Peaky Blinders. One shot and imagines

The lost Shelby - Part 1 - Alfie x Reader

(Y/n) made her way through the streets of some part of London; having to admit that she was ever so slightly lost. Not that she really minded, it was quite the nicest of days, and with each street she turned down she was sure that she was seeing something new; something interesting. And even though she knew her brothers, her aunt might be angry if they were to know that she was walking the streets of the capital alone, she didn't care; why should she care when they had proved that they didn't care about her, by sending her away.

She had only been small when her oldest brothers, Arthur, Tommy and John had gone to war; leaving her brother Finn and herself in the care of their Aunt Polly and older sister Ada. (Y/n) having to admit that despite the war that raged in Europe; despite not having the older brothers that she had loved so much, with her, growing up in Small Heath with her aunt, had been some of the best years of her young life. Yet that had all changed when her brothers had come home. Tommy sitting her down one day and telling her that she was going to be sent away; sent away from Small Heath, from all her friends and everything that she had known. Sent away from her family, her Aunt Polly, to a place she had never even heard of, so that she could be educated properly. So that she could become a 'proper lady', as Tommy had called it. And no matter how much she and Polly had tried to protest; tried to say that her place was in Small Heath with the rest of the family, their words had fallen on deaf ears. (Y/n), the next week, finding herself on the platform of the train station with two large trunks, tears rolling down her cheeks, as her family disappeared from view. The youngest female Shelby, only ever seeing her family on the occasional holiday. Never even receiving a letter from them. Not even her Aunt Pol. So, with each passing year, she had noticed that the break between her and the others that Tommy's choice in sending her away, had caused; seemed to have widened to a chasm that she was not sure could ever be bridged. Not sure she wanted to bridge. So, now that she had finished with her schooling, she had determined to find her own way in the world. To not have to worry about her family, and prove that she didn't need them, just as they hadn't needed her when she was growing up.

"Well, well, well. Will ya get a load of this, lads.........." An amused voice came from behind her. (Y/n) turning to see four men, all looking at her. The young Shelby doing her best to control her wildly beating heart as the men inched a little closer.

"Looks like a bit of posh ta me, Bill........Don't get many like this in these parts. That fuckin frock she's wearin is probably worth more than most blokes make in a year........." Another man added. His widening smile filling her with dread, though she was not about to show it.

"Gentlemen........" (Y/n) said, as she took a step forward.

"My apologies. It would appear that I have gotten myself a little lost. I was hoping that you would be kind enough to tell me where I am..........?" She continued. Her question seeming to cause the men some amusement, as they all began to laugh.

"Gentlemen, my apologies......." One mocked. Doing his best to mimic her accent, that no longer had the brummy lilt to it. (Y/n) doing her best to ignore him, as she continued to smile.

"Oh, luv. Ya more than just a little fuckin lost.........." The name called Bill told her, once his laugher had subsided.

"Ya in our patch. And whatever is in our patch, is ours........Ain't that right, lads.........?" He carried on. His words followed by cheers and words of agreement, from the others.

"And that......beautiful, included a posh bit of totty like you........." Bill added, before lunging at her. (Y/n) able to move out of his way, before she began to run.......just run. Not even daring to look over her shoulders as she raced down one street and then another. Looking for something, anything, a place that she might be able to hide so that she could get away from the four men; so she could avoid the horror of what she was sure would face her if they were to catch her, as best she could. To find someone that might help her; but there was nothing......no one. Tears now making their way down her cheeks, and blurring her vision, as all she could do was continue to run, despite the fact that her lungs and legs were burning.

"Fuckin hell. Watch where ya fuckin goin.........." A gruff voice came, as she suddenly ran into someone. (Y/n) clinging to him as she looked back to see the men close behind her.

"Please......please help. I got lost. They said I was on their patch. That I was theirs. They are going to........." (Y/n)'s shaky voice tried to explain. The man in the large, wide brimmed hat looking down at her. Sniffing and rubbing his hand down his slightly scruffy beard.

"Oh, is that right.......well ya can leave these bastards ta me, can't ya........" The man told her, before pushing her behind him.

                                                        >>--------------------------------<<

"Billy............." The four men stopping, as they saw the big man in front of them; smiling broadly as he greeted their leader.

"Alfie...........that belongs ta us, mate........" Bill replied with a nod, before pointing to the woman behind the Jewish gangster.

"What.....? Ya mean this........?" Alfie countered, grabbing hold of the woman's arm and pulling her to his side.

"She was on our patch, Alf..........."

"Your patch........your patch..........? You don't have a fuckin patch, Bill. This...... every fuckin thing ya see around ere, yeah. Every fuckin street, is my patch. Camden Town is all my fuckin patch. Which means that you cunts, right.......you cunts, are on my patch. So, you, and she, belong ta me, right. But, I don't want anyone sayin I ain't a fair man, so, I'll give ya a choice, yeah. Ya either fuck off, now.........ya either fuck off now, yeah; or, I will personally grab ya by tha fuckin throat, before ripping your fuckin arms and legs off.........So, Bill...what's it ta be..........?" Alfie replied. Pushing the woman back behind him. The four men looking at one another; it obvious that they were not happy about being deprived of their fun, but Alfie didn't give a shit. He wasn't about to let some woman be defiled, if he could stop it. Especially by the like of Billy Murphy and his cronies.

"Fine.......but don't think I will forget about this, Alfie..........."

"Oh, I am sure that you won't William. But ask he if I give a fuckin shit........" Alfie countered. Just giving the men a smile, before they turned and made their way back down the road.

                                                     >>----------------------------------<<

Alfie turned and looked at the woman that was now sat, trembling on the floor. Despite the tears that were making their way down her face; despite the black streaks of mascara that marked her skin, there was no denying that she was beautiful......very beautiful. And given what he had heard of her voice and the way she was dressed; she certainly wasn't from that part of town. Alfie finding himself intrigued by her; everything about her too fine to be a whore, even a well-paid one. So, what she was doing in his part of London...........

"What ya doing round ere........?" Alfie asked, causing her to look up at him.

"I.........I got lost. Really, I did. I set out this morning and just began to walk. I know I shouldn't have done such a thing, but everything was alright until.......until............" She tried to explain, before beginning to cry again. Alfie shaking his head, knowing that he just couldn't leave her there like that.

"Alright......come on........." Alfie continued, as he took her arm and pulled her to her feet.

"Let's get ya somewhere safe. Then we can work out where ya need ta be." The gangster added; before pushing some of her hair away from her face. Her damp eyes looking up into his; sparking a hint of recognition in his mind.

"Tha name is Alfie, by the way......Alfie Solomons........" Alfie told her, as he offered her his arm.

"Thank you for your help, Mister Solomons. I don't know what I would have done if I had not come across you. And my name is (Y/n).........(Y/n) Shelby..........."