Subtle Invitation [Thomas Shelby]

All Is Fair

Michael was waiting in the foyer for Lily the following morning, his hat low as he surveyed the rich people going about their daily business. Not one of them had a care in the world and he wondered what that felt like.

Behind him he heard the familiar footsteps of Lily's heels as she took the stairs. Dressed in a white blouse with a light pink skirt she looked radiant. As his eyes landed on her face he realised that there was something wrong. Normally she would greet him with a huge smile but today her mouth was in a tight line.

"Morning Lily" he greeted as he held out his arm to her. Lily took his arm as soon as she got to the bottom step and sighed.

"Morning Michael, thank you for coming to get me"

They both began walking "How did you get back here? Your car's at the house"

Lily grimaced was she slipped into Michaels car "Tommy bought me back" she mumbled.

Michael had realised, who else would of bought her back?

"Has he upset you?" He asked as he pulled the car away from the hotel "You don't seem yourself"

Lily ignored his pleading eyes "No he hasn't upset me. I'm just a little tired. I'm not used to all this working" and she faked a smile hoping that he would buy her weak lies.

Michael grinned back, willing to believe any of her lies and she suddenly felt bad. This wasn't the type of friend she wanted to be.

"You'll get used to it soon don't worry" and he shot her a wicked smile. "Anyway, the fair is coming to Birmingham this weekend. You want to go with us?"

Lily raised an eyebrow, she had never been to the fair before and wondered if all the things she had heard where true.

"Yes! I would love to" she grinned "I've never been to the fair"

Michael gawped with his mouth hanging open "You've never been to the fair before?" He repeated breathlessly "Your parents where that strict?"

Michael didn't know half of it. Lily had missed out on thousands of firsts as she grew thanks to the chain and lock around her life.

"No. Honestly I've always wanted to go"

Michael looked down at her feet and nodded "we'll need to get you some boots! You can't go to a fair in heels"

—-

As they walked into the betting den together Lily had silently thanked Michael for cheering her up. It had been a nice distraction so she didn't have to think about last night but it soon changed as she spotted Tommy in his office talking to Arthur.

They where huddled together in a deep conversation as she took her seat. There was a note on her desk from Polly asking her to organise the files she had left. It was all the families the Peaky blinders paid weekly.

As she opened up the file Arthur interrupted her "Alright Lily?" He asked as he peered down at the files over her shoulder.

"Hi Arthur" she greeted back as she began to pull her pad of paper our from her draw. This was going to take her all day.

"Well done on sorting through the books" and he grinned, his moustache lifting "I know they where in a bad way... I've never been good at that stuff"

Lily laughed, she had guessed that it was his hand writing all over the books "It could of been worse" she pushed her hair away from face "It only took me three days" she teased.

Arthur took off his cap and ran his fingers through his hair "I'm glad I don't have to do it anymore. I'll stick to what I'm good at love" and he winked.