Not Just A 'Shelby'

Chapter 14: King's Bombfire.

After a very long afternoon of shopping, Dorthea, James, and Lucas made it back to Small Heath. Driving through the town, they were met with women and children gathering their things from the streets.

"What the fuck happened?" Dot asked to no one in particular. The three pulled into watery lane and once the car was parked Dot ran into the house to find her family gathered around the table.

"Alright, everyone is here." Polly spoke once the three made it inside, handing the two boys a pint of beer each. Tom looked to her sister.

"Dresses look we'll on you Dorthea."

"Oh bite me Thomas."

John and Arthur moving aside so their sister could sit down at the table. "The Inspector went around Small Heath looking for IRA, communist, anyone against the law. Tore up every house except those of the Peakys. Coppers told everyone Dorthea agreed to it when she was arrested."

"Arrested!? You mean fucking drug off the street and beat to death?" Dorthea spoke angrily. John laid a hand on her shoulder trying to calm her.

"They said the Peaky Blinders had cleared out to the fair to let them do it."

"We never said nothing to that copper about smashing up bloody houses." Arthur spoke.

"Alright, which pubs did they do?" Tom asked.

"The Guns, the Chain, The Marquis."

"All the ones that pay for protecting." Dot spoke, rubbing her head from the headache she was getting from the memories flashing back to her.

"Only they didn't touch the Garrison." Polly added, eyeing her niece. "Make sure people think you were actually in on it. He's smart this copper."

"Won't be when I bash his fucking brains in." Dot spoke, pulling the pint she made herself to her mouth and chugging her beer.

"So go on. Drink your beers, get out." Polly looked around at the siblings and four blinders that occupied the room. "You'd better show people your still the cocks of the walk." The blinders stood from their positions, setting their cups on the table and headed for the door.

"Handout some cash to the landlords of the pubs. Get some veterans to fix the places up." Tommy order everyone as they left through the den. The Shelby's were the only ones left around the table.

"So what about you Tommy?" Arthur asked as he stood from the table, pulling his coat on.

"I've got to go to Charlie's to stable the horse."

"A horse?" Dorthea asked.

"Well that was your surprise." Tom sighed as he had just ruined the present the boys had gotten her.

"Way to go Tom." John laughed shaking his head.

"It was from all of us, me, Arthur, John, and Finn."

"Thank you!" She gave each of her brothers hugs.

"Now go on and get changed out of that. Can't be running around cutting in a dress, ey?" Arthur laughed at her, earning a punch to his arm.

"Thea, we'll wait for you in the front." John spoke to his Twin as she ran up the stairs to change.

"No don't wait, I'll catch up John." She spoke as she closed her door.

Dorthea flopped onto her bed, kicking her heels off into a corner. She closed her eyes, trying to escape the sounds of the laughing coming from the depths of her mind. She could hear Arthur Sr. and the inspector laughing and laughing, never ceasing. She decided maybe busying herself could keep it away, so she dress quickly throwing her suit and boots on and ran down the stairs and out the door. She was met with her brothers leaning against the railing on the steps.