Destruction of the Mind / [Thomas Shelby | Peaky Blinders]

chapter / four

It had been a week since Florence's last encounter with Thomas Shelby, and her first week of bar work had officially ended. She had come up with a simple agreement with Harry Fenton, in which she received her pay Sunday morning and she would then get that same night off.

She was currently making her way to the Garrison to collect her wages, dressed in a spaghetti strap velvet maroon dress, which ended just above her knees, with a loose, long black coat hanging on her shoulders. The stuffy town air made it impossible to put the coat on, but she loved the way it draped over her shoulders - it even gave her enough room to spread her arms without falling to the ground, as she had sewn string into the collar to act as a support, making her black coat appear almost like a cape.

"Hello, Harry," She smiled, taking a seat at the bar, leaning her elbow on the counter to prop up her face as she leaned on her palm.

"Mornin' Flo," He said, returning her smile, and placing an envelope in front of her, "there ya' go, darlin'. Don't spend it all at once."

"Thank you!" She sang, happily, depositing the envelope into her purse.

"Don't be spending yer' day off in 'ere, missy," He said, waggling a finger in her face, "Go on, piss off."

She grinned and skipped over to the door. She opened it and stepped out, not realising that Thomas Shelby was walking in. Her head collided with his chest, and she started to fall backwards but he wrapped his arms around her small waist to stop her from hitting the floor.

"I'm starting to think that ya' just attract trouble."

Florence steadied herself and stood to the side, pushing her back against the door to let him through. He slowly let his arms fall back to his sides, his bright blue eyes piercing through her soul. She started muttering apologies, but he just walked past her into the pub, leaving her there just watching him walk away. She smiled to herself and shook her head, turning around and letting the door close, not seeing Thomas turn back to watch her leave.

She didn't know where she was going, but she knew she wanted to explore all that Small Heath had to offer. She begun her day by just walking around the streets, smiling and saying "Good morning" to those she felt were friendly enough to approach. Surprisingly, she felt like she were back in London as she wandered around, everybody was just as friendly as the people in her area back home. She shook her head, not wanting to feel homesick. Regardless of how strict her parents are, she still missed them slightly.

"Hello there pretty lady," She heard from beside her, and she froze in her spot, letting her eyes watch a man, whose appearance was very similar to that of Thomas Shelby. His peaked cap was the same style, but with a darker colour, along with his dark suit. He had a cigarette hanging from his mouth and a cheeky grin on his face.

"And you are?" Florence asked him, turning to face him with an eyebrow raised.

"Yer' the new girl, aintcha?" He grinned, throwing his cigarette stub to the ground and stamping his foot over it, "The name is John Shelby, and I think yer' well pretty, love."

"I'm flattered, I really am," She smiled, amused at his introduction, "but I'm exploring this place, so I best be on my way!"

"Want me to give ya' a tour?" He asked, nudging her arm lightly with his elbow, "I know everywhere in this damn place, you'll know everything if ya' follow me."

She sighed playfully and replied, "I better know this whole damn place when we're finished then, John Shelby."

His face held a sincere smile as he put his arm out for Florence to take. She linked her arm with his and he began leading her around, telling her who owned which business and what gossip he knew (which was a large amount) about everyone in town. They eventually walked to the canal that run on the outskirts of the small town, and Florence sat near the edge of the water on an old wooden crate.

"So why'd ya' move here?" John asked, in the midst of lighting up a cigarette.

"Strict parents." She replied simply, not wanting to explain the details to him.

"I wouldn't know, I ain't got none no more." He shrugged, offering me a cigarette from the box which she politely declined. "Suit yer'self."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine, you're new. I didn't expect ya' to know." He shrugged, sitting down on the crate next to Florence.

"So, you're Thomas Shelby's brother I presume?" She asked casually, trying to find out information about the man.

He nodded, taking a drag from his cigarette, his blue eyes meeting mine. Those gorgeous eyes must be a trait of the Shelby family, Florence noted, although she couldn't help but think that Thomas' were the most beautiful. She watched him pull a pocket watch from his waistcoat, popping it open and his eyes widened.

"Shit, Tommy's gonna 'ave my fucking head on a stick." He muttered, chucking his cigarette on the ground. "C'mon, I can't leave you 'ere, I'll walk you back to the town centre."

They walked back to the main street of Small Heath and Florence couldn't help but notice how everyone had their eyes on her. Young women held eyes of jealousy as she walked side by side with John, whilst others just looked plain shocked. She felt uncomfortable and sped up, looking at the man by her side.

"I'm only living right up there," She said to him, "I'll be fine on my own, thank you for everything John."

"Oh, well I'll see yer 'round?" He half-smiled, but it fell when he watched Florence nod quickly and wave, walking further and further down the street.

"And where 'ave you been?" A brunette said to John, dragging him by the collar into a nearby house.

"Aye, Aye, Aunt Pol, piss off!" John spat, trying to get rid of her grip when she produced a gun from her purse, pointing it at him. "Woah, what the fuck woman? Are ya' tryin' to kill me?"

"Finn had this today, said he found it fully loaded on the side in the kitchen. Keep it on ya' at all times, for Pete's sake." Polly hissed at him, dropping the gun in his open hand. "Now get yer' ass in there, Arthur and Tommy are beyond pissed."