Chapter ten: There goes a tenner


Kate groans as she swallows down her ginger tea. Her head is splitting and she's slightly nauseous from downing a quarter of bottle of whiskey. Ugh! Why did she drink that much? She can't remember much of anything to be honest. The last thing she remembers is Thomas turning on the lights and scaring her to death. Did they argue? She can't remember anything after that and she hopes they didn't have another huge fight.

A banging at the door causes Kate to wince. She leaves the kitchen and heads to the front door. She recognizes the man as one of the two she'd purchased the chairs and tables from. Someone, had let them in to set up, so, they were probably here for the money. Kate turns to go behind the bar and pull out the envelope of money she'd left there last night.

Kate hurries towards the door, unlocks it and hands the man his money. "I am so sorry. I wasn't feeling well last night."

The man shrugs it off. "It's alright; Mr. Shelby said you were sick."

"Mr. Shelby?" she blinks. "Mr. Thomas Shelby was here?"

"Yes ma'am."

Kate frowns. "Why?"

He shrugs. "No idea. He stayed until we unloaded the furniture and then locked up afterwards."

Kate frowns. "I see. Thank you."

The man nods and heads out of the building. Kate groans as she grabs her purse from the table by her tea. She can't understand him; one moment they're fighting, the next he's directing her deliveries from him.

Kate steps out and locks the door behind her. After adjusting her large, feather, mint colored hat, she grips her purse tightly as she walks into the Garrison Pub. Harry's eyes widen and he shakes his head. "No. Mr. Shelby said he didn't want to see you for a week."

"Well, is he here?" he shakes his head. "I just need to call a cab, and then I'll be out of here."

Harry nods. "Alright, make it quick."

Kate smiles at him as she hurries into the office. The operator quickly connected her to the taxi service. "Hello. I'm at the corner of Garrison Lane and Witton Street. I need a taxi to take me to the Cheltenham Racetrack."

"What," Kate spins around to see Thomas Shelby standing behind her, with a glower on his face. "are you doing going to the Cheltenham races?"

Kate somehow manages to hold his gaze. "I've been told that there's a waiter at the track, who wanted to be chef. So, I want to see if he'll come down here for an interview."

"And there's no one acceptable in Birmingham?"

"I'm not looking for acceptable." She states. "I'm looking for good."

"I doubt Kimber will like you poaching his staff."

"The staff member grew up here in Birmingham. I'm offering him an opportunity to be close to his family. The rent is high up there, so, should he work out with me, he can help his parents better and this is his chance to shine."

"You're just trying to make dreams come true all over the place, aren't you?" Kate just offers him a smile. He takes the phone from her and hangs it up. "I happen to be going there today myself. You can join Grace and I."

"No." she shakes her head. "You two are going out on a date. You do not need a chaperone."

"It's not a date." He turns to head out of the room. "I'm paying her."

"Paying her!" Thomas turns towards her. "Are your romancing skills that bad, you have to pay a girl to go out with you?" he arches his brow at her and Kate groans. "I'm sorry, that was rude of me. Here you are being kind to me and I'm teasing you. I'm sorry."

"You don't appear too hung over from last night." Kate groans as he grins. "A high society lady who can hold her whiskey."

"The war does things to people."

His studies her face carefully. "Can you remember anything last night?"

She blinks. "I drank and I really shouldn't do that. Why? Did I do something stupid?" Thomas studied her closely, making her swallow thickly and she felt the blood draining from her face. "God, I did something, didn't I?"

"No." she exhaled in relief. "I found you passed out on the floor in there. I took you upstairs."

"And, I'm assuming you brought the chairs and tables in for me?" he nodded. "Thank you, very much."

He shrugs and extends his hand towards her. "Shall we be off to the races?"

Kate nods and takes his hand. "Of course, Mr. Shelby."


There was something about this girl that was just off. From the moment she got out of the car, all eyes seemed to follow her. Thomas had given Grace Instructions on how to get past security. Kate, the man had just looked at her and allowed her in without a word. When they stopped him and Grace, but she spoke. "They're with me." security allowed them in without a word.

Upon entering the dance area, Kate had moved directly towards the bar. Her pale, mint green was a stark contrast to all the vibrant colors around them. Thomas was now dancing with Grace, they were both having a good time, but he kept getting drawn back to Kate at the bar.

