wishing wells - michael gray

five

Elsie looked around in awe at the club. She crinkled her nose at the sight of men and women doing their business out in the open.

"Oh God," she whispered, tapping on Michael's shoulder. He turned around and laughed at her face.

"Stay next to us, alright?" he cautioned her as they made their way to a booth. Arthur and John called over a waiter, laughing with each other at the petrified look on the young boys face.

"Mr. Shelby, how can I help you?" the boy squeaked out.

"5 whiskeys," John ordered, slapping some money on the table. The boy nodded and scurried away after taking the money.

"Hello, ladies," Isiah said cheekily, staring at the three working girls who walked up to the table.

"Hello, Mr. Jesus," one purred, sitting upon his lap. Michael drank his whiskey and analyzed the two remaining girls, before shaking his hand at them to go to Arthur and John.

"Oh, come on Mickey," Isiah groaned, resting his hands on the girl's hips. "You know the girls call you the Picky Blinder? Stop being so damn selective."

"I have wife," John said as he pulled away from the kiss he was having with one of the girls. "Go back to Michael."

Michael sighed and nodded his head, shooting Elsie a cheeky smile. She was entertained by the whole exchange while slightly disturbed, so she scooted closer to John in the booth so she wasn't so close to the action.

"Care to dance, then?" John asked, gagging at the sight of Arthur engaging in oral sex right next to him. Once Elsie realized what was happening, she gagged as well.

"Yes, let's dance," she said, pulling John out of the booth and passed Isiah and Michael. Elsie didn't dare look back at the two boys in fear they were doing something similar.

"You enjoyin' this then?" John asked with a chuckle, looking at the clearly disgusted girl.

"I'm just glad I found my best mate again," she laughed. "Even if he's a whore now."

"Michael isn't really a whore. He's quite selective when he picks girls, but he doesn't court them or anythin'. He always leaves before they wake up."

Elsie furrowed her brows together. "That's quite mean to the girls, innit?"

John laughed as they continued to dance. "The girls are just glad they had a Shelby boy for a night. I don't think they take any offense to it."

"So you Shelby's hold a lot of power, then?" she asked. John snickered and grinned.

"Yes, we do. Since you're in town, Tommy forgot to tell you 'bout his wedding. It's Saturday and everyone gets a guest in case you make any friends while you're in town."

"I've never been to a wedding," she admitted sheepishly. "Thank you for the invite, and tell Tommy that too."

John and Elsie continued to dance, the alcohol fresh in their systems as the room was filled with activity. People were having sex, doing a line of Tokyo, and smoking cigarettes everywhere you looked.

"Want another drink?" John asked. Elsie nodded and he pulled away from her. "I'll go to the bar, then. Go back to the booth, the boys should be done by now."

Elsie began to walk towards the booth, where she could see the boys conversing and she was glad to see none of the girls were there anymore.

"Care to dance?" a man said as he stepped into her line of vision, holding his hand out. She blushed and looked for John who she couldn't see.

"Um, I should get back to my friends. They've got my drink," she declined politely.

"Nonsense," the man said. She noticed he was actually very attractive and watched as he grabbed a drink off of a waiter's tray. "Here, now I've got you one."

"Well, alright then." Elsie smiled as she took the drink and the man led her out to the dance floor.

"What's your name? I'm Angel." the man asked.

"Elsie," she smiled sweetly.

"A pretty name for a pretty girl." Elsie blushed at his words and continued to drink. "Where are you from, Elsie?"

"Sheffield. And you?"

"London. My family is from Italy, though." Angel smiled as he pulled her body closer while they danced.

"Italy? I've always wanted to go."

"Perhaps you'll like to go with me one day?" Angel suggested with a smirk on his face.

Elsie giggled at his boldness. "You're asking me to go to Italy with you but haven't asked me on a proper date yet?"

"What are you doing Saturday, then Amore?"

Elsie sucked on her cheek and thought about the wedding John had told her about earlier. "Actually, I have a wedding to attend Saturday. Would you care to be my plus one?"

Angel grinned and looked around. "So you've been invited to Thomas Shelby's wedding? I'd love to join you, but I don't think they'll like me being there."

Elsie smiled. "I don't think they'd mind. It's alright, really."

"It's a date, then," Angel said, kissing her on the cheek.

Suddenly, Elsie was pulled backwards. She looked up with a startled look, but relaxed when she saw Michael standing beside her.

"Michael? What are you doing?" she asked, smacking him on the shoulder. Michael ignored her and smoked his cigarette, staring at Angel with a serious face.

"I'll see you Saturday then, Elsie," Angel said, tipping his hat at the girl before disappearing into the crowd.

"Michael, what's your problem?" Elsie asked again. Michael again ignored her and guided her back to the booth.

"Elsie, do you know who that man was?" John asked, with his hands in his pockets.

"He said his name was Angel?" Elsie said, unsure of what the problem was. Michael and John exchanged a look.

"Yes. Angel Changretta. What did he want?" Arthur asked, smoking his cigarette.

"A date. John said I could bring one to the wedding so I figured it was alright?" Elsie responded. John and Michael looked at each other, as if communicating silently.

"Alright then," was all Michael said, before he sat down and they continued to drink.