The Angel of Small Heath

Kimber and all his men

****

The doors were shut tight, bets made for the day and would only open again the following morning. The reason being... this was the day they took on Billy Kimber once and for all.

Tommy stood in his office watching his men file into the den, everything was going according to plan. 

'Thump'

His attention was quickly snatched away when he received a small thump to his face, Rose his little flower wanted all her fathers attention. "Yes, yes I see you" he muttered, chuckling as her hair changed a happy yellow. She was a daddy's girl for sure.

"You spoil her Tom, your the reason she bullies her brothers for attention" Aurora chastised looking up from Noah who was happily sulking. 

"They can manage, Shelby boys are strong" Tom winked before blowing a raspberry on Rose's cheek. Her high pitched giggles traveling into the den, it was infectious. There was no doubt about it everyday the boys seemed to grow larger, and Aurora was the first to notice there growing teeth. Well her breast were.

"Still... we have to set the same boundaries for all of them Tom. You'll see when she grows up" Aurora retorted sticking out her tongue childishly. "Now come I think everyone has arrived, take Damian I can't carry both of them like you" 

"Alright" he laughed walking over to pick up his eldest boy, the leader of the three. Damian was a reincarnation of his father and not just in looks, he had Tommy's beautiful laugh something his family missed dearly.

It amusing to see that even holding two toddlers Tommy Shelby still managed to  look as intimidating as ever. He emitted power and confidence, something that made him admired among his men and family.

"Right, I've got you all here today because this is the day that we replace Billy Kimber. This is the day we become respectable. The day we join the official National Association of Race Course bookmakers. But first we do the dirty work" he announced looking over his most trusted men and family. Tommy was doing it for them.

"This has been fast approaching, only Arthur and I knew the date...We're going to Worcester races. The track opens at one, we'll get there at two. Now Kimber thinks we're going there to help him to fight the Lee brothers. But thanks to the lovely efforts of our John and his new wife Esme, they are now our kin. I interrupted there efforts this morning and- " 

The men chuckled, only laughing harder when Rose began to clap. It was than Tommy let out his own grin of amusement. At least someone appreciated his humor. 

"But I can assure you all, John is making great sacrifices for the cause of peace" he continued, a full blown smile spreading across his face at Aurora's giggles.

"Yeah, alright" John interrupted having enough of their banter at his expense.

"So it'll be us and the Lee's against Kimber's boys. We take them out but leave the bookies. I expect a swift victory which will send a signal all the way to London, that we believe in letting legitimate businesses run peacefully"

"And what about Kimber himself?"

"I'll deal with Kimber" he replied, catching the worry gaze of his wife. It didn't matter what he did she would always worry, as long as she still believed in him that was all that mattered.

"Any more questions?"

"Yes, does anybody object if I bring a newcomer to the meeting?" Polly smiled walking to the den's doors. With the click of the lock, Ada entered rejoining her family for the first time now that Campbell was out of Birmingham. Freddie followed close behind her a small sneer on his face. It had been awhile since he was welcomed into the Shelby home.