CHAPTER TWO
001 | episode one

TOMMY SHELBY WAS STILL RACING IN HER mind on repeat. He was like a drug — one sample and you were done for. No conversation was needed, he seemed intrigued enough that it could be dangerous, but Delilah Murphy was one person who loved danger. The steel blue eyes, the dark hair, and clean shaved face were things girls fell for, and knowing he had heaps on girls at beck and call annoyed her, knowing she had to turn up the charm. Delilah didn't know what she wanted from him yet, but she would figure it out as she went. He was on her mind as she walked back to her home, lingering as she placed everything she bought onto her table.Her mind was too preoccupied to start making herself a new dress, choosing to open the bottle of bourbon Polly had gotten her for her birthday. It was quite expensive, but the Shelby's could afford it, their dangerous lifestyle paying for everything they need plus more.

She sat in her chair next to the fire, rocking slowly back and forth, thinking about the smallest things possible. What should I have for dinner? What should I get Finn for his birthday? The Finn gift was a mystery and she was running out of time, his birthday being in less than two weeks. The small bout had tons of energy, and ruined everything he touched, it was just the way boys worked. Delilah had to find the perfect gift, one that he wouldn't grow out of and one that he couldn't ruin within ten minutes. A hat. Of course, a peaky hat. Was there anything better than being able to fit in with your 'role models'? Nope. She let out a loud sigh, her feet killed from all the walking she did, but she still made her way to her sewing room, shifting through patterns. There was no way in hell Delilah was going to be putting a razor blade into the seam of the cap, but she could sew his name on the inside. She picked out a small royal blue thread — Finn's favorite color — and got to work.

She spent hours on the hat, trying to make it perfect. She was satisfied with her work, well what she could see through her hooded eyes. When the hat hit the ground, she figured that it was time to go to bed, slipping the hat onto the table, making a mental note to wrap it in the morning. Delilah barely made it to her room without falling down the stairs, her body swaying from her eyes constantly shutting on their own accord. She slipped off her dress from the day, placing a night gown on her body, slipping into bed. A smile grew on her face at the comfort of her bed, falling asleep instantly.Delilah woke up to the birds chirping and the morning sun peaking in through the curtains, finding its way onto her face, blinding her. She let out a small groan, her bones cracking under the pressure of the large stretch she was doing. Delilah let out a huff, falling back onto the bed, wishing that she could fall back asleep, wanting to hide under her warm covers, but she couldn't. Her bare feet hit the cool wooden floors, the noise of them hitting the ground with each step echoed through the bedroom as she found her way to the closet, and picked out her daily outfit. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough to have men wonder what it was like under the dress ( they would only find a gun ).

She wondered down the stairs that creaked with every step that was taken, and Delilah wondered how she could get that taken care of, 'cause it was starting to annoy the hell outta her. As she made her way into the kitchen, she noticed a figure standing there on the side of the room, a cup of tea in the woman's hand. Delilah knew who it was and cursed the lords name as to why the fuck Polly Gray was standing in her kitchen at such an early hour, but ignored the woman as she grabbed a piece of sliced bread and put it in her mouth, turning to give the woman a grin. "Christ, Delilah! Did you ever learn manners?" Pol asked. Her nose was crinkled at the sight in front of her, disturbed by how much Delilah reminded her of the boys she had at home. "Enough of the fuckin' small talk. We have bigger matters at hand. Want to help me give John a good reprimanding?"

A crooked grin found it's way onto Delilah's face, picturing the moment when Johnny boy was scared shitless by two women who had nothing better to do. "Why of course, Pol, I would be delighted."

( ...🔪... )

THE TWO WOMEN MADE THEIR WAY DOWN
the streets of Small Heath, waiting at the corner for John Shelby to make himself known. Polly pulled the gun out of her pocket, aiming at Johns head, who stopped the moment he heard the click, wondering what the hell he had gotten himself into. Delilah let out a small chuckle at the boys face, the complete and utter shock on his face, it was amazing. "Look at the gun," Pol spoke. John was trying his hardest to ignore the gun, but he had no choice, too afraid that Pol would actually shoot him. "You recognize it?" When John let out a sound of recognition, Pol grabbed him by the ear and brought him down to the ground. "Get up off your ass, you mumping pig."

John was in pain, not afraid to show it, letting out a scream as he rolled away, trying to stand without being killed. "Aunt Pol! What the fuck did you do that for?"

Polly stood her ground, showing Delilah just how dangerous she could be and the girl loved it, taking mental notes for later. "Finn was playing with this, this afternoon by the Cut. It was loaded. Nearly blew Ada's tits off."

Delilah let out a snort at the last sentence, making John snap his eyes to the blonde, wondering why she was there for his reprimanding. "It must've fell out of my pocket."

"He said he found it on the sideboard of the betting shop, with bullets in it." Polly tilted her head in a mocking manner, clearly done with the boys actions, wondering why the hell she had to take care of them.

