Peaky Blinders. One shot and imagines

School teacher - Part 1 - Arthur x Reader

"Charles............?"

"Yes Miss (Y/l/n)..............?" The young boy replied, as he turned his eyes from the street to his teacher.

She had rung the last bell of the day some time ago, the children laughing and shouting happily as they made their way out onto the streets. Yet Charles was still waiting outside the front of the small building that, with the help of Charles' father and his family, she had been able to make into a small school for the local children. This was not usual; Tommy was normally always on time when it came to picking up his son. Either that, or if he was busy, his sister Ada or Aunt Polly would be there to collect the young Shelby. (Y/n) always quite enjoying her conversations with the two women, especially Polly, who always seemed to be happy to help if (Y/n) or the children needed something. So, this, this was a little strange.

"Charles, is your father not collecting you today.............?"

"Um.......no miss. He said that my uncle would be here............." The young man explained, as he turned back to the street, expecting that any minute a car would come rumbling down the cobblestones.

"Uncle. Oh, erm.......which uncle............?" The school teacher enquired, as she felt her heart beat a little quicker.

"My uncle Arthur........." Charles replied simply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. (Y/n) feeling a smile come to her lips, and a heat rise up onto her cheeks at the mere mention of the oldest Shelby's name.

She had met the whole Shelby clan on a couple of occasions. She was not a native of Small Heath, nor Birmingham, and had no family there, so Tommy had been kind enough to invite her to things like their Christmas celebrations. And it had been at these festivities that she had first met Arthur. (Y/n) finding herself inexplicably drawn to him.

In all honestly, she couldn't explain what it was, well.........she could. She found him handsome. She liked his smile, and the twinkle in his eyes when Tommy had introduced them. How he had sat next to her throughout the whole day and made sure that she had everything that she needed. Even going to the kitchen with her, when she had insisted on helping Ada and Polly with dinner. She of course knew of his not so stellar reputation; she had been told about what he and Tommy had been through in the war. About the anger and horrors that lived inside him. She had also heard the rumours about what would happen at a place called the Eden Club. But she also knew that Arthur wasn't the only one to do such things. Wasn't the only one to spend time with women. And anyway, she was aware of the reputation of all the family; yet she had never judged them on their business dealings, or what they did behind closed doors. All that was of concern to her, were the children that came to her school, and the Shelby's had never been anything but kind. Never been anything but philanthropic. (Y/n) happy to jump to their defence if anyone dare question their role in her little school. But Arthur, Arthur had definitely found a special place in her heart. The teacher always enjoying it when he would pop in to make sure that everything was alright. And the thought of being able to see him again, was making it impossible for her not to smile; even though she was sure, that despite his attention when they did meet, he could never feel the same way for her, as she did for him. That a simple school teacher could never truly draw his eye, when he already had so many women that wanted to know him.

"Charles..........."

"Yes miss............?"

"Why don't you come back inside and wait with me? I am sure that you uncle is on his way; but it does look like it's going to rain, and I have no intention of having you stand out here so that you can catch your death of cold. I am sure that once he arrives, he will come inside to find you." (Y/n) said, as she held out her hand. Charles taking one last look down the street, before nodding and taking her hand. Allowing his teacher to lead him back into the building.

                                                          >>-----------------------------------<<

The car sped down the street. Arthur behind the wheel. He was late; boy was he late. And he was sure that if he didn't get to the school soon, Tommy or Polly would kill him. He had promised his brother that he would pick up Charlie that day, as Tommy had meetings that he had to take care of. But he had offered not for the fact that he didn't have anything to do himself, but so that he could have an excuse to meet his nephew's teacher once again. The thought of her making him smile, as he honked his horn at the people that walked across the road right in front of him.

He had first met her when Tommy had invited her to the family Christmas celebrations. The oldest Shelby feeling his stomach twist in a most delightful way, as he had taken her hand. Arthur finding it impossible to leave her side for the entire day, even getting roped into peeling potatoes when she had offered to help his sister and aunt with the dinner.

Some might ask what it was that he saw in her, especially when he had the pick of the women at the club. When he could enjoy the pleasures of two, even four women at a time with no strings attached. But it was the fact that she wasn't one of those women. Wasn't just a casual fuck, that drew him in. It was true to say that she was beautiful, Arthur not sure that school teachers should be that beautiful. That she was smart too. Yet it was her kindness, her calmness and sweetness that held his attention the most. The oldest Shelby finding himself often thinking about her. Often asking Tommy if he needed him to go and check on the school, just so that he could feel the peace that seemed to surround her, surround him too. Arthur sure that he had been behaving much more since the two had met. And today he had planned on asking the school teacher if she would like to join him at the Garrison that evening, so that they could get to know one another a little better. Though his lateness at picking up his nephew was not going to score him any brownie points, he was sure. The tires protesting as he slammed on the brakes, when he reached the little school. Arthur jumping out of the car and making his way into the building, to find his nephew and (Y/n), who had her arms folded across her chest as she gave him a stern glare.

"Well, Mister Shelby......Better late than never I suppose.............."