Ailbhe had seen her fair share of fights before. She grew up in Small Heath with Shelbys for brothers so, of course she had seen fights. But she had never been to one like this.
She had to admit she was impressed. It was spectacular. They had put together an almost arena like space with a raised boxing ring for the fight. It was in an old cinema that Tommy got a hold of for the night. The crowd was huge, filling up all of the seats and even packed into the standing areas. It was a big night for everyone, especially Shelby Company Ltd. Ailbhe had seen Bonnie’s face when he approached the ring, he was going to win. She absolutely knew it. But she still couldn’t shake the bad feeling in her stomach, Arthur felt it too. She knew it but Tommy had told them it was nothing, just nerves and their histories upsetting them. But the look Arthur gave her, she knew it was real. They both did.
She had gotten the nervous feeling in her tummy while she got dressed and it didn’t go away while she did her hair, nor when she applied her make up, not even when Lizzie, Polly, Ada and Linda arrived. They were all being brought to the fight together by Scudboat and two other Peaky boys who had been told to not let a single person near them.
She had spotted Finn when they arrived at the fight, waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs with Isiah. Finn was one of the head bookmakers for the Shelby Company now so he had to make sure the event ran smoothly, but he had wanted to see Ailbhe first.
“Shit, you look incredible” he had sighed, leaning in and pressing a kiss to her cheek, still excited by the idea they could do things like that in public.
She had to admit she liked how she looked that night too, with her red lipstick and dark eyes. She had gotten her dress from London, a white dress that shimmered in the light and clung to her body just enough. It had a low back and thin long straps but she held a fur wrap over her shoulders so her brothers wouldn’t tell her to cover up. She noticed Finn’s eyes dropping down and sweeping over her body and it made her smile, she had wanted him to like it. He stood beside her, saying hello to Lizzie and the other women but his hand was on Ailbhe’s back, his fingers almost tickling the exposed skin and leaving goose bumps behind.
She hadn’t seen him since the morning before when she had snuck back into her house. She and Finn had slept soundly in his new bed, glad of the company. She woke wrapped around him, feeling more content than ever. Finn held onto her, not wanting to let her go but she had dragged herself out of bed to get dressed.
Her heart warmed when she would think of how he looked at her the next morning, like she was the prettiest thing he had ever seen. She had been tying her bralette and fixing her shorts when she asked him what he was staring at. He just shook his head, saying ‘nothing!’ but really, he knew that in that moment, he was looking at his everything.
“You sneak back in alright this morning?” He asked, keeping his voice low but the other women were already too busy talking amongst themselves.
“Niall never came home and Liam passed out in Tommy’s old room at your house” She told him, relieved to know the house was empty when she had snuck back in.
Her brothers hadn’t even realised she had been missing for the night, the best night of her life.
“How’s he feeling?” She asked him, his hand still resting on her back.
“He’s going to take it to the fourth round before knock out.” Finn told her, his hands taking a cigarette out.
Ailbhe could tell there was something Finn was nervous about. It was a big responsibility tonight, he was head bookmaker now and it was up to him to make sure they made money, proper money.
“I’ll make you a deal” she whispered, taking a puff of his cigarette and placing it back between his lips “If Bonnie wins after four rounds, I’ll let you win tonight too, as many rounds as you like” She grinned, her tongue peeking out between her teeth at the side.
The way his eyes lit up and his smirk tugged at his lips, she knew she had relaxed him a bit.
“Alright, I’ve got to get back there. I’ll see you after?” He nodded, his hand still firmly on her back.
She nodded, smiling and turning back to the ladies once they’d left.
“Come on, let’s get a drink before it starts” Polly sighed, leading them away from the crowd of shouting men.
Polly had been the least excited for the fight. She spent most of her time worrying about Michael and trying to convince Tommy he wasn’t a traitor. Ailbhe on the other hand had been looking forward to it, despite her anxious butterflies. They had been cooped up in their houses, not allowed out since Ailbhe’s birthday weeks prior.
