The Falling Man

Chapter 35

Tommy POV

I leave Ethel's apartment shortly after laying her in bed, the sex not being able to last as long as I would want it to as I have to meet my brothers very soon. I left her with a kiss, one that could very well be our last. The truth is after I left Mr. Solomon's warehouse I couldn't live with the fact of never seeing the woman again. Not getting to lay my eyes on her pretty face one last time. I didn't have a plan of what I was going to say to her when I saw her, but the words just seemed to fall out of my mouth. Everything that has been brewing inside my skull was expressed and for that I can now breathe a sigh of relief.

The only difference was she now was mine and I was hers. If I died today, I would die a happy man knowing that she loved me and wanted to be with me as I did her. But this thought caused a pang of anxiety deep in my bones as I might never be able to expierence the bliss of loving the woman and receiving her love. I had waited too long and now the future of what we could be may not see the light of tommorow.

I rush to the caravans, parked in the pre-planned location in London, filled with Peaky men and my brothers. I greet Arthur, just released from the hold of The Squad this morning after Alfie told them the news of the new three way partnership. Whether I could now fully trust the Switzer men again, I was not entirely sure. But having them somewhat back on my side was far better than having them as another enemy I would have to deal with today at the racecourse. I hop in the nearest caravan as it sets off in the direction of Epsom. We pull off into a field when we are just about 20 minutes away. 

"Gentlemen, today we are not fucking about. I hope you've all obeyed instructions and brought loaded firearms with you." I announce to the men surrounding me as I stand perched up on the lip of the car. "Yeah." The men murmur holding up their guns. "Yes. Very good. You will all know that if you are lifted on the racetrack these days, with a loaded weapon, you get 20 years. That's all right, today you won't get lifted. Because today there will be no coppers around to lift you. At exactly three 'o clock, there will be an incident in the owners enclosure...and all the coppers on the track will be diverted, all of them. They'll be looking for someone. You will be free to operate at will."

"Looking for who?" Arthur asks from his seat leaned against another car. "Me. They will be looking for me. Now, while the coppers are busy with me, you will make your move on Sabinis pitches. You confiscate his takings, you destroy his liscenses, and you do it at gunpoint. He usually has police protection, so they won't be armed. We should aim to complete the takeover without a shot being fired, understood? And remember, the liscenses are more important than the takings...All right, before the fun begins, you can all lay ten bob on Nom De Guerre. I hear she's going to win." I announce hopping down onto the ground as the men erupt in cheers.

"Only beer beforehand boys. There will be plenty of time for rum and whiskey after...And remember, do not make a move until three, when the coppers leave. That is all." I say sticking a cigarette in my mouth as John goes around collecting their money. "Really lucky, John." I hear a man say to my brother as John smacks him round the mouth with a smirk and a laugh. "Incidents? What are you going to do that's going to make every copper at the derby look the other way?" Arthur asks me. "Trust me, brother." I tell him through a puff of smoke and a smirk. "Right, over here. Hey, boys, come here." John says wrangling the betting peaky soldiers as I walk away.
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I make my way through the back of Epsom to the paddocks to check on my horse. I see May standing leaned up against one of the poles. "She threw a shoe coming out of the box." She tells me. I rub the horses neck, examining the beautiful beast. "Eh? Looks in fine shape...Hello, hello, hello...Kushti bok. Kushti bok, eh? Should I be worried?" I ask the woman after my soft whisperings to my horse. "You should not. Go and drink, enjoy your day. I'll come and find you when the race is done." May tells me as I come to stand beside her.