"...and I only have eyes for you."

England, Birmingham — 1919

It was the early days of fall. You were busy working in your mother's dress shop, standing behind the counter as women wandered through the aisles, admiring gowns and discussing fabrics.

Then suddenly, everything got quiet.

It only ever got that quiet when a Peaky Blinder was around.

And who else would it be besides the one who seemed to drag himself across the city every time you worked the counter?

John Shelby.

He's been following you around for years. You've known each other since you were younger, and ever since then he's had a crush on you. Worse still, he made it everybody's problem.

As far as John was concerned, there wasn't much point hiding it.

Sadly for everyone else, life had happened. He's got three children now—two girls and a boy, all under the age of six. His hands are full these days. Between the children, the family business, and being a Shelby, there never seemed to be enough hours in the day.

Yet somehow, he always found time to show up here.

As he walked in, his eyes immediately found yours.

They always did.

You sighed before he could even open his mouth.