From the beginning of the fight, Ailbhe didn’t like it. Bonnie was getting hits left right and centre, taking blow after blow and only hitting back between hits. For every punch Bonnie landed, Goliath landed three more. It was hard to watch and Ailbhe flinched every time she saw Bonnie take a particularly hard hit. She knew it was all an act, but it must have been an act that hurt.
Ailbhe had spotted Arthur and Niall across the other side of the ring, Niall beckoning her with a crook of his finger.
“What is it Ailbhe?” Arthur asked her, knowing something was up with her.
Niall had noticed too. She had been looking around, over her shoulders and narrowing her eyes at men she didn’t recognise.
“I’ve got a feeling Arthur... and not a good one” she told him, shaking her head as Bonnie took another punch into the stomach.
“Me too” Arthur grumbled, taking another sniff of snow followed by a swig from his flask.
“It’s just the booze and the pills” Niall tried to reassure them but their worries added to his.
He looked at his sister, knowing that her bad feelings were very rarely wrong.
“I’ll keep an eye out, alright?” He promised her, knowing she wouldn’t let up until he agreed.
She smiled gratefully, leaning in and asking him to be careful.
"Here, get that into ya" Arthur nodded, nudging her with his elbow and holding up his fist to her, a little pile of snow in the hollow between his thumb and forefinger.
Ailbhe sighed, contemplating for a moment before thinking, why not. After all, it certainly wouldn't be her first play in the snow and Niall seemed like he couldn't care less, especially if he didn't want to be a hypocrite.
She leaned her head forward, only to have a voice snap her out of it.
"Oi, get that fucking shit away from her" Tommy snapped, blowing onto Arthur's hand and letting the snow vanish into thin air before Ailbhe could take any.
"Tom!" She whined, rolling her eyes and snatching up her purse. She knew he was protective, but lately it seemed like he just wanted to suck the fun out of everything. Ailbhe was desperate to vanish the unsettled feelings and the racing thoughts in her mind, she had just wanted one night.
"No snow" He warned her, pointing a finger straight at her and intense eyes looking into hers.
Ailbhe couldn't help herself, whether it was the snow she'd already had earlier with Finn or the gin, she stuck her tongue out at Tommy, before he became distracted with Arthur.
“Where’s Solomons?” Arthur shouted above the noise.
Ailbhe watched as the bell rang and Bonnie took a seat in his corner. He was sweating and panting, the cut on his forehead bleeding lightly but he nodded at his father, promising he would take it to the fourth round.
“Apparently, he doesn’t watch” Tommy explained, having left Alfie back stage.
Alfie was incredibley strange, Ailbhe knew this so it didn’t surprise her anymore.
Arthur’s eyes narrowed in on the men in Goliath’s corner, elbowing Ailbhe and gesturing at them
“Look at that corner, them men there don’t know fighters. I don’t like it” He grumbled, not liking the look of Goliath’s men.
Ailbhe looked them up and down. She didn’t recognise them but there was something off about them, Arthur was right. They seemed to be looking around themselves more than focusing on Goliath.
“You feel it too though Tom? Don’t ya?” Arthur asked, wanting to be sure it wasn’t his mind playing tricks on him, that it wasn’t just him and Ailbhe’s bad feelings.
Tommy nodded, replying and looking into Ailbhe’s eyes
“I feel it, but we’re alright. We’re surrounded by soldiers Arthur. Alfie’s men were strip searched at the door, right Niall? We’re alright!” He reassured him, promising they were alright.
But Ailbhe wasn’t convinced.
As round two began, Tommy’s eyes tore away from the ring, noticing Lizzie leave and go to the restrooms. His eyes flashed with concern as he realised she was alone.
“Alv, will you go with Lizzie? She shouldn’t be on her own” He asked Ailbhe, gesturing for her to follow the woman carrying his baby.
She nodded, following her into the restrooms and finding her fixing her makeup and hair in the mirror.
“Alright sweetheart?” Lizzie asked her, seeing her in the mirror as she entered.
“Tommy sent me after you. Congratulations I’m your protection now” Ailbhe laughed, rolling her eyes and sitting up on the counter of sinks in front of Lizzie.