"Who is Kate?" Grace asks. "I never got a last name off her."

"Me neither."

She frowns slightly. "Aren't you concerned?"

"No."

"Why not?" Grace inquires. "What if she's working for someone?"

"She's not." He glances around the room. "She spends too much time trying to avoid me." he turns Grace and spots Kate turning down a young man to dance with. As he pulls Grace back towards him, her eyes go towards her as well. "Trust me, that girl wants nothing more than to be left alone."

Grace doesn't comment on the subject anymore. Thomas smiles at Grace and continues to dance with her. he needs to focus on her and the task at hand. Not the girl in green all by herself at the bar.


Kate smiles and shakes Christopher's hand. "Right. So, I'll see you tomorrow?"

He nods. "Yes ma'am. And thank you again for this opportunity."

"You're welcome. I'm really hoping this works out." Kate pays for her drink, picks up her purse and hops off the barstool…right onto Thomas Shelby's foot! Kate gasps and lifts her foot up. "Geez, you move quietly!"

"Let's have a drink."

Kate shakes her head. "No, I had lemonade. I'm not having anything stronger."

"Well, I'll have one." Kate frowns slightly as he nods at the bartender. "Whiskey." He clears his throat before asking. "So, how'd it go?"

"It went well. He accepted my offer. He'll be coming down tomorrow for a tryout."

"Good."

Kate leans against the counter, studying him. He was sending off weird vibes. "What's up? Grace having a good time?"

"We're gonna go for dinner at Kimber's house." he keeps his eyes forward, not looking at her. "He has a place a couple of miles away."

"And, I've been invited?" she chuckles. "That man doesn't know when to give up."

"I need you to do me a favor."

Kate nods hesitantly. "I'll consider it. What do you need?"

"You'll accompany him back to his place."

"Who? Kimber?" he nods. "No way." She glowers at him. "I'm not part of this."

He bites out. "He wants you."

"For what?" he didn't say anything and she immediately knows what that means. "Hell, no."

"Kate-

"Inform him that Grace is wearing a red dress for a reason. What does he think I am? A whore?"

"Everyone's a whore, Kate. We just sell different parts of ourselves. It's just two hours." Kate lets out a squeak, outraged that he's actually still trying to push this idea. Grace approaches her expression neutral and sympathetic. "He thinks he's a ladies' man, he thinks he can seduce you."

"Why is he even interested in me? I slapped him in front of his men!" she tilted her head slightly. "Do men consider that a turn on?"

"Some men, like Kimber, yes." He clears his throat. "Whenever you want, you can kick him in the balls."

Kate shoots him a look. "Well, that'll be fun, won't it?" she says sarcastically. "No. I'm not in this little game of yours."

"We'll have to come up with an alternative." Grace pats her arm. "Tommy, she's not cut out for this."

"Tell him I'm in mourning."

"You're not wearing black Kate." He points out. "I wouldn't ask you to do this if I had no other alternative. If you don't help Kate, the deal is off. 30 men will be out of a job." She groans. Damn it, harry was right. This man did know how to do a deal with the devil. Kate bites her lip, vexed that she was actually considering this. "It's only two hours."

"Damn you" she hoarsely squeaks out. "damn you and your ambition."

"I'll make it worth your time." He says.

"Don't you dare offer me money." She glowers at him. "I'm not a whore. You don't pay me."

"Will you do it?"

Kate nods. "Yes, I will. But you better tell him I'm in mourning for a dead fiancée."

"Agreed, however," Thomas downs his drink and heads back towards Kimber. "I don't think it'll do much good."

Kate doesn't even bother to inform Thomas that she is carrying two guns on her. One in her purse and the other is strapped to her leg. Should Kimber try anything, she was going to shoot his kneecap out. But then, could she do it without jeopardizing Thomas's plan? Kate straightened up and followed Thomas with Grace behind her. She wasn't going to sacrifice her virtue for jobs for 30 men. As soon as she saw a way out of this situation, she was going to take it.


Idcam: It was fun to write, Kate, however, doesn't remember anything. So, Thomas is going to act as if nothing ever happened between them.