Firecracker- John Shelby

-three-

"John wipe the blood out of his eye" Ada said
Polly was wrapping Arthur's broken finger while Ada was running around. Me and John sat in the doorway watching
"Since when do you give orders"John asked
"I'm a trained nurse"Ada said
"Don't make me laugh it hurts me face"Arthur said
"I bloody am" she said indignantly
"You went to one first aid class in the church hall and got thrown out for giggling" I said laughing at her
"Not before I learned how to stop somebody from choking" Ada said
"I'm not bloody choking am I" Arthur said annoyed
"You will be when I wrap this cloth round your neck"she said
Tommy walked in.
"Let me see him, alright have this" Tommy said handing Arthur whiskey
I leaned off the doorway and walked over.
"Give me that" I said grabbing the whiskey off Arthur and the cloth of Tommy. I poured the whiskey onto the cloth then pressed it onto the side of his head as he hissed with pain.
"Your all right" I said
"He said mr Churchill sent him to Birmingham. National interest he said.something about a robbery. Said he wants us to help him." Arthur said
"We don't help coppers" John said
"He knew all about our war records. Said we're patriots, like him. Wants us to be his eyes and ears. I said I'd we'd have a family meeting and take a vote" when no one answered him he looked around annoyed
"Well why not! We've got no truck with fenians or communists" he said while we all still remained silent. Me and Tommy held eye contact.
"Whats wrong with you" Arthur said looking between me and Tommy
"What the fuck is up with them lately" he directed at everyone
"if I knew I'd buy the cure from Comptons chemists" polly half joked
I'm guessing she had caught onto what had happened too.

Later that day we all went to garrison, but when we arrived there was a barmaid on the counter singing. I felt the heat radiate of Tommy and shared a nervous glance with John who returned the look.
Once she was finished singing Harry turned to Tommy and said
"We haven't had singing in here since the war"
"Why do you think that is Harry" Tommy said
We all walked into the back room that was reserved for the peaky blinders only. As everyone sat down I went to the window and asked Harry for a bottle of whiskey and 4 glasses.
"Thank you Harry"
I sat down at the table and handed everyone a glass.
"I think Ada's seeing someone" I said
"Why'd you think that"Tommy said sitting up
"She's just acting weird, sneaking around" I said
"you find out you tell us" John said pointing his glass at me
"Ok peaky boy" I said teasingly
"What about you then Shirley" Arthur asked
"What about me" I asked
"You seeing anyone"Arthur asked
I raised my eyebrow at him.
"Come on,promise we won't kill him" he said holding his hands up
"No arthur, I'm not seeing anyone"I said
"Not sure she even likes boys" John laughed
"What's that supposed to mean" I fired up
"Just never seen you with anyone"he said shrugging
"Why would I tell you about my love life" I spat
In all honestly, they where right. I hadn't been in any serious relationships. Mainly at my own fault.
"Come on now, Shirley doesn't have to tell us about every guy she fucks"Tommy chimed in
"Not much to tell" John said still laughing
"No no remember that one time I caught her with Robert O'neal" Arthur said chuckling pointing to John
"Ran out the house with his boxers still down" John said howling with laughter
"Bet you never heard from him again" Arthur said to me
I sat there biting my cheek
"Who was that other boy uh- what was it-Joseph peppin!" John said
"Oh I liked him" Arthur said thoughtfully
"Told him if he came near you again I'd re-arrange his reproductive system so no girl would go anywhere near him ever again"Tommy said half smiling
"I just thought he got sick of her" John said hitting his knee, ecstatic.
"Carry on...you all need a new set of teeth anyway" I said angrily
"Oooo" John said holding up his arms in defence
"Look we're only jokin" Arthur said
"Hm" I said looking at him
"Plus your older now, can't chase the boys away forever" Arthur said
"Speak for yourself" john said. I punched his arm hard
"Oi john boy, remember when you was little you told me you wanted to marry Shirley"Arthur said
John ears went red.
"Didn't know she'd end up so annoying did I" he said hiding his face
"Awhhh john. That's so sweet"I said fake pouting
"Alright, alright" Tommy said more firmly
"As long as Shirleys happy is all that matters"
"Damn right" Arthur growled

Do you like this so far? Feel like there's no tension but it's fine we're only 3 chapters in.