Devoted (John Shelby)

Part 10

"What the actual fuck happened yesterday?" Cynthia questioned when she woke up with a splitting headache.

"You got absolutely pissed," John told her, starting to get ready for the day.

"Fuck, I have to work like this," Cynthia groaned, remembering that she promised Polly that she'd help take bets that day.

"Take something for it, I have to go. I'll see you later," John quickly kissed her goodbye and left her alone.

Cynthia took something to help ease the pain and she went to the betting den and started sorting the place out to be ready to collect bets. She was moving a pile of books when a knock at the door interrupted her, "we're not open for winnings yet," she told the person on the other side.

"I'm here to see Thomas Shelby," the lady said, Cynthia opened the door, "I have an appointment," she told her.

"Oh, okay. Come in," she said, holding the door open for the lady.

The woman walked in and Cynthia blocked her way, suspiciously looking at the woman, the lady stuck out her hand "May Carlton," she introduced.

"I'm Cynthia Shelby," Cynthia said, shaking her hand.

"Thomas' wife?" She asked.

Cynthia scoffed, "no, I'm his younger brother John's wife."

"Oh," May said.

"Thomas normally has his proper meetings in his other office," Cynthia told May.

"This was the address he gave me," May told Cynthia.

"He gave you this address?" Cynthia said in confusion, checking to see if what she heard was correct.

"Yes. He said it was a gambling den," May said matter-of-factly. "I told him that I'd always wanted to see one since I read about them in the papers. Quite a big scandal in the Telegraph lately. Anyway, he said I could come and have a look. And now I feel like a bit of an idiot because I'm early and he's late and I have no idea on how to behave."

"In a gambling den," Cynthia finished May's rambling.

"I'll wait in the car," May said, turning to leave.

"If I open the door again, they'll all want to come in like flies," Cynthia said, not wanting the rush of men flooding through the doors, instead she just carried on sorting the place out. "So what are you?" Cynthia questioned May.

"What am I?" May questions back.

"To Tommy?" Cynthia questioned.

"I'm going to train his racehorse," she said, "for Epsom."

"You know horses?" Cynthia asked. She'd always wanted to learn how to ride but never got the chance too.

"Yes," Mary said simply. "You?"

"Never rode, I want to learn, though," Cynthia said.

"I was born riding," May said, smiling slightly at her memories.

The door to the den opened and then shut again with a slam, "there's a fucking great Riley parked out there and nobody's watching it," John said as he walked in towards the table in front of May.

"John," Cynthia started, "this woman says she's training Tommy's horse."

John looked up and down the woman after setting multiple bags on the table, "he's told us a lot about you," John said to May.

"Don't know where he is, do you?" May questioned John.

John looked at his wife and noticed Tommy walking in behind her, he nodded in the direction and both women turned around and saw him, "sorry I'm late, there was a family matter," Thomas told the small group, walking in and towards May. "Cynthia, keep this placed locked for a few minutes."