𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐃 ᵖᵉᵃᵏʸ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵈᵉʳˢ

42

"Lottie" Isaiah shouted from his office, "Yeah?" she asked, popping her head into the room. "Arthur's on the phone" he said.

She stepped to the desk, taking the phone. "Arthur, what's up?" she asked. "We need you and Isaiah ready by 3, we will send a car over, Isaiah knows where you'll be going." he said bluntly. "What's this for, Arthur?"

"Me and John have a meeting with Mr Vincente Changretta" he mocked the name and Lottie frowned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "What the fuck for?" she asked.

"Things, goodbye sister" the line went dead.

"Says be ready for three, they're sending a car" she said, placing a kiss on Isaiah's head and walking out of the office.

"Francis, me and Isaiah have a meeting this afternoon, i'll need you to look after Aurora" she nodded as she passed the older woman.

-

Isaiah stood beside Finn, patting down three men and leading them to Arthur and John at a table.

"You asked for a meeting out in the open" Arthur nodded. "Fresh air and the fine aroma of shit"

A snigger left Lottie's mouth at his remark.

"Neutral ground you said"

"This is hardly neutral ground" the man, Vincent, spoke. "Well, it's what you've got" Arthur argued.

"So, por favor" he smiled sarcastically. "Sit down"

John pointed his head down, laughing at his brother. "Where is Thomas?" Vincent's asked. "He got called away" John said.

"He'd said he'd be here" the man shook his head.

"Well he's not, alright, sit down" Lottie spoke, glaring at him. "I just told you he got called away. What do you want" John asked.

The men remained standing, looking about.

"There has been a peace between the Peaky Blinders and the Changretta family for two years now" Vincente began.

John and Arthur looked at each other.

"Do you want some tea or not?" John interrupted. Lottie crossed her legs, hitting the boy in the leg. "Here, Finn, pour the Italians some English tea. Go on"

"We don't want fucking tea" he shouted, his accent strong. "We want an explanation"

"Someone's woke up on the wrong side of the boat today haven't they?" Lottie mocked him.

"Well i'll have fucking tea" Arthur shrugged, pouring himself a cup.

"Explanation for what" John asked, "The little Venice Restaurant on Forge Street was burnt down" the man said.

"No, no, couldn't have been us, we was at a wedding" John said. "You burnt it down to stop my son from being at that same wedding"

"I'm sure he wouldn't of been very wanted there anyway," The girl shrugged. "Yeah, he wasn't missed" Arthur whispered, staring at the tea.

John and Lottie laughed slightly.

"You are such big boys now" The Italian said. "But once you borrowed clothes from us to look like men"

"I'm actually a girl, Mr Changretta" Lottie corrected him. "And i don't think i've ever borrowed clothes from you" she snorted, looking him up and down.

There was a moment of silence.

"Is he finished talking?" Lottie whispered to John, rolling her eyes.

"How's the tea, Arthur? Is it-"

Arthur chucked the tea on the floor. "It's cold" he shrugged.

"Please tell Tommy, that we pay him whatever he asks us to pay. We stay out of the city and off the tracks."

"But you tell him from me, that my son will walk with any woman in this city, even if she works for the emperor Thomas Shelby"

"Not with me he won't" Lottie teased. "And i'm not very certain your son should be walking round with someone like Lizzie Stark"

A grin sat on Johns face as the man continued rambling.

John snorted, "Sorry, do excuse me" he pulled his hat over his face. "Carry on"

Lottie put a hand over her mouth, hiding her laughs at the whole situation as she caught Isaiah's eye.

"If he wishes, he will walk with the woman he loves" he repeated. "Okay" John nodded, closing his eyes.

He leaned forward, grabbing the tea pot.

"You know, it would be hard for your son to walk anywhere with a bullet in each knee wouldnt it" John asked.

The man leaned back.

Lottie's eyes widened, realising what John had said. Arthur looked at his brother.

"Too much" the man whispered. "You said too much my friend"

Lottie shared a glance with Arthur as Vincente smashed up a chair, "Okay, bit strong" John mocked.

"Isaiah" Arthur said, "put two extra men on our pubs in Nechells"

"What are you talking about Arthur, we're not scared of fucking Eyeties anymore."

Isaiah offered his hand to Lottie, helping her stand.

"Don't tell Tommy about the chair and get this shit cleaned up. Lottie, you get home safe, yeah?" Arthur groaned, patting Isaiah on the back.

"We're not scared of fucking Wops" John shouted. "All right John" Arthur shook his head.

Lottie bit her lip, keeping her arm intertwined with Isaiah's. "He can be stupid at times" she whispered, getting inside the car,

"Polly is not going to be happy with him" Siah nodded, opening the door.

-