By Order Of The Peaky Blinders

Chapter Twelve

"I thought you said we were going to the fair." Arthur complained from the back of the car "and I don't see why I couldn't bring Sybil; she loves the fair!"

"We have business first, and you know their visiting Downton" Tommy said climbing out the car and calling teasingly "Come on. Bring your wits."

"Don't see why I couldn't go with Sybil" Arthur grumbled "who cares if it's ladies' tea? Surely fiancés can go"

Tommy rolled his eyes and ignored his love-struck older brother.

"What business?" John asked in curiosity before his voice tightened into annoyance "That's the Lee family."

"Tommy!" a cheery voice called out for Tommy it was Johnny Dogs, an old friend and distant relation to both the Shelbys and the Lee's, making him a good go between.

"Johnny Dogs." Tommy replied calmly as he pulled out a cigarette to smoke, looking around the camp that the Lee's had set up.

"Tommy, how the hell are you?" Johnny asked walking up to clasp hands with him, a grin on his face.

"All the better for getting the city smoke out of me lungs.- Tommy replied thankful, he loved small heath but he could understand why his mother found the place so stifling. It suffocated a part of his gypsy soul to not be surrounded by river and trees and fresh air.

I thought you became a bit too grand for us.- Johhny said "especially marrying a Lady and how is the lovely Lady Viola?"

I've been busy." Tommy replied, a soft smile flitting across his face at the mention of his wife, Johnny had smartly always been very respectful of his wife "and Stailc Tintreach is well, taking our lad to visit her family"

"And a wee little boy! Where is he? What's his name?" Johnny asked eagerly "I sent along a wee wooden horse for him, does he like it?"

"Rian and he's a bit young for business" Tommy said with a warm tone, pride sparkling in his eyes "and aye, loves his horses"

"Grand name for a future King, I'm riding with the Lee family now." Johnny said before adding on slyly "Loves his horses, just like his da aye?"

"I heard." Tommy said with disdain "Myself, I'd rather live among pigs."

"Come on, Tommy. No disputing" Johnny chided him before moving the subject on "So, your first fair since France?"

"What do you know about France, you war-shy Gypsy bastard?" Tommy asked him with a smirk of amusement before his eyes landed on the horse that he was betting on and roving his eyes over the beast carefully.

"So, this is the horse." Tommy said staring at the beautiful white horse, Viola would love him, tommy walked over and began checking it, feeling his muscles beneath his velveteen coat, powerful legs, well taken care of hooves, bright black eyes...stunning.

"And that's the car" Johnny said staring at the car as he ran his hands over the black car, sticking his head through the window to look at the leather seats and wheel, aching to drive the beautiful machine.

"Hang on a minute. You are not swapping the family car for a bloody horse." Arthur protested immediately, concern for their family rising, sure they could afford it but a car was a car! "Viola would choke you out"

Tommy chuckled "for this horse? She'd be alright with it"

"Of course, we're not swapping it. Huh? That would be mad" Johnny said stalking back to the small group and shooting a disdainful look at Arthur.

"We're going to play two-up" Tommy told Arthur with a cheery tone as he pulled out a coin, Johnny doing similarly, they tossed their coins before bending over to look, Tommy felt pleased when he won before reaching into his pocket.