Alice spent the remainder of the week sending invitations and pretending not to notice Tommy's eyes on her. Every time she felt his gaze, she attempted to hide a smile. Tommy, however, didn't care if she could sense his stare. He often walked out of his office to give something to Lizzy, only to watch as Alice worked. She hated to sit. She walked around her desk, leaning over it to write something, then pacing with the pencil end in her mouth as she looked at her plans.

Lizzy hated it. She complained to Tommy that Alice was a distraction to her work because of her constant movements and mumbling to herself. What Lizzy didn't tell Tommy, was that she saw every time he followed the arch of Alice's back as Alice leaned over her desk and every time Tommy's gaze traveled up Alice's legs as she paced. Tommy liked women; Lizzy knew that. But until Alice, she was the woman he most often came to to satisfy his needs. Now, Lizzy had to watch as he eyed this new woman, then watch as Alice tried to stifle her smile, all the while seeing Tommy's interest in her grow.

"All of the invitations were in the post by Wednesday." Alice told Tommy as they gathered their belongings to leave for the weekend.

"That was quick." Tommy said pleased.

"I wanted to make sure everyone had plenty of time to reply and make preparations." She said shrugging. "I think I will go Monday morning straight to the foundation to have a look at the ballroom… if thats alright?"

"Of course. I can drive you if-"

"No. There's no need for that. I don't know how long I will want to stay, and I heard Lizzy scheduling you a meeting before lunch. But don't worry, I will report back faithfully with all of my ideas." She said with a wink.

"I look forward to it."

They walked down the steps and out the factory building door.

"What are you doing tonight?" Tommy asked as Alice began to walk in the opposite direction.

"Um. Nothing, just read a book." She replied nonchalantly.

"My family is going to the Garrison for drinks. Come with us." Tommy offered.

"Oh, I don't know." Alice hesitated.

"You've sent off all the invitations in just two days and finished your first week, you deserve to celebrate." He urged as he put an arm between her shoulder blades and began leading her toward his car.

"One drink." She said laughing. "That's it. Just one."

"Fair enough." He replied pleased with himself.

"Oh fuck." Lizzy said as she eyed the door.

"What?" Polly asked as she looked toward the door. "is that her?"

"Yes." Lizzy replied with disgust. "Why did he bring her?"

Tommy and Alice walked to the back-corner table and as Alice began taking off her coat, Tommy said "Everyone. This is Alice. She is head of events for Shelby Company Limited."

Alice smiled nervously as all eyes were on her. He had a large family that all stared at her, but the remainder of the pub went silent as well as they examined the new girl that Tommy Shelby had walked in with.

Sensing her nerves as she looked around the pub, Tommy eyed the crowd and they all looked away quickly. Seeing them react as they did to Tommy's stern look caused Alice to question her being there. Well, I suppose he is as powerful as the rumors say. She thought to herself as she took a seat.

Tommy then went around the table introducing his family with the additions of a man named Johnny Dogs and Lizzy, who she obviously already knew.

"Alice." Aunt Polly said as she looked at her with pursed lips. "Tommy says you're half gypsy?"

"Yes. On my mother's side."

"And your father was a Jew?"

"Yes." Alice's answers were short but her tone friendly.

"And where do they live?" Polly pressed.

"My father died when I was twenty and my mother took off when I was nine."

"Took off?"

"Yes. With a painter."

"Well, some women wake up to find they live in a world they don't belong." Polly said as she brought her glass to her lips.

Alice paused and looked at Polly as Lizzy released a chuckle at Polly's words.

Tommy cleared his throat and eyed his aunt. "What would you like to drink?" he asked Alice.

"Lizzy was about to get rum for the table." Polly interjected and Lizzy looked at her confused. "Weren't you Lizzy?"

"Oh, um. Yes." She replied and got up to walk to the bar.

Lizzy returned with three bottles of white rum while the barman brought glasses for everyone. Alice picked up one of the bottles and examined it.

"Solomons?" She repeated as she read the label. "As in Alfie Solomons that we invited to the anniversary?"

"That's right." Tommy replied.

"You know him?" Polly asked.

"No, I've never heard of him. Well, not before Tommy gave me his name." Alice replied innocently.

"Never heard of Alfie Solomons?" Polly repeated with disbelief.

