𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃
chapter 30

Florence walked beside Micheal, behind the rest of her family as they all walked to the large building. "Come on, picture." Arthur called out, urging everybody to stand together. Florence got deja vu from Tommy and Grace's wedding.

After the picture was taken, they all entered the hall and took their seats. Every seat was taken.

"Welcome to the opening of the Grace Shelby Institute for the non insured children of the poor. I would very much like you to join me in thanking the man that made the founding of this establishment actually possible." Polly said proudly.
"Ladies and gentleman, Mr Thomas Shelby," Polly finished.

The moment he stood, claps echoed from every corner of the room. "Come on, Speech!" Arthur shouted. Florence gave Tommy a reassuring smile. "Say it Tom, say it to 'em!"

Tommy stood where Polly had just previously been and waited for the noise to stop. "Lay the foundation!" John cupped his hands over his mouth..

"I didn't come here today to make a speech but i will say this. These children are now safe. In our care, they will be safe.  Because we are from the same cold streets as we are. And in our care, they won't be shipped away to the colonies. Or separated from Kin, or made to work for man in their various ways." Tommy announced. "They will grow up here at home. Loved, in Birmingham. Because this is our city."

"By order of the Peaky Blinders!" Arthur exclaimed. Everyone clapped, some not agreeing with the final statement.

"Now let us sing, Immortal Invisible:" Polly spoke.

Tommy left the room, staring at the portrait of Grace in the hall. "Hear that Grace?" he asked. The door opened, Father Hughes appearing behind him.

"The absence of my invitation to this event was obviously an oversight on your part, Mr Shelby." He ignored him.

"But, look. I have the keys." he showed Tommy. "I've allocated myself an office, just there, two doors in from the street. It's the one that already has the stove and crucifixion on the window. Mr Shelby? It is the one that has the crucifixion on the window in orange and red. That will be my office. And i will take them to Saint Aloysius for confession. You do understand these key are part of our broader arrangement?"

Tommy sighed, keeping his eyes on the portrait. Florence had stood to follow after the man and, through the gap in the door, saw Father Hughes and felt as if her heart had stopped beating. She remembered that face so vividly. It was engraved into her mind.

"In the next 24 hours, you will do exactly as you have been instructed, you'll not deviate, you'll not fail," She heard as he walked away. Then she saw Micheal.

"The lord mayor would like you to come and eat cake and drink some tea," Micheal kept his eyes on the door that Father Hughes had went through.

Tommy brushed past the boy and Florence finally emerged into the hall to meet her brother's gaze. "It was him." She said sheepishly. Micheal tutted and pursed his lips into a line. "He isn't going to touch you, Flo. Not again. I won't let him." He assured.

-

"Tommy says mingle and smile." Ada reminded both Florence and Polly. "It must be the trains." Polly said."No Ruben?" Ada referred to Polly's new lover that Florence was yet to hear about. "Do you know any other guests from London not turned up?" Polly questioned. "Some, i think, yeah. Pol, i'm paid by the company now so i have to talk to other people." she said, smiling at her cousin and walking away.

"Where's Micheal?" Florence asked Polly. "I'm not sure, love." Florence scanned her eyes around the room, still feeling strange after seeing Father Hughes after so many years. She finally found Micheal and chose to stand with him.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

Florence being Florence, just nodded and kept her hands clasped behind her back. Micheal raised his brows. "Don't lie to me." He said. She locked eyes with him and went to deny it but he spoke first. "You're my sister, sometimes I know you better than you know yourself."

He was right.

"I suppose it's just strange— almost frightening to see him after all these years." She said honestly.

"You're a different person now, Flo. You aren't that same little girl he took advantage of. I will not let him lay a finger on you," Micheal whispered to her, a serious look in his eyes.