VIRAGO

teddy bear's picnic

Zoey had been wedged in between John and Tommy up at the front of the van. It had given her the opportunity to explain to them that the Richardsons were no longer sitting on the fence and had chosen a side in the London war. Tommy's reaction was calm and unphased as usual, assuring the younger women their agreement still stands while John, on the other hand, remained surprisingly quiet regarding her situation, which was shocking because whenever she'd mentioned her brothers in the past John rarely held back anything.

"Ugh, I despise long car journeys," Zoey complained, accepting Tommy's hand out of the car. Hugging her fur coat tighter as she clicked her heels upon the concrete road, happy to finally stretch her legs.

"Not long now," Tommy pointed out gruffly, not waiting for her as he turned a heel and rounded the van.

"Oi not so fast," She didn't even need to turn her head to see John about to brush past her, in one indolent motion she lifted her hand to block his path and twisted around to face him with a sharp look. "What's got you so quiet?"

"What?" He let out a puff of smoke, looking down at her with a set of expressive blue eyes.

"John I've been living with you for the past week, everytime I mentioned my brothers you've had a lot to say. Except now." She laid it out to him plainly, "What are you hiding?" she asked shrewdly, folding her arms at him.

"I ain't hiding shit from you Zo," He swore abruptly, brows furrowing in irritation. "Just sick of hearing about the bastards." with that final comment, Zoey's eyes softened and she dropped her defensive stance.

She moved closer to him subtly, reaching up to straighten his tie. Their standoffish approach to one another had smoothed over with this gesture, John watching with a steady gaze and a burning cigar loosely hanging from his lips as she did this. "You and me both." She uttered tiredly as she took a step back and followed in Tommy's direction, leaving the man to do the same.

"She made loads. Do you want one?" Zoey recognized Micheal's voice as she neared the end of the van, Curly had passed her to check the engine offering the girl a gleeful smile which she happily returned while Charlie had stalked off to go find somewhere to have a piss.

"Ooh yum." She appeared beside the boy, eyeing up the sandwiches.

"What the bloody hell's that?" Arthur asked, looking at the basket as though it were a bomb.

"Sandwiches," Micheal replied simply, handing one to Zoey. "Ham, I think. We've got shrimp paste too." John and Arthur had shared an amused look.

"I fucking love ham," Zoey told them unnecessarily before shoving the snack down her throat and grabbing another.

"There's tea. We'll have to take turns 'cause there's only one cup." John's hand stretched past Zoey's face and grabbed the tea off Micheal, a humourous smirk beginning to spread across his face.

"What?" Zoey had asked for the boy, both of them equally confused as to why the Shelby brothers found this so funny. She looked between the pair suspiciously as she took another bite out of the sandwich.

"Sandwiches?" Arthur questioned again, his teeth had started to break through his lips in a grin.

Micheal look at Zoey, and both of them shared a look before he looked back to his eldest cousin blankly, "Yeah."

"Polly made bloody sandwiches?" By this point, Tommy had joined the group smirking just as much as his brothers.

"What's this? Teddy bear's picnic?" Charlies added, holding the thermos and looking at Micheal.

"Alright." Tommy cleared his throat, attempting to conceal his growing amusement, "We will drink the tea, and eat the sandwiches." He instructed, pointing to the tea and sandwiches, "Then we will drive on. Alright? No crumbs, Charlie." He ended his orders with a slap on Charlie's shoulder as he moved away, leaving the rest of the men to lightly chuckle.

"Come on then." Arthur gave in, gesturing for Micheal to pass up a few making Zoey giggle as Charlie handed her the thermos to take a sip out of.

"Herd 'em up Arthur, you fat bastard," John told his brother as he guided Zoey back around the Van, taking the thermos from her. All they could hear was a faint "Fuck off" in response making the pair snigger.

"John, Zoey. Come on!" Thomas called after them, the door already being held open for her to climb in.

Walking in, Zoey had almost forgotten she was under heavy security as she waltzed ahead of the men. Her silky curls rippled with each stride a cold and egotistical impression could be depicted on her face as she scanned the room before opting to head for the stairs. "Zoey no wandering off." Tommy's voice practically dragged her back into step with the men, hidden in a shield of black coats and peaky caps. "Alright lads, this is a respectable event and you'll behave accordingly." He began debriefing the men, as they hurdled up the staircase. "No weapons, no drinking. John, we will stay together. When our horse comes up, I'll bid. I've registered with the auctioneer, he knows to expect my bids."

"No offense Tommy," Zoey called from the back where she was walking with John and Micheal, "But I came here to see an old friend, so-"

"Just stay where we can see you." He cut her off, reaching the top of the stairs.

"Who's ya, friend?" John interrogated from her right.

"No one you would know," she told him, flashing him her signature smirk which he couldn't stop himself from mimicking whilst checking her out as she went up a few more steps ahead.

"What?" He snapped once catching Micheal's eyes, who was quietly observing their dynamic with a knowing leer.

"Nothing," He shook his head with a chuckle, trailing after him.