Life Begins Again

Chatper Four: Weddings and Fireworks

Stan gently tapped on the table. He could feel the tension in the room, could feel the nervousness practically coming off John in waves. He glanced briefly towards Hal and Arthur, but they both seemed lost in thought, as in the dark about the whole situation as Stanley was. Which struck him as odd. There was barely anything that John said without first having spoken to Hal about it; without having made sure that his best friend wasn't completely in the dark because that's just how they worked. So this was serious. Serious enough that he, Stanley, had agreed to come to the Garrison. The one place that seemed to be linked exclusively with Peaky Blinder business. With things that he'd rather be kept as far away from as possible.

Other than if he was seeing Luce.

The door opened. Arthur and John seemed unconcerned, but Hal's attention snapped that way, as did Stan's.

'All right, John. There's only one –' Arthur offered Tommy a cigarette, but he held up a hand. 'No. There's only one man guarding the 'ouse,' said Tommy as he settled into the corner of the room. 'What's troubling ya?'

John coughed, rubbed his nose. A nervous twitch that Stan hadn't seen for a while. 'Right. Right Polly, you know what it's been like since Martha died.'

'God takes the best first,' soothed Polly, gently patting her nephew's hand.

'The truth is, my kids have been running bloody rings around me. Even with Hal and Cece helping,' John said, shooting a small, grateful smile towards Hal. 'They're running barefoot with the dogs until all hours.'

'Pol, give him ten bob, some shoes. Is that it, John?' asked Tommy, his irritation obvious behind his voice. He was eager to get somewhere.

'Tommy, we'd be better doing this without you,' said Polly sharply. Tommy shifted back towards the wall, but the irritation hadn't left him though, but even the fearsome Thomas Shelby listened to Polly Gray. 'Now, what's your point?'

'What the kids need,' said John, unable to look anyone in the eye, his focus on the table, 'is a mother. So, that's why I'm getting married.'

An uncertain look passed around the room, instantly smothering Stanley's small smile. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

'Does this poor girl know you're going to marry her or are you going to spring it on her all of a sudden?' asked Polly.

'Well, I've already proposed and she said – she said "yes."'

'You sly dog,' teased Hal, patting him on the shoulder. But there was something about the gesture that didn't feel right. It was his attempt to calm John, to reassure him that things would be all right.

'I think there's a shell about to land and go bang,' said Tommy coolly, lighting his own cigarette.

Silence filled the room for a moment. John took a drink; wiped his mouth before continuing. 'It's, er... It's Lizzie Stark.'

A chuckle ran around the room. Stan furrowed his brow, trying to remember the name, feeling as though he were missing out on a joke.

Hal lent forward on the table, a conspiring look glinting brightly behind his eyes. 'She's a lady of the night,' he said in a stage-whisper.

Polly shot him a small smirk before turning her attention back to John, but even she couldn't hold the laughter from her voice. 'John, Lizzie Stark's a strong woman and I'm sure she provides a fine service for her customers...'

'I won't hear the word!' snapped John, for once his fierce gaze snapping around to Hal. Hal held his hands up in a peaceable gesture. 'Understand? Do not use that word.'