Chapter Two: Devil's Music
A/N: So I'm back with an update! I was really nervous about this chapter - you were all so kind about the first, so I really hope this lives up to your expectations. Michael and Jessica meet for the first time here :) As always, reviews are very much appreciated. I hope you're all enjoying Season 4 of the show so far.
The gramophone in the lounge room was perhaps Jessica's most prized possession. It had been a gift from her father for her sixteenth birthday and she had treasured it ever since. It was rare for Jeremiah to spend that sort of money, but it had been an indication of how seriously he took Jessica's love for music. She had been forever grateful that her father noticed these things.
With the reopening of the Garrison pub due to occur that night, Jessica had taken to playing some of her favourite jazz songs on the gramophone. Although she had no doubt that the neighbours would complain about her loudly playing the Devil's music, she found herself without a care in the world. Her dress was glittery and gold, complementing her caramel skin tone. She twirled around the lounge room in a state of giddy excitement. Perhaps she was overthinking things, but tonight just might be the beginning of an exciting new stage of her life.
Isaiah strode into the lounge room, fixing his suit jacket. Jessica's good mood must have been infectious, because he took her hand and spun her in circles, eliciting delighted laughter from his sister.
"Are you two almost ready?" Jeremiah strode in the lounge room, examining the twins with a slight smile. Jessica crossed over and fixed her father's tie, earning a peck on the cheek for her trouble. "Don't you both look grand."
"Of course we're ready." Jessica stopped the gramophone, took her coat from the rack and wrapped it tightly around herself, knowing that it would most likely be cold until they reached the Garrison. She linked her arm through her brother's as they stepped outside of their apartment. Jeremiah crunched the key around in the lock as Jessica attempted to contain her giddy excitement. She was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet, wondering what tonight had in store for her.
It was only a short stroll to the Garrison, but that night it felt as though it took an eternity. The bright lights and the upbeat music drew Jessica in as they turned the corner, and she gave Isaiah's hand a squeeze. Her twin tipped her a wink. She realised that she wasn't the only one who'd been greatly anticipating the Garrison's reopening, although she sensed Isaiah's reasoning had more to do with alcohol.
"Jessica!" A familiar woman's voice made her peer around the crowded space for the source, before a smile broke out across her face as she saw Ada Shelby – no, she insisted on being referred to as Ada Thorne – nudging her way toward her. Jessica slipped her arm out of Isaiah's and lunged forward to embrace Ada. She saw the only female Shelby sibling rarely, and so it was always a gift when Ada attended a social event. Jessica found that she had many similar morals and values to the older woman.
"Ada, oh, it's so lovely to see you." Jessica allowed herself to be led toward the bar, let Ada coax her into a drink. Although she was not usually one for copious amounts of alcohol, tonight was certainly meant to be a celebration. Isaiah had already slipped into a booth with Finn and there was no doubt in Jessica's mind that they'd be partaking in some kind of drug.
"How is dancing?" Ada inquired, taking a sip from her own drink. The question was asked with a true inquisitiveness, which Jessica always appreciated. Sometimes she felt that people only discussed it so there was something to say, but from Ada, it was genuine interest.
"It's going quite well. I should be doing some shows here soon."
"Tommy agreed to that?" Ada's eyebrows flew upwards, and Jessica couldn't help but feel sudden doubt. It was quite well known that Tommy disliked raucous music. Tonight was one matter, but regular shows was completely another. She foolishly remembered that she hadn't even sought his permission, just naively assumed that because Jeremiah had suggested it that it had become a hard fact.
"Well, no, not yet," Jessica admitted, tucking an errant dark curl behind her ear. "But I do mean to speak to him about it. Anyway, how is London?"
"Dreary as ever." Ada heaved a sigh. Jessica wondered if she ever missed her brothers. London wasn't overly far, yet it wasn't as close as residing in Birmingham. She hadn't ever thought about moving away from Jeremiah and Isaiah, although she supposed that it may one day happen.
Loud laughter caught Jessica's attention, and she was astonished to see that Polly was its source. She was flirting with a man far younger than her, and clearly already drunk. Jessica could not fault her – she'd heard that Polly had recently been searching for the two children that had been taken from her. She couldn't even begin to imagine that kind of pain. She hoped that perhaps Polly could see her as a daughter figure, as Jessica certainly perceived her as a surrogate mother.
As someone who did not regularly indulge in alcohol, Jessica was a little embarrassed that she felt slightly giddy after her first drink. She didn't experience the euphoria she saw from Isaiah when he was drunk – instead she was overcome by a sense of overwhelming tiredness and the need to sleep. She crossed the bar to Jeremiah, slipping her arm through his.
"Time to head home already?" he asked, his daughter's fervent nod making him cast around for his son. Jessica had no doubt that her brother believed the night was still young and she wouldn't force him to forgo a good time to accompany them home.
