CHAPTER 37

Finn woke up, Matilda sound asleep beside him, her hair messily sprawled over the pillow. He stared at her longingly, noticing how she breathed slowly, how her eyes would flutter every few seconds.

"Stop staring," she whispered, making him look away quickly. "I'm not," he defended, staring at the light that beamed through the gap in the curtain.

Tilly chuckled, sitting up and using her hands to flatten her hair. "You were, saw you."

"What! You had your eyes closed!"

"So you were staring?" Tilly raised an eyebrow. Finn rolled his eyes, standing and pulling the sheet off of her. She scowled and fell back into the pillows. Before they could say anymore, there was a loud bang on the door downstairs.

Finn looked at her curiously. "If you ignore it, they'll go away," she sighed, grabbing his wrists and pulling him toward her. Whoever was at the door banged louder.

"Til," he said, trying to climb from underneath her. "Tilly, at least let me check who it is," he bargained.

Tilly groaned, rolling onto her side and allowing him to stand beside the window. Finn pulled the curtain back and frowned.

"Fuck, it's Polly." He quickly pulled his pants over his legs and rushed down the stairs, pulling the door open. Polly raised an eyebrow, giving him a once over. "What time d'ya call this?" She scolded.

He glanced at the clock on the wall. "One in the afternoon,"

Polly shoved past him and smacked the back of his head. "Incase you've forgotten, Thomas is holding a charity dinner tonight you fool. And i'd suggest getting ready," Polly pointed a finger at him. "And tell Matilda her dress is over at my house."

Polly looked around the house. "Speaking of, how is she?"

"She seems fine."

"It's a wonder she's still fucking alive," she whispered, fixing one of the pictures on the wall. Finn bit the inside of his cheek, looking up the stairs to ensure Tilly hadn't been listening. "At least I hope she's okay," he said, his hands behind his back.

"She will be ask long as you look after her. Just don't treat her like a child and don't do any fucking cocaine." Polly said, reminding of the moment that caused the first real argument between them.

"Alright, alright. You can go now, we'll be over in a bit," Finn ushered her out. Polly scoffed and stepped back onto the cobble outside. He closed the door and took a breath. "Til!" He called out, "Pol wants us both over at hers, says ya dress is there."

"Coming!" She shouted, a loud bang coming from upstairs. "The fuck was that?" He asked, waiting at the bottom.

"Fell of the bed," she said, embarrassed. She appeared in front of him only seconds later. "Shelby charity dinner, youse have moved up in the world." Tilly mocked.

"No, Tommy has moved up in the work." He corrected her, opening the door once more and following her over to Polly's house. Tilly shrugged, "same fuckin thing,"

Finn laughed and shook his head, gently shoving her. Tilly ignored him and twisted the door handle, opening the door and being met with everyone but Tommy and Ada. Polly stood, fixing Johns tie.

"Alright Pol, get off," he huffed, stepping backward. The door closed and they all turned their heads toward Tilly and Finn. "Took ya fuckin time," Arthur teased as he was drinking from a flask. "Shut up, Artha."

Arthur grunted and placed his feet onto the table.

"Tilly, love, your dress is upstairs in the spare bedroom. Call me if you need any help," Polly said, rushing around to clean up. "Or call Finn," John muttered under his breath. Finn scowled at his older brother.

Tilly messed about with the satin dress that hung loosely on her body, growing frustrated as she couldn't tie it at the back.

Her face heated up as anger washed over her.

"Polly!" She practically screamed. Tilly dropped her arms to her sides as footsteps approached. "What's up?" Polly asked.

"The thing at the back, can't do it," she sighed, looking at Polly through the mirror. A smile tugged at her mouth and she stood behind Tilly, effortlessly tying the back of her white dress. "No doubt you want that ribbon tying as well?"

Tilly looked at her thankfully, "please."

Once Tilly returned downstairs, she was met with Finn who was being held in a headlock by John, wriggling in attempt to escape his brothers grip.

Polly cleared her throat and John let go of Finn, standing straight.

Finns eyes wandered Tilly's body, swallowing hard. The diamond necklace he'd gotten her days before, hung on her chest.

"Right," Arthur spoke, "we going then or what?" He asked, feeling the tension in the air. "Yeah, before these two decide to shag each other on the table," John tormented.

