BRUTAL LOVE || JOHN SHELBY

Chapter 28

Libitina woke up early the next morning, a family meeting happening across the street. Libitina got herself and the kids ready, Mia coming to look after them whilst her and John were gone. Libitina still hasn't spoken to John, not wanting to hear his shitty excuses again. When Libitina was ready she made her way across the street, without John. 

Libitina was one of the first ones there including Arthur, Finn and Thomas, "Hello." Libitina spoke, taking a seat in front of a standing Finn who leaned his hands on her chair.

"Where's John?" Thomas asked.

"Sulking about Michael, he'll be here in a second." Libitina answered, not even taking a look at him.

John burst through the door, trying to get Finn to move but he refused seeing how annoyed Libitina was with her husband. Some other Peaky Blinders walked in, the only person they were waiting for now was Polly. Libitina was confused on why there was a family meeting but it better be a good reason for pulling her out of her house. 

Polly walked in, taking off her coat, "This had better be good to interrupt my holiday." Polly spoke.

"Where's the boy?" Arthur asked.

"In the back room. Afterward's were going to the museum." Polly answered.

"Arthur, the poor boy has a name." Libitina stated.

"He wanted to come say hello-" John said, getting cut off by his wife.

"Shut up John." Libitina shouted.

"There is nothing of interest to Micheal here." Polly stated, "Tommy, get on with this."

"Last night, one of our men had his throat cut in Winson Green. This morning I had a telegram saying it was Sabini's order." Thomas explained.

"And it says here Thomas Shelby is next." Arthur said ripping up a piece of paper.

"Not saying I told you so, but I told you so." Libitina said.

"If our men think we can't look after them, they'll not work for us. Sabini knows that. So, we need to get the Green sorted out. Scudboat, you and one of the boys. Break a couple windows and get arrested. And if our coppers get you into the Green, you find out who did it." Thomas explained.

"Instead of breaking a window can we pinch a car?" Scudboat asked, everyone laughing at his question, "What? Everybody else is getting a car, I'm still on a bloody donkey."

"Just get yourselves fucking arrested. It doesn't matter how. And, before you all laugh, a boy is dead. He was just a kid. We'll start a fund for his family, Pol." Tommy explained.

"Agreed." Polly nodded, "So, is that it? Can I go now?"

"Well, as company treasurer, I need your permission to spend a thousand guineas." Tommy answered.

"On what?" Polly asked.

"A horse." Thomas told the woman.

"A thousand guineas on a horse?" Libitina asked.

"That's right." Thomas nodded.

"When was this decided?" Polly asked, walking around the room.

"You've been busy with Michael." Tommy answered.

"Oh my god! So in the absence of common sense, you boys had an idea." Polly said.

"Polly, there's a thoroughbred quarter Arab filly up for auction at the Doncaster Blood Stock." Thomas explained.

"What do we want with a thousand guinea horse?" Polly questioned.

"When we make our move on Sabini's racing pitches, any men we get in the betting enclosure will be lifted by Sabini's police. A good race horse is a passport to the owner enclosure." Thomas explained.