By Order Of The Peaky Blinders

Chapter Eleven

Tommy adjusted his cap slightly as he encouraged the beautiful black horse to trot on, hoping that the dark circles under his eyes wouldn't be noticed but it wasn't like anyone would be saying anything if they did.

Lines of washing were strung up, the sheets flapping in the street as the horse trotted along the cobbled street. There were dozens of children, all barefoot and dressed in rags playing on the cobbles, women were working and calling out to each other, the air buzzing with laughter and yelling, the vigour of life and Tommy smiled appreciatively. He did love small heath. Though he was tempted to whisk Viola and Rian away for the weekend, he'd gotten a nasty cold the past few days, and had been screaming constantly. It had sent Viola into a panic making her sob and feel as if she was a bad mother- which of course, she wasn't- Tommy had managed to set him down for a nap and sending Viola for a nap as well, with Osiris and Mariana, the maid to watch over them.

But of course, when they heard the click of his horse's hooves, everything fell silent. Whispers breaking out and going around the children and mothers. All the games paused, washing left in baskets as the mothers turned to the crowds of children, gesturing for their own.

Tommy Shelby was well known, well respected and well feared in small heath, just the way he liked it as he passed by, wearing a dark suit set out by his wife with boots that had been polished by Barrow the night before. He guided the horse under a line of sheets but finally dismounting, when he glanced around the courtyard was empty, as he had instructed, the mothers and children hiding in doorways or alleys.

He took his gold watch on a chain from his vest pocket, checking the time as he absently patted the neck of the horse, he frowned, they better not be late. He wanted to go back and check on his wife and son. Rian was usually such an observant little baby, Tommy was entranced by him and utterly loathed being away but a living had to be made.

Just as he was putting his watch away Mai and Zhang finally arrived, they turned into the courtyard and slowed down when they spotted him. Zhang took Mai's hand and led her over to him, swallowing nervously. Good they should fear him.

He casually took out a sweet Afton cigarette and lit it with a match as they approached him warily, their bodies tense to run and feeling the weight of the eyes surrounding them but Tommy was perfectly at ease.

"Sir? This is her." Zhang spoke with a heavily accented voice, gesturing to Mai, the girl he'd heard about that could tell fortunes.

"The girl who tells fortunes?" Thomas doubled checked and Zhang bowed in confirmation, he kept his eyes focused on the man after a quick glance at Mai, he gestured at the man to begin his ritual.

With shaking hands Zhang pulled out a small velvet bag from his inside pocket and held it up for Thomas to see, he admired the golden dragon woven delicately into the bag for a moment before reaching into his inside jacket. Showing off his long barrelled Webley revolver hanging in his army-issued holster. When they saw it, they shrunk back in fear but Tommy just took two pound notes out for Zhang to take, allowing ever to see the transaction.

The man took his money before handing the velvet bag to Mai, giving her instructions in rapid Chinese. She hesitated, seeming confused for a moment before doing what she was told.

Mai hesitantly opened the velvet bag and poured a palm full of red powder into her hand. Thomas watched intently and when she glanced at him, he offered her a reassuring half smile and urged her to obey Zhang's whispers. Mai put her hand near to the horse's nose and blows.

A cloud of red dust hits the horse. The horse snorted and shied and Tommy kept the horse in place, a neutral look on his face but a pleased glint in his eyes as Mai blew more red dust onto the horse's nose and Tommy rubbed the dust into the soft flesh around the nostril.