The Ride

T H R E E

It's dark outside and the place is packed with drunk and happy men.

Grace and I are standing on a makeshift stage near to the pub piano and we're singing 'The boy I love', a sweet romantic ballad with a lilting rhythm that Grace picked out for us to sing.

The men in the pub are singing along or swapping raucous laughter with the handful of young prostitutes who hang out in pairs among the men.

Our voice is strong while singing and Harry peers at us with a hint of admiration in his eyes. The song continues for a while and then the pub doors opens. Thomas walks through the double doors with his lackeys behind him, I could tell that the two in the front that were beside him somewhat resembled him which gave a hint that those are his brothers.

All heads turn away and men peer into their drinks, all the men had now stopped singing but me and Grace continues.

Thomas stands near the door, peering up at me. The pianist stops playing and even then me and Grace still continue the ballad. There is silence apart from the song and Graces voice falters slightly while continue to sing strong, starring Thomas in his icy eyes.

Thomas was starring straight ahead, ignoring his brothers stares, unconsciously it's as if the song turned about him.

"The boy I love is up in the gallery..." I sing.

"As pretty as a robin. As gentle as a dove," Grace sings.

Harry goes and stands near Thomas with a smile on his face. "We haven't had singing in here since the war."

Thomas glares at Harry. "Why do you think that is?"

My narrowed eyes follow Thomas leading his brothers and lackeys to their own private snug bar and the door slams behind them.

♛

"The nerve!" I shrieked. When I got home, I slammed the front door open then shut which got the attention of my two sisters who were sitting at the table and drinking tea.

"What's wrong?" Eden asks worries.

"Did someone not give it to you right," Anna teases while Eden blushes slightly and gives her a smack on the arm.

"That...that fucking man has nerve, that balls on him," I snap.

"Ooh, so it does involve a man," Anna winks.

"You must be infatuation with him," Eden sighs dreamily.

"To hell I am! He's so arrogant, the lot of 'em!" I hiss.

"Are you sure..." Anna trails.

"We never seen you so triggered by a single man," Eden says.

"He's just so...so...so freaking entitled," I growl.

"Who is the man that has wiggled the way I to your head," Anna chuckles.

"Thomas fucking Shelby. I just want to slap him in his pretty face," I snarl.

"Pretty face?" Anna jokes.

"Shelby?" Eden asks.

"Yes Shelby," I respond, ignoring Anna's teasing.

"Me and Anna got to meet Ada Shelby, she seems nice," Eden gushes.

"Maybe she'll be our sister in law," Anna smirks.

"I will slap you upside your head," I warn.

"Hey don't take your sexual frustration out on me," Anna puts her hands up in defense.

"I'm not sexually frustrated," I retort.

"Oh really? How's long has it been since you've gotten shagged?" Anna asks causing Eden to gasp.

"Anna?!"

"I don't need to get shagged! I'm perfectly fine," I argue.

"And that alone answers my question," Anna responds.

"What the bloody hell does that mean," I command.

"You need to be dicked down. Ride that pony. Get on top. You need cock!" She shouts causing Eden to lurch across the small table and put her hand over her mouth.

"Not so loud," Eden says bashfully while giggling slightly.

"I don't need-" I start.

"Yes you do," she responds, muffled since Edens hand was still on her mouth until she finally removed it.

"That's it's off to bed, the lot of you," I scoff.

"Are you our mom," Anna snaps.

"No, but I'm paying the bills so off you both go," I scold.

They both reluctantly get up from their seats and scurry off to get dresses for bed while I let out a small sigh and massage my head.

I head to the bath to take a small dip to try and relax me, when I'm out, I get dressed I to my night dress. I comb my hair then head to the girls rooms.

I open the door to check and see they're asleep and low and behold they're giggling. I clear my throat causing them to jump. "Lights out."

"But we're not tired," Anna whines.

"Bed. Now," I demand.

"Yes, Irene," Eden whispers the turns on her bed so her back is to me and Anna. I walk over to their one lamp to turn off.

"Night," I mutter.

"Night," they quietly respond.

I walk to the couch and lay down, a pillow under my head and a somewhat thin blanket over me. I close my eyes, the thoughts of Thomas Shelby still fresh in my thought.