The Girl and The Gangster

Summary: After being turned down from every secretarial role in Birmingham, Alice becomes desperate. Unable to provide for her sick mother, herself and more importantly, her young child, she takes a chance on joining the Shelby Company ltd. But when she runs into a familiar face, her whole world comes crumbling down around her.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

In an attempt to win over the Upper West Side, Alice set up a luncheon at the Park Central Hotel. She wore the fanciest drop waist dress she had and paired it with a double-breasted blazer that clung to her for dear life. She had to impress these women if she wanted to be a success in the city; she wanted to make a name for herself, step out from behind Michael and stop living in his world of secret dealings and war. She craved the parties and adult conversation that wasn't about business or her emotions. She wanted gossip and a bit of excitement in her life.

Her driver left her at the front of the hotel and as she stepped into the lounge of the restaurant, she could feel her stomach churn. Her nerves were starting to become a problem, but she was learning how to deal with them; a few deep breaths until the butterflies died usually did the trick. Her guests had already arrived and were staring at her from the table; these women were opulent, decked out in jewels and furs but Alice wasn't intimidated, she had done her research on these women. Mildred Hughes was a banker's wife, she wasn't as rich or successful as the other two ladies, but her maiden name was Coolidge and that carried weight; her second cousin was the President, so she had a free ticket into high society. The woman sitting beside her was Eleanor Darling, the youngest of the group and daughter to the owner of the New York Yankees; recently married to a stockbroker and currently expecting her first child. If Alice was going to have to make bonds, Eleanor would be the one to befriend first, they had plenty in common. But the lady that made the final decision was going to be a tough cookie to crack; Brooke Astor was young, beautiful and came from one of the richest families in America. She didn't need a husband to break into high society, her name alone granted her access. Her grandmother was known as the gatekeeper of high society and now that title had been passed to her.

Brooke motioned for Alice to have a seat after she had a good look at her and crossed one leg over the other, she took a drag from her cigarette and dumped the ash into a tray. She had received an invitation to Alice's gala weeks ago, but before she could accept, she had to know if Alice was worthy to sit amongst New York's finest. Although, she believed to have already had the answer. "Thank you for inviting us here, Alice Gray. I hope you don't mind but I placed an order for the table; I do assume that you will be paying for this excursion as the host."

The way Brooke was looking shook her to her core, it was full of opinion and suspicion, but Alice didn't let her anxiety show. "Of course, I wouldn't expect any of you to foot the bill when I was the one that called you here."

A spread of crackers and caviar was set in the middle of the table and like moths to a flame, the three socialites flocked to it with delight.

"Have you ever tried caviar, Alice?" Mildred assumed that someone of her class had never tried something as luxurious as this.

"I have, once or twice." Alice put a small amount on her cracker and took a bite as the other women watched. "Does that surprise you?"

"Slightly."

"I believe your husband is a businessman, what kind of business does he conduct?" Brooke eased back into her chair slowly and raised her cigarette to her lips.

"He makes investments; from automobiles to casinos, he also makes investments in the stock market."

"Perhaps my husband knows him," Eleanor said as she ran her fingers over the row of pearls that adorned her neck, "I will have to inquire."

"Your husband has been quite successful thus far, unlike Eleanor, I've already made inquiries and I have to tell you that some of the things I've heard have been quite… worrisome."

"Worrisome? Shelby Company Ltd is becoming one of the most successful companies in the East Coast, I see the books and I know the profits. But do tell me what troubles you." Alice shifted in her seat; her hands clasped on her lap tightly. The butterflies were resurrected.

"It's not the company that troubles me, Alice, I am partial to a trip to the casinos every now and again but what makes me uneasy is your blood."

"My blood?"

"My friends and I each come from a distinguished bloodline, pure bred and our names carry weight and will for years to come. Yours on the other hand my dear, grew up in the mud and those caravans. Your gypsy blood is what makes me shudder and the gang your husband was involved in back in Birmingham, that sends a cold shiver down my spine. You can put on the fanciest clothes and wear the finest jewellery, but it doesn't hide what you truly are."

Alice smiled to herself and dropped her head. "I knew that out of all the ladies here that you were going to be the one that had a problem with my heritage, after all, your grandmother was all about old money roots and names that carried weight. My roots are in Ireland, like some of your ancestors," she glanced at the other two ladies as they turned their gaze away from her, "and back in England my husband's family carries weight, they're like the royalty of Birmingham."

"I appreciate that, I really do, but some of the stories that have been passed onto me from a dear friend about what your husband's family got up to, to make their money bothers me. Cutting and shooting people… I'm sorry but being the wife of a gangster does not make you eligible for high society." Brooke got onto her feet, as did Mildred and Eleanor. "I don't see my mind changing and I wish you the best of luck with your soiree."

Alice watched her opportunity walk out of the lounge, she didn't know what these women had been told or who passed on information, but she was seething, and she wanted answers.

She smoked a cigarette as she waited for her driver to come around. From the corner of her eye, she could see a man staring over at her, trying to catch her attention. After a few moments he approached her with his camera and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Miss, I don't mean to bother you, but I work for a magazine and I was wondering if I could take your picture?"

