Letters To Annie | Finn Shelby, Peaky Blinders

2

3rd person

Not a single word had gotten round that little Whizz-Bang was now in small heath. It was not hard for Darrel Owens to keep his littlest sibling oblivious to the world, she was a people pleaser with social anxiety. Not yet had she made her way past the apple tree halfway in the garden nor had she disobeyed her oldest brother in leaving the house while only she was home.

Annie had been told the danger of the outside world by her mother, especially after her fathers death; and witnessing a rather rough brawl outside the train station she wasn't keen on exploring the place she once viewed as safe haven.

Darrel Owens was a successful local businessman, owner of a small blacksmith factory at the tender age of twent-two, wholly legitimate and liked by all parts of Small Heath, particularly the Shelby's. And although he had no legal ties to them those of the area knew to respect him, not only for him.

It was Thomas Shelby who found the house, the two Owens lived in, directly next door to his Polly. It was Thomas who promised Daniel Owens to bury him on a hill far away from mud, to let his boys lead an ordinary life like ordinary men. As much as both boys did, having apprenticeships at the BSA  only fueled their want to be above scraping by. They wanted the simple luxuries of dark chocolate and a bedroom each. Its what they got and more. Seemingly without the help of Peaky Blinders.

So ending the day with a drink at the Garrison with a few friends, listening to  the piano player and a singer, he watched as the three eldest peaky boys sat at his boothe, now only consisting if them.

They were friends of a day to day basis, through work and their cousin, being a few few years junior, it wasn't uncommon to all find themselves drinking together.

"Heard 'bout your mother Dar, Polly's condolences." Tommy spoke after a while, of conversation. "Influenza ain't nice." It surely wasn't. He only gave a curt nod, subjects so touchy were not to be spoken about. But nonetheless he appreciated it. "Whats going on with the Little Whizz-Bang?" He carried on. It was not only Daniel Owens who held a certain place in his heart for Annie, throughout the years at war, Danny had shared photos and stories of his youngest and as each photo went by each Conrade -including Thomas and Freddie Thorn- of their unit felt their day slightly lifted as Danny read aloud about how Finn and Annie got upto mischief in their town.

The following year returning home was great, tea time alternated between each home and her new found brother/uncles each protected all three owen children.

"Shes been around, at Devan's for the past few weeks in Cheshire." It wasn't a lie, she had been but just not the past few days.

Each Shelby kept their mouth shut about the girl, for the time being, knowing full well she was hidden away in the home. Polly had seen her.  Thomas didn't blame him though, such good spirit should be kept secret, conserved and hidden away from everyone else. They would have done the same.

"We know Darrel." Is all it took for him to swig back his whiskey and look straight forward.

"That's how it'll stay. " Darrel pointed back. "She is too good for this." That she was.