Thomas Shelby Imagines

The Actress

Ever since you were little kids you and Tommy would mess around, making voices to scare John and Arthur. You even taught Ada a few tricks. Eventually you'd gotten so good at singing and dancing and acting that you were sent away to a private acting school.

It had been your parents way of getting you away from the Shelby boys. They had no idea that Tommy would sneak up to London at least once a month. He'd appear, grinning gleefully as he snuck you out of the school. You'd drink cheap drinks and sneak into the pictures. He'd treat you to a lunch which would involve dining and dashing.

You'd been in a small movie, a very small roll, your parents didn't even bother attending the premiere. The Shelbys on the other hand pulled out all the stops. The dressed to the nines and even baby Finn got to attend, carried tightly by Polly who smiled proudly at you as you were led out on the stage.

When Tommy left for the war you returned to Birmingham and worked with Polly to help the community. Once a week you'd send a long letter to Tommy, telling him about everything that was happening. Even when he stopped writing back, you carried on sending the letters. When they returned you, Ada and Finn were on the docks, waving flags and cheering with everyone else.

Eventually you found work in local plays and theaters. At least one Shelby would attend any given performance. As time went on you worked more and more for Tommy, ending up singing in his bars, mostly the Garrison.

On one of the evenings you'd been performing Tommy stayed until after closing. It was late in the evening now and even the bartenders had left. Tommy had said he would lock up. Realising he hadn't remembered you were still there an idea struck you.

One of the skills you'd been particularly good at was throwing your voice. Deciding to mess with him just a little you cleared your throat, managing to make it sound like it had come from the small store room at the back of the bar.

Tommy had been lighting a cigarette and turned quickly towards the sound. Realising you needed something else to lure him over you tried again. This time you made a low whispering noise that could sound like a few people talking. He cautiously strolled over to the store room. While he went in to search you grabbed your jacket, put it on and waited in the middle of the room, leaning against one of the tables.

When he stepped back out of the store room he saw you and rolled his eyes. "That was you?"

"What was me!" You said in a mockingly innocent voice.

"I've known you long enough to not fall for your tricks." He said as he smiled then took a quick drag from his cigarette.

"But you did fall for it." You pointed out as you walked to the door. He rolled his eyes as he picked up his jacket and coat, following you out into the street.

"Just being cautious." He muttered quietly as he started walking you home.