Finn glared at him and Tilly just shook her head.

"You disgust me, John Shelby." She hissed, joining them all outside.

-

John walked through the crowd, Arthur and Finn close behind whilst he downed the last of his drink. Tilly's and Finn's hands were intertwined as they pushed through people.

"Hello, Grace" Matilda gleamed as Grace passed her. Grace turned, smiling. Tilly stepped away from Finn.
"That's a beautiful necklace," she complimented, "did Thomas get you it?" she asked, referring to the large sapphire that sat on her chest, similar to the one Finn had gotten her the year before.

Grace nodded. "It is, you look gorgeous. I'm glad to see you're okay," Grace nodded, placing a hand on Tilly's arm.

Before they could say anymore, a dark haired woman stood beside them. Grace looked at her and gave her a warm smile.

"I'm Duchess Tatiana Petrovna" she smiled, holding a hand out. "i don't believe we've met?"

"Matilda Willows" she greeted, shaking her hand. "The girl from London" Tatiana asked.

Tilly nodded. She hated the way some people addressed her. The girl from London. The artist from London.

The Duchess turned her head to Grace. "And you, Mrs Shelby" she smiled.

Both Grace and Tatiana stood speaking for a while before Grace saw Tommy. "Tommy" she stopped him. "This is Duchess Tatiana Petrovna" she introduced. He cleared his throat, looking at the woman he had clearly already met.

"Come on Tommy aren't you impressed to meet a real duchess?" Grace asked. "Well i understand they charge a fee" he said coldly.

Matilda choked on her drink and took that as her queue to return to Finn.

"Mr Shelby you are very direct" she scoffed. "Too direct" Grace added. "But it's true" Tatiana said, "i attend these things for the champagne, and for the chance to be treated like a duchess again"

"You should have kissed my hand, Mr Shelby"

"Forgive me" He said after seconds of thinking. He kissed her hand and stood straight. "She was asking about my sapphire" Grace said. "I thought i recognised it" Tatiana nodded.

"She said it was Russian. My husband has business in Russia, perhaps you know about it, Tatiana?"

"Well tonight is not a night for business, eh?"

"Is that why you were in the concert hall for ten minutes?" Grace asked him. "I think people are ready for dinner now Grace" he urged. "No no i'm not done pumping my people for money" she joked.

"What is pump for money" Tatiana questioned. "It's what i do everyday" Thomas told her.

"You know each other, do you?" Grace looked between the two. "You see i am in charge of compiling the list of guests, but it's my husband who knows them all"

"I hear he's very well connected" Tatiana nodded.

"And where does a duchess hear that?" Grace looked at Tommy. "In certain circles" Tatiana nodded. "All right, enough. Ada" he called to his sister.

"Grace, there's a Lady Dowager who wants to speak to you about coffee mornings. She mentioned a two thousand pound cash donation"

"Tatiana you and i will speak later" she dismissed herself.

"You're brother is insane," Tilly said, causing Finn to jump. He turned around. "Scared the shit out of me," he breathed, taking her drink and finishing it. She gasped, "that was mine."

"Was it? Didn't realise." Finn said sarcastically. She rolled her eyes and leaned into him as they followed everyone to the hall where they'd be eating. Finn was holding her hand once more, this time in a reassuring manner. The pads of his thumbs running over the backs of her hands.

A man pushed through the crowd, gun in hand. He barged past Polly, his eyes landing on Matilda.

"For Angel," he shouted.

Arthur's eyes widened and he charged at the man. Finn saw the man and attempted shield Tilly. But he was too late. The shot had fired straight into her chest. People screamed and Finn held Tilly as she fell to the floor.

Screams erupted from everyone around them and Finn's eyes were wide as the once white dress was now beginning to turn a crimson red colour, as well has his hands.

Tilly gripped onto his sleeve, her eyes glossy.

John and Arthur began beating the man over and over again.

"Tilly?" Finn asked, his face going pale. "Someone help! Get her some fucking help!" He shouted. Tommy and Ada stood in shock. Polly was the first to join Finn at her side.

He held her tight, placing his hand over the wound. A single tear rolled down the side of Tilly's face.

