Painting The Races Red | Tommy Shelby

Chapter Two ✔️

C h a p t e r T w o
T o m m y ' s G i r l

Something had felt off in Lynette's mind from the moment she had woken that morning. She knew that it was not nerves about Tommy, Arthur and John's visit to London. It was something else, something about Tommy's behaviour.

She had woken just like she would any other day; she would wake in Tommy's arms, they would talk for a few minutes - usually about business or family drama - and then they would get up and get ready. But when she was opened her eyes, Tommy was already up and about.

She had instantly noticed that his clothes from the day before, which rested on the end of the bed, smelt strongly of smoke. Not nicotine smoke, but factory smoke. When she innocently asked him about it, he told her he had went for a walk late last night. This rung alarm bells in her head. The excuse was a terrible one and after having spent two years at Tommy's side and over a year of living with him, she could usually tell when he was lying. She didn't say anything, instead making him swear he would be careful before he left to pick up his brothers before they travelled to London.

As she walked towards the Shelby's house across the street, she couldn't think of what Tommy would be trying to hide. They had a deal to not keep secrets; with the lifestyle they lived, secrets were dangerous. She already knew about the planned stunt on Sabini's club The Eden, and she would know from a mile off if he was having an affair. However, she had too much trust in him to even worry about that theory.

That left only something related to the attack on The Garrison, which last night he had told her was the result of the Irish trying to take out some competition by eliminating the local pub. A story she had not believed but had allowed him to get away with, because she had known the business in London was more important.

"Jesus," Lynette whistled as she was met with the sight of Polly after entering from the Shelby kitchen. "You look rough, you alright?"

Polly was seated at one of the desks in the main area of the shop, a cigarette in one hand and an open bottle of rum on the counter. Dark shadows decorated the skin below her eyes. "Couldn't sleep, love," she responded. "What you doing here?"

The redhead shrugged off her jacket before sitting at the takings desk closest to Polly. "Tommy wanted me here early instead of the offices today, he said yous would be busy. How many do we have running today?"

"One that I've checked so far, Divine Star."

Lynette nodded slowly before continuing to examine the woman, she had her doubts about Polly's answer for her poor condition. "Are you sure that you're fit enough to work? If you need some rest, go next door and I'll call you if it gets too busy later."

Polly looked up to meet her gaze. "I am fine, I don't need any rest."

Her attempt to convince the auburn haired woman that she was well failed miserably. Rather than argue with her - which she knew would be pointless - Lynette opted to simply sigh to release her frustrations before she began to set up the books to mark today's takings.

Neither women spoke or moved until the sound of the front door unlocking echoed around the room. Polly was quick to hide her half empty rum bottle under the table before downing the contents she had remaining in the glass. Lynette watched as she managed to accomplish this just before Esme rounded the corner.