Loving Gwen Baker (Thomas Shelby/Peaky Blinders)

Chapter Nine

Tommy had stolen Gwen on Monday's as well as Fridays.

She was greeted by the Peaky Blinder at the end of her path, as she was about to make her way to the Garrison for her usual shift. Tommy was leaning against his car - engine still running - as he smoked on his cigarette, his eyes drinking in her form.

She felt like a deer in the headlights. An apple was currently held between her teeth as she pulled her arms through her coat.

"Tommy, what...what are you doing here?"

He tossed his cigarette to the ground, and opened the car door for her. "I said I'd talk to Harry about Monday's." He said. "And it's Monday."

She slowly slipped into the vehicle, her apple clutched awkwardly between her hands.

"Are we going to the meadow?" She asked, "Because I haven't got my paints."

"No." He said, "We're going for a drive."

She frowned, "I'm not working?"

"No."

She didn't understand what they were doing, or where they were going...but they soon arrived in a small town just outside of Birmingham.

"What are we doing here?" She asked, in confusion.

Tommy looked as though he wanted to say something...and Gwen waited patiently. She had never understood how he could demand people to do things for him and terrify them...when he was practically the same, shy little boy who couldn't find any words around her.

"I'm buying you a dress for the races." He said.

"But...I'm not going."

"Yes, you are."

"Could Grace not go?"

"No, Grace is still coming." He said, "But I..." I want to go with you. "She doesn't like horses as much as you."

"I don't want to get in the way-"

"-You'd never."

"Tommy..." She shook her head, "I don't want to get in the way of your date with Grace."

"It's not a date."

She turned her gaze to meet with his, "But even so." She said, nervously. "As much as I would like to go, I..." She wasn't ready for such a big event just yet. "I can just imagine how many people would be there and-" Already, she was starting to feel self conscious. She felt Tommy's eyes on her body as her arms subconsciously crossed over herself. "-People think they're quiet when they make negative comments." She said, "But I can hear them."

"Who?"

"Does it matter?" She asked, "It's not who they are that matters to me, it's what they're saying."

"It matters to me, who they are." Tommy said.

"But why?" She wondered, with a shake of her head. "People gossip, it's what they do. If I'd have just looked after myself, they wouldn't have things to say and-"

"-Don't ever blame yourself." Tommy said, "And don't listen to anything they say about you."

"But it's true." She looked out of the window. "Anyway, we should just go home." She said, "I either need to get to the Garrison for my shift, or pick up my paints."

I want you to come to the races.

I think you're beautiful.

Tommy said nothing. He switched the engine on once more, before pulling away from the curb and driving along the street back towards Small Heath.