The Sky of Ivy

Chapter two

The patter of gentle rain drumming against the window woke me as I rouse from a heavy slumber.
I wiped my eyes while opening them, taking in the hues of light from the thin, tasseled, old curtains that hung against the crooked window.

I didn't have much time to figure out where to stay last night. As I stumbled out of the Garrison with my bag into the dark gloomy night. I found my way into a dingy bed and breakfast. The place stank of smoke and perfume, I lingered in bed for a moment taking in the fragrance and forced myself out of the not so comfy bed.

After stretching my sore muscles I started to fill the bath tub, hoping this would release the aching of my body. It's probably from the bed I thought, it was so hard, lumpy, and I'm not even sure the covers had been washed since the  previous resident was here. However it was all I could find at that time of night. And I was drunk enough to not care.

Sinking into the therapeutic hot bath my mind swirled to the fuzzy memories of the men known as the Peaky Blinders.
After the man who's name was John Shelby, gave me a drink, I wearily gulped it down and ordered more and more alcohol. After being completely drunk, that's how I ended up here, in this dirty bed and breakfast, head pounding to the same beat as the sound of the rain.

                    ____________

I clutched onto my suit jacket and pulled it tighter as the slight breeze of the cold crisp air blew into my skin.
I was heading to find work, I couldn't stay in the bed and breakfast for another night, I couldn't stand the sight of it any longer.

So far I have applied for a secretary job in an office not far from the station, a writers helper in some gloomy old building and a type writer assistant.
Not wanting to do anymore job hunting I headed into the Garrison for a quick whiskey to make myself feel uplifted and awake for this long day ahead.

"Whiskey mate" I ordered Harry as I took out a cigarette and slid off my jacket.

"Ivy you look exhausted, you gulped them drinks down like a bloke, think men were falling at your toes last night" Harry laughed and smiled while pouring my whisky.

"Fuck off I ain't no normal women, do you see me in a dress, I may as well be a lad, pretty sure I can down my drink quicker than any man" I exclaimed while smirking at him.

"Is that a challenge I hear" a familiar voice spoke behind me, turning around I came face to face with the one and only John Shelby awaiting my reply.
"If you're wanting it to be, gotta warn you though.. you'll loose"  I said as I puffed my cigarette and smoke blew into his face.

"Alright love, don't look too proud, you haven't won anything yet" John smirked and ordered a whisky for himself while joining me at the bar, sitting on the wooden wobbly stool next to me.

"So, what brings a women so unusual like you to Small Heath" he asked as he lit his cigar.
"I'm a women of many secrets, that's non of your business" I sipped my drink  "and who are you calling unusual, just because I don't dress like a women doesn't make me any less of one" I added while glancing at Harry, he gave me a warning look and couldn't believe I spoke to a Shelby with such language.

"Are you always so rude.."

"Ivy" I said tasting the smoke on my tongue

"Ivy, an unusual name for an unusual person" John said as he smoked his cigar, puffing the smoke into the air, lingering as it slowly disappeared.

I stayed quiet, I gulped the rest of my whisky before standing up from the stool.
"I best get going, got more jobs to hunt for" I said as pulled my jacket onto my shoulders.

"You're looking for a job? We need someone to check the numbers in our business, Shelby company limited if you're up for the challenge" he said proudly as he downed the rest of his drink.

"Sorry don't take this the wrong way but I don't want to work for another gangster, too much hassle" I replied while taking a hand and running it through my probably dirty brown hair.

"What other gangster have you ever even worke-"  another voice cutting him off from finishing the sentence.
"Come on John you're needed back now, stop flirting with women in your lunch hour" the man exclaimed, his eyes taking in my frame, like he was painting me in his mind. He had piercing blue eyes that sucked me into his existence, his cap lay so they shadowed his every feature, detailing his cheek bones so perfectly.

"Fuckin' hell Tommy do I ever get a break longer than ten minutes" John said while pushing himself from his seat putting his cap on and rolling a tooth pick in his mouth.

"You've been here long enough, Esme wants to have a talk with you about something" The man named Tommy exclaimed, still looking at me.

"I best go, I'll see your around John" I said as I began to walk through the pub.

"Tonight! I accept your challenge" John shouted through the Garrison.

I turned around confused.

He notices my expression "You challenged you could down a drink quicker than any man" he said loudly as his voice echoed through the pub.  

"You'll be sorry Mr Shelby, I'm a women of many talents and drinking is one of them"