wishing wells - michael gray

twenty one

one year later

December 24th, 1924

Elsie was tired. When she heard stories of new parents being exhausted she thought it couldn't be that bad. Except it was truly that bad. It was exhausting. She held her son in her arms thanking God he had finally fallen asleep. She looked around her tiny apartment, that was neatly furnished and sighed. By all means the place was comfortable, but it wasn't home. It didn't feel like home. 

"Miss Meyers? Are you here?" Mrs. Doyle called out. She was a sweet old woman. She lived across from her and often helped out Elsie with her child. 

"Yes, Mrs. Doyle. I'm sorry did his crying disturb you?" Elsie asked quietly, rocking her son. 

"Not at all, Miss Meyers. I was thinking, since I'm going to be knitting all night, I'd watch the babe so you could go out." 

Elsie's eyes widened. "Oh, I couldn't ask that of you. You already help out so much so that I can go to work!"

"Nonsense. You should go out. Make some friends, you're only a young girl." 

Elsie blushed. "It's Christmas Eve. Even if I did go out, I doubt there's anythin' open." 

"Actually, I believe there's a small club opened near Camden Town. My old friend's daughter is going tonight. Please, Elsie, go have some fun." 

Elsie smiled and hugged the woman tightly, handing her 6 month old son to her. "Thank you so much!" 

- - - 

 Elsie drove to Camden town deep in her thoughts. She laughed at the prospect of driving in a Shelby Company care and thought about the night she left. 

Elsie crept with her bags down the stairs, trying not to wake Michael. She was not going to raise a child with a man who would act rationally on his feelings. It was not good for anyone. 

"Where are you going?" a deep voice said. She whipped around and saw Tommy standing there, sitting in a dark corner. 

"Jesus, Tom. Why are you awake? It's 4 in the morning." 

"Elsie, where are you going?" 

"None of your concern. I'm leaving." 

Tommy nodded before standing up and walking to the small dish on the table, holding everyone's keys. "Take Michael's car. He deserves it." 

Elsie laughed a little. "This is your fault, y'know. You couldn't leave it alone." 

Tommy hummed. "I don't recall telling Michael to shag a girl. Nevertheless, wherever you go, you'll be protected. That's a Shelby inside you. He will be taken care of. I won't tell Michael where you are, but I will send you money every month. I won't have Polly's grandchild starving." 

- - - 

Elsie sat alone, despite the lively music and unaccompanied women dancing everywhere. She was just glad to be out. She stirred her drink in a circle, still lacking the courage to drink it. This wasn't Small Heath. She wasn't protected by Blinders. She had to be safe. She lowered her head onto the table and sighed deeply. 

"John lives alone. I say we take him first," an Italian voice suggested. Automatically, Elsie's ears perked up. But she had to remind herself there's thousands of Johns and a million people who could be plotting murder. 

It's probably nothing, Elsie.

"And next, we take Finn. He's a kid, he'll be easy to take out." 

Okay, how many Johns on Earth have kid brothers named Finn. 

Oh shut up, brain. It's nothing. You're being paranoid. 

"And then Michael. He's a pen pusher. We could catch him walking the street or sitting in the office." 

Elsie's head shot up. This is not a coincidence. She slowly began to move out of her booth and make her way to the door, before a strong arm pulled her into a dance. 

"What the fuck!" she exclaimed, trying to pull away. She looked up at the burly man. She was so short her head barely reached his chest. 

"Shut up and dance, Elsie," he said gruffly. She looked at him in bewilderment before realizing who it was. 

"Mr.-" 

"Holy shit, you are askin' to be killed aren't ya? See I thought you was smart and all from what I've been told but fuck me, you're an idiot. Dance! There's Italians all over the fuckin' place." 

She immediately shut up at Alfie's words and lowered her voice to a whisper in his ear. "I need to warn them." 

"I know, kid, but right now isn't the time. You and I are goin' to dance and then when it looks safe, I'm going to take you home and we'll leave tomorrow." 

Elsie nodded frantically. 

- - - 

Elsie led Alfie up the stairs of the building as fast as she could, fearing for her son's safety. Her breathing steadied when she threw open the door and found Mrs. Dursley knitting with her son peacefully sleeping. 

"'ello Mrs. Dursley!" Alfie exclaimed with his arms wide. Elsie looked at him with a shocked expression. 

"Mr. Solomans! How lovely to see you dear." 

"Wait," Elsie exclaimed. "You know each other?" 

Alfie scratched his beard. "Yeah, well...I owed Tommy a favor. I got his son taken an' all, so I offered a woman to babysit yours." 

Elsie scoffed. "Un-fucking-believable." 

"Nevermind that, grab your son and shit. I was thinkin', me being a Jew and all, that the Shelby's won't expect trouble since it's Christmas. If I were the Italian's, I'd attack tomorrow. Let's go." 

Elsie nodded and began to walk away before Alfie grabbed her arm. 

"Elsie, I have a plan. And I'm going to need you to follow it word for word."