Peaky Blinders Imagines

Of Barmaids and Best Friends - Thomas Shelby

You watched as Tommy eyed the gorgeous blonde barmaid across the crowd gathered at the Garrison. You'd been in love with Thomas Shelby since you were old enough to know what the word meant, and when he'd gone off to France, you thought you'd lost your chance.

Since he'd come back, you'd felt privileged to be one of the few people he still trusted, still confided in, whether it be about the nightmares he still endured or the latest dealings of the Peaky Blinders.

Watching him watch her, you could feel him slipping away. You knew something felt wrong about this girl, something felt out of place, but for all that you had been through, you didn't dare voice this to Tommy. You would rather endure pain as his friend, than lose him forever.

He turned to you, exhaling the smoke from his cigarette, and raised his eyebrow, noticing you were already watching him.

"I'll be here Tommy, when she breaks your heart. I won't say I told you so."

He laughed, heading to the bar for another whiskey, and another chance to catch the attention of the barmaid.

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You hadn't seen Tommy in weeks. Not properly, at least. You heard he had taken up with that barmaid and hoped he remembered your words. You had kept up with Polly and the other Shelby's, helping Arthur keep his balance and watching John's kids when he needed you to.

You hoped you were wrong about Tommy and the barmaid, but that rarely happened. If you turned out to be right, you hoped he remembered that you would always be there for him, that the two of you had been through too much to be torn apart by one woman.

It was late when you heard banging on your door. Late and cold and miserable and there were few people in Small Heath who would dare disturb you so late. It had to be a Shelby, no doubt.

Tying a robe around your thin nightgown, you rushed to to door. Wrenching it open, you took in Tommy before you, he had never seemed so small as he did now. He was breathless as he explained her betrayal, though he didn't look as heartbroken as you expected.

"I'm sorry, Tommy"

"That's all you have to say?"

"I said it before, I won't say 'I told you so'"

"I know"

Tommy hadn't realised before how lucky he was to have you. He did now though, as he pushed his lips against yours and led you back inside your flat. He'd show you how lucky he was to have you.