In the dusky evening, during the bleak mid-winter, the streets of south London were bare except the joyous muse that came from beyond the entrance of The Vine. As the peak of social evenings, The Vine was in pristine condition from the washed windows to clean painted arches. The decadent bar was a notorious location owned by the Hughes. Much to your surprise, the Hughes were a seemingly converted ex-gang which now held the name of a wealthy and successful business venture owned and run by the head Hughes. On this fine evening, Birmingham blood troubled the peaceful equilibrium. Flat caps and razor blades.

Beyond the heavy oak that shut out the cold, almost one hundred socialites drank and danced in The Vine. Many people were too intoxicated to notice the rushing cold air penetrate the warm sophisticated interior. Many but not most. Hurrying up the grand staircase, a young barman scurried to find the head, Hughes. Empty and dark, the top layer of the vine had been restricted all evening. They had been expecting company. In a secluded nook, a passageway leads to an understated office. Minimalistic, the well-sized room was not a show of wealth but a show of professionalism. Tumbling through the empty space, the startled barman fell into the grounded office. The Head Hughes smirked in acknowledgement as they knew exactly how the night would unfold.

Meanwhile, cascading through the hardwood doors, a group of 10-15 burly men clobbered into the bar. Among the men, an icy blue gaze roamed the area. Shrieking, the almost hundred consumers scampered into the edges of the space. Barmaid and barmen sunk below the bar as the burly men flaunted around their weapons. The older brother to the blue-eyed stare, cocked his black barrel while aimed at a young man.

" Tell the Hughes that m' gun and I would like some words, the Peaky F**king Blinders have arrived to stake our claim." He spat as the young lad shivered before him. Little to his knowledge, at this point, the leader of the Hughes had made their way out of the secluded nook and towards the staircase in time to watch the events unfold. Disappointed in the primitive nature of the oldest Shelby, the head made their way to stand in full display at the top of the stairs.

"I wouldn't f**king move if I were you sweetheart" Thomas Shelby perked up from behind the crowd of peaky blinders as Arthur threaten a new figure. Smirking softly, the Hughes ignored the threats as she began her elegant decent of the marbled steps. When the guests noticed the figure drifting down, they fell into a quiet comfort.

" Would you shoot an unarmed woman, Mr Shelby?" the figure directed at Arthur as she tutted softly. " For the sake of your conscience I suggest lowering that death trap and treating these people with the same respect you demand" As she finished, the older Shelby changed his target to the outspoken woman before him.

"WHO ThE fU-" Arthur snapped but was swiftly cut off by Tommy. "Arthur, let's not get too ahead of ourselves eh?" the MP began while drawing a cigarette from the comforts of his Italian long coat. "I'm guessing you know a lot about the very people we wish to meet and introduce ourselves to" he bowed his head gently to light the cylinder between his lips. The soft woman only scoffed at the change of tone.

"My question still remains. Would you shoot an unarmed woman, Mr Shelby?" the fragile but prominent frame drifted to the base of the staircase. In the background, whispers began to loom. "But perhaps, you Blinders haven't done your research. You see.." as her words uttered toward the men, she took it upon herself to check on the frightened young lad. crouching down softly, she aided to the shivering figure. "...the Hughes are very fond of their research and their security so imagine their surprise when a group of Birmingham boys trotted into South London the same day a shipment goes missing." The brothers exchanged looks before their eyes focused back on the crouching woman. at this point, The peaky blinders had surrounded the four of them leaving the customers to only hear the head Hughes defend her business. "You can understand my disappointment Mr Shelby, I thought you better than to mess with quite the economic and strategic masterpiece of us Hughes..." lifting her head to face Thomas, she began to rise from her crouching position. "... if you wish for an audience Thomas Shelby, go to my offices like every other fucker in London!" now standing with her hand dusting off her skirt, the head of the Hughes smirked as the once hidden barmen and barmaids revealed their defensive weapons. with the barrel of their guns aimed at the many, peaky blinders, the house was in control.

"ahh, so you must have some big balls if you think that you can outmatch the Peaky Blinders!" Arthur spans out as he waved his gun around to gesture to the burly men now slightly divided due to the addition of balanced forces. Now she was closer, she understood that the eldest Shelby was high on god knows what while the other brother seemed num with emotion following his brother's remarks. The bags under his eyes made her wonder if Thomas had ever slept

"I don't think, I know..." the young woman floated between the peaky men and guided her way to the door. "... my office opens at the sixth hour and Mr Shelby if you ever try this again... I'll have your head." The Shelby men scoffed as the bar staff cocked their guns and ushered the peaky blinders. Although, one might say, that Thomas was rather intrigued by the power the small-framed woman commanded.

Looks like you don't f*ck with the Hughes.