"I...I must have been drunk," John said. His arms were flailing around, trying to think of some excuse as to why his little brother was playing with a loaded gun.

"I'll say," Delilah muttered. Polly heard the girl, sending a glare towards her, not happy with the fact that she was being sarcastic at the moment. Delilah just sent her a grin, showing that she really didn't care and she was just happy to see everything going down.

Polly took a step closer to John, making the man nervous as she stood less than a foot away, asserting her dominance. "When are you not drunk?"

He looked away from her, trying to make things better. "Look, Aunt Pol, I'm sorry. I'm...I'm sorry."

"We'll keep this between ourselves if you swear not to leave guns lying around," Pol said. When she got a nod from John, she handed the gun back to him, wondering if he was going to keep that promise. "Look, I know having four kids without a woman is hard, but my boot is harder. Now come on, we're late."

"Pol, do I have to go to that. I don't want to cause any drama between you guys," Delilah spoke.

"Yes, you have to come. You're part of the reason this damn thing is still alive. Now put on your big girl pants and let's go."

( ...🔪... )

INSIDE THE SHELBY'S FAMILY HOME,
Delilah stood in the corner, trying to stay as hidden as possible, not wanting to entice the wrath that was the Shelby brothers. She had no reason to be there ( besides Pol dragging her ) and wanted to go home and just lounge around doing nothing. Being in the drawing room was her own personal torture, watching as eyes landed on her, trying to understand why she was even there in the first place. Delilah shifted under the gazes, her skin itching, causing her to put her gaze on the rings that lined her fingers, twisting them around. "Why is there a blonde in our meeting?" Arthur spoke. He was clearly intoxicated, but his voice held a slight malice to it.

"Because I invited her, Arthur. Don't get all snappy with me. She's the one who helped me run the show while you fools were off fighting. She's staying and that's final," Pol spoke. Her hands were placed on her hips, showing Arthur that there was no way Delilah was going to be leaving.

"Fine, Pol. But if she causes trouble, you have to be the one to handle it." Arthur stood up, standing at the end of the table. "Right, I've called this family meeting because I've got some very important news. Scudboat and Lovelock got back from Belfast last night. They were buying a stallion to cover their mares. They were in a pub on Shankhill Road yesterday and in that pub there was a copper, handing out these."

Arthur handed a piece of paper to Ada, who passed it around the table. Each person paused a second to look at it more carefully before handing it to the next. "If you're over five feet and can fight, come to Birmingham," John read.

"They're recruiting Protestant Irishman to come over here as Specials," Arthur informed. Delilah could see that he was clearly displeased with the information, the tense posture was a clear sign.

Ada snapped her head towards the man, her eyebrows raised in question. "To do what?"

"To clean up the city, Ada," Tommy spoke. He held up the piece of paper, but all Delilah could focus on was the way he looked in the dim light of the lamp next to him. Her eyes traced over every crevice and bone that was on his face, his lips that she couldn't help but want to kiss, and the sharp blue eyes she could get lost in. "He's a chief inspector. The last four years he's been clearing the IRA out of Belfast."

Arthur snapped his piecing glaze to his brother. "How do you know do bloody much?"

Tommy stayed relaxed as he got questioned by Arthur. "'Cause I asked the coppers on our payroll."

"And why didn't you tell me?"
"I'm telling you."

Arthur took a sip of his flask as Polly looked up from the paper she was holding under a magnifying glass. "So why are they sending him to Birmingham?"

"There's been all these bloody strikes at the BSA, and the Austin works lately. Now the papers are talking about sedition. And revolution. I reckon it's communists he's after," Tommy informed.

"So this copper is gonna leave us alone, right?" Pol asked. She was worried about her families safety and didn't want them to get dragged into something that could get them killed.

"Probably not, Pol," Delilah said. Everyone snapped their gaze to her, but she felt that they were questioning her statement, not judging. "I've heard whispers that the man is out for blood, specifically Shelby blood. Don't trust anyone that may have a bloody connection to the man."

Tommy send the girl a nod, clearly pleased with the information she gave him. "There are Irishmen in Green Lanes who left Belfast to get away from him. They say Catholic men who crossed him used to disappear in the night."

"Yeah, but we ain't IRA. We bloody fought for the king. Anyway, we're Peaky Blinders. We're not scared of coppers," John spoke. "If they come for us, we'll cut them a smile each."

"So, Arthur, is that it?"
"What do you think, Aunt Pol?"

Polly took a drag from her cigarette before she placed her gaze on each of their faces. "This family does everything open. You have more to say to this meeting, Thomas?"

"No. Nothing that's women's business."
"Oh fuck you, Tommy Shelby."

"This whole bloody enterprise was women's business while you boys were away at war," Pol snapped. "What's changed?"

"We came back."

now while this chapter doesn't have any tommy c delilah moments, it is a key part. pol is introducing her to the family business with the men back and tommy isn't lashing out in front of them. next chapter is gonna be good because the two of them are gonna have a tension filled moment.