Shelby's spy

2.

The smell of beer and sweaty men hits me like a wave as soon as i step through the door. 

I scrunch my nose slightly at the strong aroma, taking a moment to adjust to the loud room before shutting the door behind me. As predicted, the Garrison is heaving.  Mostly filled with factory workers, the dirt from their workday still evident on their faces and clothes. The boisterous chatter and laughter morphs into one loud roar of noise. it seems the men are all celebrating the arrival of the weekend and possibly payday by the looks of the many, many buckets of ale littered around the room.

The men pay no attention to me as I slip by them, moving further into the busy room. Any one of these drunks could be an easy score tonight but factories don't pay well, inspectors do and that is who i'm here for.       

Weaving through the many packed tables i find a spot in the back corner, shadowed by the staircase above, and begin to scan the pub. Campbell was a lone ranger, as you had gathered from your scouting, so you didn't expect to see him mingling with the working men . No, he was exactly where you expected him to be. Perched at the bar gazing at the pretty blonde barmaid. Pathetic.

Whatever reason the inspector was in town for seemed to take the back burner whenever the barmaid was involved. He pined for her like dog to a bone and it was both tragic and hilarious to see her dismissal of him in return.

A loud cheer erupting from the other inhabitants of the pub as said barmaid provided another round of whatever foul smelling liquid filled those mugs snapped Charlie back to attention. She shouldn't linger, not here. Get the pocket-watch and get out, that was her safest bet.

Pushing off from the wall, head to the floor, Charlie scurried from her corner directly toward the Inspector. Waiting until she was no more than a foot away from him before feigning a trip that sent her toppling into the mans side. The glass of brown liquor he was lifting to his mouth toppled onto the bar but thankfully didn't smash but regardless the plump man turned toward her with an ire in his eye that suggested he did not appreciate the wasted drink.

"Watch yourself boy"

The words were barely more than a growl. The inspector was Irish it seemed. So far from home.

Charlie took a hurried step away from him, stuttering out apologies as he scrutinised her from beneath lowered grey brows. After a too long moment of looking her up and down his eyes focused back onto her own, still slightly concealed under the cap of her hat.

"Bit young to be hangin' round this establishment arent' ya boy?"

Yes she was. But Charlie didn't reckon the Inspector would bother to enforce a law as petty as a boy in a bar. Regardless, she could talk herself out of anything.

"Just lookin for my pa sir. Ma wants him home for supper."

And just like that the Inspector lost interest, turning back to the bar and his spilled drink with a huff. Too easy. The arrogant bastard couldn't care less about the working people of this city if he tried.

Suppressing a smirk, Charlie patted her now occupied trouser pocket before taking one last look around The Garrison. She couldn't help the pang of longing that echoed through her upon seeing the jovial men. She wondered what it might be like to have this. To have friends to drink laugh with, a ma and pa to come home to. She only had Matron and her prized whip and a couple dozen kids more interested in stealing her supper than being her friend. She Ronnie she supposed. And money. They would do for now.

Spinning on her heel, Charlie made to take a step towards the doors when her eyes met the steely blue another.

Standing in the window of the snug, Thomas Shelby stared directly at her.

                                                                              

Okay. Fuck. 

If the knowing look in his eye was anything to go by, he definitely witnessed what just happened and knew exactly what she had done. And maybe you were high on adrenaline but that definitely looked like a hint approval in his eyes.

Regardless, Charlie decided she didn't want to stick around to find out. 

So after flashing the Shelby a cheek grin, Charlie flung herself through the doors of The Garrison and back into the familiar dark streets of Birmingham.

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Hello, its me, editing again.

Idk what im doing but just roll with it.

also i don't know when i last wrote this but my writing was laughably bad what was i actually thinking.