Mae Shelby

08

"That's your starters, gentlemen. No more bets."

Gosh downstairs was always so noisy. I was trying to read my book but all I could hear was shouting.

I managed to block it out for five minutes but it stopped. Bettings must be over then.

Suddenly, a ruckus of shouts errupted from the betting shop next door. I quickly but quitely ran down the stairs to see if everything was alright.

It wasn't.

Some men had Scudboat in a hold as he was being beaten. "Hey! Stop that!" I called out and a few men turned and saw me. They approached me with their weapons up; they looked intimidating.

I almost had the chance to run before I felt the blow of a punch hitting my face. I groaned and hovered my hands over the side of my face that hurt. And that was a mistake as that gave the attackers the opportunity to hit my torso.

Kicks, hits, shoves. I got it.

-

John kicked a box on the floor. "What the bloody hell happened here?"

"The Lees. All of them. Cousins, nephews, even the bastards." Tommy picked up wire cutters and slowly walked towards everyone.

"They've taken anything they can lay their hands on. Four cash boxes." Polly exclaims.

"They left these..." Tom finally speaks up.

"Wire cutters. Why would they leave wire cutters?"

"Nobody move." Arthur mumbles.

The boys caught on, "I think our friends are playing the game."

-

I'm crying in my room. Crying for the pain I feel right now because it's so much. It's too much.

Finn comes in as I'm curled up in a ball on my bed. "Are you okay?" He asks, sitting down next to me. I shake my head, showing him the bruises. "Oh my gosh, Mae! What happened?"

"The Lees happened." I cried into my hands. I took a big breath and glanced at my brother. He looked a bit disraught and his hair was all ruffled.

"What happened to you?" I pointed to his face, telling him I know something is wrong.

He averted his eyes from me. "Tommy's car almost blew up with me in it." I gasped and brought him into a hug.

"Oh I'm so sorry, Finn. Are you alright now?" He nodded sadly.

"But we need to go see Poll." I gave him a questioning look.

"To tend to your wounds, idiot."

-

"I'll kill those bloody Lees. Messing with my niece," she tuts and shakes her head. I wince as she swipes the dry blood from my nose and cut eyebrow.

"I'm fine." I groan; I don't want or need the attention. Which is really hypocritical of me because I usually love the attention I seek.

"Your face says otherwise, missy." She tuts again and I almost jerk my head in annoyance. Can't I just be fine?

"I said I'm fine!" I push away her hands tending to my face and march upstairs. I want to be alone and not talk to anyone. Maybe I can do that better outside this house.

Opening the window, I realise the room is a bit high up for a simple jump but I climb out anyway. There's a tiny ledge I can fit one foot onto and carefully slide the rest of my way down the wall.

Safely on the ground at last, I blend into the large swarm of people already, my height giving me an advantage of a few quick pick-pockets.

Charlie's yard; uncle Charlie. He has horses right next to the cut. Those horses give me a comforting feeling and I know they will ease the heavy tension I feel right now.

A cigarette would too. But I'd have to convince Charlie first, or maybe Curly.

Mmm, the smell of fresh manure. It always rejuvenates my mind.

I hurry my steps to catch up with my uncle who's walking at a fast pace to the storage units he has here.

He has a lot of things here.

"Charlie!" I call out for him to abruptly stop and turn to see me running to him.

"Mae? What are you doing 'ere?" Puffing out the smoke from his cigarette.

I need an outlet to be honest. "Came to see them horses, haven't I?" I state obviously, like that's the only reason I'm here.

"Oh? So it's not to check up on your poor uncle then?" He raises an eyebrow in a sarcastic way and I chuckle.

"I love you, Charlie!" I hug him, using the 'I love you' to get away with not answering his question; like I do for many situations.

He grunts out a laugh and leads me to the large animals. "You owe me one."

"Since when do I owe you for seeing my horse?" I gasp in fake horror. Technically I'm not wrong, I tend to visit this one horse in particular more than Charlie does himself. And he basically lives here!

He says nothing and leaves me by Princesses side. Yes. I named my pristine, white horse, Princess.

She loves it.

I whistle to her and she snorts, shaking her head as her mane flys everywhere.

"Hey." I whisper, reaching out to stroke her. She snorts again but I understand what she's implying.

It's nice to see her too. I haven't been to see her in about three days.

It's been so long!

My poor baby misses me, and I her.

We laid in her stall, just talking. Well, I talked to her and she listened, neighing often.

When I wanted to go back home an hour later, I got up and was covered from head to toe in hay.

I had completely forgotten about the want for a cigarette and walked home alone.

"I don't even have to ask, I can tell where you've been." Poll said as I came through the door, cheeks flushed red. It's cold out there.

"Hmm, toast?" I still had straw in my hair, coating it on a semi-manured smell.

"Here," she then breathed in more heavily and visually gagged. "Bath, after this." She said sternly. No need to tell me twice.

-

Now I am all warm and cosy, cuddled up with Finn on the sofa. We both watch as the fire's flames dance in the golden light.

"Finn,"

"Yeah?"

"Goodnight."

"Night, Mae."

-

It's the most wonderful time of the yearrr.

It's really not but I can't wait for Christmas 🎄

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