She knew that Niall was Lizzie’s usual protection. He was probably the best fighter they had apart from Bonnie Gold but Niall wasn’t one to play by the rules when it came to fighting and therefore he was deemed unsuitable for proper sports like boxing. Tommy trusted him to run the security the night of the fight, to make sure nothing went wrong.
“I take it from how protective he is, you told him?” Ailbhe asked, trying to get Lizzie to look her in the eye.
Eventually she did, smiling and nodding. It wasn’t the blissfully happy smile of an expectant mother who was madly in love with her baby’s father but they weren’t that kind of family.
“I did, last night” Lizzie nodded about to expand on her story but they heard footsteps.
Ailbhe poured herself a drink from the bottle, taking a sip as the door swung open again. It was Polly. She went into the first stall, all of them were empty so they were the only ones in the restrooms. They were almost sure they were the only women at the fight.
“So, what did Tommy say when you told him?” Polly asked, loud enough for Lizzie to hear.
Ailbhe had been dying to know too but the way Tommy had looked so protective over her, she was hoping for good news.
“He said I’d get a weekly allowance” Lizzie sighed, snapping the lid back on her lipstick.
“Oh! He can be romantic” Polly remarked dryly coming out of the cubicle and washing her hands opposite them “Of course, as Company treasurer I shall be questioning that expense!”
Ailbhe rolled her eyes, taking another sip and remarking
“As Company assistant treasurer, I will not be questioning it Lizzie” she laughed, winking at Lizzie.
Lizzie looked at herself in the mirror, pulling out some powder and dabbing it across her nose.
“He said something like, we’ve had enough death let’s have some life” She remarked, placing a cigarette between her lips.
It was sweet for Tommy, about as sweet as he would get. Therefore, Lizzie seemed glad.
The door swung open again, this time Ada marching in and calling out
“Pol? This fight is fixed isn’t’ it? Poor gypsy boy is getting battered out there” She sighed, putting her handbag on the sink and hopping up on the counter, directly opposite Ailbhe.
“You said you had some news?” She asked, looking between her aunt and two friends.
“Lizzie has some news!” Polly remarked, smiling at Lizzie in the mirror.
“Polly!” Lizzie snapped, turning around. She clearly had wanted to keep it a secret a little while longer.
Polly rolled her eyes, smiling and pulling out a cigarette.
“Well, go on. Tell her while the men are still screaming for blood” She laughed, turning to face them and passing a bottle of gin to Ada who took a swig
“I’m up the duff” Lizzie sighed, turning to face them “And it’s Tommy’s.”
Ada’s wide eyes looked at Ailbhe, who clearly was not surprised by the news, having known for a while now.
“How far gone are you?” Ada asked, passing the gin to Polly.
Lizzie sighed, replying “If I were going to London I’d be in Coventry.”
Ada was still in shock, eyes wide and confused.
“And are you carrying on past Coventry?” She asked, knowing that there were things women could do, things you could pay to have done to you.
Ailbhe knew that Ada had considered it when it seemed like Freddie wasn’t coming back and Karl was on the way.
“All the way to fucking Picadilly Circus” Lizzie replied, nudging Ailbhe playfully who smiled at her.
She was happy for Lizzie.
Polly was watching Ailbhe in the mirror, staring at her until Ailbhe looked back at her.
“What?” she asked, curious as to what was making Polly stare so much.
Polly narrowed her eyes. There was a look in her eye, like she could read Ailbhe’s mind and root through her brain.
“Ailbhe has news too, don’t you sweetheart?” She asked, a smile on her lips and a glint in her eye.
Ailbhe furrowed her eyebrows, looking between Ada and Lizzie who were just as clueless as she was.
“What are you talking about Pol?” she asked, an unsure laugh leaving her lips.
“Where did you spend your night?” She laughed, pointing a finger at Ailbhe whose eyes almost popped out on stalks.
“What?” she lied, acting as if she had no idea what Polly was talking about. How had she known, Ailbhe wondered?
Lizzie and Ada started laughing, knowing what Polly was insinuating.
“I thought our Finn has had a spring in his step all day, no fucking wonder!” Lizzie laughed.
