Painting The Races Red | Tommy Shelby

Chapter Ten ✔️

C h a p t e r T e n
D e m o n s t r a t i o n s O f P o w e r

Despite being associated with the Shelby family and the Peaky Blinders for two years, Lynette had still never become accustomed to the way people treated her on the streets of Birmingham. She remembered in the early days when she would watch people go out of their way to clear a path for Tommy, but she had never imagined that the same treatment would be passed onto herself. She would like to think that she was more approachable and not as feared as Tommy was - as many of the locals spoke to her in passing. Lynn had decided to walk into town that day to pick up a new dress for Michael's birthday celebrations in The Garrison. If Tommy had been home, there was no doubt she would have had two of the Peaky Blinders tailing her.

Tommy had left three days earlier to go to Camden Town. While there, he would set up the one-hundred men that would now be working on Alfie Solomons' territory. In the meantime, Lynette and Lizzie were in charge of the offices. Lizzie had convinced Lynette to take a few hours off since things were slow on their side of work.

The redhead had purchased a new dress she liked and was taking the route back to the offices when she noticed something felt wrong. She had smiled and greeted a woman named Mrs Harlow - who she knew owned a fabric stall in the market - when she noticed that the woman had failed to return the greeting, and instead her gaze was fearful as she looked behind Lynette. She realised that the woman's reaction could only be a result of seeing someone that would cause concern. She knew that this fear would not come from a member of the Blinders or one of the Shelby's, meaning that it had to have been someone known to the locals.

Lynette continued to walk in a steady pace as she pretended to have not noticed Mrs Harlow's behaviour, though she was now far more focused on her surroundings. She was unable to hear the clicking of the cane behind her as a result of the roar of the engines from the cars passing, but was smart enough to use the reflections in the shop windows to see who was behind her.

Her jaw clenched and her fingers curled into fists as she spotted the man behind her. She stopped abruptly, waiting for him to come closer as she watched him intently in the window reflection. She could see a wicked smile appear on his face as he realised that she had spotted him.

"I didn't think you walked these streets alone," the man commented as he stopped feet away from her. "No Peaky Blinders for protection today?"

She refused to answer as she turned to face him, her expression stone cold. "You're following me now. What do you want, Major Campbell?"

He smiled to her as he leaned heavily on his stick. "I was curious to know more about Mr Shelby's whereabouts, I hear he left town."

Lynette ensured that her glare remained on him while simultaneously checking that none of the bystanders were coming too close to hear their conversation. Although, most were already avoiding Campbell after knowing him as the copper who had returned to town to sort out the police forces, and everyone knew Lynette Reid. The anger on her face was a clear indicator to stay away.

"He's at a business meeting outside of Birmingham," she informed him, knowing that the vagueness of her answer would frustrate him.

"A business meeting?" the man laughed in amusement, before looking to her with a raised brow. "And when will he be back?"

A fake smile appeared on her face as she responded to the older man. "I wouldn't stress, Mr Campbell. Your meeting with Thomas is not until Sunday, he will be back before then."

A look of interest appeared on Campbell's expression. "How did you know about Sunday's meeting?"

Lynette shrugged. "I'm his assistant, I organise his schedule."