The Darkness Within (Peaky Blinders) Thomas Shelby

31. A Grand Affair

You're one microscopic cog

in his catastrophic plan

Designed and directed by

his red right hand

- Red Right Hand, by Nick Cave

The whiskey glass shattered upon impact against the bedroom door as Tommy turned away to shield his face from the spray of glass fragments. She had aimed closer than what Polly had the other night. Thomas recovered and slowly looked back to his wife with a neutral expression. She stared back, deep breaths rising from her chest.

"Get out." She finally seethed with venom dripping from her tongue.

He had informed her that she was to stay home and not go to the races after her episode the previous day. She was always a bit temperamental in the days that followed as was evident now and although the event might have done her good... Grace wouldn't have. He needed the barmaid with Kimber, less so now that Kiara wasn't going, but his plan still stood.

"I'll be home tonight." He informed in a gentle half whisper.

"I said get out!"

Tommy stared back for another silent moment before turning to leave, closing the door behind him. He was half tempted to leave John or Riley behind to watch her, but he needed them.

"That went well." Polly said sarcastically as Tommy came to the bottom of the stairs.

"She doesn't like being told what to do, even when she's herself." He smiled fondly at the thought. It irritated him sometimes, mostly because she wouldn't listen when she had to like with Kimber at the Garrison, but he loved it as well. "I don't like doing it." He said softly. "But I have to when she's like this. I have no idea what she'd do if she went today... with Grace there."

"Are you sure you need the barmaid?"

"Yes. I told Kimber she would be there. I can't show up without her."

"You also told him Kiara would be."

"I'll say she's unwell and told us to go on without her. I have to go." Tommy moved on. "Curly should be done fixing the car by now, I've got to go pick it up."

Polly nodded as goodbye before he left and then glanced up the stairs to the bedroom where her niece-in-law was, the two of them now alone in the house. The boys were all out, she couldn't tell Ailia or Nevina... Kiara never liked her mother or Ailia knowing when she was unwell. Her mother was sick enough herself and Ailia was worried over their mother enough as it was, she didn't need the extra concern. Polly loved the girl, it was just that Tommy and John were better with her when she was like this. Not due to a lack of Polly knowing what she was doing, but purely because Kiara listened to them more, more than she did Riley even.

She made some tea and took it up to her along with some fresh bread, knocking on the door before walking in. The shards of glass crunched under Polly's shoes as she looked down. She had heard the glass breaking from downstairs so she wasn't surprised.

Kiara sat at her dressing table, brushing out her hair, as Polly made her way over and placed the tray beside her.

"Did you draw the short straw today, Poll?" Kiara questioned.

"No. Tommy would be here if he could, you know that. This meeting with Kimber is important... especially after he fixed those races with Monaghan Boy. We don't need a war with Kimber as well as the Lees."