"I'm just glad it was in a bed, that it was somewhere proper and not some fucking back alley or under a bridge like Freddie and Ada used to" Polly remarked, laughing and getting a swat on the arm from Ada.
"It was romantic Pol" Ada tried to defend them, how Freddie and her used to sneak around in the dark, sneaking kisses and other activities in wherever and whenever they could.
Ailbhe rolled her eyes, desperate to change the topic of her night with Finn to anything else. She cast her eyes down over Lizzie’s shape under her dress and put her hand out, feeling the bump under her dress that was only visible at certain angles.
“You’re starting to show Lizzie” she admired, making Lizzie turn and view herself from the side. Ailbhe was right, it was only a little bump but it was definitely there. Lizzie’s hand ran over it, resting on top of Ailbhe’s.
“Have you found out whether she’s having a boy or a girl Pol?” Ada asked, tugging off her gloves and hopping off her seat.
“Go on then!” Ada excitedly said after Polly said no.
They laughed as Polly stood in front of Lizzie, a bottle of gin in one hand and Lizzie’s breast in her other.
“Fuck sake, it’s just like being back as a working girl” Lizzie laughed, rolling her eyes.
“It’s a girl!” Polly announced, the excitement in Lizzie’s face clear as day.
Since John’s kids were gone with Esme there were only Shelby boys around as the kids. It would be nice to have a little girl around.
“Call her Ruby, Ruby Shelby” Lizzie told her, a genuine smile on her lips “She’ll be a star in a Hollywood movie”.
Ailbhe felt so excited that they would have another baby in the family. She reached out and pulled Lizzie into a tight hug, whispering congratulations.
Ada came over and did the same, happy for Lizzie. The door slammed again as Lizzie and Ada pulled away from each other.
“Hello Linda!” Polly exclaimed “Welcome to the Extraordinary General meeting of the Shelby Ladie’s club.”
Linda barely turned around to look at them, the four women standing beside each other with their arms around each other.
“Is there spit on my back?” Linda asked, turning to try see “There are men out there spitting, it’s fucking disgusting!”
Ailbhe rolled her eyes, not caring if Linda saw her in the mirrors. Ailbhe and Linda had never seen eye to eye and she didn’t care for her. She tried not to argue with her for Arthur and Billy’s sake but she found her tiresome and the little shots she took at Ailbhe because she was so at ease to deal with illegitimate business made her lose her temper more often than she would care to admit.
“No Linda, there’s no spit on your back” Polly reassured her, being kinder to her than Ailbhe thought she deserved.
Ailbhe saw the little blue bottle in Linda’s hands and how Polly told her not to let the presence of them stop her. Linda snapped back about how it helped her cope, made her life easier.
“Well since you’re here, and you’re almost family. Lizzie’s got some news” Polly told her, passing Linda a note rolled up.
“I’m pregnant” Lizzie told her, tapping off some ash in the tray in Ailbhe’s lap.
“Oh?” Linda wondered, turning around and taking a dig at Lizzie “And who’s the father? Have you managed to narrow it down?”
Ailbhe went to stand up for Lizzie, to hop to her feet and take a dig right back at Linda but Lizzie put her hand out and stopped her, knowing Ailbhe’s temper was not what they needed.
“Yes, it’s Tommy” Lizzie retorted, keeping her tone steady as Linda bent down to snort up her snow.
“Congratulations” She almost laughed “You’ve won the raffle at last”.
Her tone made Ailbhe’s blood boil. Ailbhe knew she was family and she had to love her but Jesus Christ she made it hard sometimes.
“Yeah, she’s a real Shelby lady now Linda” Polly remarked, wiping the white remnants of Linda’s play in the snow from the nose “Just like you!”
Polly turned back to them, ignoring how Linda took another big swig from the bottle.
“Alright ladies let’s go re-join our gentlemen. And just remember Linda, if they spit, just spit back!”
Ailbhe laughed with Ada, glad that Polly reminded them that Shelby Company Ltd believed in equal treatment of the sexes, whether that meant in terms of pay or physical violence.