𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃
chapter 19

"Ay, feet off the table. " Arthur scolded the seventeen year old as he walked through the den. She rolled her eyes and placed her feet on the floor. "You." John pointed. "Be ready in ten minutes, we're going somewhere," he said.

"Where?" she asked bluntly. "A meeting with Mr Vincente Changretta." John said in a mocking tone. "The Italian?" Florence asked. John nodded. "Why do i have to be there?" John sighed. "Florence, the day you agreed to be a peaky blinder was the day you agreed to do whatever we told you to do, now go on, go wait by the car."

She bit back her laugh and grabbed her gun from the table, placing it in her holster and pulling her jacket over it.

-

Isiah stood beside Finn, patting down three men and leading them to Arthur and John at a table. "You asked for a meeting out in the open," Arthur nodded. "Fresh air and the fine aroma of shit."

A snigger left Florence's mouth at his remark.

"Neutral ground you said:"

"This is hardly neutral ground." the man, Vincent, spoke. "Well, it's what you've got." Arthur argued. "So, por favor." he smiled sarcastically. "Sit down."

John pointed his head down, laughing at his brother. "Where is Thomas?" Vincent's asked. "He got called away." John said.

"He'd said he'd be here." the man shook his head.

"Well he's not, alright, sit down." she spoke, glaring at him. "I just told you he got called away. What do you want?" John asked.

"Who is the girl?" he asked in a thick accent. "Florence, say ello." Arthur said. Florence sent the man a sarcastic smile. "Polly, you know polly, eh? Well it her daughter." Arthur continued.

The men remained standing, looking about.

"There has been a peace between the Peaky Blinders and the Changretta family for two years now." Vincente began. John and Arthur looked at each other. "Do you want some tea or not?" John interrupted. "Here, Finn, pour the Italians some English tea. Go on:"

"We don't want fucking tea!" he shouted, his accent strong. "We want an explanation."

"Right no need to shout," Florence scolded, pointing at him. "Well i'll have fucking tea." Arthur shrugged, pouring himself a cup.
"Explanation for what?" John asked, "The little Venice Restaurant on Forge Street was burnt down." the man said.

"No, no, couldn't have been us, we was at a wedding." John said. "You burnt it down to stop my son from being at that same wedding." He persisted.

"I'm sure he wouldn't have been very wanted there anyway," The girl shrugged. "Yeah, he wasn't missed." Arthur whispered, staring at the tea.

John and Florence laughed slightly.

"You are such big boys now." The Italian said. "But once you borrowed clothes from us to look like men."

"I'm actually a girl, Mr Changretta:" she corrected him. "And i don't think i've ever borrowed clothes from you," she snorted, looking him up and down. "And i'm not sure id ever want to."

There was a moment of silence.

"How's the tea, Arthur? Is it-"

Arthur chucked the tea on the floor. "It's cold." he shrugged.

"Please tell Tommy, that we pay him whatever he asks us to pay. We stay out of the city and off the tracks. But you tell him from me, that my son will walk with any woman in this city, even if she works for the emperor Thomas Shelby."

"I'm not very certain your son should be walking round with someone like Lizzie Stark." She said.

A grin sat on Johns face as the man continued rambling.

John snorted, "Sorry, do excuse me." he pulled his hat over his face. "Carry on."

Florence put a hand over her mouth, hiding her laughs at the whole situation as she caught Isaiah's eye. "If he wishes, he will walk with the woman he loves." he repeated. "Okay." John nodded, closing his eyes.

He leaned forward, grabbing the tea pot.

"You know, it would be hard for your son to walk anywhere with a bullet in each knee wouldnt it." John stayed.

The man leaned back.

Florence let her hand collide with Johns arm. "John what the fuck.:" she whispered.

"Too much." the man whispered. "You said too much my friend." Florence shared a glance with Arthur as Vincente smashed up a chair, "Okay, bit strong." John mocked.

"Isiah." Arthur said, "put two extra men on our pubs in Nechells."

"What are you talking about Arthur, we're not scared of fucking Eyeties anymore."
Isiah offered his hand to Florence , helping her stand.

"Don't tell Tommy about the chair and get this shit cleaned up. Flo, you get home safe, yeah?" Arthur groaned, patting Isaiah on the back.

"We're not scared of fucking Wops!" John shouted. "All right John." Arthur shook his head.