Tommy's Rose

Chapter 25: Our War

TOMMY SHELBY

"Alright Charlie boy," Tommy said softly as he knelt down next to his son. "We leave Santa his whiskey, biscuits and a carrot for the reindeer."

Tommy and Charlie were sat next to the Christmas tree in front of the fireplace. Tommy held a try of treats to leave for Santa, he tried to carry on with the festive season for his son but it was hard, Charlie knew his sister was missing and he always asked his Father where Primrose was but unfortunately Tommy didn't have that answer.

The peaky blinders had searched London, the had eyes and ears all over the place but no one knew where Joseph Jameson was and hope was slowly slipping away. Tommy still hadn't slept well since the fire at the school, he blamed himself everyday for not finding his daughter, he felt powerless and Tommy didn't like that feeling...

"Da, Prim come home?" Charlie asked sweetly.

Tommy wrapped his arm around his son's shoulders. "Soon," He said quietly. "She'll be here soon."

The maid Frances picked Charlie up and carried him up to his room as Tommy sat in the armchair in front of the fire and pulled out the picture he had of Primrose, he gently ran his thumb over her smile. He truly missed all the questions she would ask about what he was doing, he missed her reading in his office, he missed the sound of the piano playing when she was practicing and he missed her singing songs as she drew pictures in his study.

"My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite," Tommy said quietly as he looked at the picture in his hand. "You're favourite quote from Romeo and Juliet."

Tommy placed the picture back in his pocket as he stood up and went to his window, he looked up at the stars in the sky and large moon that lit up the sky, he could only ask himself if Primrose could see the night sky, did she know what day it was, did she know Tommy had men looking for me.

"I'm trying Primrose," Tommy whispered. "I'm trying to find you."

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PRIMROSE SHELBY

"Alright you little bastards, it's Christmas eve you can stop working for the night," A guard shouted. "But don't get too excited, back to work in the morning!"

The last few days had gone by so slowly. I wasn't sure if it was because I had made a plan for today or it was because I had spent the last few days training thirty children how to fire a gun and use a knife but thankfully Javier had been helping the children while on his round of guard duty, he had also smuggled more bullets and knives in then handed them out to the children. I had been pushing the cart up and down the cave so I was able to talk to all the children but pushing the cart was the worst job, you were constantly yelled at and hit but that didn't matter because whenever I could I made sure all the other children were prepared to fight, they had the nerve to fight back when I called for them and thankfully everyone was ready.

"Er boys let's have a few drinks," Javier said to the other guards. "I got a crate full!"

Javier ripped the top off crate and began handing out the rum. All the men cheered as they pulled out bottles, then downed them with ease and they soon went onto their second bottle.

"Are you sure about this?" Archie asked.

I handed Archie a key. "Unlock your chain but don't do anything yet and pass the key on," I told him. "This has to work."

I looked at Matilda who was sat on the other side of me and I handed her another key Javier had smuggled for us. "We get through this and you'll be a hero," She told me.