𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟔

Life was peaceful. For the first time in months, it was peaceful. Well — it had been peaceful. Up until now. It was the day of the Epsom Derby and all the men had planned to go down to the race. With no good intentions of course.

Madeline held a now six month old James in her arms as John stepped out of the door. "I'll see you later," he leaned in and kissed her cheek. When pulling back, John touched the cheek of his son's face and smiled. "Goodbye, son." He said.

Madeline watched him walk off toward a truck where a group of Peaky Blinders were waiting.

She had planned to go down to the race later on in the day to avoid the risky side of all of their business. Maria had agreed to look after James and Katie for her.

Things had been going so well for the small family. John and Madeline were back where they had been and the two children were doing amazingly.

From what she had heard, Arthur was to return home today. And she knew John wasn't too happy about that because he'd be pushed back to being ordered about rather than giving the orders. He had enjoyed being the one in charge whilst Arthur was away.

George walked down Watery Lane as the Blinders piled into the van and drove off. John had given him the job to drive Madeline down to the races and stay with her until the day was over.

"Lina," George greeted with a grin and threw his cigarette to the ground.

She tilted her head and stepped aside to let him into the house. "George." She said in the same tone he had used. George hummed in amusement and closed the door. "You ready for Epsom?"

Madeline shrugged. "I'm ready to finally get some peace again." She sighed. George nodded and folded his arms.

"Here you go." She extended her arms and held James before him. George looked at James then at Madeline. "go on. Take him." She nodded. George furrowed his brows and awkwardly took the boy into his arms.

"You ain't so little anymore, eh?" George said to him.

James grew all shy and played with his fingers.

"I'll be ready in a few minutes." Madeline pointed a finger at him before disappearing up the stairs and leaving George to look after James.

-

Madeline hated the drive down to Epsom. It felt like it had taken years. George was great company though — as always. Once arriving, the two walked in between crowds of people and up a set of stairs. People were laughing and some were rushing to go and place bets.

"It's amazing isn't it." She held onto George's arm. "How easily people will blow their money.." She chuckled.

George nodded.

"I miss the horses, don't you?" Madeline stated. George nodded again. "I miss them a lot. I miss riding out in the fields with you." He said. Madeline twisted her lips together. "Agreed."

"Take a seat— i'll get you a drink." George nodded toward a free table.

Madeline accepted and went to sit down and began examining the people around her. Something she did in unfamiliar places. She liked to know her surroundings — the nearest exit, the nearest officer.

Her eyes looked at the two familiar Shelby's that had made their way into the tent and began waiting to place a bet. They were concentrated on another man who had walked in through another entrance too long after they placed their bet.

John swerved through the people with Arthur close behind him and for a brief moment, he found Madeline's eyes and sent her a reassuring wink. She smiled and nodded at him.

"Gin." George placed the glass before her and she diverted her attention to that. "Thank you." She said plainly and brought the glass up to her lips.

"They're doing something bad today.. aren't they?" Madeline asked him whilst still searching through the crowds. George sighed and leaned back in his chair. "You could say that."

"What're they doing?"

"What they always do, Lina. Being bad people." He muttered. Madeline rolled her eyes. "John isn't a bad person". She refused. "Maybe not—" George shrugged, "but he works for bad people."

"So do you." She argued.

"And am I a bad person?" He fired back. Madeline didn't say anything and he smirked. "Exactly." He whispered.

The two sat there for a while before they had to leave the tent to find somewhere to watch the race. Once they got themselves seated, the National Anthem played over a loudspeaker. George watched over the last few people who were finding their seats to ensure they were not some form of threat.

"I've never liked watching the horses race. It feels wrong." Madeline spoke over the noise after the race began. George hardly took notice to her comment as he watched out for any Blinders that had began going round to the bookies. Nothing yet.

"They tried to get Whiskey to race after you left. I refused." She told him.

"That's nice, Lina." George said to her, finally paying attention. "I'm glad you too good care of him when I left." George said with truth.

"Of course." She smiled.

-

After a while, there was chaos breaking out between the bookies and the blinders. Like John had told him, George took Madeline back inside the tent where no harm could be done to her. "Is this about Sabini?" She asked in a rush as they hurried from their seats.

"Yeah— yeah it is." George ushered her along.

Madeline shook her head and held onto George— staying close by him. Soon after this, the race finished and people crowded into the tent again. Madeline felt uneasy. Something had happened that wasn't supposed to happen. She just didn't know what it was.

"I need to find John." Madeline mumbled. George tried to stop her from leaving but she escaped his grasp and began wandering to find her husband.

George rolled his eyes and only mere moments later he began following after her.

People had began clearing out and she could hear Arthur and John's voice from a distance.

"What happened to you?" John questioned Lizzie as he sat beside the distraught woman. "I fell over." She lied. "Don't fucking give me that. Lizzie." He embraced her as she started crying.

Madeline stopped in her tracks at the sight and let her hands fall to her sides. She froze and watched as John held Lizzie and spoke down her ear. She pulled away and John grabbed her chin.

Madeline's heart pounded aggressively when Lizzie placed a hand on John's cheek.