"Get a fucking ambulance!" Tommy shouted. Matilda's breaths were quick as she panicked. "Finn i can't breath," she croaked, begging for him to help her. He looked at Polly on the verge of tears.

"Tilly you're okay, just keep breathing." He whispered, cupping her cheeks and using his thumbs to wipe her tears. "Don't leave us," he whispered again.

Polly didn't know what to say. "Finn," Matilda's voice cracked.

"No, no it's okay." He shushed her, shivering when she placed her hand over his. She shook her head, struggling to breath. Her dress was now soaked in blood. "It's not going to work," she said.

"What? What's not going to work?"

"The help. It won't work," she said quietly, leaning into him as he held her. Polly stroked her hair. Finn refused to believe that he would lose her. "Finn i'm sorry."

"Tilly don't." He shook his head, a lump gathering in his throat.

"Finn. I love you, that's all that matters." She squeezed his hand as tight as she could. Tears had began escaping from his eyes, his lips parted. He leaned down, placing a kiss on her forehead.

Polly watched sadly. "Tilly it's you and me, it always has been. You're not going anywhere." He assured her, "it's supposed to be you and me forever, remember?" his voice was shaking, his thumbs wiping the tears that fell from her eyes.

"I know." She nodded, another year leaving her eye. "But maybe it'll be us in another universe, another time."

Tommy watched from a distance in complete shock, Grace and Ada by his side.

Tilly's eyes fluttered closed and her breaths were slow. "No, Til, open your eyes," Finn begged, his voice loud. He lifted her up to his chest, blood covering his shirt. "Finn," Polly spoke quietly,

"No, she's okay. She has to be okay! Tilly open ya fucking eyes."

John and Arthur finally left the man they'd beaten to pulp, watching as Finn refused to let go of Tilly.

A sob left Ada's mouth.

"No, stop it! She promised not to leave me!" Finn argued, holding her limp body tightly. "Finn come on," Tommy walked forward. Finn held her face, the pads of his thumbs rubbing her cold skin, "come on wake up!"

"Finn!" Tommy shouted, grabbing his shoulders.

Doctors had rushed in, waiting to take her away.
Tommy pulled Finn to his feet. Finn fought against him.

"No stop! You can't take her, you'll hurt her. Stop that, please." Finn was sobbing, being held back by Tommy. Polly remained on the floor, trying to be strong.

"All right, Finn." Tommy whispered, hugging his brother as he felt his knees go weak. "She's not dead, Tom, she can't be."

-

Matilda Willows was dead, she'd died. Bullet to the chest. Finn was heartbroken, unable to believe what had happened. He had locked himself away until the funeral.

He refused to speak to anybody. He wanted his girl back.

The whole Shelby family and majority of Small Heath gathered on the small field. The Woods' family stood beside them. A whole crew of Peaky Blinders too.

They watched as Charlie, Curly and Jeremiah Jesus lowered the casket into the ground.

Finn's eyes burned as tears filled them. He glanced over at Billy Woods who also stood, teary eyed.

"Wait!" Finn shouted, attempting to run forward but was held back by Arthur. "They can't take her away from me!" he shouted. "Finn, stop." Arthur mumbled. "She's gone."

"No she's not!"

"Finn." John placed a hand on his young brothers shoulder.

Finn was forced to watch as they placed the dirt back over her coffin. Polly stepped forward, a piece of paper in hand. Ada stood with a hand over her mouth, sobbing.

"Tilly was like a daughter to me. The nicest girl we've ever known. The only girl suitable for our Finn, she kept him in line. And she didn't get the life she deserved. She..she-" Polly's voice cracked, her lip quivering. Tommy bowed his head, choosing to take over.

"We will seek revenge for what happens
to our Tilly. She didn't chose the life she was given. She didn't chose to be hunted down by the Changretta's but she was. And this is where it go her. Buried six feet under. Tilly deserved to have a good life, be successful. But she was taken too soon."

Everyone was silent.

"We all loved her. She was one of our own and now she's gone. Just like that. Take my word when I say that we won't rest until the people that did this are dead."

-

For weeks after her death, Finn said nothing to anyone. He was hurting. He felt it was his fault. If he'd reacted quicker, she would still be there.

He was hurt because he had only just gotten her back. And now she was gone just as quick.

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