Up in Smoke

2.3

Michael and I sat at the table while the water was boiling.

"I don't think I properly introduced myself. I'm Anna, Polly's niece."

"Do you live here with her?"

"Yeah, my room is upstairs." It fell silent. 

I didn't know what to say to him. I hadn't seen him in years. Soon enough, the front door opened and shut. She was mumbling something to herself as she made her way to us. She halted in the doorway of the kitchen. She looked like she'd seen a ghost. "Oh god," she mumbled as she ran to her room. 

She was probably going to make herself look more presentable. She had on last night's outfit and makeup. She came out a little while later looking more freshened up. 

"I'm gonna leave you two to catch up. I have to go help the boys at the Garrison. It was nice seeing you again, Michael."

"You too. Thanks for the tea." I smiled as I walked out of the room. 

I made my way to the Garrison, hoping the boys were already there. We needed to find new recruits for Alfie. We were going to have to interview each of them. The pub was filled with different kinds of men.

"Name?"

"Digbeth Kid."

"The Dig...What are you? A boxer?" Arthur asked as he looked up from the paper. 

"Digbeth Kid, like Billy the Kid," the boy mumbled. 

John stifled as he took a drag of his cigar. "Spend a lot of time at the pictures, eh. Cowboy pictures? Tom Mix? Yeah," Tommy asked. The boy nervously looked around at the 4 of us. He smiled a little as he moved over his jacket. 

He had a gun in a holster. Arthur and John were quick to hold up their guns. 

"What are you...?"

"Wait! Wait! It's not a real gun. It's made of wood."

"Let's have a look then, eh." Tommy stood up from his seat. 

He took the gun from the boy as he chuckled. He pointed it at Arthur. "Bang," he smirked. "Pew, pew," Arthur mimicked as he pretended to shoot Tommy. "Bang," he held the gun at John. John leaned his head back, pretending to die. 

He lifted his head as he smiled at me. 

"Very nice. Where did you get the gun belt," Tommy asked as he sat down. 

"My sister made it out of an old blacksmith's apron. My mom did most of the stitching. She's not my real mum, but..."

"She does what mothers do. So she made you a gun belt."

"Alright there, mother's boy. There's the door, on you go. We're looking-" Tommy shushed Arthur before he said even more. 

"Have you ever been arrested?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah?"

He shook his head. "No."

"Good. You're the first block we've had in here today with no criminal record. Arthur, we can stand him up. Do you know what that means?" The boy shook his head. "The new home secretary wants something done about illegal gambling."

"Damn right," John slapped his hand on the table.

"About bloody time," Arthur said as he pointed at the boy.

"So, we help our coppers make their quota of convictions by having men stood up to be arrested. First offense, you'll get a week inside. We'll give you 5 quid for your trouble." The boy's eyebrows raised as a smile grew on his lips. "How does that sound, cowboy?"