𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝗉𝖾𝖺𝗄𝗒 𝖻𝗅𝗂𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌

vii. b r e a k i n g r u l e s

t h e   w o m e n   o f   w h i t e
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act one — seven
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1919

hectic is the only word

to describe the state of the garrison on that friday night. men filled the floor, drinks spilling, bodies pushing amongst each other joined by their rowdy chants. truthfully this is when edith preferred the garrison. despite the riotous crowds the young women only felt warmth among the bar.

edith's petite body brushed past the crowds with a hearty laugh. she'd found that the drunk ex-soldiers made very chatty company. slamming her drinks tray onto the bar with a heavy sigh, the brunette sent grace a returning grin. the pair had met on a few occasions and honestly edith thought the blonde to be much entertaining. "you handle them well." her irish accent rang with her shout over the shouts.

pulling her plump lips into a pout, edith nodded. "i do don't i." there was a beat of silence before both women realised a giggle at the joke. her laugh was cut short as another body collided with her slim one. immediately her brown eyes turned hot as they glared to the drunk peaky blinder. "you kiss your arse lucky that was me." she hissed harshly as the fellow gangster stood worried. "if you can't stand then sit. we don't need any trouble tonight." edith was careful with her words as grace's curious gaze burned holes at the pair. she was smart enough to not to trust the girl. grace was good company, but, she was new and new meant not to be trusted.

as the drunken peaky blinder towered over her form he scoffed. "and who are you to give orders, eh?" his tone was mocking as a chuckle escaped his lips.

taking a harsh breath, edith stepped closer to the man. her lack of height was made up for the fiery glare with her dark eyes. it was enough to frighten the most beastly of beasts. "are you challenging me." her head tilted to one side as a half smile crawled upon her lips at the poor boys face. "i didn't think so." edith drawled before swiftly turned back to a stunned grace.

"who was he?" she pushed whilst quickly learning forward.

edith raised a perfectly curved brow. "a drunken fool." was her reply and both women knew it was deflection. "now, you stay put, i am going to do something about this crowd." her lips were twisted with mischief as she formed her plan. the blonde barmaid noticed and immediately questioned muffled her mind.

turning on her heel, edith gracefully pushed past the sweaty men. she pulled her skirt up slightly as she stepped upon a chair before making it to a central table. a few stragglers around the tables stopped to await the women's purpose. "oi, you lot!" her voice was loud, powerful but also silky and alluring; almost like a line of smoke leading to a sweat pie. "who fancies some singing?" she grinned, a hint of the devil in her smile as she thought about thomas' strict rules on singing.

there was a roar of approval causing the girl to laugh with a beaming smile. quiet fell among to pub as they awaited the words to flow.

"Well I didn't tell anyone, but a bird flew by
Saw what I'd done he set up a nest outside,
And he sang about what I'd become."

the crowd sang lowly along to the familiar song as others stopped in shock at her angelic voice. her voice carried through loudly and the beauty drifting to the ears of the crowd calmingly.

suddenly, her eyes re-opened as she heard the hard slam of the door. her flow didn't stop as words tumbled from her lips magically. fighting hard, edith kept the grin off of her lips as her warm brown iris joined with a pair of steel blue ones. the collision was heated as he felt his jaw clench. thomas wasn't stupid, he knew this act was on purpose. but nevertheless as her voice danced on his ears he couldn't find any inch of anger within him. instead he let his body slump onto a pillar as his eyes graced edith's soft appearance up on the table.

his trance was broken as harry clambered over to the shelby's with a happy grin. "we haven't had singing in here since the war." he nodded but as the silence got longer his happy demeanour morphed into nerves.

thomas kept his steel glance on the bar tender once more before opening his lips and strongly snapping back. "why'd you think that is, harry?" his eyes quickly flicked back to the girl on the table, who now stood with a frowned brow. she wondered why thomas had such a bitter taste for song.

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thankfully most of the garrison had cleared up after her singing and it had just turned two o'clock in the morning when edith returned home. silence was prominent in the shelby house-hold as she hung up her coat and hat.

with a tired sigh the girl made her way up the creaky stairs; her hands pulling her caramel locks from its low bun. as she reached the top of the narrow stairs a panic shout interrupted her. it was muffled from the closed door but edith knew exactly what it was. the smell of burnt opium was strong within the hallway but it was the strangled shouts that made the young women want to cover her ears and hide. the sound was wounding to hear and her mind itched with the desire to stop it.

with a deep breath that's exactly what she did. there was a moment of hesitation as her slender hand rested upon his door, ready to push it open. just as she'd gathered the courage to enter thomas' room the screaming stopped.

silence once again filled the house as edith pushed her ear against the door. shuffling could be heard through the door indicating that the man was awake. with one last sigh the girl stepped away from the door and headed into her own room.

hey guys! It's been a hot minute since I last updated :( and I know this chapter isn't the best but it was just a filler and something to keep you all satisfied. don't forget to comment and vote!

as always i love you and all your support❣️