The Falling Man

Chapter 24

Ethel POV

Gertrude and I made it to Small Heath quite smoothly, after she calmed calmed down from her minor breakdown. We knocked on the same door that I entered last time I was here and were greeted by Polly. I was told we were here to discuss an expansion in London with the Shelby's, so it comes to a shock when Polly tells me our "appointment" is in around 30 minutes and we should probably head there now, before giving us directions.

I wonder what appointment she is talking about but before I can ask my sister is dragging me out the house. When we are back in the car I ask her what appointment we are going to and she tells me that Tommy apparently stuck to the drunken deal Gertrude asked of him in the first chaotic meeting, he had donated money to charities in each of my siblings names and is paying to have a portrait of us painted; except without our brothers as apparently they refused the offer. I sigh and giggle shaking my head. This man.

As we arrive to our destination and knock on the door we are greeted by a slightly older woman. She has dark brown short hair with a scarf hanging over her head. A jewel filled necklace hangs around her neck. The older woman invites us in and greets us with quite strong hugs as we introduce ourselves. "Beautiful. Just beautiful. Not an ounce rotten." The woman says with her arms around me. "Mm." I respond before she releases me from the hug. "Do you feel rotten?" She asks me quizingly holding my arms. I don't know what she means by this. "Um, I'd-I'd rather not talk about the state of my rottenness, if that's okay." I decide to respond with. "Of course, darling. Come on up." She says. "Miss, get the door, for Gods sake." She scolds Gertrude who stands in front of the open front door, I bite back a smile at this as the old woman takes my coat off. "How do you know Thomas Shelby?" The woman asks me. "Um, you know, I'd rather not talk about it, if that's okay." I respond with again, deciding it better not to explain my family is in business with him to this random woman, as he is the most notorious gangster in Birmingham. "No, of course, darling." She responds again as Gertrude shuts the door. "Here. Here." She says as she hands my coat off to my sister. This again makes me almost giggle.

The older woman leads us to what I assume is her work room as there are many easels and paintings around. "I've got a setup I'm very excited about." She tells us touching my arm and back. "Nice." I respond. "So, Gertrude, is it? If you just sit here. That's lovely, and, darling," She says pointing for me to sit next to my sister. "Mm-hmm." I respond going to sit down. "Just beside her. Like that. Lovely." She continues before taking a step back to look at us before saying, "And actually, if you could just..." patting on my legs to turn me to the side facing away from my sister, my side profile facing the woman now, "That's it. That's it. Lovely. Lovely. Perfect! Gorgeous! Yes." She states before walking away to her easel.

I turn my head to observe the woman, "Sorry, no. If you could just...That's it. Thank you, darling." She says to me as I turn my attention back to the window in front of me. "So, um..." she starts. I have a feeling she's going to ask about Tommy again. Probably wondering why the big bad man that everyone fears is paying her to paint a portrait of two Irish women. "You know, I have six friends..." She starts, though it sounds like a lie for some reason. "...who've been involved with members of the Shelby family. Five of them never managed to become romantically involved past the bedroom. But the sixth one did, and rather regretted it! So, I think you probably should be careful." She states to us.

I can tell this will be a rather long sitting most likely with endless talking from the strange woman. "Thank you for the advice." I respond. Me and Gertrude share a glance. "Did you never want to become involved with one of them?" Gertrude asks the woman jokingly. "Oh, I'm still thinking about it." She responds. An amusing response. I think to myself. "Do you have a husband? I thought I saw a man in your living room, but " I ask the woman deciding to have a little fun. "Oh, I saw you notice him." She says. "Oh, so he is your husband?" I ask. "Sorry, no. I have an appointment with him today." She responds. Me and Gertrude share another amused glance.