Cruel To Be Kind - Peaky Blinders Fanfiction

Part 7 - Breakfast Proposals and Grand Tours

Sorry if it's taken a while - I can't remember when I updated last, I've just been really busy with Uni work - so much coursework.

Hope you all enjoy xx I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter xx

Thank you for reading this story, it means so much and I'm very thankful to you all xx

I'm currently editing this piece of work - when I mean editing, I mean I'll be adapting the story and plot, and I will be checking for grammar and spelling mistakes, but I may miss some as my main focus is on shaping the story so it flows well before I continue adding more chapters. I am sorry if it takes a while, but I do hope you'll all be patient with me.

I would recommend re-reading each new edited chapter as there may be changes that would fit in with future chapter and future edits.

Thank you for your time and I hope you enjoy.

If you do have any problems or any suggestions, please let me know.

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Edited: 27-08-19

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Papa insisted that we stay the night again, after getting back from the races late, he didn't want Tommy driving in the dark. It was for that reason that we were all sat in an uncomfortable silence over breakfast.

Grandmother was sternly watching Tommy as he ate his cooked breakfast while Papa read through some letters that came yesterday while we were at the races.

"Did you read the letter from Robert?" Grandmother asked, peering over to Papa as Tommy ignored her looks. She didn't want him here, but she wouldn't voice that with Papa in the room. She could already tell that Papa had taken a liking to Tommy.

"Cousin Robert?" I asked, wanting to know why cousin Robert had bothered to write to Papa. The last time he wrote was for money. Papa couldn't stand him. Not only was he always after the Cromwell money, but Papa said he wasn't a real man if he couldn't fight for his country.

His son, Henry, on the other hand, was more welcome in the family. Henry had signed up to join the army as soon as he was of age. Now, at twenty-one, he was following Papa's footsteps and taking a step towards becoming a businessman.

With Papa's help, he'd gotten a position in a big firm in London. I had no idea what Henry was doing for work, all Papa would tell me was that he was making his way into big money and could one day be the boss of his own business.

Grandmother called it man talk, she also said it had nothing to do with us women.

"Yes, and I chose to ignore it," Papa told her, the stern tone in his voice suggesting she dropped it as well.

"Alfred, this is an excellent chance for Elsie. Think about the life she'll have if –"

"Elizabeth, I said no!" Tommy looked up at Papa's words, his eyes flashing to me before he looked back to Papa.

"She's already eighteen, Alfred, she's nearly nineteen. You keep turning down proposals. She'll end up wasting away and no man will want her." Grandmother spat rising from her chair and glaring at Papa as he didn't bother to look at her. "If you don't accept this proposal, I will never forgive you."

She flounced out of the room, well flounced as much as she could with a stick up her arse. Harriet, her personal maid followed her giving me a small smile as she rushed out the door.