Her small alarm clock went off. That was something else not too common here - clocks that would wake you up. She hit it so the bell would stop ringing. Evelyn always got up just before sunrise so she and the boys could be ready and in town as the rich folks needed to get to work. They'd have a few hours of downtime before more people were on the streets for eating, shopping, and visiting friends.
Get up. Brassiere, a light green blouse today, undergarments, and black trousers. When she was going into town, it'd be topped with a dark green skirt. Strapped her pistol to her left thigh, tall boots on for today, with her dagger slid in the right one.
Hopped to the kitchen and put the pot on for coffee. Cooked up some eggs, drank her coffee, and headed outside. "Good morning, boys!" she called. Some pounding started up from around a small grove of trees as the two doofuses came galloping the best they could. They were so large and stocky that it took a few seconds to get up to a significant speed.
Evelyn had hopped into the pasture, some hay and pellets ready for them. She dumped them into their food troughs and grabbed her grooming supplies. Giving the boys lots of scratches and kisses as they eat, she worked on brushing them, combing and braiding their manes and tails, and then picking hooves. They both had blue-gray coats interlaced with white and gray hairs, with light gray mane and tail. Spruce had some white near his hooves on all legs, but Aspen didn't have any socks.
After their breakfast Evelyn got them hooked up and ready. She wrapped her skirt around her waist and crawled up to the drivers seat. With a "Walk on!" she set off for town for another day of work.
She was just a mile or two away from town, and a few minutes more to the richer districts. That's where she headed immediately to begin what was almost a regular route at that point. She'd been in the area for months now and some of the people there began to recognize her. Most of them called her Evie.
A man with a tophat and a newspaper was by the curb of one of the houses in a nice neighborhood. He stuck out a hand, partially in greeting, partially in halting. He climbed up into the rear seat. "Good morning, Evie!" he sang. "The usual, please!"
She smiled. "Good morning, Mr. Smith," she said. "Walk on, boys." The horses began their walk to the bank where Mr. Smith worked as a vice president.
"What have you been up to since yesterday morning?" Mr. Smith mumbled to her, rustling through the paper.
Evelyn shrugged. "Not much, just the usual. After I dropped you off I drove Mrs. Caraway to her tea, Mr. Lin to Chinatown, and Mr. and Mrs. Tarrow to the country club, like normal." She did think of something else at that moment. "I did have some gentlemen in the evening that were odd. They wanted to be dropped off in Small Heath, at the Garrison."
Mr. Smith set down his paper. "What'd they look like?"
She steered the horses around a corner, calling out to someone in the way to move. "Um.. three of them, one a young man, the other two a little older. Two of the three had fought in the war. One was named Tommy, all of them wearing those newsboy hats."
Mr. Smith shifted in his seat and leaned forward, setting a hand on her shoulder. She glanced back, surprised, as he'd never done this in the two months she'd driven him. "My Evie, I believe those were Shelby boys," he began. "I wouldn't say much to them. If they need something, do it - if not, leave them be. They're gangsters." He went back to his previous position, reading the paper. "But you didn't hear that from me."
Evelyn nodded. "I think I understand." In America a few gangs had started up. Some people called them mobs, largely gaining power thanks to Prohibition. She knew there was crime here but didn't stop to consider organized crime.
They pulled up to Mr. Smith's bank and she halted the carriage. "Here we are, Mr. Smith," she chirped happily. "I hope it was a pleasant ride, even with an unpleasant turn of conversation," she said apologetically.
Mr. Smith hopped down, turning to her with payment. "Never worry, my dear. Every ride is a pleasant one with you. You exude sunshine," he smiled. "It reminds me of my daughter, before she passed." Evelyn knew his daughter had passed last year of tuberculosis. It had hit him hard, but in turn, he'd started some charities to help local hospitals.
Evelyn took the payment, but then gently squeezed his hand. "Thank you, Mr. Smith. That means a lot to me."
He smiled and tipped his hat, turning to walk up the steps to work.
Evelyn sighed. She'd had a close call last night, apparently. And what Michael had said about them being trouble was even more true than she'd thought.
Around late lunch Evelyn pulled over to a shady area on a cobbled street. They had stopped at the stables a few times throughout the day so the boys could get some food and water, but Aspen had began walking funny about half an hour ago. She got out her hoof pick and began checking his hooves. Aha! A rock in his foot. She began working it out, and it flicked out with a satisfying ping against the cobble. Aspen blew his lips, leaning down to lip at her shoulder. She giggled. "That feel better?" she asked him.
"Most ladies don't do that," she heard from the curb. Evelyn looked around the horses to see who was speaking.
I think it's that Tommy from last night? she wondered. "Maybe," she said with a smile, "but when my horses need care, they get it quickly. They're my boys!"
He smiled slightly. "That's good to hear. Horses are always worthy of love and care." He turned to them and examined them, much like his brother, Michael, had last night.
"This one is Aspen," she said, patting him. "That one is Spruce."
Tommy nodded. "They are beautiful. Most drafts here are Clydes or Shires."
Evelyn smiled. "Those are beautiful horses. Clydesdales did a lot in the war effort. Shires too. But I definitely fell in love with the French drafts, ironically."
He chuckled. "That is ironic. That place would have been much more beautiful in different circumstances." After a pat for Spruce, he looked at her. "May I get a ride?"
She nodded. "Of course! Hop in, and I'll get the boys ready." He loaded into the back and she followed in the front shortly, after examining the rest of Aspen's hooves. "Where to today, sir?" she asked, calling the boys forward.
"I need to go to some stables, the ones in Saltley," he said, leaning back.
Evelyn knew the way there. "I use them for a break when I'm farther north with these two," she said. "It's a nice place. They do some breeding there, yeah?"
Tommy nodded. "I have some business there."
They rode in silence for a while, Evelyn steering and occasionally calling at people to move when it was crowded. "I don't think I introduced myself," Evelyn said to Tommy. "My name is Evelyn Cox. I drive the carriage during the work week, but can also lend a hand with heavy pulling with my boys." She inwardly grimace. It definitely sounded like she offered services, and she'd tried to avoid any further involvement than what was needed.
"A pleasure," Tommy said. "I'm Thomas Shelby. You met my brothers last night - Arthur and Michael Shelby," he finished. "We'll keep you in mind for your services."
She nodded. "Thank you kindly."
"Actually," Tommy started, "I might already have a favor. You're familiar with horses, yes?"
Evelyn nodded. "In Missouri we had a small horse ranch for a bit. Worked on training work horses - cattle drivers, drafts, show horses, the works. Why do you ask?"
He hummed. "Perfect. I'd like you to take a look at some horses I'm considering purchasing at these stables."
She was surprised at the offer. This man had met her twice and already trusted her enough to influence business dealings? It's probably just to show kindness, she thought. He knows his influence and doesn't want me scared. He just needs the occasional ride.
"Yes, sir, I'd be happy to," she smiled.
"Good," he said. "It'd be a great help."
