Embers of the Brave // Peaky Blinders

Chapter 8

1000 pounds

Michael was fucking furious as he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her from the seat. He turned towards the people in the ring, "No she isn't!"

Ella glared hard into the side of Michael's face, ready to defend herself.  But it was Polly who had come to her defense. Standing up and making her way close to the ring, convincing the nervous and unsure announcer the Ella would stand and could stand in the ring. Arthur was raging beside John throwing hundreds at the betting boy, demanding his money on Ella. By this time Ella had shook of Michael, he had turned towards a slightly stunned Tommy. His eyes begged with Tommy to do something, but he only took his seat again.

Polly came back and sat down beside her son, who at this point was so mad he could barely even focus. He thought that Ella didn't know a thing about fighting, he could practically see her knocked out with a bloody nose. Polly had faith in the girl, she'd been fighting all her life. She was much stronger than what the Shelby brothers thought. Pol couldn't wait for their shock they were in for. The first time she had met the girl was on East London's streets were she pulled the girl away from a fight, a fight that she had been winning. The two had kept in touch ever since then, writing letters back and forth, hiding them from her foster parents that surely wouldn't have liked Polly's birmie slurs and comments about them.

When Ella came back out of the back room having changed into the clothes that Polly had brought along. Acceptable clothes for a lady in a boxing ring in a dark and drunk town of small heath. A white long sleeve button-up with the sleeved rolled up to just under her elbows and black tight fitting pants, made of a flexible material unlike the fashion clothes that is worn during the business day.

As Ella stepped into the ring with devilish smirk her blonde hair bounced on her shoulders, frustrated swept through her as she realised what an obstacle the short cut would be. The red head with her hair swept high up on to her crown in a pony-tail, beckoned Ella to the center of the ring.

"You should have sat down like a good little whore."

Ella let out a sharp laugh, "Perhaps."

The two girls took a large step back from one another, Ella rolled her tight shoulders back and shook her fisted hands by her side. Suddenly the room and the sound faded away. The air went still. She could only see the red haired girl. The two held unreadable faces, absolutely no fear, no remorse for what was about to happen. Ella had the pleasure of analysing the girl's rhythm in the previous fights, noting her favour of her left fist and the way she cradled her right leg. The weakness that Ella would draw on, them and the over-confidence.

Ella hadn't even her the bell chime, signalling the beginning of the fight. Instead Ella decided to take defence as the girl charged at her like an angry bull. She let the first few hits come at her, her hands dangling by her side. She enjoyed the pain blossoming on her jaw and ribcage. She let it coarse through her. Glancing over at the Shelby family, they were all stood at the edge of the ring, having deserted their seats. Horrified at the Ella just standing there, accepting the hits.

"ARMS UP!" John screamed at Ella.

Ella ignored the shaken boys focusing on Polly who was now in between Tommy and Michael. The red head snaked her arm around Ella neck, pulling her into a choke hold. Michael wanted to climb into the ring himself at this point.

"NOW." Polly yelled over the crowd and just like that a fire lit inside Ella. Her elbow rearing back into the face of the red head, causing her instant release. Ella didn't hover a second before turning around slamming punches into the girl's ribs and on either side of her oval face. The blunt force throwing the girl across the ring as she tried to stay on her feet. Polly watched on with humour, laughing at how quickly Ella dominated. The only thing she could do better than maths was fighting, an unlikely skill.

Ella struck the girls right leg with a fast and heavy kick that threw the girl to the ground. The moment she hit the ground Ella jumped on the torso, pegging her to the ground as she smashed her fists into the girl's bloody face. Feeling her nose and jaw break under her vicious fists.

The girl's eyes drifted shut at Ella last punch before standing up off the girl. The announcer dragging her away from the bloody scene. She was turned to face the crowd. The silence left her as she slowly took in the crowd. Their cheers and uproar bringing her back to earth as they encompassed her. She took a few steps forward to a beaming Polly. John and Arthur absolutely delighted at their fat earnings from the fight. Tommy had a small smile on his face. Michael was stood emotionless, hiding his surprise and pride in her.

"Where did you learn to fight like that." Tommy calmly questioned.

Polly leant on Tommy's side, "She's been taking hits long before she got involved with us Shelby's"

John and Arthur erupted in laughter. As the group shifted away to collect all their earnings from the fight. Tommy having bet 1,000 pounds. So much faith in her.

Ella and Michael stood facing each other.

"Any other secret talents"

"Oh Michael, too many."

A/N:

Chapter Glossary:

Birmie: Short for Birmingham.

Hey,

Bit different but I've really wanted her to show the Shelby's just how strong she actually is. While Michael Gray isn't technically a Shelby, I still refer to him as Shelby when I gesture to the family.

- A