Peaky Blinders One Shots

5. Horse

I was dragging a crate full of empty bottles to the outside of the bar when I heard the trot of a horse and looked up to see Thomas Shelby riding a beautiful white stallion down the street.

Probably one of the things I missed most from Fordville Manor were the stables.

Horses were such majestic creatures and I longed to ride again. Edward and Ms Anne let me have turns on their horses. I could ride pretty much any horse in those stables. I knew all of them better than any human in that house. 

I must have been staring at the horse because Thomas Shelby stopped right in front of me and looked at me with those piercing eyes. I snapped out my thoughts and apologized.

"I'm sorry Mr Shelby, I didn't mean to stare." I looked away and dragged the crate against the wall of the pub.

He stayed put.

"He's quite something, isn't he?" his deep voice sounded behind me. I turned around and smiled at the horse.

"May I touch him?" I asked, growing bolder at his reply.

"Yes," he said and I stepped closer and stroked his muzzle.

"Does he have a name?" I asked.

"Not yet."

"Poor dear deserves a name." I smiled at him.

He looked away and I thought I had made a wrong move.

"You know a lot about horses, don't you?" he said after a pause.

"I've ridden horses before so I think so," I said modestly. 

I did not know what Thomas Shelby had in mind when he asked me that question so I decided to play it safe. 
"You sound like one of those rich girls who come over from Dublin for the races." he said getting down and brushing something off the saddle "How do you fancy earning a bit of extra money?"

"Doing what?" I asked.

Money was a necessity now. Despite several warnings, I decided if his offer wasn't too repugnant I would say yes. 

"Dig out a nice dress. I wanna take you to the races," was all he said before getting back on the horse and riding away. 

I stared after him processing his offer. Could I say no to the most important and dangerous man in the area? More importantly, did I want to say no?

What could go wrong? The races were a grand affair according to the local gossip. It could be a welcome distraction. 

Then something struck me. Did he want to take me as his date? He did tell me to dig up a nice dress. 

He was willing to pay her for this. It bordered on the one thing that made me uncomfortable. I wouldn't technically be selling my body, right? 

I wouldn't be a whore then, right?