"A magazine? Which magazine and why me?" she dropped her cigarette onto the pavement and put it out with the heel of her shoe.

"I'm a photographer for Harper's Bazaar, we're doing a shoot of street fashion and that outfit you're wearing, I think is very chic."

She had a subscription to Harper's Bazaar and for months she had been looking at the faces of the most powerful socialites in their expensive dresses, adorning the pages and the covers. If she were in a magazine, it could provide her with a couple of opportunities, perhaps even usher her into high society, that was if she even wanted to be associated with those people anymore.

"Very well, how would you like me to stand?"

The photographer looked at the Bentley that pulled up beside her, raising a brow. "Is this your car?"

She glanced over her shoulder. "It is, yes."

"Perhaps if you rested yourself upon it, your hands on your hips," as Alice complied with his instructions, he raised his camera and captured a few snapshots of her, "that's perfect."

She placed her hand on her hat and stared into the lens of the camera, she felt powerful and confident; she could already see the donations and the RSVP's rolling in. "When should I expect to be in the magazine?"

"Next month, Miss…"

"Mrs Alice Gray." She replied, watching him jot down her name.

"It was a pleasure, thank you."

"No, thank you." With a smirk, she climbed into the back of the car and watched the photographer walk down the street through the window. She sank into the chair feeling victorious, luck was on her side for a change and the thrill of having her picture taken gave her a high. She could get used to this lifestyle.

"It's done, Mr Gray."

"Good job, will she be on the cover?" Michael moved the phone to his other ear and sat behind his desk as he scribbled his signature onto a few documents.

"She'll be in the magazine, but not the cover."

"If you can convince your boss to put her on the cover, I will give each of you two thousand dollars. The next time one of my wife's magazines come through our door, I want to look down and see her face."

He paused for a second. "I'll try my best, Mr Gray."

"You call me back when your boss says yes, and I will send you your money. Good day, Mr Wilkinson." He hung up the phone and looked towards the door as Alice burst through. "How did your lunch go?"

"Horrible, someone told them about your family, someone that knows very well what the Peaky Blinders do." She stepped around the desk and sat on the edge, glancing down at his documents. "I don't know who it was or what they told them, but they knew I came from gypsies, they know that you cut people and they know about all the illegal activity."

"Do you think it was someone from in this company?" he stared at the door as he tried to think about who knew what about them.

"No, they don't know enough. It's someone from home, I just don't know who." She put her hand to his chin and forced his eyes onto her. "But none of that matters anymore because something amazing has happened. A photographer from a magazine stopped me and took my picture." She grinned down at him, her teeth biting her lower lip as she tried to keep her excitement in. "I'm going to be in the same magazine as starlets and socialites, Michael."

"A magazine? Really." He pulled her onto his lap, one hand rested on her thigh and the other pointing down at the documents on his table. "Not only will you be in a magazine, but the both of us are about to be on the front page of the New York Times."

"The New York Times? Why?" she looked down at the documents, her eyes skimming the words quickly.

"I've been in contact with the Mayor of New York himself to provide state of the art armoured cars to all state officials."

"How did you manage to convince the Mayor that he needed twenty of our cars?"

"The Flatheads sent a letter of concern to the New York State senate, threatened to use their newly acquired machine guns and the Mayor listened and came to Shelby Company Ltd."

"So, that's what you and Paul have been planning since we got here?"

"It is, and nothing will come back to us because Paul Jarowski is in a prison in Pennsylvania awaiting the electric chair, or so they think."

"And our deal is getting us into the newspaper?"

"No, the party we've been invited to is getting us into the paper. I'm going to be shaking hands of New York politicians and you will be by my side in every picture because I'm going to tell them that they should put our deal in the press to deter the Flatheads."

She leaned into him and kissed him longingly as he held her tighter. "How much are the state paying you?"

"A hundred thousand."

She let out a laugh and caressed his cheek lovingly. "You're too smart for your own good."

"That house in the Hamptons is looking more and more likely. A summer in the sun with a clear mind, the kids swimming in their own pool and a chance for us to have a bit of quiet."

She got off his lap and strolled towards the door, glancing at him from over her shoulder. "I'll keep my promise."

Michael got out of his chair and placed his hands in his pockets. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I've some files that need sorted and some letters to send."

He stepped around the table and poured a drink for the both of them. "They can wait, lock that door and get back over here to celebrate our soon to be success."

This party was like nothing they had ever been to before, because they were in a room full of politicians and government officials, there was no alcohol to be seen, even though Michael knew that at home, these people drank more than anyone else; after all he was supplying most of them with their gin. He barely knew a soul, just names with no faces but he was going to take this opportunity to shake a few hands and strike up a few deals. He placed his hand over Alice's once she looped her arm with his and strolled towards the Mayor and the group of people he was chatting with.

"Alice, this is Jimmy Walker, the Mayor of New York." He watched as Alice shook hands with the Mayor. "Mr Walker, this is my lovely wife, Alice."

"Your husband has told me plenty about you, Alice. I hope you don't mind but he has extended an invitation to myself and my wife for your upcoming event."

