The Blood War, Peaky Blinders

𝟎𝟒𝟗 Left me hanging on

The blood war
chapter forty nine, Left me hanging on
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-1929
Birmingham, England

Tommy rides his horse through the field to a red phone box that sits ringing as he approaches it. He answers the phone and holds it to his ear, "Arthur?" "We cannot give you the assurance you are asking for. We expect payment in full." Here's my favourite part, "We have never even heard of your people so we are not afraid of your threats." Arthur reads from his letter, "And they've signed it 'the Angels of Retribution'" Arthur brings the lighter closer and sets the corner of the page on fire.  Tommy sighs as the phone cuts off. "They say they've never heard of us? So tell Aberama and Isiah to introduce themselves" Tommy said. 

"Khloé'd have been good for this" Arthur said, a hint of sadness in his voice. "Arthur. Khloé chose to leave. Finn, you stay out of it." Tommy said, hanging up the phone.

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Meanwhile in America, Michael had let business get a little out of control. He couldn't remember a thing that happened last night. Whatever it was, it must've ended in booze and sex because Khloé wasn't that far away from him. Next thing the phone rings and Michael wakes up groggily on the sofa, rubbing his eyes as Khloé still lay asleep on the floor. He stumbles to his feet and slides between the light to get to his desk, finally answering the phone. "Yeah?" He asked, " Wait. Wait, wait; say that again." Michael stuttered, "No. No, that cannot be possible!" Michael sets the phone down and looks back at the machine that prints the numbers for the company. Michael looks at the numbers, worried and confused. 

Khloé finally wakes up and looks at Michael reading the paper. Michael lights himself a cigarette, feeling Khloé's lips on his cheek. "What the fuck is that?" Khloé asked, her face scrunched into a confused look. Michael reaches for the phone, in distress as Khloé takes a sniff of cocaine. "Hello?" Arthur asked. "Arthur! Arthur, where's Tommy?" Michael asked. "I don't know, Michael. Why, what happened?" Arthur asked. "Just get to him and tell him we've lost the lot!" Michael shouts. "Stay there. You stay put. You'll hear from Tommy." Arthur orders, hanging up. "Mind telling me what the fuck is going on?" Khloé asked, harshness in her tone.

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"Fuck sake!" Arthur yelled, smashing his glass of whiskey against the wall. "Daddy?" A five year old Arabella asked, standing in the door frame of Arthur's office. Arthur ignores her and starts to rummage through his drawers for his phone-book. "Daddy, I can't find mummy" Arabella said, watching as Arthur paced back and fourth. "She's out, Bella, she'll be back later" Arthur said through his teeth. "Artemis has split his head open though-" Arabella said, making Arthur stop in his tracks and slam his hands on the desk.

"What?" Arthur asked. "On the fireplace, he tripped on the carpet and fell into the brick" Arabella said. "Fuck!" Arthur yells, "How much blood, how much blood Bella, hm?" Arabella shrugged her shoulders as she wasn't particularly looking. "Where's Leanora?" Arthur asked. "In the hall, she's with Artemis but not watching the blood" Arabella. "Go get Khlo-" Arthur said, but remembered Khloé isn't here, "Go get Tara." Arthur says then yells, "Tara! Bella, go watch your sister, I don't need another fucking blood puddle in that hallway, Tara!"

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Michael lifts Khloé's clothes from the floor and tosses them in her direction, "Come on, get changed" Michael ordered. "Jesus fucking Christ Mic" Khloé said, catching them. "Go wake the kids, I'll get the car" Michael said, looking around for the keys, "We've gotta get out of here, hurry up!" Michael yells. "I'm going!" Khloé shouts, "Calvin! Niamh! Ethan, get up and get dressed!" Michael pulls on his waistcoat after fixing up his shirt and near enough sprinted out of the room, banging on the wall that separated the kids room from the hall.