CHAPTER 25

Everyone had gathered at the large table in Tommy's house, small conversations taking place. "You're the best man, Arthur, go find him." Linda, Arthur's wife said. "Ah, fuck it." He groaned, placing his speech back in his pocket and walking away.

"Ay, Vincent, Vincent." John caught the attention of the cavalry officer opposite him. "What do you call a horse with a prick up it's arse..a cavalry horse!" John burst out laughing, pointing a finger at the officer, "he gets it, see he gets it." He laughed to Esme.

Tilly grinned shaking her head and looking over at Ada who was involving herself in political talk with another woman across from her. "He's funny that one," David nudged her gently, "what's his name again, John?"

"Yes, that's John." She agreed. "Probably the most normal one of the Shelby brothers,"

"Did he fight in the war?"

"He did. But i've always seen him as a brother i've never had. He's lovely,"

After some time, Grace and Tommy finally appeared at the table.

"To the bride" Tommy began, raising his glass. Everybody stood, repeating his words. "And now according to tradition, my best man will say a few words"

Everyone returned to their seats.

"Go on! Here he goes! Go on, Arthur" John shouted. "Right um..i'm not one for speeches" he said nervously. "Sing then" John shouted.

"I will later, John. But, uh, I do..i do have some words written down here" he nodded, pulling the paper from his coat. "This doesn't include everything i want to say"

"Arthur just, just read what we wrote down, eh" Tom interrupted.

"First a few words from..from the heart. This man here, my brother Tommy, helped me survive through some of the worst times" He stuttered. Tommy cleared his throat loudly, stopping him.

"It's a wedding, Arthur, tell a joke" Micheal said. "Yeah tell a joke" John nodded.

"What i'm trying to say is that, my brother and the love of a good woman, pulled me through that time. Now Tommy also has the love of a good woman, her names Grace. Like the Grace of the good Lord. And even though, the circumstances of their union was tragic.."

Tommy slammed a hand on the table, standing. "All right. Let's uh, Arthur. Let's raise a toast eh? To uh, to love to peace to marriage"

Arthur stood, seeming defeated and upset.

"Well done Arthur, beautiful speech, really nice" John said. Arthur grabbed his jacket, walking off. "Really nice"

-

Finn threw his head back, blinking hard as the boy threw another punch at him. "Come on Finn!" Johnny Dogs shouted. "You're a Shelby, come on!"

Although it was a wedding, there was still business going on, still bets being placed.

Tilly stood with her arms crossed, rolling her eyes. David stood, clearly entertained.

"I'm going to get a drink," She excused, turning her back to Finn and the other boy who were fighting. "Excuse me," she said politely, pushing to the back of the crowd, lifting her dress from the floor to avoid falling.

Finn caught a quick glance of the girl as she was walking away but didn't let it consume his focus:

He threw his fist into the boys jaw and sent him stumbling backwards.

"Well done, Finn!" Johnny cheered, grabbing Finn's shoulders and pulling him away, "ya won!" he added.

As Johnny continued talking to Finn about how he now had to race someone on a horse, he couldn't help but look over at David who stood talking to someone.

"Are ya listening to me, boy?" Johnny asked, looking over his own shoulder to see what had gotten his attention. "Concentrate," he scolded, grabbing Finn's chin.

He nodded and listened to what Johnny was telling him.

"What're you doing in ere?" John asked, peering over Matilda's shoulder as she stood at the drinks table. She jumped. "You scared the shit out of me," she gasped, placing a hand on her chest.

He laughed slightly. "Seriously though, why aren't you outside, thought you loved fighting. Where's ya boyfriend?"

"He's out there watching. I got cold, that's all. And bored i suppose. Can't get a moment to myself tonight,"

"Well, you're famous now so what do you expect?" He taunted.

"I'm not famous," she rolled her eyes.

"Okay, is that why i heard some people gossiping about your paintings earlier?" He asked, taking out a cigar and lighting it.

"Whatever, John," Tilly rolled her eyes.

"I'm serious!" He raised his voice. She hummed and folded her arms, quickly glancing over at Ada who stood talking to a Russian man.

Once he finally left her alone, she wandered the busy house, she found a practically empty room which only had a few people in. Young people. One of them was Isiah who was sat with a brunette girl so she chose not to go over to him.

Matilda sat beside the window, another glass of champagne in her hand.

One thing Matilda learned to love after moving to London was being alone. She found some sort of peace in it. That was one of the reasons she didn't
want to be around Finn.
Because she knew that the second he spoke to her, all she'd want to do is be near him, talk to him.

Tilly had sat in that room, staring out the window for some time and hadn't even realised everyone else had left, some going upstairs to do cocaine, some going off to talk to Tommy and Grace.

That left her. Alone.

"Yeah, fuck off Cam." Finn sniffed, walking off and stumbling into the practically empty room. His eyes landed on Tilly and he froze. Cameron took that as his opportunity to leave. "Oh..er, hello. Sorry, i didn't know anyone was in here," he said awkwardly.

Her mouth went dry as she struggled to speak. All she could do was shake her head and look back to the window.

Finn looked behind him, realising Cameron had gone. "I've not seen you in a while," he finally said. "I've been in London," she said bluntly, her nails digging into the sides of her legs which were exposed due to her dress lifting slightly.

"Yeah..saw you in the paper, heard you've gotten a name for yourself." He said. She said nothing. "That's good, Til, i'm proud of you."

I'm proud of you.

Finn scratched the back of his neck. "I can write now, and read." he told her, trying not to get excited at his own achievement. She nodded. "Thats good, Finn. Well done."

"Listen, Tilly. I don't want this to be awkward for any of us."

"So.." She said quietly, waiting for him to continue. "So talk to me, tell me what's happened. That all i want. I want to know what's happened since you left. That's all i care about." He rambled, the alcohol talking for him.

"Well..i've grew a business. I'm with a boy called David and he treats me well. We both earn good money..but unfortunately I still struggle counting," she smirked, trying to lighten his spirits.

He laughed slightly, leaning against the wall. "Well, surely David can help you with that?"

"Id think so," she said, looking at the portrait of Tommy, Grace and their son Charles. "I like London, it's nice. Much different to Small Heath..but it's still nice. The people are different. All the men have too much money,"

"So like my brothers then?"

"Yep, like your brothers. The atmosphere is so different, it's full of rich people, girls in pearls and lipstick."

"Sounds perfect for you then? You've always belonged to that type of life, Til. You're not made for the Peaky Blinders dream, eh? Instead the London show girl type of dream." He suggested.

"What the fuck is the London show girl type of dream?" She had to stop herself from laughing.

Finn shrugged. "I don't know..nice dresses, fancy pubs, men with too much money." He mimicked her words. "Exactly what you were made for."

"You've not changed a bit, Finn Shelby."

"Oh but you have, haven't you?" Finn said, placing his hands into his pockets. "Matilda Willows, London's most favoured young artist," he said in a posh voice, reciting one of the things wrote about her in the newspaper. "Who would've thought?"

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

"you'll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you."

except let's swap the roles.