My Next Mistake || Book One

Loves a game, do you wanna play?

Olivia woke to the sun trying to burst through the curtains.  She opened her eyes and brushed the hair from her face. A twinge met her head.

Fuck.

Too much whiskey. She turned over to see Tommy. He wasn't there.

Fuck.

She didn't have enough information to back to Sabini with. She couldn't lie, the sex was amazing. But that's not what she was paid for. She threw on her silk dressing down and downstairs. She was in desperate need to a cup of tea.

As she made her way towards the kitchen, she heard a voice coming from the front room.

'I know Pol. I know. Look I'll be back by tomorrow and we will straighten all this shit out.'

Olivia made her way towards the front room every step on her tiptoes. Maybe she could get some more information from this phone call.

'Leave Arthur to me. I will see you when I get back.' And with that Tommy hung up the phone. Olivia made herself known by making a small cough. Tommy turned towards her. The dressing gown she was wearing was showing a lot more skin then he was expecting.

'Had to use your phone.' Tommy stated.

'Not that's okay. Everything alright?' Olivia questioned as she sat down on the sofa. Tommy remained standing.

'Er.. Yeah. Just family buisness' Tommy explained pulling out a cigarette. Olivia nodded and the silence became awkward. Only last night did they sleep together and now it was the morning after. Most men would begin Olivia to see her again, but Tommy didn't seem like that kind of man, desperate for any kind of attention.

'Well I best be off then.' Tommy stated. He began putting his coat on and Olivia panicked. He couldn't leave now. He began walking towards the door and Olivia staggered after him.

'Tommy..wait!'

Tommy stopped in his tracks and turned to face Olivia. He looked her up and down. God she was beautiful. Her blonde hair was falling in her face making her place it back behind her ear. But Tommy had things to do before heading back to Birmingham, he didn't need a woman getting in his way.

'At least, at least tell me who you are? What you do? You know about me. What about you?' Olivia questioned. She was right. Tommy knew she work at Sabini's bar, she was a singer, a girl with a broken past.

Tommy walked towards her and looked down sternly.

'My name is Thomas Shelby. I fought in France during the war. I live in Birmingham. I race horses. I'm the leader of the Peaky Blinders and the less you know the better.'

And with that he turned and walked out the door. Olivia stood there, mouth open. She needed to get to Sabini before he did. She quickly dialed the phone to the club.

'Simon speaking how can I help?'

'Simon, it's Liv. I need to speak to Mr Sabini.'

'Okay Liv, just a moment.'

She heard rustling coming from the other side of the phone.

'Ahh there is my superstar. How did it go? I saw you on the dance floor, I hope you pulled out all the information you could my flower.' Sabini spoke, the words singing from his throat.

Olivia gulped. 'Mr Sabini...I'm afraid all he told me was that he was here to discuss the races with you.'

The phone line was silent. That was not good.

'Right. My darling you are going to have to try harder then that. Get me my fucking information!'

And with that the phone went dead.

Olivia sighed. Thomas Shelby was going to be a tougher challenge then she thought. She needed up to her game if she wanted to make Sabini happy and still be employed.

A few hours later Tommy was walking amongst to cold streets of Camden Town.  He entered to bakery and was greeted by a young man.

'Whoa. Who do you think you are mate?' The man questioned holding his hand up to Tommy while looking him up and down.

'Thomas Shelby' he simply replied. The young man quickly straightened up and coughed nervously.

'Ohh sorry Mr Shelby. The boss is waiting for you.' Tommy nodded and strode past the man. He heading towards a familiar office. as he opened the door an East London voice greeted him.

'Ahh Tommy. It's been a while.'

'Not to long Mr Solomons.' Tommy said shaking the man's hand. Alfie Solomons. A man running a bakery in Camden Town. A bakery that was illegally making the best rum in London and selling it to the rich in America who were banned from the alcohol.

'Sit down. Sit' Alfie gestured towards the chair in front of his desk. Tommy sat down and removed his flat cap. 'So Tommy what dealing do you have down in London?' Alfie questioned.

'Sabini. I want to take over the races.'

Olivia had finished her number and exited the stage. Her mind was only focused on one thing. Tommy Shelby.  Sabini had reminded her of her job before her shift started and in 5 years she had never seen Sabini so on edge and angry before.

She needed to get this right.

She moved through the sea of people, dancing and drinking, as she scanned the crowd. There was no sign of Tommy. Has he already left? Olivia headed for the bar. She was wearing a red dress that fell straight to the floor. It hung to her slim figure perfectly. The material was light and showed a little more chest then most girls dared to show. As she took a sip of the whiskey set in front of her.

'Wearing a dress like that, you would be the envy of all the girls at the races,' a voice spoke. She turned her head behind her to see the handsome Birmingham gangster.

'Is that an invitation Mr Shelby?' Olivia smirked into the question as she looked him in the eye. He was wearing a three piece suit and looked like something out of a magazine.

Tommy moved towards her next to the bar and gestured to the bar man for two whiskeys. He turned to look down at her. God, the girls back in Birmingham didn't wear anything like Olivia did.

'If you want it to be. I'll take you to the races.'

Olivia smiled. She was starting to forget what she was really there to do.