Her eyes stung and she couldn't move. George had caught up to her and frowned at the sight. "What the—" He began storming forward but Madeline grabbed him and pulled him back. "No." Was all she said.

-

Arthur jumped up onto a table with a wide grin on his face. "Right! Ladies and Gentlemen— i'd like to raise a toast to the Small Heath Rifles, to the Lee Boys and to the Peaky fucking Blinders!" He shouted. Everybody cheered. "Who's gonna stop us, eh?"

Madeline stood with George and a Lee brother and began laughing at a joke one of them had made. She brushed her hand across his shoulder. John's face fell when he saw the interaction and he just stood — right beside them and watched as she payed no attention to him.

He bit down on his tongue and Madeline momentarily locked eyes with him. He sniffed and looked way. Only for a second though. Then he looked back at her harshly. "We're going home." He grabbed her upper arm and pulled her away.

Madeline walked with him and looked back at George with confused eyes. "Are we?" She taunted.

"Yeah. We are." John hissed, jealousy flooding through him. Madeline didn't fight him and continued walking. She ripped her arm away from him and walked ahead. He didn't bother catching up with her.

-

John sat on the edge of the bed and pulled his tie to loosen it. Madeline stood at the door and crossed her arms. "What the fuck was that, Madeline?" He asked angrily.

She shrugged. "Which?"

"With that Lee boy." He scowled.

Madeline smirked. "He's funny. I think you'd like him." She tormented. John continued unbuttoning his dress shirt and shook his head. "I can't believe—"

"Don't you dare act jealous about a Lee boy, John." She snapped. "I saw you with Lizzie earlier today." She admitted.

John stopped doing what he was doing and placed his hands on his knees. "That was fucking nothing." He said. Madeline tilted her head to the side and entered the room fully and shut the door. "It seemed rather romantic to me."

"Well it wasn't, alright?"

Madeline got closer to him. "Do you still love her?" She whispered. John looked up at her. "You fucking what?" John spat with an offended expression. "Because the way you touched her face.." Madeline ran a finger up his chest to meet his chin. "It seemed like you wanted to fuck her." She hissed.

John swallowed hard and clenched his jaw. "So tell me.." Madeline removed her hand from his face and slowly began sliding her robe down her shoulders. "Do you still fucking love Lizzie Stark?" She asked. She stopped lowering the robe so it only revealed her bare shoulders and top of her chest.

Madeline stood between John's legs and pushed his head back. John's mouth went dry.

His hands wandered up the sides of her legs and stopped at her hips, squeezing her skin lightly. "I'd never love her again even if she was the last woman on earth." John said through gritted teeth.

Madeline had a satisfied grin on her face and climbed on top of him so she was straddling him. John held her waist and looked at her with lustful eyes. They sat looking at each other for a few seconds before he smashed his lips onto hers. Madeline held the back of his neck and moved her hips forward slightly.

John breathed heavily and kissed her aggressively. Madeline continued moving her hips slowly and could feel John's heartbeat increase rapidly.

He held her up with one arm so he could unbuckle his pants. She held onto him tightly and readjusted herself again, closing her eyes and throwing her head back. John kissed her collarbone and they moved perfectly together.

"Fuck." John whispered. She pulled at his hair and dug her nails into his back.

John placed a hand on her lower back and flipped her over onto the mattress. Madeline's mouth fell open and he kissed her harshly. "John—" Madeline whispered. He grinned into their kiss and slowed down. Her eyes widened and she shook her head, practically begging him with her eyes. He grinned with satisfaction and pulled out, letting her regain her breath for a moment before moving further down the bed. Madeline sat up slightly. John placed his hands on her outer thighs and looked up at her with a grin.

-

The next day, Madeline had been cleaning the house when the phone began ringing. She frowned and went to pick it up. "Hello?" She answered.

"Hello, Mads." A familiar voice spoke.

"Theo?" She asked. "Yeah it's me." He spoke, sounding doubtful about something. "I was wondering if— er, if you'd come down to camp? Just for today." He said.

Madeline was confused. Why would Theodore want her to go and see him.

"That's all i'm asking of you." He said before she could refuse. Madeline thought for a moment. Theo was her brother after all. "Yeah— yeah i'll come down. I'll bring James too." She said. Theo nodded to himself, aware of his sisters child. "Thank you, Mads."

She put the phone down and grabbed her coat from the hook to go over to the betting den where John was. It was warm outside and not a cloud was in the sky. Summer was approaching.

"John?!" She shouted upon entering.

"Maddie?!" He called back in the same tone. He peeked his head out of his office to show her where he was.

"I got a call off Theodore." She said with a sigh. John raised his eyebrows sarcastically and continued flicking through the betting book. "That's nice."

"He wants me to go down to the camp." She placed her hands on her hips. John kissed his teeth and nodded. "John." She sighed and crossed her arms. He looked up at her. "What? Go and see him, it's fine." He said. Madeline pursed her lips into a straight line. "If you don't want me to go— I won't."

John put down the book and stood before her. He grabbed the sides of her face and raised his eyebrows. "He's your brother. Go and see him." John assured her.