"Should I have?" Alice asked, annoyance beginning to seep into her at Polly's criticizing tone.

"Well he is a Jew."

"And because my father was a Jew, I am expected to know every Jew in England?" Alice retorted.

Polly paused and stared at Alice, her eyebrows up and her look imperious.

"Rum is a bit strong for tonight, isn't it Polly?" Ada asked looking at the bottles.

"No." Polly answered, her eyes remaining fixed on Alice, "We need to celebrate our new Shelby Company Limited associate."

Polly stood to start pouring glasses.

"With rum?" Ada asked skeptically. "We'll all be legless by the time we leave."

"Nonsense. Shelby's can hold their drinks." She said as she began to start handing out glasses.

Alice took the very full glass offered to her and looked at Tommy who was accepting his. He looked at his Aunt then at Alice. The entire group took their glasses and looked at each other, then at Polly. It was clear to Alice that they didn't normally drink rum in this capacity, which made her not want any part of what Polly had in mind.

"Pol." Tommy started.

"To Alice!" Polly said enthusiastically as she raised her glass and the remainder of the group followed suit in confusion, murmuring Alice's name.

Alice took a drink. The rum was excellent, but too strong of a drink for her to have in this setting. She put her glass down and began listening to the conversation.

"Alice, you're not drinking your rum." Polly pointed out a while later.

"It's a bit stronger than I usually drink." Alice replied.

"Oh, you can't hold your drink?"

"I'm half Irish, of course I can hold my drink." Alice said and Polly looked at her and lifted her eyebrows as if to say, "go on then".

Alice took another large drink, pointedly looking at Polly. The entire family continued talking and laughing, not paying attention to how much they were drinking. Although Alice hadn't intended to drink anymore, she found herself taking small sips of her rum more and more frequently. It didn't take long for her cheeks to be warm and her mind to be less cautious than it would if she were sober.

"Now," Polly began, noticing Alice's defenses were lowered. "You don't know Alfie Solomons?"

"No!" Alice said with attitude. "How many times do I have to tell you? I've never heard of him before this week."

"Darby Sabini?" Polly pressed.

"Who?"

"Where are you from?" Polly insisted, determined to get Alice to reveal something about her past.

"My father was a merchant, we traveled all over the fucking country." Alice replied, beginning to lose her couth.

"Why did you come to Birmingham?"

"I had to." Alice said, "After the accident I-" She stopped suddenly, looking at her drink.

"What accident?" Polly asked, success ringing in her voice.

"Why isn't my glass empty? I haven't put any more in it, it should be empty." Alice said picking up her drink.

"What accident?" Polly repeated.

Alice looked at Polly, her eyes went wide before anger came across her face.

"You're trying to make me drunk!" She said as she stood, shaking the table. "You want to catch me in something, so you keep putting more in my glass! Don't you?"

"Should I be trying to catch you in something?" Polly asked with narrowed eyes.

"I'm leaving!" Alice said as she grabbed her coat and began to turn toward the door.

"Alice." Tommy said as he stood but Alice proceeded toward the door.

Alice walked outside, the cool air hitting her warm cheeks.

"Alice, wait." Tommy said as he followed her into the night air.

"Did you know? Did you know she was trying to get me drunk?" Alice demanded.

"No." Tommy said earnestly, not admitting to her that he had had too much rum himself. "I didn't know what she was up to."

"Do you not trust me?" Alice asked, worried for his answer.

"I do." Tommy insisted.

"I'm going home." Alice said as she turned and began to storm away.

"Let me drive you." He said, knowing he shouldn't be driving.

"No!" She yelled as she proceeded to walk away.

After about three steps she stopped and reluctantly turned around.

"Alright. But only because its cold." She said.

The drive to Alice's flat was dodgy at best. When they finally arrived, Tommy walked her to her door and stopped. Alice's anger at what had happened at the Garrison dissipated as they looked at each other, their noses almost touching. Alice could taste the rum on his hot breath. The air between them was rich in electricity and it wasn't long before Tommy allowed the alcohol to move for him and he leaned down and kissed her.

He planted a firm kiss on her mouth and then moved his hands onto her jaw, holding her face gently as he kissed her again. Alice put her hands on his chest and kissed him back. She put a hand behind her, reaching for the door and opened it. Their kisses were sloppy as they staggered inside. She put her hands inside the shoulders of his coat and pushed it down his arms, helping him remove it. They continued their way across the flat, undressing each other as their drunken minds thought only of the flirtatiousness of the week and the lust between them.

