The streets of Birmingham's industrial district weren't made to look pretty. Kids in rough clothes and no shoes ran through the streets laughing, men carried wooden beams used to make boats and a black man stood on the corner of the street preaching about god. Carts and trucks didn't seem to care about Tom in this district and that was the way he liked it.

Three blind men walked past Toms horse lead by a border collie, holding out a small pot. Tom dropped a coin in the pot and the men nodded graciously. Fire shot into the air from the surrounding factory's. This was the liveliest part of the city.

As he rounded a corner a woman screamed as a man grabbed hold of her and a drunken bar fight had spilled onto the street. Two police men laughed at the scene, saw Tom and stepped aside.

"Morning Mr Shelby"

Tom didn't look down from his horse and continued through the street.

                                                                                               ...

Tom walked past children playing hopscotch and woman hanging out washing, onto a wide street with row upon row of houses. Each and everyone was the same a simple narrow brick structure with a small chimney puffing out smoke to add to the dark, black sky. This street was not as busy but was packed all the same.

He continued to walk until he came to the 13th door. He snubbed his ciggerete and laid a hand on the door handle. As Tom stepped inside he took of his hat and looked at the rose wallpaper and rich artwork. He was home.

As he opened the door to the dining room his younger brother of 8 years old quickl

 As he opened the door to the living room his younger Brother of ten years old quickly threw something in the fireplace and sat down.

''Fin" Tom said before walking over to the fireplace.

"Arthurs made as hell Tommy"

Tom reached into the fireplace and grabbed a freshly snubbed ciggerete.

"Whats a ten year old doing with this aye"?

"Im eleven, sunday"

Tom laughed and patted him on the head and walked over towards to big, green, silk curtains. He pulled them aside and opened the two wooden doors behind them.

Inside men walked back and forwards with rolls of money as others tapped away at type writers and smoked cigars. At the hard of the room his brother Arthur yelled figures and wrote on a large chalk board.

Men handed in their bets on the races as others fought over odds.

His brother john a young lad of 19 came running towards him with a ciggerete in mouth.

"Tommy! Tommy look at the book"

He opened the book at cracked a smile.

''Tommy just look. All these bets on your horse Monoghanbough"

"Good job john"

Tom looked up at Arthur who glared down at him.

"Tommy. Get in ere'. Now"

Tom rolled his eyes and followed Arthur into the office. Arthur sat down and poured a whiskey.

"Now you were seen down in the chink quarters doing a powder trick"

Tom looked him dead in the eye

''Times are ard' Arthur. People need a reason to lay a bet"

Arthur took a swig.

"Now there was a Chinese Tommy"

"The washer woman say she's a which. It helps them believe"

Arthur slammed his cup on the table and wiped his chin.

"We don't get involved with Chinese"

Tom pointed outside the office.

"Look at the book"

Arthur grew angry and slammed his fist again.

"We do not get involved with Chinese" Arthur snarled.

"We agreed Arthur. Im taking charge"

"And what the fuck happens if your orse' wins Tommy. And do you have fookin permission from Billy Kimber to be fixing fookin races Tommy. Do you think we can take on Billy Kimber"?

"I think Arthur that's what I do" Tom stepped forward and looked down on Arthur.

"I think...so you don't ave' ta"

"Theres a bloke from Belfast...im calling a family meeting tonight at eight and I want you there. You here me?"