𝐌𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐛𝐲 | 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐁𝐘

Chapter 2 | Two

'Chapter 2 | Two | Partner in crime'

•••••

"Mornin'." My close friend Esme shouts over the short fencing that divides our two camps, a cheeky grin plastered on her face.

"Alright?" I smile in return, hauling along my wicker basket of washing before placing each clothing out on a makeshift washing line that Reggie made me, one end strung from mine and Mariette's vardo and the other on a tree.

"Had a visitor yesterday, I hear." Esme mirrors what I'm doing as she too starts to hang up washing.

"Yeah, he came to see Pop 'bout something." I tell her, as Mariette appears to my side, another basket in her hand.

"It was one of those Shelby boys." Mariette whisper yells to Esme who just laughs in return.

"You haven't gotta be secretive, Mariette everyone in Small Heath knows who the fuck they are, especially my lot, they hate 'em." Esme explains, rolling her eyes. "Men and they're little gang games."

"What did they want with Pop?" Mariette wonders, turning to me.

"How am I supposed to know?" I laugh.

"You were with Mr Shelby in the stables were you not?" Mariette shoots a look over to Esme who returns the same giddy one.

"Mariette Joan Harrison what are you implying?!" I gasp, a laugh escaping my mouth at the ridiculousness of her suggestion:

"Even if Evangeline and Mr Shelby were up to something in the barn, she's bloody well allowed to, how old are ya again Eves is it 24 or 25?" Esme defends, flicking her dark, plaited hair over her shoulder.

"Neither," I chuckle. "I'm 26."

"Exactly and at the age of 26 she's allowed a man's affection is she not?" Wiggling her eyebrows, Esme finishes her washing before us.

"Can I just say that me and Mr Shelby did nothing but chat about Lilliput." I flick Mariette with a shirt and playfully glare at Esme.

"Yeah, that could always blossom." Mariette says in a sing song voice.

"What are you ladies chatting about?" Danny enquires, a rifle in hand.

"Do you ever put those bloody things down?" I gesture towards his gun.

"Am I not allowed a hobby?" Danny acts offended, leaning back onto the fence, "And answer my question, what's blossomin'?"

"Evangeline-" Mariette begins.

"And I were thinking about going to the market. Do ya think she'll be allowed?" Esme cuts in, silently scolding Mariette.

"I reckon', check it with Pop before though, oh and take Ted with ya, he's been hammerin' on about seeing the birds down there." Danny says, investigating his gun, why? I have no clue.

"You up for it Evie? I need my partner in crime, no matter how sensible she really is." Esme dramatically sighs in fake annoyance.

"You could be dead right now if it wasn't for me, ya bloody wild." I reason.

"That's a valid point." Danny backs me up, Esme smacking him on the back of his head. "Remind me not to ever, ever accept an offer to marry ya."

"I'd runaway at such a despicable suggestion." Esme spits and I burst out laughing.

|| Time Skip ||

•••••

"You sure he's alright?" Esme scrunches her eyebrows in concern as we watch my little brother stare contently at one of the birds that are caged, being sold in the market.

"He's just quiet that's all. I do worry though, I mean Pop and Reg keep tryin' to get him in the ring but Ted don't even like hurtin' a fly. He's nothing like Reggie or Danny ." I sigh.

"Don't stress it, I mean surely Pop won't force him into it?" Esme searches my eyes for confirmation.

I shrug, not completely sure, Pop likes to know the boys can look after themselves and even though Teddy's only 6 years old, he's proven to be quite a softy.

"Look why don't you run to the chippy whilst I go and get these things that my Mam wanted, we'll meet back here as soon as possible yeah?"

"Do ya want to share a portion of chips or do ya want ya own?" I shout over the crowds to Esme as me and Teddy make our way in the direction of the chip shop.

"We'll all share a large if ya want!" She replies, going up on her tip toes to see over the heads of the people that barge and push through the busy market.

I grip tightly onto Ted's hand, fearful that I'll lose him in which at one point I almost do.

"I'm gonna pick ya up instead." I wink softly, and he reaches out for me to haul him up onto my hip.

"Alright?" I whisper and he gives me a shy nod. "Good."

We wade through the crowds, finally arriving onto a less busier road, the chip shop insight. As we continue to scurry down the grey and bland roads of Small Heath, I spot a familiar slender yet strong figure advancing in the oncoming direction of me and Teddy.

"Hello luv." Arthur grins, stopping in front of me.

"Hello Mr Shelby." I smile.

"I didn't tell ya me name for you to not use it, Evangeline." He subtly winks at me. "I also said we'd see more of eachother soon, and would ya look at that, only a day later."

"Maybe you're psychic." I politely tease, starting to slowly continue my way to the Chip Shop as he turns to walk by my side.

"Where you off to, luv?"

"Just the Chippy, what about you?"

"I'm off to go boxing." He explains, putting his hands up in guard and then gently knocking Ted's cap to the side making him grin at Mr Shelby.

"How are ya Ted?" His tone softens as he leans closer to my little brother, straightening out his cap.

Rather than replying, Ted snuggles further in to my shoulder however keeping his face visible to show that he is smiling.

"I heard Reg wants you to do some boxin', is that right, Ted?" Mr Shelby asks now sparring with whoever passes by, however they ignore him.

Ted shakes his head, an upset expression upon his little face.

"You're not sure are ya Ted?" I ask softly.

"He'll be alright," He reassures me swinging an arm around my shoulders gently squeezing me in a comforting way, recognising how my face turns to worry at the talk of Teddy boxing. "I haven't been wrong about nothin' else have I?"

"I suppose not." I look to him and our eyes meet again, the same essence of character glimmering in his.

"Look I better get to boxing, but I'll see ya again at some point, who knows it may be in the gym." He winks to Ted before moving his focus back to me. "In a bit, Evangeline."

"Bye, Mr Shelby." I shout after him as he fades into the crowds, however I can still hear him reply.

"Call me Arthur for fuck sake, luv!" He playfully yells.

I laugh at him before finally heading into the Chip Shop.