Cruel To Be Kind - Peaky Blinders Fanfiction

Part 34 - The Dog That Judges

Just a short and sweet one.

Once again hoping you are all okay - which I will ask every day/time I update.

Hope you enjoy this chapter xx

Love Comet96 xx

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"Why have I got to come with you?" Ada huffed, crossing her arms in annoyance as we made our way down the street towards the bakery.

"I told you, Tommy wants you off the streets." I'd listened to her moaning for the last hour as she followed me around from the cafe to the Garrison, back to the cafe and now to the bakery. "I think he's catching on that you're seeing someone."

"You told him!" I rolled my eyes at her shout causing people to look at us on the street. Thankfully Kyle and Percy were halfway down the street. They were content that Gunner was with me and they didn't need to be right on top of me to keep an eye on things.

"You know I won't tell him. I haven't got a death wish," I grumbled, pushing my way into the bakery, happy to see there was only one customer.

"Did you tell him?" Ada asked, her hand gripping my arm and turning me to face her.

"I didn't tell him, but Tommy's not stupid, Ada. He's a smart man and you're not exactly trying hard to hide things." He wouldn't have asked me to bring her with me if he didn't think she was up to something. "Maybe you should do as he wants and help me for a while."

"But I don't want to," she whined, and for a moment I forget that she was twenty-two and not some ten-year-old.

"Ada, do you want to be killed by your brothers?" I asked because we both knew that all three of them would kill her if they found out she'd been sneaking around. "Look," I whispered to here thankful the lady in front of us had a long order. "It's your birthday next week and I know that Polly has planned a party at the Garrison. If you don't see you-know-who this week I'll distract Tommy on Thursday so you can sneak off and meet up with him."

"Fine." She was reluctant to agree, but if she wanted to see Freddie she'd have to make some sacrifices. "Don't pretend you're gonna distract Tommy for my sake; everyone heard you this morning."

I smacked her on the arm as the lady left and Mary was smiling brightly as we joined her at the counter. She was looking tired and I felt bad for turning up now.

"I've heard some news that involves you and that cafe of Garrison Lane," Mary said, getting straight to the point. She crossed her arms under her chest, not bothered by the flour patches left on her blue dress.

"Well, I bought it." I didn't see any point in hiding it. Everyone would know by the end of the week. I had the decorators in already to freshen up the paint and some cleaners in to sort out the kitchen. "I'm actually hoping you'll be able to help me."

"Go on." It's like she knew what I was here for.

"I don't want to put more work on you, but I thought we could work together. I buy your bread and pies and sell them in the cafe on the menu and I can promote it too," I said, hoping she'd go for it. I really needed her help and everyone loved their bread in Small Heath.

"You'd make a bit on cakes too," Mary added and I could see a glint in her eyes. "Tell you what, my son, Clive, works in the factories but he's a trained cook. You got anyone working in your kitchen yet?"

"Not really got that far," I said crinkling my nose as she pointed out one of my next points of action.

"He's looking for a new job, one that doesn't have him stuck in the factory all day. He don't love it and I swear it'll kill 'im."