The Blood War, Peaky Blinders

𝟎𝟑𝟔 this is a happy house

The blood war
chapter thirty six, This is a happy house
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-1924
Cheshire, England

Today was the day of Grace's institute opening and the family attended the opening. Michael and Khloé had made up and they were back to living how they were. Near enough all of the children attended the opening because they could not be left home alone and Khloé did not trust Tommy's maids. "Welcome to the opening of the Grace Shelby Institute for 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" Polly said, introducing Tommy to the crowd. The crowd cheered and Tommy walked up to the podium. "Speech!" Arthur shouts, "You want uncle Tommy to do a speech, don't you Art?" Arthur asked, looking at his son.

"I don't think he has any opinions, Arthur" Paige said. Ada takes Charlie out of Tommy's arms and he walked up onto the stage. Polly stands off to the side and Calvin runs up to her and hugs her legs, causing her to pick up her grandson. "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 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..." Tommy said. Khloé takes Michael's hand whenever Tommy said that. "They will grow up here, at home, loved. In Birmingham... Because this is our city." Tommy said.

"By order of the Peaky Blinders!" Arthur shouts, earning a giggle from Artemis. Everyone gets up and claps for Tommy, even Moss who Khloé shot dirty looks at every two seconds. Tommy steps down from the podium and took Charlie back in his arms. Polly stood back up at the podium, Calvin still in her arms as she speaks. "Now, let us sing Immortal Invisible" She said. Khloé's face drops and she looks at Milly and Paige beside. "You never told me there was singing" Khloé said, looking at Milly. "I didn't know myself, Khlo" Milly said. As they all sing, Tommy stands outside, looking at the picture of Grace and Hughes walks in behind him. "The absence of my invitation for this event was obviously on an oversight on your part, Mr Shelby." Hughes said.

"But look, I have the keys, I have allocated myself an office, just there, two doors in from the street. It's the one that already has the stove and the crucifixion on the window... Mr Shelby?" Hughes asked as Tommy doesn't speak, "It is the one that has the crucifixion on the window in orange and red. That will be my office and I will take them to St Aloysius for confession. You do understand that these keys are part of our broader agreement." As Tommy stands and stares, Hughes blocks his view of the portrait. "For the next twenty four hours you will do exactly as you have been instructed. You'll not deviate. You'll not fail." Hughes finally shut up and walked away from Tommy.

As Hughes walked away, Michael and Khloé came around to corner. Khloé gave Hughes a dirty look and she grabbed Michael's hand, Hughes smiled at the pair and walked away, taking a few little boys with him. As the door shut behind him, Khloé turned and looked at Tommy, who's back was facing her. "He is a creepy prick, you know that right?" Khloé asked, "He's a sick bastard, Tommy..." "Believe me Khloé, I know" Tommy sighed. "The uhm... The Lord Mayor would like you to come and eat cake and drink some tea" Michael said, watching the door close. When Tommy doesn't respond, Khloé and Michael leave him alone to his thoughts.

The party was brought upstairs and everyone was in their own little groups. When Michael and Khloé make an appearance into the room, Polly hands Niamh back to Khloé. "She was missing her mummy" Polly smiled. Khloé smiled and looked down at her. "I'll be about here somewhere if you need me, okay?" Michael asked, giving Khloé's cheek a kiss before walking around the crowd of people. "So you moved from horses to automobiles in just four years?" A woman asked Michael, intrigued, "And became a father so young!" She pinches Michael's cheeks as Khloé's face shows shock. "Oh Jesus, should I go save him?" Khloé asked. "I'm sure he'll be fine... he's a man after all, Khloé" Polly said, patting her shoulder. "Speaking of man, where's your man at?" Khloé smirked.