The Hostage // Peaky Blinders

Première Gymnopédie

The next day people from all over town were coming to the shop by the canal because of what Amelié did at the Garrison. Red ties and blue ties and black ties going out like crazy. She was proud to tell Betty's parents what she did, but Betty herself was very upset by the occasion. "You've basically ruined my chance of ever getting to see Tommy Shelby!" Betty shouts at Amelié.

"Excuse me for not being concerned about your bedroom issues. I don't think he even knows we're close anyways, Betty. Now calm down and help me file these orders please," Amelié says throwing down a box full of papers.

"I'm not helping you do anything until you fix this!" She shouts back and runs out with tears in her eyes.

"Dramatic you are, Betty. So dramatic," Amelié yells so the entire house can hear.

She walks downstairs and sees the same Shelby from yesterday at the pub. "Mr. Shelby? Come for a new tie?" she asks walking up to him.

"Actually, I came to speak to your father," he grunts.

Amelié doesn't correct him and then watches him pull out a cigarette but stops him, "you can't smoke in here, it makes the fabric smell funny."

He lets out a small sigh of a laugh and puts it away, "everything in Birmingham smells funny."

She smiles and looks down, "I'm Amelié by the way."

"Thomas Shelby. You're a brave one Amelié, standing up to me like that in front of all those men."

"I'm sure other people want to but they're just afraid to."

"But you're not?"

"I am, but I love what I do and business could be better around here."

"Ahh Tommy!" Betty's dad says coming down the stairs with open arms, "Let's get a drink and go in my office yeah?"

Thomas nods, "one moment Matthew," he turns back to Amelié and looks down at her, "do you like horses? How would you fancy earning some extra money?"

"Doing what?" she asks, curious.

"Dig out a nice dress, or make one if you prefer. I'd like to take you to the races. My horse will be entering."

And with that, he walks away into Matthew's office. Amelié was confused, but intrigued. She smiled to herself and walked back upstairs to get to work.

-

After a long and busy day, Amelié decided to go to the Garrison to see if the Shelby would be there again. She was interested in him, he didn't seem to be like anyone she'd met before. Not worrying about him wanting to know much about her, she was almost excited for the occasion. She began designing a simple dress for the race, she knew it was early, but the idea excited her anyways.

The Garrison was empty when she got there, but the bartender, who she now knew was named Harry, let her stay to have a few more drinks as he left. She hummed a small tune to herself, music was something small that she had loved but never shared with the world. Maybe the whiskey was getting to her, but she was beginning to feel like she wanted to be a professional piano player.

A pounding soon came from the door, interrupting her thoughts of a silly dream. It startled Amelié, but she simply got up and let the person in. Sure enough, it was Thomas Shelby. "You know they're closed Mr. Shelby," Amelié says with a small laugh.

"I'm getting a drink anyhow," he says, taking off his cap walking past her.

He grabs a bottle of whiskey, a glass, and sits at a table. "Would you like to be left alone?" Amelié asks, seeing as he was upset.