Up in Smoke

2.4

In the morning, I helped Esme get ready for the day. I like to help her out at least a few times a week. There was a knock on the door a few minutes before we opened for the day.

"We're not open for winnings yet," Esme shouted. 

"I'm here to see Thomas Shelby," a woman yelled back. 

Esme and I shared the same confused look. Esme went to open to the door as I finished setting up the tables. "Come in," Esme said as she stepped aside. The lady from the races walked inside the shop, looking around at everything. Esme walked in front of her before she could get anywhere else. 

They both stood staring at each other. 

"May Carleton," she stuck out her hand. 

"Mr. Shelby has his proper meetings in his other office."

"This was the address that he gave me."

"He gave you this address," I asked as I walked over.

"He said it was a gambling den. I told him that I'd want to see one since I'm always reading about them in the papers. Quite the big scandal in the Telegraph lately. Anyway, he, um...said that I could come and have a look." She looked both of us up and down. "And now I feel a bit of an idiot because I'm early and he's late and I have no idea how to behave."

"In a gambling den," Esme asked. 

"I'll wait in the car."

"Don't. If that door opens, they'll want to come in," I snapped.

"Like flies," Esme mumbled as she walked away.

"Make yourself comfortable...I guess. Tommy will be here soon," I assured.  

 Esme and I went back to our opening process.

"So what are you to him," I interrogated. 

"What am I?"

"To my brother."

"I'm going to train his racehorse, for Epsom."

"You know horses," Esme questioned. 

"Yes. You?"

"Born riding. I slept in a manger when I was a baby."

"I was born riding too," May sighed.

The door opened behind us. I knew we were all hoping it was Tommy. Instead, it was John. 

"There's a fucking great Riley parked out there and nobody's watching it."

"John, this woman says she's training Thomas' horse," Esme introduced.

John put the black bags down on the table. He stood closely in front of her. 

"He's told us a lot about you."

"Don't know where he is, do you?" To answer the question, Tommy walked into the shop. 

"Sorry, I'm late. There was a family matter. Esme, keep it locked up for a minute."

"Yes, Thomas."

"I'll show you around." He stared at John until he left. 

There wasn't much to look at. A bunch of old tables, broken down walls and a dusty floor. Once she was done looking around, we went to get the horse. I had no idea she was taking her until today. I walked back to the stable with Curly to see Autumn. 

"How'd they do together?"

"I think Autumn liked to have someone next to her."

"Would you be up to taking care of another horse?"