𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝗉𝖾𝖺𝗄𝗒 𝖻𝗅𝗂𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌

iv. j o h n ' s g o s s i p

t h e w o m e n o f w h i t e
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act one — four
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1919

it seemed like time

moved differently in birmingham, slower almost. weeks felt like months and months felt like years and to edith the year that had passed by them felt like ten. although the streets never seemed to change as they stayed filled with dirt and petty crime. that became apart of normality and the young women had almost forgotten what america felt like. sometimes she pinned to be there but at other times her heart felt full with bliss. in america she had the sun but she didn't have family and it was a feeling that edith hadn't realised she'd missed this much.

ada had become like a sister, polly a mother, john a brother as well as arthur, then there was thomas. he was different to the rest of the shelby clan. the pair had conversed on very few occasions; when they did it was brief but intense. secretly edith hoped that her heart wasn't the only one that sped when they spoke.

polly had made it clear to the boys that edith was to stay away from any business involving the peaky blinders forcing the women to get a job at the garrison. which edith was sure she'd only got because arthur and john threatened the poor bartender harry. it had proved to be a helpful job for the garrison as many still thought of edith as 'the women of white.' children awed at the women and adults choose to avoid her gaze. despite the odd behaviour the petite brunette managed to build herself a joyful life in small heath.

said women sat at the shelby kitchen table, pencil in hand with a stack of paper before her. polly had asked the girl to teach finn his english as edith was the only member of the shelby clan with higher education. however, finn was an excitable child and trying to get him to do something he didn't want to was almost impossible. "finn, i've set you a list words. learn them by next week and i'll take you for a treat." edith tried to bargain with the boy only for the small lad to groan slightly. a giggle passed her lips as she watched him pout. her black eyes moved away from him once more as she followed over the lesson plan as usual.

"finn!" the loud voice caused her slender figure to rattle in shock. stood at the table was thomas, his eyes flicking between the pair, and it was then that the thick smell of smoke caught her attention.

black eyes widened at the sight of finn throwing a cigarette to the ground. "jesus, can't take my eyes of you shelby boys for a second, eh." edith scolded whilst slightly hitting the back on finn's head. her words caused a short smile to rest upon thomas' lips.

rubbing his head, finn, turned to face his elder brother in desperate need to change the subject. "arthur's mad as hell." he exclaimed as he watched, with a wince, as tommy picked the cigarette bud from the floor before throwing it to the fire.

with a heavy sigh, thomas, softly hit finn with his hat. "what does a ten year old know about hell, eh?" the tone was playful and a smile lit up on his face like edith's old christmas tree. it was times like these that edith thought thomas to be the most handsome; when he was relaxed and happy. it wasn't an often sighting since the war is what polly said and some night she heard his shouts through the walls.

"I'm eleven sunday!" finn corrected causing both adults to laugh.

thomas turned his gaze to the women looking after his brother. her smile caused his to widen before he dropped it completely and back to his usual expression. "night shift?" he questioned the women as he noticed her slightly fidget under his gaze. it gave him slight pleasure to know he made the girl nervous; even after a year of living under the same roof. "save us a bottle of irish." he pointed his hand, to encourage his statement, whilst walking to open the green kitchen doors.

the sudden sound of raffle could be heard from within the den. it brought a small smirk to the busy betting shop, knowing it was tommy's plan for the race horse. it wasn't that the two talked much because they didn't. however edith was a smart girl. she had quiet the complex mind, quite like thomas, and she knew just from the outside looking in what thomas had planned.

just as the said women was handing finn his homework their was frustrated voice shout from the shop. "I'm calling a family council tonight at eight." arthur seethed at thomas who in return looked rather smug. just as thomas turned on his heels the exit the den Arthur's voice chased him out. "i want all of us there! you hear me." he shouted after his brother just as tommy was back to the kitchen.

his icy eyes landed on the short brunette as he balance a cigarette between his lips. "that means you too edith." he smoothly spoke towards the girl as her dark eyes rested softly on him.

her brows crunched together as her nose turned up slightly. "since when, polly said i'm not allowed." edith returned her lips turning to a confused pout shortly after. it was amusing to watch her expression morf into the one it had and tommy found himself suppressing a smile.

striking a match he quickly lit the cigarette before taking a quick drag and the blowing it out softly. his eyes never leaving her own. "since i said so." was his simple reply before he sprung back into action and grabbing his peaky hat, pushing it down and heading for the door. "we'll see you at eight!" he called mockingly behind him as tommy made his way out of the small home.

with a roll of her black eyes, edith shook her head before turning to finn. he looked up to her whilst a cheeky grin spread onto his lips. "john says tom fancies you." the younger boy giggled shyly as he watched her cheeks flush with hot embarrassment.

ruffling his hair before pushing him away just a small amount. "don't be silly, finn." she frowned trying to concealed her blushing. as he laughed again and ran off from edith she muttered under her breath. "tommy doesn't do feelings." her quiet whisper was drowned by the rowdy men inside the den but within the silent kitchen they rang true.

" he's changed. not himself since the war. stoic most of the time, seein' him smile is like a sunny day in small heath. meaning never! "

she remembered the voice of ada on one of their many slumber parties. well, that's what the girls liked to call them, it seemed more adult. edith had always wondered what must have happened to tommy for him to turn into such a frozen and remote man. down to the bone the drown eyed girl was ninety-ninety percent positive thomas shelby would never return her stolen glances.