Rising | Thomas Shelby

gunshots

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After my time off from working at the Garrison I was finally back. Working here was conflicting because I enjoyed it but it was petty work. I missed the business side of life, however working at the Garrison gave me a chance to keep an eye out
for any sight and an ear out for any noise.
I was restocking up the drinks, Grace working on the books and Tommy stood at the bar. No words were really spoke between the three of us. It was awkward and atmosphere was strained. I guess that would be because Grace deep down knows I know her secret, I hate Grace, I'm in love with Tommy, Grace likes Tommy also, Tommy has to fake an interest for Grace so therefore Tommy and I can't be ourselves when she's around. So, the atmosphere was strained to say the least.

A man comes sauntering in and stops right by the side of Tommy, this instantly grabs my attention but I carry on working. The man is Irish, he introduces himself, Byrne, and says he is here for parley. He was here about the man who had been shot, which hadn't been of the Peaky Blinders doing but I had a good idea on who it was. This means he knows about the guns. When Byrne mentions the death, I take a quick glance at Grace who had a ever so slightly guilty look on her face. Aw, the bitch does have a conscience.

The men continue to speak amongst themselves when I hear Tommy offer him a drink. "You see Mr Shelby. Ryan, for all his quick mouth, was indeed connected. Very well connected to our brotherhood. By membership and blood. He was my cousin. I am from South Armagh. I'm a man of influence there. Cordial and water would be grand, Mr Shelby." Our new friend Bryne was here to intimidate and threaten, all in a friendly manor of course. "Grace, bring some water and cordial into the snug." She sprung into action, quickly making up the drink then taking it into the snug.

After some time the men come out of the snug, Bryne leaving the pub with no more word to Tommy. Tom stood by the bar and waited for Grace to be out of earshot before telling me to go to the back alley and wait for him. I'll be there in a second, go make an excuse" he orders. I just nodded my head once before going to tell Grace I needed to use the toilet.

I walk out to the back alley, not 2 minutes later out comes Tommy. I held a cigarette in my mouth waiting for him to light it. I raise my eyebrows as I take a pull, signalling for him to get on with it. "He
knows about the guns, he threatened that if I didn't give them to him that he would bring hell to us all, so I told him for a fair price I would give them to him. I need to speak to the Inspector. Mr Byrne is on his wanted list so when the IRA come to exchange the money for the guns, i'll let the police in on it so they can deal with them." Tommy explained, I just nod my head. "Seems like you got it all planned out Tom, What you need me for?" I smile up at him. "I just like you to know. I hope you don't mind Ms Hemp, but I intend to always tell you everything and anything about what's going on in my life." I smile even bigger at that, "Everything?" I question, "and don't forget anything." he retorts, smiling back at me. I let out a small laugh. "That's fine with me."

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Late night at the Garrison, I heard heavy banging on the door. Grace goes to open it and Tommy comes rushing in. Tommy denied a drink, something was up. "Are you expecting trouble?" Grace asks wearily, looking nervous which surprises me. I guess she doesn't like it when she doesn't have time to go snitch to her superior. I grab my gun, checking the bullets when I heard Tommy say yes. "At this hour?" Grace asks again. "Midnight is an hour as good as any" Tommy quips. Grace asks what's going on. "When the St. Andrews bell strikes midnight, two IRA men are going to come through that door. When they have what they want they plan to kill me. It's your job to stop that from happening." Tommy looks at Grace and I. "You could've given us some more warning." Graces whines, I roll my eyes. "I just got the message myself, they want to meet here alone." "And barmaids don't count?" I pipe up, a slight smile on my face. I love a little action, life has been so boring. Tommy shakes his head at me, "No barmaids don't count. Now Scarlett, you go into the back room, Grace you go into the snug. I'm going to be sitting there, when I make a toast. Come out with your guns raised, don't shoot just point. I'll do the rest." Tommy explains. "Will you kill them?" she questions again. "No, the police want them alive." Tommy states. "The police know about this?" I guess her team didn't give her a heads up.