She nodded. "You're sure?"

"I'll get George to drive you down." He said, — not knowing that George used to live there with Madeline. She nodded. "I told Theo that i'd bring James with me. James deserves to know his uncle." She said. John nodded in agreement, knowing she was right. "Take him. Just don't let him near those Lee brothers." He said jokingly. Although he wasn't really joking.

Madeline pecked a kiss onto his lips. "I'll be back before it's dark." She told him and fixed his collar.

-

George was quiet on the car ride there. He had been gripping the steering wheel so harshly that his knuckles had turned white. She could tell he didn't want to go back.

"Are you—"

"Yes." George said quickly before she could finish her sentence. She looked down and sucked in a breath. "Are you going to come with me?" She asked hopefully. George shrugged. "George, I'm sorry you had to come back here." She expressed when the car came to a stop.

He stayed quiet and looked out the window. It was all still the same as he remembered.

Theo emerged from behind one of the wagons and threw a cigarette to the floor. A smile creeped onto his lips and he waved at Madeline. She took another look at George. "Thank you for driving me here." She nodded.

As she got out the car and got James from the back, so did George which made her pause and frown. He just looked at her with a look that said 'just for you.'

"Brother." Madeline greeted as she approached the dark haired boy. Theo put his hands in his pockets. "Mads." He said with a nod. His gaze turned to James and he couldn't help but smile.

"Say hello to your Uncle Theo." Madeline spoke to her son. Theo carefully lifted the boys hand with his finger and watched as a small giggle escaped James' mouth. "I'm sorry I didn't reach out sooner." Theo apologised.

Something had changed in him. He was different— not as.. hostile toward her. Maybe the death of his dad flipped a switch inside of him.

George stood a distance away and watched the interaction carefully.

She peered over her shoulder and nodded to him. "There's someone i'd like you to meet." She said once he started walking over. "Theo, this is George." She held his arm.

George forced a smile and gave Theo a once over. Theodore didn't recognise the boy stood before him but George recognised him. He knew him. There was not a single good memory he had about the Lee boy.

"Nice to meet you." Theo nodded with his accent thick.

George nodded once at him and looked away.

"Come on, James." Madeline whispered to her son as they walked through to the camp. A certain dark haired girl emerged from one of the wagon's and gasped. "Madeline is that you?" It was Esme. She practically ran to the girl.

"Hi, Esme." Madeline laughed. Same covered her mouth and looked at James with happiness in her eyes. "He's beautiful!" She exclaimed.

Those few hours that Madeline spent at the camp felt strange. George seemed out of place and after introducing himself to Theo he returned to the car. He didn't want to be recognised. He didn't want to be back there.

The car ride home was quiet. James had fell asleep in the backseat and Madeline was growing incredibly tired. George had his eyes focused on the road.

He reached down into his pocket to try and get his packet of cigarettes. Growing angry, George pulled the car over and hit his palm against the steering wheel. Madeline looked at him with wide eyes. "What—"

George pressed his fists into his eyes and Madeline's heart dropped. He was crying.

"George.." Madeline whispered. He shook his head. Madeline brushed her hand against his shoulder and he shrugged her hand away to get out of the car. She didn't hesitate to do the same. "What's the matter?" She asked.

George leaned against the side of the car and looked up. He was embarrassed.

She leaned up and wrapped her arms around him. George sucked in a breath and hugged her back — his arms loosely hung around her waist and his forehead against her shoulder. Madeline hushed him and squeezed him.

She knew this was about being back at the camp so she chose not to ask again. He was vulnerable and she didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry— you shouldn't have to see me like this." He finally pulled away and looked up again. Madeline shook her head. "I've known you since I was a little girl." She spoke softly. "It's okay."

-

And that night, Madeline was awoken by a phone call in the dead of the night. She leaned against the wall whilst trying to listen to the frantic speaking on the other end. John soon left their bedroom to see what the matter was. It was when he saw the look on her face that he knew something was wrong.

"No— Esme slow down.." Madeline tried her best not to panic. "What do you mean there was a fight? A fight between who?" Madeline looked at John with worry. Her face went pale. "Theo— Theo was.. is he okay?" She clutched her chest.

John inched closer to her and tried to understand what was going on.

"No, Esme— it was only today that we saw each other." She shook her head. "I always knew those fucking Lee brothers were no good! I told him so many times!" She began crying. "And look where it's gotten him!" Madeline couldn't talk properly.

"Madeline." John was concerned.

"I'll kill them. Tell them that." Madeline demanded. "I'll kill them all for what they have done." She threatened.

John's mouth parted at the threat.

"Tell them to watch their fucking backs. I swear, Esme! I fucking swear on my father's grave!" She roared down the phone.

John grabbed the phone from her and tried to speak to Esme but the line went dead. "Madeline what the fuck has happened?" John asked. She shook her head and pulled at her hair. "We're cursed— fucking cursed. That family is cursed!" She sobbed.

She practically fell to the floor and hugged her arms around herself. "Madeline talk to me." John pleaded.

"They got him. They got my brother." She croaked.