"He'll be fine, he can go home with Finn after."
"That he can." Jeremiah removed his coat and slipped it around his daughter's shoulders. With a few brief goodbyes, they made their way out of the bar. She always insisted that they didn't live far and she could walk from most of the places the Peaky Blinders frequented, yet after dark Jeremiah would hear of no such talk. Small Heath was dangerous at night for a woman alone, especially a woman of colour.
"Did you enjoy your night?" Jeremiah asked as they made their way home.
"I did." Jessica bobbed her head in a vigorous nod. Her early departure had little to do with her not enjoying herself and more to do with the exhaustion that had suddenly seeped into her. "The alcohol just makes me sleepy, that's all."
Glancing over her shoulder at the bar, Jessica couldn't help but smile at the music and laughter. Tonight was just opening night, but she hoped this was the way it would continue to be. They could all use some light in their lives. She couldn't wait to bring joy and wonder to others through her shows. However, there was that doubt still there that refused to budge, a doubt that Tommy Shelby would let the shows happen at all.
To Michael Gray, Small Heath was a bold new world. After spending most of his life in a quiet little country town, he had found himself growing restless. So when he'd learned about his mother and his family, he was drawn to the town like a moth to the flame. His foster mother had attempted to convince him to give it up, but Michael had snuck out and boarded a train to Birmingham without her knowledge. Once he was there and reunited with his family, it felt…right. As though this had been the missing puzzle piece and now it was all slotted together.
The Peaky Blinders and their associates accepted him without question. Michael quickly found a friend in Isaiah Jesus, who was the same age as him. In fact during Michael's first week in Small Heath, the boy offered to take him to the Garrison, a local pub that the Peaky Blinders owned. Although they were both underage, the bartender barely blinked when Isaiah ordered them both drinks and ushered Michael over to one of the tables.
"You're going to like this." There was a knowing glint in Isaiah's eyes. "First performance in this place. It was a wonder Tommy even allowed it, but Jessica can be very persuasive when she wants to be."
Michael was just about to ask who Jessica was, the lights in the bar dimmed and the band started to play. It was the sort of rowdy jazz music that would be highly frowned upon in the small town where Michael had once lived, and the way the lithe dancer moved to the music would have been considered by some to be scandalous.
Michael's gaze was drawn to the dancer. She was tall for a girl, almost his height. She was also gorgeous – dark hair, dark eyes and a slender figure. He didn't realise he was staring until he brought his glass to his lips and sloshed rum on his shirt. There was a mischievous gleam in Isaiah's eyes as he leaned across to the other boy.
"Think she's pretty?" he teased.
"She's stunning," Michael said without reservation.
Isaiah threw back his head and laughed. "That's Jessica. My sister."
Michael felt heat flare in his cheeks, but that didn't stop him from looking at Jessica. Even breathless she seemed to dazzle – once the music ended, her bright beam felt like it radiated throughout the entire bar. He didn't know if he had ever seen someone filled with such genuine joy. Jessica made a beeline for the pair of them. Isaiah got to his feet and pulled his sister into a tight hug, picking her up and spinning her around as she shrieked in protest.
"Isaiah!"
"You were brilliant, sis." Isaiah put her down on her feet, before stepping back and gesturing to his companion. "This is Michael Gray, Polly's son. He recently arrived in Birmingham."
"Michael." Jessica tucked a stray curl behind her ear, giving him another of those bright smiles of hers. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Jessica, Isaiah's twin. Although you likely already guessed as much."
"Let's get you some food." Isaiah linked his arm through his sister's, leading her toward one of the booths. Michael trailed after them and thought he may just have to get accustomed to this life. He had only been in Small Heath a short time and already he was heading out to the best bars and making new friends. He sank into a chair opposite the twins, Isaiah placing an order for some hot food.
"Isaiah's right, you're a spectacular dancer," Michael stated. He found himself determined to speak to Jessica, to have her attention on him. The girl's body was covered in a light sheen of sweat and her hair was beyond wild, yet there was something that drew him to her despite the fact that they'd only just met. Jessica looked shyly pleased at his comment, averting her eyes demurely.
"Thank you. It's very kind of you to say so."
"Have you been performing long?" Michael asked. He was aware of Isaiah glancing at him, eyebrows raised. It was clear that the other boy could tell Michael had some kind of interest in his sister, but he made no comment on the matter, allowing Jessica to speak for herself.
"Since I was fourteen." Jessica shook her head when Isaiah offered her his bottle of beer, wrinkling her nose. "No thank you, just water."
"Suit yourself." Isaiah poured out some water into a glass and slid it across to her. Jessica took a few deep gulps and drained the glass in mere moments, clearly still exhausted from her performance.
"What made you decide to come to Small Heath?" Jessica inquired, tilting her head to the side as she examined Michael curiously.
"I wanted to get to know my family." Michael took a swig of his own beer as the food arrived. Jessica hopped into it immediately, munching away happily.
