Firecracker- John Shelby

-seven-

Yet again my morning was interrupted by a Shelby. This time it seemed urgent. The banging on my door was loud and rapid. I grabbed my night gown and wrapped it around myself tightly before running downstairs and opening the door to Tommy.
"Have you only just woken up" he said disapprovingly
"yes as a matter of fact I have" I said annoyed
"You should be at the betting shop, big day today" he said
"Tommy why are you here" I asked
"Let me in" he said
I removed the latch of the door and opened it wide to let him in.
Once we sat down around the table he pulled something out of his pocket, a bullet.
I picked it up and looked at it. On it was the word Tommy engraved.
"The lees?" I asked
"Yes" he said
"What are you going to do" I asked
"That's what I came to ask you" he said
"I don't know..." I said

An hour later me and tommy where at the betting shop.
"Hello mr Shelby,how's it going"
"Hello frank hows the leg"
"Not bad"
"Good, nice to see you son"
"Morning Charlie"
"Alright scudboat, how are we looking"
"Looking good, Tommy"
"Grand stuff"
I blocked out the noise so I could take in my surroundings.
"Tommy! Shirley!" I heard as John ran at us.
"They're all here for Monaghan boy"
"That's what I like to hear, Johnny boy" Tommy said
"And aunt poll wants to see you" John added
"Just tommy?"I asked
"Think so" John said shrugging
I watched as they whispered then tommy stormed out the betting shop.
I wondered if it had to do with the guns at all.
"Any idea what thats about" John asked me
"None" I said honestly
"Coming the garrison later? " he asked
"I might" I said still staring at polly, loosing interest in the conversation.
My mind wanders to Monaghan boy. If he losses, Tommy will have made an enemy of billy kimber.The lee clan have already declared war against Tommy.Not to mention the new copper whos scheduled to meet me and Tommy tomorrow, which is making me uneasy. I wonder if Tommy has bitten off more than he can chew.
"Shirley!" John said
"What!" I said snapping out of it
He stared at me then chuckled
"What goes on in that mind of yours" he said shaking his head

Monaghan boy lost. As we all knew he would.
"Are you coming the garrison" John asked
"Not tonight" I said
"Got that meeting with Campbell tomorrow" he said
I nodded.
He clapped me hard on the back.
"Fucking blinders negotiating with coppers"he said laughing to himself
"I don't plan on being polite, I hear he didn't even fight for his country"I said
"Yea tommy said, be careful Shirley I don't trust him" he said
"What an observation John" I said pretending to be impressed
"Oh piss off then, only being nice" he said
"We just want him out of Birmingham as soon as possible, it's bad for business" I said
"You and tommy are exactly the same. Business this business that" he scoffed
"We're talking about business. You brought up business" I said
"Your right" he said thoughtfully
"I know I am"I said
"Do me a favour, stay at mine with the kids, I don't know what time I'll be back from the garrison"he asked
"No! I want a good nights sleep. In my bed" I said
"You can have a good nights sleep at mine. Please" he whined
"Don't wake me up when you get in John Shelby"I said sternly
"I won't. Promise" he said
"Okay" I said
"Your the best" he said
"I know" I said