𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟑
𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠

That night, Finn had argued with Aunt Polly about her refusal to let him go to London. Aurora had went to Tommy to speak about what she wanted to do and he agreed with slight hesitation. He knew it could do her good if she went to live with Ada for a bit.

Just after she left the office to go back to the house, Finn had called him raging about their Aunt. Tommy listened intently and ideas spiralled through his head.

He decided that he would buy them both train tickets for the morning and would take the both of them to the station, leaving before Polly could wake and stop them. He believed Aurora and Finn needed each other. He knew that Polly would not argue against Tommy for long. He would be able to convince her it was a good idea and Finn would be fine.

With his plan to expand the business into London, there would be watchful eyes on every corner per Tommy's orders. So neither Finn or Rory could go anywhere unnoticed.

Tommy believed that with Aurora being away from The Garrison and all the other pubs her friends would go to, there was less of a chance that she'd get her hands on cocaine. And if Tommy spoke to Ada, Ada would look after the girl like she had never looked after anybody.

Aurora was Ada's sister. Not by blood. But nevertheless. It would now be her job to look after the girl like nobody else had.

-

"You're sure you want to go?" Tommy stood at Aurora's door, whispering as she packed a bag. She nodded and continued shoving her things into the bag. "I just need a break, Tom. Just a small one. And then i'll be back— i'll be back and new. I'll have started again. I'll be a new person."

Tommy smiled slightly. "I'm proud of you, kid. I always will. be. But i'm proud that you're willing to try and take a change."

"Change is needed. I'm ruining myself with all this shit."

Tommy nodded in agreement. "Listen," he said. "Finn's going with you." He said. Aurora shook her head. "Polly said no."

"Well— I said yes. I'm going to drive you both to the station and you'll call me when you get to London. There will be a Blinder waiting to drive you down to Ada's house." Tommy dug into his pocket and showed her train tickets in one hand and money in the other. "The money you will spend on things you need. I'll give that to Finn and he will give it to Ada. When you need it, you ask her and you tell her what you need it for. You understand?"

"I understand. Thank you, Tommy." She said, zipping up the bag.

"You and Finn need each other. That's why I said yes. You might not agree but it's true." Tommy said. "And you'll realise that one day, trust me."

Finn crept down the hall, cap on his head and bag in hand. He had his coat slotted through the handles of it. Aurora smiled at him sheepishly and the three quietly went down the stairs.

Aurora swiped her coat from the hook and took one last look at the house.

"Come on then, before Polly wakes." Tommy ushered them outside.

-

The train ride was long. Aurora was asleep, her head on Finn's shoulder and her coat draped over her knees. He stared out the window, watching as the sun began setting.
The train came to a stop as they pulled into the station and Finn lightly nudged the sleeping girl. "We're here." He whispered.

She rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath. Finn grabbed both of their bags and waited for her to get up, walking behind her as they stepped off the train.

Stepping onto the platform, Rory linked Finn's arm around her own and they looked for a Peaky Cap.

Aurora was too tired to try and attempt to talk to the Blinder so left it all to Finn when they got back into the car. She watched as they drove through the busy roads of London. There were clubs and bars that seemed lively. Hardly any children running around. Girls were dressed in pretty, eye-catching dresses and wore their hair in bouncy curls, red lipstick painting their lips.

She smiled slightly and took it all in.

Unfortunately, the car came to a halt and they had stopped outside the tall house. "Thank you," they thanked. Finn helped her out of the car and they walked up to Ada's door, knocking.

Mere moments passed before she answered, welcoming them with a large smile. "Oh it feels you've grown so much since the last time I saw you both!" She exclaimed, pulling them both into a hug. "Come in."

They stepped into the house and Aurora gasped. "This is a big house, Ada."

"I know. I don't know what Tommy thought when leaving a house like this for me and Karl." She chuckled. "But luckily, you've both got a room." She said.

Finn put the bags down and Karl came toddling out of the living room. "Karl.." Aurora whispered, lifting the boy off his feet and spinning.

"Say hello to your Auntie Aurora." Ada whispered to the boy. Finn watched the interaction and saw the way Aurora's eyes lit up when she held the young boy. "Oh, i've missed you." She said to him.

"There's food on the table. You both must be starving." Ada announced, leading them to the kitchen.

"Thank you again, Ada." Aurora said.

She shook her head. "Of course." She shifted her gaze to her younger brother. "And you? I didn't think Polly would've let you come."
The pair lowered their heads. "She didn't. Tommy did." Finn winced. Ada lowered her shoulders and shook her head with a small grin. "I'll expect an angry call from Polly soon then." She joked.

-

Polly stormed into Tommy's office. "You bloody idiot!" She spat. Tommy looked up from his desk, bracing himself. "You let Finn go to London after I said no?" She asked.

Tommy nodded. "I did, Pol." He said plainly. Polly fumed. "Aurora needs him. You know it. I know it. Everyone knows it." He said. Polly scoffed. "She's a fucking mess, Tommy! Finn does not need to be dragged into that—"

Tommy hit his fist against the desk. "I won't have you speaking about Aurora in that way, Polly! She is trying. For the love of god, she is trying. And she is trying her best. Her going to London is her attempt to start again. But to start again, she still needs Finn. He's a big boy and he can handle himself!" He shouted at her.

