Birmingham Rhapsody

Chapter I

"What's a nice pretty lass like you doin' in a place like this?"

I turn around in my seat to seek out the owner of the voice. And come face to face with a man with mesmerizing blue eyes peering out from under a cap perched on his head. His hard, slightly frosty gaze glimmered with intrigue. I turned back around and stare into the glass of whiskey in front of me on the bar.

   He sits beside me and motions to the bartender for a drink. "Hey, I asked you a question lassie," the beautiful man places his hand on my upper arm and I instinctively pull away. "Having a drink. What does it look like? I wasn'ae aware that I wasn't allowed to do that." As the last word falls from my lips the whole place goes silent. You could hear a pin drop.

   The bartender is the first to break the heavy silence. "Do ya know who you're speakin' to lady?" I shake my head and down the glass in front of me then motion for another. "Nor do I care," the bartender looked at me like I've grown a second head. "That's Thomas Shelby. The owner. And you must be either very stupid or very brave talkin' ta a Shelby, Tommy no less, like tha',"

The man next to me replies for me. "Let's give the pretty lass a break shall we Alfred. Aft'r all the girl's clearly not from 'round 'ere," he gives me a quick once over. "What's the girl 'aving?" Thomas catches me staring and winks. "Whiskey. Straight." He smirks. "Pro'bly best. Wouldn' trust the ice 'ere as far as ye can throw it,"

Alfred shoots Thomas a dirty look. "Fook off! And who's ta one who gets te ice 'round here anyways Tommy boy?" I tense, thinking a fight's bout to break out. To my surprise, Thomas laughs. "Ay' you're right there Freddy," his eyes never leaving mine. "I'll 'ave what she's 'aving Pennyworth,"
I break from his gaze and down another glass. "Whoa slow down there..." he looks at me imploringly. "Katerina," I respond then look away. Stupid.

"And does Kat 'ave a last name?" I roll my eyes at his attempts to get me to divulge information about me. Not that a guy like this probably needs to. "None that matter much," I finally say. The few other patrons get up and leave. I finish my drink and walk outside.