Peaky blinders

Part one

My name is Ada Shelby,

I grew up in the dark rough streets of Small Heath Birmingham during the early 1900's. I have four brothers, a mother who died too young and a waster of a father who no ones heard of in years. After our Mother died and our Father left our aunt Polly took us in as her own. We had a rather playful childhood despite our parents absence. But everything changed when my three brothers Arthur, Thomas and John went to fight. I stayed home with my youngest brother Finn that's when we all had to grow up and deal with the hardships life threw at us. While the war went on for 4 years the women had to take over. Thankfully all my brothers returned home after the war ended in 1918. But men weren't the same men they once were war changed them.

The business my family runs is complicated and hard to comprehend for an outsider. The shelby name is both a blessing and a curse. Our town knows exactly who and what we are ever since the war ended my brothers and aunt have taken over the city. From running a successful dodgy gambling business for drunken men to place their bets on horses to running an empire of pubs, race horses and factories my brothers have done it all.

The Shelby name in my eyes has never defined me nor will I ever let it. I don't associate myself as a Thorne or Shelby just Ada. Because to be a Shelby in times like these is not only dangerous but catastrophic we learnt first hand just how when we lost Tommy's wife Grace and our brother John.

Every where my family go violence, terror and death follows due to the enemies we make along the way. I never signed up to be a murderer for the sake of the Shelby cause. But no matter how far I run my family always manage to catch up with me. They are relentless and determined to be one whole again and fight our enemies together. But I plan to put my son Karl first and do what's best for him. But I also can't bring myself to leave my family in the past especially when they depend on me. Because family is power according to my brother Tommy. I can't hide what runs in my DNA even though I desperately try to.

Being a Shelby always gave me the courage to speak my mind even at times I should have keep my mouth shut. Coming home gives me the inspiration to be the women Iv always wanted to be.

I am Ada Shelby Thorne and this is my story.

London docking port 1925,

I step off the boat holding my son Karl in my arms tightly while he lays his head against my chest. I recognize the same smell of horse shit and smoke which to me is the smell of home. I have been in America for the past year in hope of a better life for myself and Karl a promise I made to my late husband Freddie Thorne but plans change when my family are in need of my help.

I wait for a Shelby limited car to pull up right outside the docking station.

'Mrs Thorne' a gentleman says opening the car door for me I suddenly feel a cold chill go right through me. I step into the Bentley recognizing it to be my brothers car.

'Tommy sent me Mrs Thorne he says it's urgent'.

I roll my eyes knowing exactly what that means as I cover myself up with my fur coat and hat to keep out the winter chill.

I arrive at Tommy's mansion just outside Birmingham city. I sense something the matter instantly when I notice no other cars at the house. I  clinch onto my pistol hidden in my clutch bag after one of the maids takes Karl from my arms.

I enter the house slowly at a steady pace not trusting what could be around any corner. I walk pointing the pistol straight ahead in the direction of Tommy's office. With no sudden movements I begin to open the door cautiously.

The door suddenly swings open revealing a figure And without hesitation I point the pistol keeping my finger on the trigger.

'Hello Ada' a voice says calmly as I realize it's my older brother Tommy I am pointing my weapon at.