Up in Smoke

3.6

"Welcome to the opening of the Grace Shelby Institute for the non-insured children of the poor. I would very much like you to join me in thanking the man that made the founding of this establishment actually possible. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Thomas Shelby," Aunt Pol announced with a smile on her face. 

Everyone began clapping for Tommy as he stood up with Charlie. "Speech! Come on, speech," Arthur shouted over the noise. Everyone in the room stood up for a standing ovation. I took Charlie from Tommy as he began to cry. 

Tommy made his way up to the stage. 

"Say it, Tom. Say it to 'em," Arthur cheered. 

"Lay the foundation," John shouted. 

Tommy looked at the crowd as he stood behind the podium. 

"Um, I didn't come here today to make a speech, but I will say this. These children are now safe. In our care, they will be safe. Because we are from the same cold streets as they are. And in our care, they won't be shipped away to the colonies. Or separated from kin. Or made to work for men in their various ways. They will grow up here. At home. Loved. In Birmingham. Because this is our city."

"By order of the Peaky Blinders. Get up," Arthur ordered. 

Once again, there was a standing ovation for Tommy. He stood there for a second before getting off the stage. He completely walked out of the room. Aunt Pol took over once again. "Now, let us sing Immortal Invisible." We all stood as the music played. I went to find Tommy. 

He was standing in the hallway looking at the photo of Grace. 

"Hear that, Grace," he softly asked. 

"She would have loved this." He turned around to look at me. "Sorry, just wanted to check on you." The door opened and the priest walked in. 

I glared at him as I walked out. I didn't like him one bit. I joined the others in the banquet hall. It was already full of people. 

"I just talked to Johnny Dogs. He said the tunnel's hit heavy clay. It's slowing down."

"How long?"

"Two days before they hit the wall."

"Tell him to dig a sinkhole to drain the clay."

"He asked if you could go down and have a look yourself, Tom." Tommy shook his head. "I told him wild horses would get you down."

"Hm."

"Mr. Shelby, I would just like to say that I wish I had met your dear wife before she was taken from us, and I would like to allocate an hour a day of each of my ladies' time to make winter clothes for the little ones," an older lady cheerfully offered. 

"Speak to my secretary, Miss Stark, in the gray hat. She knows my diary," Tommy sent her off with a smile. 

"Fuck me, Tom. I don't know how you do it...Incoming," Arthur mumbled. 

A lady walked up to us with a smile. 

"Oh, your little boy looks so much like you."

"Yes, Yes. He's a little rascal isn't he?"

"Mr. Shelby, would it be too inconvenient to steal you for a moment." The woman walked away with him. 

Charlie was crying due to all of the noise and not being able to run around. Just as I headed over to get him, Tommy handed him off. I couldn't see who it was.  

"Anna, boys, have you seen Charlie?"

"I don't know. He is playing, ain't he," Arthur asked. 

"No. You handed him off," I reminded.