Loving Gwen Baker (Thomas Shelby/Peaky Blinders)

Chapter Eleven

Happy Easter my lovely readers!

Gwen was very busy the next day at the Garrison. She had seen Grace briefly in the morning, admiring how stunning the young woman looked in her shocking red dress.

Gwen was surprised to hear that Tommy had given the Irish blonde the money for the dress, it was both expensive and exquisite and it made Gwen believe that Tommy had lied about it being a date. No way would a man pay that much money on a dress that was meant to sweeten up another!

In any case, Tommy picked Grace up outside of the Garrison, so Gwen didn't see him that morning.

The punters came in early, and stayed almost all day! The strawberry blonde was rushed off of her feet the entire first half of her shift, and she was more than happy to rest once Polly arrived to take the girl out for her lunch break.

"How are things?" Pol asked, lighting up a cigarette.

Gwen nodded, stirring the soup around in her bowl. "They're good." She said, pausing for another mouthful. "Very busy today."

"Did you get home alright yesterday?"

Gwen's hazel eyes met the sharp, dark ones of the older woman sitting at the table across from her.

"Tommy came home early." She said, "He said he left you painting."

"Yeah, I walked back." She replied honestly, "I had to stop about halfway home, I still can't do the trip in one go."

"I'll have a word with Tommy." Pol said, "He didn't say anything to me about why he left you there. Did something happen?"

"No." Gwen replied, a bit too quickly. She ate some more soup, acting oblivious to the scrutinising gaze of the Shelby aunt. "He had to get ready for his date with Grace, I would imagine."

Polly scoffed, "He isn't on a date with her."

"He said that too. But he spent a lot of money on her dress."

"He's tarted her up for Billy Kimber." Pol said, "Tommy isn't interested in that barmaid."

"Well, it's none of my business." She said, "He didn't say why he was leaving, he just left."

Pol narrowed her eyes at the girl, "It's unlike him to do that to you. Something must have happened."

Gwen sighed, "I misunderstood something that he said. I think he was annoyed that I assumed something that he didn't mean."

"What did he say?"

"It's not important." Gwen replied, having never particularly been one to gossip. "Anyway, now that I think I understand what he actually meant, I'll apologise when I next see him."

"So you didn't see him this morning?"

"No, he stayed in the car when he picked up Grace."

"He didn't pop in to see you?" Pol questioned, "I thought he would've done."

"No, I think I embarrassed him."

"Tommy doesn't get embarrassed." She argued, "What did he say that would have done that?"

"I'm not partaking in gossip, Pol." Gwen scolded, boldly. "It's between Tommy and I."

The older woman said nothing, and the two continued their lunches with minor chatter for the rest of the hour before she thanked Polly for lunch, and returned to the Garrison.

Now, when Harry went on his lunch break, the entire Garrison was as silent as the grave. Gwen had no customers at the bar, even without Tommy's presence. Gwen wasn't bothered, particularly, but when lots of people began to clear out - the strawberry blonde began to grow worried. If it was Tommy who had told people to stay clear of her, then it was bad for Harry - and Gwen didn't want to be the cause of another business to close. She had lost her fathers bakery, she didn't want Harry to lose the Garrison.