looked to his youngest daughter "You've grown up, Clara. Just like your mother."

Her heart was pounding inside her chest, in her ears. This wasn't happening.

The door to the betting den was pulled open and a wide eyed Polly stepped inside "What the bloody hell is— Holy shit."