The Blood War, Peaky Blinders

𝟎𝟑𝟗 Beginning of an end

The blood war
chapter thirty nine, Beginning of an end
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-1925
Birmingham, England

It had been a year since everyone had gotten out of jail and everyone was a bit out of it, especially Polly. But it was everyone's favourite time of the year, Christmas. Tommy had escaped from the cold and sat down in the Midland Hotel to have a smoke."Not going home for Christmas, Mr Shelby?" The waiter asked. "Tomorrow" Tommy confirmed, lighting his cigarette. "So... Maria, Clara or Elizabeth?" He asked. Tommy sighed, "It's Christmas, find me someone new, Billy." Billy nodded and walked away.

Milly walked over to Tommy with a bag in her hand, "I've wrapped all Charlie's presents and left them in the room" She sighed, sitting down. "What did I get him?" Tommy asked. "Toy horses, toy guns, toy cars... You're due at the singer factory at eight tomorrow, not eight thirty, there's a union problem" Milly said, sliding Tommy the file she had under her arm. "Eight... yep." Tommy said, tapping his cigarette into the ashtray. "Then the driver will take you home" Milly said. "I'll drive myself..." Tommy said, "Goodnight, Milly, have a good Christmas." Milly looked at him, squinting slightly before turning to a waiter, "I'll have a gin and tonic."

She proceeds to stay seated, "You're not getting rid of me that easy. I have had Christmas cards from John, Arthur, Ada, the Gray's, the Canavan's and Polly... and an invitation... New years. A party at John's house." "A party at John's big house. Good for him." Tommy said dryly. Now John could rub in Arthur's face that he wasn't the only one with a big ass house, but Khloé would still remind him he needed a princess. Tommy hadn't spoken to them much and if he spoke to Arthur, it would be through Paige but very rarely he'd even speak to her.

"Ada's coming back from Boston for it." Milly said. "I know" Tommy said, "It was me who gave her the time off." Tommy takes puffs of his Cigarette. "Look, why don't you just come? Show up even, bring Charlie. Bring a lump of coal, first footing. A dark haired man crosses the threshold to bring good luck for the New Year, hm?" Milly asked, trying to persuade him in the slightest, "The babies will make everybody okay. Babies stop everything. You can't pull a razor with a baby there, not even Khloé or Esme... Just come, see what happens. Tommy, you never even seen Arthur's kid, nor John and Esme's and not even Michael and Khloé's new one." Milly said, starting to get fed up by Tommy's silence and ignorance.

"Your drink, madam" Billy said, setting down Milly's glass. "Thank you" she smiled. "Billy?" Tommy asked, "Who have you got for me?" Milly sighed and took a sip of gin. "Theresa" Billy said. "I said someone new" Tommy said. "Understood" Billy said, walking away. "Who gets Tommy Shelby tonight as a Christmas present?" Milly asked, rolling her eyes as she continues to drink. "So far, nobody. Does James Canavan get Millicent Burgess this year again? Or let me guess, you've moved onto Atlas Chesner" Tommy said, taking a gulp of his whiskey.

"Atlas is with Khloé's cousin, me and James have had flings but I'm not doing it again" Milly sighed. "Wouldn't surprise me if you did, Milly" Tommy said. "You're the one who left me, remember that, and you kissing me out of the blue doesn't change a single damn thing, or when you gave me the money for "comforting you" in your "time of need". If anything you're just sad" Milly scoffed, "If you're not going to this party for yourself or me, do it for Charlie" she hissed, "He deserves to know who his cousins are." "I got Charlie a real horse, Milly... not a toy. A thoroughbred." "And on Christmas Day it'll just be you and Charlie-" "Because you'll be in James Canavan's bed like every fucking year!" Tommy groaned.

"It was one Christmas!" Milly shouts, slamming her hands on the table, "You can't live like this another year..." "Sex, freedom, whiskey sours. Which one should I give up first, Milly, eh?" Milly downs her drink and stands up, pulling her coat over her shoulders. "Oh, I forgot, I got you something..." Tommy said, pulling out a small box. Milly looks on the table and takes it, walking away. "Merry Christmas..." He whispers to himself but he wanted to say it to her.