Up in Smoke

3.2

Arthur and John barged into my room bright and early in the morning. 

"What happened to knocking," I asked without looking up from my book.

"We need your help," Arthur said. 

"Finn and Isiah are waiting in the car," John said. 

"Well...you're all going to have to wait while I get ready." I stood up as I closed my book. 

John rolled his eyes as they walked out of the room. I took my sweet time getting ready for whatever it is they need my help with. I figured it was something stupid since it was such short notice. 

That changed when we pulled into Charlie's yard. The car came to a halt. Everyone started to get out. 

"Wait a second. What's going on," I asked. 

"Oh right. Vincent Changretta and his men are going to meet us here. They should be here any second now. Finn and Isiah are going to check each of them. You are going to stand back and keep an eye on them. After that, bring them to us," John explained.

"Yeah make sure nothing seems out of place," Arthur further explained. 

I nodded as I hopped up to sit on the railing. I didn't know anything about his meeting. Maybe it was just made? Still, I heads up from Tommy would have been nice. Arthur and John got back into the car to get ready for the meeting. The 3 of us stood in silence as we waited for Changretta's to show up. 

Isiah hopped up on the railing next to me. 

"You looked really nice at the wedding."

"Thank you?"

"I'm just not used to seeing you wear a dress."

"I find them extremely uncomfortable."

"Well, I think you should wear them more often."

"Noted," I mumbled. 

I glanced at Finn with confused eyebrows. He shrugged and he turned to look at the road. 3 men were walking up to us. All of us stood up to greet the men. Finn and Isiah patted them down as I stood back to watch. It didn't seem like anything was out of the ordinary. 

We made our way down to where everyone was waiting. John sat at the table they set up as Arthur stood next to it. They had a white table cloth draped over the table with tea set perfectly set up. 

Arthur looked between all 3 men. 

"You asked for a meet out in the open, fresh air and the fine aroma of shit. 'Neutral ground', you said."

"This is hardly neutral ground."

"Well, it's what we've got," I mumbled.

"Well, por favor," Arthur sat down. "Sit down," he motioned to the chairs beside the men. 

"Where is Thomas," he questioned. 

"He got called away," John answered. 

"He'd said he'd be here."

"And I just told you he got called away. What do you want," John snapped. 

"There has been a peace between the Peaky Blinders and the Changretta family for two years now..."

"Do you want tea or not," John asked.

"John shut up," I snapped.

"Here, Finn, pour the Italians some enlightened tea. Go on," he pushed.

"We don't want fucking tea," the man yelled. "We want an explantation."

"Well, I'll have fucking tea," Arthur sat forward with a smile.