Heartless

Polly Shelby

Heyyy!

Its been a while since I've updated but I've been doing my research and thinking about this story a lot. I've been told that my rendition of Tommy is at times a bit out of character, and I understand that. I'll definitely do my best to stay true to this character but once in a while I may put my own spin on things because this is how I see him in my daydreams, fantasies, etc. Also, if you don't watch the show, you should, its flipping amazeballs.

*P.S. there's the pic of Polly I promised :) Don't she look so gooood??

Ok, now that I have that out of the way, commence Chapter 6.

~

"Oh piss off Tommy."

"Polly, you know I'm right."

They both sat in his office. Tommy had sent Toni home for the day with no further instructions other than to keep her mouth shut. He knew she had no real idea of what was going on and he bet that even if she did, she didn't have the nerve to tell. Still, he could never be too careful. Tommy had no time for false pride.

"That girl has no idea what you got her into and you had no right to scare her into bloody submission."

"Calm down, Polly" Tommy continued calmly. "I'm just covering Arthur's arse. Someone had to fix his mistake. We know nothing about that girl and for all we know she could be a spy."

Tommy justified his actions but he knew he didn't believe one word of it. It was true he didn't know a lot about the girl, that's why she fascinated him. He desperately wanted to read her, discover her quirks and what made her tick. But she was a bundle of secrets, all the more fascinating to him.

But these miniscule musings of her were just that, miniscule. They meant absolutely nothing to him when it came to the great scheme of things: business.

"Tommy she's not a damn spy and you bloody well know it. Ooh just when I think you've made some progress you fuck around and prove me wrong. Nothing can erase the damage France has done to you."

"Polly, don't-"

"You're always paranoid, always sly, and bloody incredulous. You hide it from the family but I see right through you Thomas Shelby. Your soul is slipping away." She stood up to leave. "You better catch it before you loose it forever." Polly walked away.

Tommy shook off her comment and sat back down, lighting a cigarette.

~

Teddy Langely sat in his office poring over paperwork, his fifty year old back slightly bent in focus. His glasses stood at the tip of his tired yet handsome face. His hand ran absentmindedly over his greying hair.

He had gone over his books dozens of times but this week, something wasn't adding up, he was missing some of his profits.

"Richard!" He called in his right hand man.

A moment later a tall man of similar appearance but in his mid-forties entered the room.

"Yea boss."

"Sit down for a minute Rich, let me run some numbers by you."

Richard had been Theodore's best friend ever since they each were young men but he still respected Theodore as his boss. They came up in the same neighborhood and formed a gang, or as they liked to call it, a business, of all black men. Although, their business was not murderous, it was illegal. They were bootleggers selling their product to Americans who were currently in prohibition. High risk but higher returns.

After sharing his observations, Theodore spoke up, "Do you see these irregularities?"

"Yah Teddy, its odd how even they are though. Always $1200 missing and always from that liquor company, Glasgow. Something's definitely up."

"Well-" Teddy was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"What is it?" he asked irritably.

A young man in his twenties opened the door and stepped into the doorway. Out of respect he avoided eye contact with Teddy.

"Well, speak, boy!" Teddy snapped.

"Mr. Langely sir, sorry to interrupt but you're niece is on the phone for you."

"Oh," Teddy said, "give me one second."

"Yes sir," with that the young man exited the room and closed the door.

"I suppose you'll be taking that?" Richard smiled, he knew how much Teddy's niece meant to him and how much it hurt Teddy that his own sister kept her at a distance from him.

"Yes, I believe I will" Teddy said with a smile.

To Teddy, this new living arrangement was a second chance. He got to be in Toni's life again. Theodore was going to keep her ignorant of his business dealings but he also was going to protect her.

Since he had no legal job for her in his own establishment, he sent her to his good friend Polly Shelby. Polly provided an open bartending position and protection, in addition to Teddy's own, for Toni.

It was uncomfortably close to the Peaky Blinders but it was also close to him. He was willing to take it.

He headed to the phone.

"Hello dear," he said.

"Hi Teddy," Toni said

"It's so good to hear you voice again, love."

"You too," Toni whispered.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Umm,"

On Toni's end of the line, she fiddled anxiously with the telephone wire.  She was still shaken from earlier that day.

Her mom was asleep when she got home and her uncle was the only one that she could think to call.

"Toni, tell me what's wrong." He said.

"I-I... I need someone to talk to." She said as she broke down into tears. She was so afraid and confused and she needed help sorting out all of her emotions. "Please, can I talk to you?" She asked.

"Sure, I'll come over." He said.

"Thank you," Toni said.

~

So, no romance in that one, unfortunately, but trust me, its coming. I mean, you'll be begging me to stop once I lay it all out there. Lol jk, but I do hope you're enjoying this story so far, I certainly am. Things are heating up, eh?

Until next update,