𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 ʲᵒʰⁿ ˢʰᵉˡᵇʸ

- 𝟎𝟐𝟓

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤
-𝟎𝟐𝟓-

Valerie watched Ruthie carefully as she ran ahead with the other children. "She's fine," John whispered to her when seeing the lack of ease on his wife's face. She nodded and held John's hand.

John had a cigarette balanced between his lips, the smoke drifting from his mouth as they all huddled together to get their photograph taken in front of the building that sat behind them.

'Grace Shelby Institute' it read.

After many attempts to get all the children to sit in their seats and remain quiet, they all watched Polly prepare herself to speak before the many people who had gathered for the opening.

"Welcome to the opening of the Grace Shelby Institute for the none 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 possible. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Thomas Shelby." She introduced.

Everybody began clapping.

"Speech!" Arthur roared. "Come on speech!"

John whistled with a large grin. "Lay the foundation!" John joined in.

Valerie laughed at him.

"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 as 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. They will grow up here at home, loved in Birmingham. Because this is our city."

"By order of the Peaky Blinders!" Arthur said loudly.

—

"Right, I need you to behave." Valerie quietly scolded Ruthie who had just ran off and bumped into a lady who was certainly not impressed to have a young child at her feet. "Otherwise there'll be no going to see the horses anymore." She threatened.

The young girl just nodded before disappearing once more.

Valerie turned back to John and took a deep breath. "She's becoming a little horror," she exaggerated. John laughed. "She's being a kid." He defended, kissing Valerie lightly. And before she could blink, John had sped off to speak to Tommy.

With a frown, she watched from a distance as the three brothers had a hushed conversation with each other.

She couldn't even attempt to guess what it would be about. Usually he told her everything.

Valerie turned away for a moment, placing her drink down. Her eyes scanned the room and, once again, Ruthie had ran off. With a sigh of complete frustration, Valerie stormed into the hallway. "Ruthie?" She called out, "Ruth, come on now." She said, peeking through the many open doors.

She could hear the patter of footsteps as they scurried across the floorboards.

Valerie watched the girl from the doorway of a room as she ran to hide behind a couch. "I can see you," she hummed, walking in slowly and creeping around to scare her. "Found you!" Valerie shouted, making her jump.

Ruthie squealed and covered her eyes.

Valerie lifted her from the floor and tickled the girl in the side whilst spinning her. "What did I tell you about running off?" She said with raised brows.