Peaky Blinders. One shot and imagines

Painted lady - Part 4 - Alfie x Reader

The journey back from the circus had been a quiet one. Alfie seemingly too lost in his thoughts to ask Tommy what had happened; what had been discussed when he and Sheamus had disappeared. Not that Tommy had been surprised, there was a reason that he had asked Sheamus to bring (Y/n). He knew that she was the best diversion. He, Arthur and John had stayed for the show the first time that Sheamus had brought his troupe to the area, just because of her. The three oldest Shelby boys themselves more than taken by the beautiful painted lady. Tommy quickly aware as to why Sheamus had the lovely lady deal with certain parts of his business. (Y/n) not only a beauty, but also very much the brains of the troupe. Though even he was surprised by the effect that the woman seemed to have had on the London gangster. The head of the Shelby firm wondering just what Alfie and (Y/n) had been up to while he and Sheamus had been discussing business and talking to Donovan.

"So...........back ta London tomorrow.............." Tommy finally said, as the green of the fields, where the big top had been pitched, were replaced once again, with the grey air and dark streets of Small Heath.

"No...............had a change of mind.............I have a few things that I need to deal with here, first.................." Alfie replied with a sniff. His eyes too focused on the streets, to see the small smirk that had just crept across Tommy's features. It obvious that (Y/n) really had made an impression if the Londoner was prepared to stay in Small Heath and not go back to the capital and control his business. Tommy sure that he would have to have another word with Sheamus.

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Alfie made his way through the sideshow attractions with what seemed to be all the other residents of the local town. It looked so much different to how it had when he had been there the day before in the light. Now it was dark, the Big Top, the sideshow tents, lit up with bright lights. The gaudily painted banners advertising the performers that lay beyond the flaps of the equally bright and gaudy tents.

The Londoner had seen the displays for all manner of artists. Ali, the snake charmer from India; Saroj, a contortionist from Siam. Bujang, the two headed boy from the darkest jungles of Borneo. And Atlas, the strongest man in the world, among others; yet he was still to find anything of (Y/n). In fact, he felt as though he had been walking around for hours and had not even caught sight of her.

"Roll up, roll up........Catch a glimpse of the breathtaking eighth wonder of the world. Cassiopeia, the walking work of art. The painted lady. Come and see that every inch of her skin, from neck to toe has had etched into it, art from across the world. Her skin, her flesh tells a story...........will any of you men be the one lucky enough to get a chance to read that enticing tale...............?" A voice called out. Alfie making his way over to the tent, that seemed to be attracting a rather a lot of attention, when he recognised the man that stood on a small podium in front of a banner painted with the image of a beautiful woman, as Sheamus.

"Ah, Mister Solomons............couldn't keep away?" Sheamus asked with a chuckle, as he looked at the Londoner. Alfie peering around the older man to see if he could catch a glimpse of what could possibly lay within.

When (Y/n) had sent Gio away with more than a flea in his ear, the lion tamer had been to see Sheamus. His complaints about how she had spoken to him, as always falling on deaf ears. Sheamus telling the swarthy man that he should know by now that it didn't matter how many times, he tried to make his feelings for (Y/n) known, the painted lady would never be interested; and, if he were to keep pushing, he really would find his lions picking their teeth with his shinbones. Yet it had been what Gio had said about the way the man that (Y/n) had been with, that really caught the circus owner's attention. Sheamus sure that, given what Tommy had told him about his business acquaintance, having Alfie Solomons possibly ask him for assistance with business too, could only make him more money. And who better to help attract this London gangster, than (Y/n).

"I'm here ta see (Y/n). Where is she.............?" Alfie merely replied indignantly. Not in the mood for anything other than the chance to catch a glimpse of the intriguing beauty, once more. To have an opportunity to ask the lovely lady all the questions that he desperately wanted the answers to.

"(Y/n)...........you want to see our beautiful lady again, do ya? Then, perhaps ya should pay ya money and go and view our painted lady. I promise that it will be eye opening. Just tha think ya lookin for." Sheamus replied, as he stepped down from the little podium and opened the flap of the tent a little wider. The circus owner gesturing for the confused Londoner to enter; holding out his hand to accept the coin that Alfie pulled from his pocket. A large smile creeping across the lips of the Irishman, as the big man slipped into the darkness.