"I don't mind at all; it would be an honour to have you there."

"What is it that you're raising money for?"

"I'm setting up a safe place for men and women to seek rehabilitation after bouts of addiction, alcoholism and poor mental health. I've had my own problems and I'm currently still working through them, but with the support of Michael, instead of going into an asylum, I'm talking about my problems with someone who understands human psychology, someone who can actually help me. I think that it'll work better in the long run instead of shock therapy and being isolated from my family." She could feel Michael squeeze her hand, when she glanced up at his face, she could see that he was worried that she had said too much.

The Mayor nodded at her, unsure of what to say; he didn't want to offend her or her husband and ruin his deal with Shelby Company Ltd. He looked at Michael, he was staring back at him with his jaw clenched. "Well, you can count on my support, and I'll be making a sizeable donation."

"I would greatly appreciate that, Mr Walker."

"Mr Walker isn't like most politician's, Alice, he's a very understanding man; that's why it came as a shock to me when I learned of the threats against you and your office." Michael tried to divert the conversation onto business before things turned sour. "I have the cars awaiting your approval in our warehouse."

"It came as a surprise to me too but I'm glad that with a little backing from the right people, the problem can be snubbed out before it becomes a catastrophe."

"Perhaps we should get a picture, to commemorate this deal before we slip off and finalise contracts." Michael waved over one of the reporters and moved himself and his wife into position. "I'm sure even the Flatheads read the newspapers."

They posed for the pictures and answered a few questions before Michael slipped into one of the board rooms with the Mayor, leaving Alice alone to mingle with the big wigs. She chatted with a couple of officials and ex-military personnel to drum up some support for her vision before her night was ruined by the appearance of a familiar face. The way Nora sauntered over to her made her blood run cold, if she had a drink, she would've thrown it over her. Neither one of them had saw each other since the night Nora tried to steal Michael from Alice and they had a few choice words for each other.

"How did you manage to get yourself into a respectful and dignified party like this, dear sister?" Nora repositioned her fur shawl over her shoulders and eyed Alice up and down, judging her fiercely.

"I could ask the same of you, last I remembered, you were a sad, lonely woman with a drinking problem and here you are at a dry party in prohibition America. And not a glass or two of sherry in sight." Alice glanced around the room with raised brows. "Whose husband are you going to try to steal tonight?"

"You haven't heard the news? I'm recently married." She presented the diamonds that adorned her finger with a smirk.

"Let me guess, he's old and rich and will probably die soon."

"You're very funny, Alice but wrong. I remarried for love." She looked around Alice and grinned as she spotted her husband approaching them. "This is my husband, Albert Rosendale, he's a very distinguished artist." When her husband joined her side, she placed an arm around him and placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Who is this, Nora? One of the girls from your club?"

Alice knew in that moment who it was that had supplied Brooke Astor with information about her and it made her want to make it into high society even more. "I'm surprised that Nora has never mentioned me, I'm Alice Gray, Nora's sister."

Nora rolled her eyes as Albert shook hands with Alice and let out a sigh. "Half-sister, but nevertheless…"

"We haven't saw each other in over a year and we departed on bad terms but seeing my sister tonight has made me want to rekindle our relationship." She looked up at Albert's confused face as his eyes darted between the feuding siblings.

Nora scoffed at Alice and turned to her husband, her hands clinging to him for dear life. "Perhaps we should get the car pulled around?"

"We've only got here Nora, and I would like to speak with your sister, find out a little more about you." He was confused as to why Nora was hesitant to speak to her sibling. "Nora's been such a closed book since we met. She's like a mystery to me."

"Oh, I could definitely fill you in if you ever needed some information, I have plenty of stories to share." She laughed along with Albert as she watched Nora squirm. "But we'll save that for another time. I see my husband has finished his business with the Mayor and I'm afraid that we'll be leaving, but it was a pleasure meeting you, Albert." She shook his hand once more and shared a cold look with her sister. "I'll be seeing you around, I'm sure."

"Maybe at your party, if anyone else notable appears."

"I didn't see your name on my list of invites, must've been a mistake on your part. Enjoy your night." Alice returned to Michael's side a grin appearing on his face when he laid eyes on her.

"The deal is official, and Mr Walker is on his way to announce it to the press." He tilted her head towards him and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Things are starting to work themselves out."

"I'm happy that your plan is working, and now that the Mayor is announcing it, it will drum up more business for you."

"Hopefully. Who were you speaking with? I was going to come over, but I didn't want to interrupt in case you were talking about your project."

"It was Nora and her new husband," Michael shot a glare towards the couple, he was ready to go over and embarrass her, but Alice placed a hand on his chest, "don't, not here. I know that she was the one that tried to ruin my chances of getting into the Upper West Side." Alice took one last glance at Nora before ushering Michael towards the exit. "She's played her hand and seeing the look on her face when her plan backfires will be enough revenge for me."

A:N Nora's back and she's not pleased to see Alice in the city; do you think the two sisters will rekindle? What has Nora got planned for Alice? Are you glad to see Nora back? Thank you for reading and for the continued support. I'll hopefully have the next chapter up at the weekend, hope you enjoyed!