Tommy spent the night sat up by the fire, drinking his whiskey and smoking non stop. He wasn't sure what time he fell asleep, but when the light of day beemed on his eyes, he knew he had to get up. He had to go and find this son of a bitch and confront him. Tommy is fighting this man for custody, they should meet first so he can get a black eye as decoration for court
He woke Arthur, John and Michael up and then they got in the car for their journey to Manchester. No one really knew what to say. They wanted to reassure Tommy that they'd get his little girl back, but it was difficult when they weren't even sure themselves
"If he really does want custody, then you do know that we'll win Tommy. We're the peaky fucking blinders, and we aint scared of no body's from fucking manchester" Michael tells his cousin, Tommy's hand was gripping the steering wheel painfully hard
"Not as simple as that. Even 9f this man decides he doesn't want custody, I'll still have to go to court to get custody back. Except this time I'll be fighting the law. Not just some nobody" Tommy says. Arthur swollows with worry. His brother had finally got on the right track. The mines inside his head had stopped erupting since that girl came into their lives. But now Tommy is a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment
They get to Manchester and wonder what the fuck they are supposed to do from there
"We've not got an address. No picture. Not even got a fucking name. How fuck we supposed to find this fella?" John asks as they stroll into a pub
"Gentlemen, does anyone here know a young girl, Victoria Harlow, or perhaps her mother, Dotty Harlow?" Tommy asks as everyone turns to see this mysterious and demanding voice. After some silence, Arthur adds
"You lot probably know her as Sapphire" suddenly the men show faces of recognition.
"Ye I know saph. She died long ago. And we don't know nothing about her kid. Kept her private life private" a young man says standing up next to Tommy
"Maybe we could talk more in private?" Michael suggests. The man agrees and takes them to the back room of the pub. They all sit down and pour some whiskey
"What do you wanna know?" The man asks
"Do you know about sapphires ex husband?" John asks
"A little. Reason saph moved from Liverpool to Manchester. All I know is that he wasn't a nice man, didn't treat her right. Wasn't happy when he found out saph was still working the streets. That fight lead to the divorce" he explained
"What's his name?" Tommy asks impatient
"Damon. Don't know his last name, saph always went with her maiden name"
"Do you know where we could find him?" Tommy asks
"He spends all day at the hogs head. Pub 10 minute drive from here. Listen lads, I'm skint. Got 6 kids, a wife and all of us are cold and hungry. Don't spend a shilling in here. I work here, although don't get paid enough for it. Got 3 others jobs and my wife has 2 jobs. Even my 2 eldest are finding ways to make money. If you pay me, I'll direct you to the hogs head" Tommy agrees in seconds, giving the man 5 pounds upfront. Everyone could see the shock in his eyes when he saw the amount. Poor man was probably expecting to get a couple shillings.
They got in the car and the man directed them til they were outside a pub called the hogs head. He shook their hand and was given 5 more pounds to which he raced to the bakers to buy his family some bread. The boys put on their peaky caps, get a cigarette and enter the worn down pub
Their first sight was an overweight old man throwing up on himself. A woman of about 40 riding the cock of a teenage boy in the corner. And the only other person there, was a man who was fast asleep. They woke him up and after asking for his name, concluded that he was the man they were looking for
"We come from Birmingham. See, there's a little girl, my daughter, and she's currently in the hands of social services. The police suspect you might be her real father. Which I know you're not. So tell me, are you gonna get custody of Victoria harlow?" Tommy asks. The man opens his mouth to speak but it takes a while for the words to come out
"Thought the little Las was dead. My god. Sorry to hear about social mate. They can be a pain in the arse the coppers. But no, I don't want custody of Victoria. I didn't even meet her mother until vicky was 4" Tommy wasn't sure if he should feel relieved or terrified. He could've taken this man in court. But can he take social services? It would prove a much harder challenge
"Thanks for your time" Arthur says
"You should be careful lad. Social have got vicky, means she's not your responsibility. Don't ruin your new found freedom. She's a rat that one, constantly stealing out me pockets. Bet if you go home there will be something missing from your safe. She's like that. Takes what isn't hers" the man remarks before coughing. That's when tommy lost it. He swung for the man and oncoked his front teeth out. Arthur and John held him down whilst Michael told the other 3 people to leave so they couldn't be witnesses. Tommy got his peaky cap and cut the eyes from that bastards face as he screamed for mercy
They left after that before anyone could call the coppers. Got in the car and drove home, feeling no more relieved than before. Once they got home, there were 2 men and a woman stood outside.
"Mr shelby?" The woman asked
"Take it you want Tommy?" Arthur asks
"I'm Thomas shelby" tommy introduces
"We're from social services. Been sent here to inform you that the court have decided you may not be a fit father. Since it was Victoria who ran away after claiming she wanted a new father, we have decided that there will be a court hearing. 6pm, Sunday, court house. If you don't turn up without a valid reason then we will take that as a sign of you giving us any rights towards Victoria Harlow. Good evening Mr shelby" the 3 of them then walk off into the darkness
When Tommy is alone in his bed, he can do nothing but cry for his poor daughter is probably scared and alone, as is he.
YOU ARE READING
Shelby Fire- Completed
FanfictionBefore the war, there was a girl. Her customers knew her as Sapphire, her family knew her as Dotty. After falling pregnant with Thomas Shelby's baby, she runs. No one knows where and Tommy was left believing she had simply grown tired of small heath...
