STORM 🚬 PEAKY BLINDERS [on hold]

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER

Whilst Elias accompanied Arthur back to London, meeting with Alfie and Billy to commence the launch the allegiance of the Shelby Company Limited with the Aerated Bread Company, Clara and Finn had been invited for tea at Polly's. The Gray woman might not live with them anymore, but she still looked after her kids.

After the maid had finished serving their dishes, Polly placed her palms together, Clara and Finn following suit "Dear Lord, for what we're about to receive may the Lord make us truly grateful. Amen."

"Amen." Clara mumbled softly alongside her brother. They'd had enough practice to know to appease Polly when it came to God.

Michael however didn't which earned him a sharp glare from his mother "Amen."

Clara gave the boy a gentle nudge to the leg and he sighed as he met her look "Amen."
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Elias wasn't sure what it was but as he sat one side of Arthur as Billy Kitchen took the other, something about Alfie Solomons had him on edge. He'd heard of the man growing up in London, of course he had. The eclectic bread maker had a reputation that far extended Camden Town and while Elias knew the man was a successful businessmen, he also knew how cutthroat he was to get there. He supposed he and Thomas had that in common.

Elias kept his expression placid as the bread was placed before him, the rest of the table filled with booze and steaming hot food. He shuffled in his seat, watching as Alfie stood from his own across the table "Passover started off way out there in the Far East, out in the sand, out in the desert, where me forefathers come from. You know, the Jews, the brews, whatever you want to call them. It started out as a little speck on the horizon."

The sound of the doors closing had Elias turn to see Alfie's men locking them up and he wasn't the only one to have it send alarm bells ringing through his head as Billy leant towards the Shelby man "Arthur, this ain't right."

"Billy, don't worry, mate, you know what I mean?" Alfie stepped in having overheard "If you want, you can leave. If you need to go to the little boys' room, you can leave. We going to open 'em in a minute."

"He's all right." Arthur clapped the man on the shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze "He's all right, aren't you Billy boy?"

Alfie looked to the Kitchen man "Do you want to leave?"

Billy swallowed thickly "No, you're all right."

"What about you, Elias?" Alfie turned to the Handley boy "You want to stay?"