A/N: I know, I know.. Another story! I'm terrible for having several on the go at the same time! For anyone who has enjoyed Dear Thomas I want to make you aware that I am currently re-writing most of it, becauslet'sts be honest it doesnt make any sense! But for now, please enjoy this :) - S
The band seemed to get louder and louder as she spun around and around, her red sequined dress floated around her as she throws her head back and laughs. Her laughter interrupts her rhythm and she finds herself putting down her left foot to steady herself before she falls. The sudden jolt of movement forces her into her partner's chest with a slap. "Sorry!" The brunette giggles, the man in front of her cradles her to his chest and begins to move his hand lower. "Oi!" She pushes him away, raising her eyebrow she shakes her index finger at him in warning. "Hands to yourself now." The man nods in response but she sees the glint of ignorance in his eyes, he wasn't listening to a word she said.
"Irene!" A stern voice calls from behind her. Groaning the petite brunette rolls her eyes.
"Bye." Irene sighs as she turns on her heels to head towards the voice, slowly she pushes through the crowd. It was busy in here, it was a celebration of some kind. Irene wasn't sure who's celebration it was but she didn't care for the details. "What do you want Freddie?" Irene folds an arm across her chest as she takes a sip of his whisky.
"We're leaving." Irene has to fight the urge to roll her eyes at her brother, she had left him only thirty minutes ago with a smile on his face.
"No."
"The Shelby's are coming." Ah, so it was the Shelby family that had her brother so riled up.
"And?" Irene demands as she lights a cigarette. "Not my problem." She shrugs her shoulders and blows smoke towards him. Freddie shakes his head and reaches out to his sister grabbing her bare arm her pulls her towards him.
"We are leaving Irene," Freddie warns, his face inches from hers. Irene scowls at her brother, how dar he make a scene like this. She was a grown woman for fuck sakes.
"No." Irene spits, trying to break free from his hold but its no use he is stronger than she is, Irene grits her teeth and pulls with all her might but its no use. Suddenly the room around them falls silent and the only noise is of there struggle.
"Leave her be." Freddie doe not loosen his grip as he turns his head towards the voice, Irene follows his gaze and see's Arthur Shelby glaring at him.
"Fuck off." Freddie laughs. "Come on." Freddie pulls her forwards now and she lets him, it wasn't worth the argument.
"Are you laughing at my brother?" Irene groans at the second voice, this was not what she needed, all she wanted was to have a dance on a Friday night.
"Oh fuck off, all of you!" Irene yells, pulling her arm down and away from her brother who has loosened his grip to square up to the youngest Shelby brother. "Piss off home Freddie, I'm staying." Irene lights another cigarette and takes a deep breath, suddenly aware of all the people staring at her. "What the fuck are you all looking at? Is this a party or not?" She raises her hands towards the band who nod in response and begin to play again. Moving away from commotion behind her Irene makes her way towards the bar and orders two whiskeys. Irene quickly downs the first one and allows herself time to sip on the second as she scans the room. Her heart still beating wildly in her chest. It wasn't that she was afraid of the Shelby family, she had practically lived with them after her Mother had passed away but for her to stand up to them and her brother at the same time was a death wish nowadays. Shaking her head Irene plasters a smile on her face as she shots the rest of the whiskey and heads towards the dance floor.
Not many people could keep up with her when the dance changed to the Charleston but she doesn't care, she loves it. Once the music changes she feels a hand on hers pulling her into them, Irene begins to dance with her partner, she didn't recognise the man she was dancing with but she didn't care, it was only a dance. "May I cut in?" A familiar voice interrupts them and Irene has to fight the groan forming in her small mouth. The man she had been dancing with scarpers quickly without a second for deliberation.
"What if I didn't want to dance with you?" Irene smirks as she rocks with him, she can almost hear the smile on his lips as he spins her.
"You can stop if you like." The smirk on his face tells her he knows she won't.
"Refuse a dance from the great Thomas Shelby?" Irene mocs him as she rolls her eyes. "That sounds like trouble."
"More trouble than dancing with him?" Irene laughs at Tommy now, this was always how it was with them. Freddie would leave and they would dance just like they had done before the war. There talking was clearly done when the brunette did not respond and the pair danced until people started to ask questions, why was Tommy Shelby dancing with Irene Thorne?
"I should go." Irene sighs, slowing her pace. Tommy nods, neither of them wanting to pull away.
"Walk you home?" Tommy purses his lips as he waits for her response. Irene sighs as she pulls on her coat.
"We spoke about this." Tommy nods at her response and follows her out the door. "What did I just say?" Irene snaps as she makes her way down the cobbled street.
"I heard you," Tommy whispers.
"Clearly not, I don't want you to walk me home." Irene snaps and picks up her pace, pulling her coat further around her petite frame. Tommy watches as she walks away from him, he lights a cigarette and places it between his lips.
He could never understand what she wanted from him, one minute she wanted him close to her, to dance with him and the next she didn't want to be seen with him and she would throw obscenities at him. Tommy watches her until she puts her key in her front door, Irene looks toward him for the last time and raises her middle finger. "Go away, Tommy!" She laughs before stepping into her home. Tommy can't help but laugh at the young woman, every Friday night for the last two months it had ended like this. Him watching her and her telling him to leave. Tommy throws his cigarette to the floor and shakes his head, that women drove him crazy but he couldn't help but look forward to the following Friday.