Rebound // Alfie Solomons

27. Filly

'All right, lads and Cora, this is a respectable event and we will all behave accordingly.' Tommy told them as they entered 'No weapon, no drinking. John, cora, we will stay together.' Cora shot him a smug look.

"You don't get to boss me around Thomas.' She reminded him. He ignored her

'When the horse comes up, I will do the bidding. I've already registered my interest with the auctioneer. So he knows to expect my bids.'

'Do I get to run a hand over her, Tommy?' Curly asked.

'We'll have a vet's report, Curly. But keep an eye open when she walks.' Tommy told him as Tommy wrapped a hand around Cora's waist.

"Watch yourself if you want to keep that hand.' Cora warned.

'I've got a feeling, Tommy. Something isn't right.' Curly said nervously as they ascended the stairs.

'It's all right, Curly. You're just in an unfamiliar place, we all are.' Cora coed stepping away from Tommy and hooking her arm with Curly.

'I get feelings sometimes, Tommy. Bad feeling Ms. Cora, bad.' Curly told her.

'It's all right, Curly. It's all right.' Cora coed

'Shut up, Curly.' Charlie spat. They stood on the top overlooking the horses as they came in.

"You have been to horse auctions before?" Cora questioned Michael as she leaned back over the railing.

'Yeah a few times with my... adoptive family.' Michael told her.

"Cool," Cora said turning around. "Oh that one is pretty Thomas.' Cora told him.

'Do I hear 1,450? Do I hear 500, 500, 1,600, 1,700?'

'Not the one I want.' Tommy told her.

"Course not.' Cora agreed.

'Thank you. Next,' the auctioneer began as the next horse was brought out. '1,900, 2,000, 2,100, 2,200...'

'Why do people come late to these things?' Curly questioned

'People come late 'cause they know what they want. It's only you who needs to see every horse.' Tommy reminded him.

'Am I bid?'

'2,600.'

'I am bid!'

'Sold! Morals of Marcus, Sedgemere stud, by Tetrarch out of Lady Josephine. We'll start the bidding at 800 guineas.'

'All right, Tommy, this is her.'

'This is her?" Cora questioned

'Do I hear 800 guineas? 850? 850. Do I hear nine?' Tommy kept raising his hand, Cora stared down at the horse before a woman caught her eye, she was bidding against tommy, but of course she wasn't even looking at the horse, her focus was on tommy. Like all women.

'Do I hear nine?'

'Nine, am I bid?'

'Bid for this one. The grey? Why?' Charlie questioned

'He's beautiful.' Tommy remarked

'It's a filly.' Cora reminded him.

'Micky needs some pace on the gallops. I promised him.' Tommy said vaguely.

'1,000. Do I hear 1,050? 1,100? 1,200?' Tommy kept bidding. 'Do I hear 250? 250.'

'I'll go halves with you from the spring fund.'

'Go, go. 1,300? 1,400? Do I hear five? 1,500. 1,600.'

'Tommy you are over budget, I know it. Polly wouldn't allow you to spend this much on a filly.' Cora told him.