Polly shook her head. "They're teenagers, they're not bloody married."

"No, they're not. But Finn is in love with that girl. I can see it in his eyes. He will not give up on her. She needs someone who will not give up on her. Aurora has had people walk in and out of her life over and over again— she can't have that happen again." He said.

Polly bit her tongue. "Love is the worst type of drug there is. If she gets hooked on that she will never escape it."

"Good thing our Finn isn't the type to break her heart, then eh? I'll set Finn up for a bit of work, nothing illegal. Just something to keep him busy whilst he is there. They won't be gone long, i'm sure of it. There's only so much time a person can stay away from home for."

-

Aurora stared up at the ceiling, tiredness rising inside her. She closed her eyes, letting it take over. Although she still lay slightly awake. Aurora's breathing was steady. And for once, she felt like she would sleep properly.

For once, she didn't have an anxious feeling looming over her. She didn't feel regret. She felt right.

Finn lay in the room opposite her. Rory kept her door slightly ajar, letting the light from the hallway lamp seep in ever so slightly.

Finn lay wondering if she was asleep yet. He was glad that Tommy let him go with her. He hated when Aurora wasn't around. Yes, he had other friends. But she was just different. She didn't embarrass him or make him feel stupid. She was patient. And it wasn't often that people were patient with him.

After tossing and turning for what felt like hours, Finn hesitantly got up and walked across the hall. He stopped outside Aurora's room, his hand hovering over the door handle. He withdrew it and knocked on it lightly.

Aurora hummed from the other side and he pushed the door open gently.

"What's up, Finny?" She asked, sitting up. Finn looked at his feet then looked at her. "Can't really sleep." He admitted. She tutted and patted the bed beside her. Finn walked in and she pulled back the covers. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah— come on. I wasn't asleep anyway." Aurora assured him. Finn got beside her and she lay back down, facing him. "Something on your mind?"

"No.. no I don't think so." Finn frowned. "I suppose it just feels weird not being at home."

She furrowed her brows together. "You don't have to stay here, Finn." She said.

He shook his head quickly. "No, I want to. I want to be here with you." He said, a slight stutter interrupting him. She smiled slightly and reached up, moving a stray strand of hair that rested on his forehead.

His breath hitched ever so slightly. Her dark brown eyes met his and he couldn't speak. "You kissed me before we came to London—" he blurted out. Aurora took away her hand and her lips parted, remembering what she had done the night before.

"Yeah.. I did."

"Why?"

"Because—" she paused, "I wanted to." She said nervously. Finn nervously cupped her jaw, his thumb brushing over her cheek. "Aurora, I—" She cut him off by shaking her head. She leaned forward, placing her forehead on his and closing her eyes. "I'm going to get better, Finny. I promise."

Finn's breath was shaky. "I believe you."

The moment those words left his mouth, it felt like a weight was lifted from her shoulders. That's all she needed to hear — that somebody believed in her. She felt like she had never heard those words in her life.

She took a deep breath and put her head on his chest, allowing his arms to fall around her. "Goodnight, Finn."

"Goodnight." He whispered, staring up at the ceiling.

-

Alfie wandered up the stairs of the Shelby office building. "Excuse me," he cleared his throat, catching Lizzie's attention. She looked up from her typewriter. "Is Tommy here?" He asked.

Lizzie nodded. "Is he expecting you?"

Alfie shook his head. "No— no." He said. "I'll be quick though." He promised. Lizzie sighed. "Go through." She said. Alfie walked to the double doors and knocked before opening them. "Mr Shelby."

"Alfie Jenkins, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Tommy leaned back, a cigarette between his lips.

Alfie stepped into the room and closed the doors behind him. "I want to work for you." He said. Tommy raised a job. "Vacancy is filled. Polly's son filled it." he said. Alfie shook his head quickly. "No, not that. I want to become a Peaky Blinder." He said.

Tommy's eyebrows raised. "What?"

Alfie cleared his throat. "And I know a few other boys who wouldn't mind becoming one too.." he trailed off. "Three to be exact. Mikey Clarke, Charlie Owen's and—"

"Harvey?" Tommy guessed. Alfie nodded in response.

"And what business do you lads have wanting to be a Blinder, eh?" He tapped his cigarette on the ashtray. "Cause if you're just lookin' for a bit of fun, you can fuck off."

"No, not at all." Alfie assured him. "I have family in London, you see. So does Mike—"

"So this is about Aurora?" Tommy cut in. He watched the look in Alfie's eyes that gave him confirmation. "You don't even have to send us to London— we can stay here. We just want to mean something."

"So you want to be a Blinder?"

"Exactly." Alfie answered. Tommy almost laughed. "It isn't a game, Alfie." He said. "I know, sir." Alfie assured him. "The older lads aren't in school anymore. We can help you— or Aurora if we can. Or whatever it is that you Peaky Blinders do. We're willing to do it to."

"Aurora won't be pleased if she finds out." He told him.

"And if we say we're doing it for her?" Alfie asked. Tommy hummed. "That could make it worse." He said seriously. "Write down ya name and ya address, Alfie." Tommy nodded. "I'll be in touch."

- so..