"Polly suspected that her children were dead," she admitted when she put down her knife and fork. "I'm glad that she was wrong. I know how torn up she was about it."
"My sister is," Michael said quietly. He could barely remember Anna – they had only been small children when they'd been separated. Apparently she had died in Australia, half a world away. The soft remark earned a look of sympathy from Jessica, who reached across the table and touched his hand tentatively.
"Well, I'm glad you're here. For your sake and hers."
Isaiah nudged his sister in the ribs. She drew her hand back, nudging him back. They shared some sort of silent communication that Michael couldn't comprehend – it must be some sort of twin thing. After a moment, Jessica rolled her eyes and turned her attention back on her water.
"Do you work at Shelby Company Limited as well?" Michael asked, hopeful that he might see more of her in the future.
"This is my work." Jessica gestured around with a wide grin. "The Shelbys own this bar. I run the performances, of which tonight was the first of hopefully many."
"Did Tommy really condone it?" Isaiah questioned, eyebrows raising in disbelief.
"Well, no." Jessica's smile faded and her hands shifted to twist nervously at her gold dress, biting at her bottom lip. "I thought I might put one on anyway. I didn't see that it could do any harm. I mean, I spoke with Polly and she said there was no reason why I couldn't."
"Polly isn't Tommy, and Tommy hates music and dancing," Isaiah reminded his sister, causing Jessica to look even more concerned. It didn't overly surprise Michael – his cousin didn't seem the sort who was introduced in such frivolous activity. However, he didn't truly think Tommy would condemn Jessica for putting on the performance anyway. Everyone in the bar had thoroughly enjoyed it.
"Yes, Isaiah." Jessica's voice was terse as she pushed herself up out of her seat. The enthusiasm was gone, replaced by a deflated look. It seemed that Isaiah's words about Tommy's disdain had cut down the girl's confidence. "I'm headed home. Are you accompanying me or not? You know how Father feels about me walking alone."
"Of course." Isaiah got up as well, wordlessly handing his jacket to his sister before turning to look at Michael, who was watching the twins silently. Their interactions were intriguing to him – the way Isaiah offered his jacket without a moment's hesitation, his complete willingness to come home simply because Jessica wanted an escort. "The food's on the house, they know who we are. I'll see you soon."
Although Jessica was filled with a new energy after the performance, Isaiah's doubt infected her like a disease. He was right – speaking with Polly was one matter, but until she had confirmation from Tommy, she should not have done anything. She felt like a child who had done something wrong, nervous about the prospect of being scolded. Rather than wait to be reprimanded, Jessica chose to visit the Peaky Blinders the following day to sort the matter once and for all.
Despite her performances being at the forefront of her mind, she found herself unable to stop thinking about Michael Gray, the charming boy she had met the night before. Isaiah said he was a friend and teased Jessica incessantly about his interest. Although she strived to ignore him, Jessica could not help but wonder when she would see Michael again, and hoped that it would be soon. Biting back a silly little smile, Jessica entered Tommy's office with a sense of purpose.
"Jessica." Tommy looked up from his paperwork, seemingly unaffected by her arrival. "I'm guessing you want to talk about last night's performance at the Garrison."
Jessica's cheeks burned at realising that he already knew, and she struggled to ascertain what he might be thinking. Tommy was not an emotional man. He was very difficult to read, but she had the feeling he might be disappointed in her for doing it without his express permission. She clasped her hands together, ignoring the fact that her palms were clammy. She wanted to appear confident and assured, not as a skittish little girl who had made a mistake.
"Yes. Polly said that she didn't see why it should be a problem."
Tommy took a deep puff of his cigarette. "Polly isn't me."
"Then what do you think?" Jessica asked. She was a patient person by nature, but even she could find herself growing frustrated with Tommy's inability to approach the situation with an actual answer.
"No more performances at the Garrison." Tommy put out his cigarette, lifting his gaze so that his blue eyes bored right into her. "There are plenty of places in Small Heath for dancing and music, but this isn't one of them."
Jessica had been anticipating that sort of answer, but it didn't ease the feeling of overwhelming disappointment. She tried to keep a brave face, realising that she would have to go back to Castle Club after all. Her dreams and ambitions of moving upwards, of running her own shows instead of simply participating them, had been limited to one single night of dizzying euphoria. Now she was crashing back down to reality, and reality was not so kind.
"Is there no chance we could do it? Not even once a fortnight or once a month?"
Jessica knew the words were futile even as she spoke them. Tommy was not a man to change his mind on a whim, and especially not at the soft words of a teenage girl. He was a man hardened by war and a life in crime, a violent life. He was right. Music and dancing were not for the streets of the Peaky Blinders. Jessica might like to add a little joy into the lives of others, but perhaps not everyone wanted that joy.
Tommy Shelby certainly didn't.