Rebound // Alfie Solomons

24. Lollipop

Cora had to end things with ollie. Not only was he terrified of Alfie but now that tommy and alfie were working together she wouldn't have him in their crossfires for her attention.

'I don't understand.' ollie told her.

'This was fun but its clear you caught feelings and I don't want to lead you on.' Cora had to be heartless but it was for his own good.

'I like what we have.' ollie told her

'You want more and I'm not willing to give you more. Not now and maybe not ever.' She admitted.

'I get it,' ollie said softly. She pressed a kiss to his cheek.

'You ollie are a catch. Any woman would be lucky to have you.' Cora told him honestly.

'Thanks cora. When you finally decide to let someone in they are going to be the luckiest man alive.'

'Melt my frozen heart.' she said with a wink heading to alfies office.

'Hello gorgeous.' alfie said the moment she opened the door. 'The ever unpleasant mr shelby here yet?'

'Nope.' she pulled the lollipop out of his mouth before sat down across from him he stared at her as she sucked the lollipop. 'Mmm cherry,' she said letting it sit on her tongue closed lips around it.

'That was mine,' alfie remarked

'Take it back then.' she teased sticking her tongue out and letting it balance he watched her closed her mouth and pull the lollipop out with a pop she smirked sticking it back in as ollie knocked on the door.

'Mr shelby is here sir.' Ollie said through the door.

'Very well...' alfie said standing up. 'Lets get this show on the road then. 'Cora,' he offered her his arm. She rolled the lollipop in her mouth, over her tongue as they walked.

'Thomas,' cora said her eyes locked on his as her lollipop dragged down her tongue.

'Cora love I'm glad you're here,' tommy said smiling over at her. she hated that smile, that perfect fucking smile.

'Let's get on with it then.' Alfie said with a clap.

Tommy looked her up and down with gritted teeth as she moved to the back wall with alfie. Tommy tried to focus on the men in front of him. Alfie leaned over to cora his lips grazed her ear as he whispered to her she smiled her lips biting on the lollipop stick as she grinned over at alfie.

'Lets get started then... Tommy?' Alfie instructed, very comfortable in his spot with Cora next to him, the smell of vanilla mixed with the cherry lollipop on her lips. Tommy stared at them a moment longer, 'All right boys you've now been in rolled at Baker's in the aerated Bread Company of Camden town' Tommy said talking to the men picked to be new bakers. 'if anyone asks what you do. You are bakers. The coppers in Camden town are on our side but north and south you show them your papers you show them that piece of paper and you tell them you've come down from the north to find work, to break strikes. Tell them your fascists if you have to. We are finding lodgings for you but for now you'll be sleeping here in the bakery,' Tommy informed them 'don't touch any of the bread it'll most likely explode. Any questions?' Tommy asked and a man in the front row raised his hand 'yes?'

'Shouldn't that pretty lady be at home cooking dinner or better yet make us a sandwich for all our hard work?' the man grinned. Tommy turned back around to see Cora a smug look on her face as she stared over at them but Alfie wasn't about to let that go unchecked.

'excuse me love,' Alfie whispered in cora's ear before walking up to the group. There was silence as Alfie approached. Tommy looked to cora she seemed as calm as ever, it didn't faze her because that was just another part of being a woman in a man's world. Putting up with the bullshit.

Alfie punched the man, hard, he fell to the ground at alfies feet. Cora's smirk got wider as Alfie looked back at her.

"Winner.' She coughed out. 'Winner... oh I'm sorry a nasty little wager bug is going around.' She mused smugly.

'He will wake up'. Alfie said getting up close and personal with the first man standing, the first baker. 'Granted he won't have any teeth but he'll be a wiser man for it. And the last thing he will remember is your funny little joke made about my girl...' Alfie remarked.

"Your girl?" Tom questioned getting closer to Cora. "His girl?'

'I'm no one's anything Thomas.' Cora corrected. Alfie looked around the room taking a step back, sure he lost but Cora saw him stand up for her, that was better right? Right?

'right! There are fucking rules here. Yes there are fucking rules for a fucking reason!' he declared 'quite simple they have to all be followed... All right rule number one. The distinction between bread and Rum it's not discussed. Rule number two. Anything that your superior officer says to you whether they are male or female, yeah? Is not discussed!' Alfie spat. 'Rule number 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 I don't care for the rest of your fucking miserable lives yeah? Because I like you and also I'm a complete fucking sodomite jewish women, you don't go anywhere near them because Jewish women and you are off-limits. I think that's fair? Also, no one looks at Ms. Cora the wrong way, you don't touch her, or I break your fucking face' he said looking around the room 'all right that's it forgive me I interrupted...' Alfie said grinning back at Cora, she smiled back at him.

'Oh sweetie, I will be the one breaking faces.' Cora corrected.

'Pick him up' Tommy said and silence filled the room, no one moved. 'I said pick the fucker up!' Tommy demanded and men ran to him helping him up drag him away. 'Get them out here and make this fucking work 'Tommy said.

'I won.' Cora whispered.

'I know.' Alfie remarked.

'a case of each.' She reminded him.

'I know.'

'you can get me a dress too if you want, if its cute I might even wear it... consider it a consolation prize for your heroic behavior... chivalry, defending my honor and such.' Cora told him and Alfie smirked over at her. 'but know, I don't need you fighting my battles for me.'

'I know, ive heard about your skill Cora.' Alfie told her. 'but if you were my girl, you wouldn't have to put up with bullshit like that.'

"That's sweet, but I'm perfectly capable of bashing heads in.'

'She is,' Tommy added. Alfie didn't like that way Tommy looked at her. Alfie plucked the lollipop from her lips and stuck it in his mouth.

'Mine.' He said looking her straight in the eyes.