Finally, they reached the bed. Tommy leaned over her, as Alice crawled back onto the bed, their lips barely parting for air. Tommy reached under Alice's slip to remove her knickers. He moaned into her mouth the desire that flooded him when he realized she wasn't wearing any. She began to wrap her legs around him as he unbuttoned his trousers. He kissed her neck as he reached down to adjust and free himself. Alice turned her head to the left, allowing his lips access to her neck and in the brief moment that she opened her eyes, she saw her nightstand. The sobering memory of the gun that lay wrapped inside hit hard and before he had managed to get himself free, she said, "Stop!"

Tommy leaned back slightly and looked at her, confused.

"I don't want to do this!" She said as she put her hands over the chest of her slip.

Tommy paused for a moment. "Did I do something?" he asked, still trying to understand her sudden change.

"You're my boss! This… No! you have to go. Now!" She said.

He leaned close to her and gently rubbed her cheekbone with his thumb, "Alice.." He started.

She turned her head away and pulled her knees to her chest and after a moment of sitting in silence, her refusing to look at him, he stood. Tommy buttoned his trousers and began to put his shirt back on. He looked at her, her knees still up to her chest and her breathing heavy as the panic that flooded her face began to catch up with the rest of her body. He turned and walked out without saying a word.

When she heard the door close behind him, Alice put her face in her hands and then ran them through her hair. She quickly leaned over to open the drawer that contained her gun, as if he had taken it without her knowing. Seeing it was still there she closed the drawer and laid down, staring at the ceiling, thinking of every way the night could have ended worse.

Meanwhile Tommy got in his car and after a small pause, slammed his palms against the steering wheel in frustration saying, "Fuck!".

He wiped his face and released a tight breath before regaining his composure and driving home, his erection still unappeased.


Tommy had been restless and frustrated the entire weekend. By Monday, he had so much frustration pent up inside him, he couldn't focus on his work. Looking down, he saw the pulsing erection between his legs and knew it wouldn't go away until he found release. He knew at whose hands he wanted his release, but Alice wouldn't be in until she was done at the foundation and after Friday night, he didn't have any hopes of her helping him. "You're my boss!" her words rang in his mind. Tommy closed his eyes and sighed before he stood to walk out of his office.

Lizzy sat at her desk, diligently working. She looked up as he began to walk behind her. He leaned down and kissed her neck.

"What are you doing?" Lizzy asked.

"Kissing your neck." He replied.

"Why?"

"Because I want to kiss your neck, Lizzy." He responded.

"Yeah, well. Where's she at today?" Lizzy asked nodding toward Alice's desk.

This was not how he expected this to go. "She won't be in 'till later." He said in a low voice in her ear.

Lizzy turned around and immediately her eyes went to his erection. Slowly, she stood and ran her hand up the inside of his thigh. He clenched his jaw and walked into his office, Lizzy in his wake.


Alice dreaded going into the office. She took her time at the foundation, making notes of how she wanted tables set up, and lighting. Though she took her time, she still arrived earlier than she had intended and began her walk up the stairs.

Walking into the space that her and Lizzy's desks occupied, she noticed a small stack of envelopes waiting for her. As she opened the first envelope, she looked up at Lizzy's desk and noticed it was empty. Deciding Lizzy went for an early lunch, Alice read the letter enclosed in her post.

"Holy shit…" Alice whispered under her breath before quickly opening the remaining envelopes and reading.

She sat in her desk chair in shock as she held the letters in her hand.

"They said yes…" She said as she lifted the letters to read again. All of Tommy's business colleagues had written to say they would be attending as well as a couple of the town leaders, including the governor.

She couldn't believe she had so many responses less than a week after sending invitations. Though she knew the Shelby family was well known, she couldn't help but get a sense of pride. Almost as if they had accepted an invitation from her rather than from Tommy Shelby. The events of the past weekend disappeared as excitement flooded her. She had to tell Tommy.

Quickly she stood and ran to his office door. She knocked hurriedly but, in her excitement, didn't wait for an answer before she burst through the door.

"OH!" She gasped and froze, standing in the doorway.