Carmen - Tommy Shelby

-Chapter two

"Tomorrow is newmarket, all the London bosses will be at the races"

"So you just roll up and take the city?"

"No, we take the opportunity to show our hand. The Italian gangs and the Jewish gangs have been at war in London for six months. The Jews have been having the worst of it, they need allies"

"Yeah but we don't" Tommy stared at Polly with a sigh, getting impatient with her constant questioning and insistence on disagreeing with the plans he had already made.

"We need a foothold at the southern end of the Grand Union. The Jews control Camden town. We get out tomorrow when it's quiet and we leave our message. Now please Polly, open the fucking safe" He dragged out his last words to make his impatience known as he stood before her, the annoyance clear on his face whilst she stared at him from behind the desk before reluctantly getting up and fiddling with the safe's combination.

"You know it was speech you made in there about this company believing in equal rights for women, but when it comes to it, you don't listen to a word we say. Maybe you don't trust us." Polly spoke sternly, flicking her eyes towards his lifeless face every few seconds to try catch some sort of reaction whilst she opened the safe with more force than needed. Once it was open she turned to him, one hand on her hip and her lips pursed whilst she debated whether it was safe to say the words she intended.

"She is one woman Thomas. Maybe it's time you find one you can trust. She'll never be a part of this family Thomas. Not in my eyes"

"Polly please, not now" His face contorted as he became agitated at her words, holding a hand up to her as an indication to stop talking as he crouched in front of the safe, attempting to gather the few things he needed before leaving for his trip.

"I expected more from you. You meant to be the more intelligent one of the lot of us yet when it comes to that woman, it all goes out the window. And now you intent to marry her, after she nearly got you killed, got us all killed"

"Polly!"

His voice was raised now, slamming the paperwork from his hand onto the desk she sat at, giving her a stern look which she simply stared at, managing a single blink. She took a swift drag of her cigarette whilst leaning back in her chair, suggesting she wouldn't say another word on the matter.

"I'll be leaving in the morning, It'll only be a short trip I'll be back in a few days"

"What about John, Arthur? There's business up here that needs to be tended to aswell Thomas, I hope you haven't forgotten that"

"John and Arthur will be coming with me. I'm sure the business up here will be dealt with just fine. We've got you women to thank for that, ey?" he spoke with a mocking tone, it could have almost been taken as a joke if it hadn't of been for the look on his face.

"And Grace?" Tommy closed his eyes and took a deep breath before replying, not wanting this conversation to be brought back up again.

"She will be staying here"

"Well, I hope you won't be expecting me to pop round with tea and biscuits because I

tell you what-"

"Poll"

"I know. Just as long as you know."

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She let her eyes roam up and down her reflection, a look of disappointment evident on her face as she studied herself in such an outfit. She barely recognised herself. Her hair now lay just below her chin, framing her impressively structured face comfortably, by the clubs orders. Her bundle of restless curls not having sat well with the desired flapper style when she arrived.