Calm before the storm

Ada's party (Part Two)

Catherine smiled to herself as she looked around the pub, everyone was laughing and smiling. The drink was flowing and the spirits were high within the people of Small Heath, Catherine couldn't help but watch the Shelby family as they each presented Ada with her gifts the wide smile on her face.

"You alright darlin'" Arthur swung his arm around Catherine's shoulders, "I'm good Arthur, are you alright?" she smiled up at the Shelby towering over her, " I'm fucking great" she laughed as he lazily blinked "What do you want to drink?" Catherine smiled "I've never had a drink, you can choose for me" Arthur chuckled "Ohh, you'll regret saying that. Wait here I'll get you and Ada a drink" Catherine smiled as she watched Arthur stumble through the crowd towards the bar. "Haven't even been here a half hour and he's already drunk" Ada sighed as she stood beside Catherine, "Well he is up there getting drinks for me and you, I think I like drunk Arthur more than sober Arthur" Ada laughed, "So do I."

The girls continued to giggle throughout the night, Polly watched in amusement at the young girl's tipsy state. "And who gave them drink?" Tommy muttered as he hovered over the back of Polly's seat, "I believe it was your brother, but that handsome young man over there has been buying drinks for Catherine most of the night too" Polly smirked as she felt Tommy grip the back of her seat, "What boy would that be?" Tommy eyed the crowd of boys standing at the sides of the pub. Polly laughed, "Sit down Tommy, they're only having fun" Tommy grunted "She should be dancing with me and letting me buy her drinks" Polly smiled, "Well then why don't you go have fun with your sister and her best friend?" Tommy's unusual silence was the only answer Aunt Polly needed for that question.

John soon joined the girls, dancing around the pub without a care in the world. He couldn't wipe the boyish grin off his face as he watched Catherine spin around with her hair loose and her eyes glowing with a wide smile on her face. Catherine knew she was beyond tipsy but she didn't care, she was surrounded by the most important people in her life and she didn't care what anybody else thought. The Shelby's were her family.

Ada and John were dancing together as Catherine watched on with a smile, she still hadn't noticed Tommy's watchful gaze on her and the young man looming behind her. "Why is a pretty thing like you not dancing with someone?" Catherine spun around to find the source of the voice, in her state she hadn't realised she spun too quickly and almost lost her balance. The handsome young man quickly wrapped his arms around her waist in order to keep her up straight "Watch yourself, wouldn't want to get a nasty fall" Catherine chuckled as she looked up at the stranger. "I'm Johnny" he extended his hand for her to shake, she smiled and took his hand in her own "Catherine" "Well Catherine, its a pleasure to meet you." The pair continued to talk and chuckle at each other, but Catherine was too drunk to notice Johnny's wondering hand move up her leg. But Tommy noticed. He immediately made his way across the pub to get to Catherine,  ignoring Polly's calls telling him to stop. "Catherine, lets go" Tommy stared at Johnny as he spoke. "Tommy, I haven't seen you all night! why did you not come dance with me?" Catherine drunkenly pouted up at Tommy, "Because I seen you were busy, but its time to go home now" " Why? Ada isn't going home yet" Catherine looked around the pub and spotted Ada talking to John and Arthur. Tommy grew irritated at Catherine's drunken behaviour, "Listen to the lady, she doesn't want to go home yet" Tommy stared at Johnny before pulling Catherine out of her seat and throwing her over his shoulder. Ignoring Catherine's squeals of protest, Tommy simply smirked and made his way out of the pub towards number 6 Watery Lane.