Niamh was dead to the world when there was a loud knock on the bedroom door. Groaning at her restful slumber being disturbed, she opened her eyes and yawned as she swung her legs out of bed and sat up.
"Alfie?" she called out when there was another knock.
"Well unless Cyril's learned how to make a fist and bang on a door then yeah it's me," came the reply, which immediately made Niamh grin.
"Is everything alright?" Niamh enquired, yanking on her dressing gown from the back of the door and pulling to open, not even giving a thought about the state of herself having just woken up.
"Yeah your aunt's on the phone," Alfie explained, taking in her bedraggled appearance and realising that he had never seen a sight more beautiful in all of his life.
He was past denying it now, especially after the evening they had spent eating dinner and talking into the early hours of the morning. Niamh was like a breath of fresh air; she was funny and she was intelligent and it didn't hurt that she was lovely to look at. Alfie knew that the way his chest would feel sort of odd when she smiled, or when she had snorted her drink out of her nose last night when he had cracked a joke, was just because his fascination with her hadn't yet worn off. Or at least that's what he told himself anyway because he was loath to admit that in the space of only a day or so he was finding himself looking for excuses to talk to Niamh or look at her simply because he wanted to and because he liked her.
"What time is it?" Niamh frowned.
"A little after seven," he answered. "She called about an hour ago but I said you was sleepin' and then she called just now and she said there was no way you would ever sleep in this late and that I'd better get you on the phone or she'd be down here to sort me out."
"God I'm sorry," Niamh groaned, slapping a hand over her face somewhat dramatically. "I mean, yeah, I never usually sleep past five back home but that's only because one of my nephews or nieces sneaks in to wake me up or Ada smashing around in the bedroom next door wakes me up. I have no idea why Pol is being so ridiculous but she's going to get a bloody piece of my mind."
"While I can't deny that Shelby temper of yours isn't amusin' to me, I do actually think that maybe you should cut your aunt some slack. The woman clearly just wants to make sure you're alright, don't she?" Alfie said as he followed a stomping Niamh down the stairs into the living room where the telephone receiver was lying on the desk waiting for her.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Niamh spat down the phone, completely ignoring Alfie who stood leaning in the doorway with his arms folded against his chest and watching with a smirk on his face.
"Oh hello, nice to speak to you too, Niamh," Polly answered dryly. "I was just checking you're alright."
"And you couldn't have done that at a more reasonable hour? I was asleep and it was fucking glorious actually not being poked in the nose by Karl or shaken awake by Ada looking for a dress to borrow even though she has plenty of her own."
"Oh I didn't realise your family was such an inconvenience to you before now. I'll just let you get back to your glorious bed in your glorious child free home, eh?"
"Oh piss off," Niamh tutted, rolling her eyes even though Polly couldn't see. "I never said any of you were an inconvenience. Fucking annoying, yes, but inconvenient, no. And I don't appreciate you making threats to Alfie when he hasn't done anything wrong."
"He's a big boy, he can handle it," Polly sneered. "And it's already begun I see."
"What's begun?"
"You choosing him over us? One night in Camden and he's wooed you already, has he?"
"I'm going back to bed, Pol," Niamh sighed. "I didn't get to bed until late and-"
"You didn't," Polly cut her off, seriousness laced in her tone.
"Didn't what?"
"Sleep with him?"
"No!" she exclaimed, her face burning red as she shielded the phone slightly, turning her back to Alfie as though to prevent him from hearing anything more of the conversation even though he could hear Polly loud and clear through the receiver. "Of course I haven't."
"You sure about that?" Polly didn't seem convinced. "Because a man like Solomons can easily get what he wants and he doesn't have to resort to force. Just a few nice words and a gentle touch; make you feel like you mean something when you're just another notch on his bed post. A notch he can have whenever he wants legally because you belong to him now."
"I beg of you to stop this ridiculous diatribe now," Niamh pleaded desperately.
"Diatribe?" Polly couldn't help but chuckle. "Always did like the posh words, Niamh Shelby. You were always far too smart for your own good and I wish life had given you all you deserved, love, instead of what Tommy's lumbered you with."
"Polly, my life's just beginning," Niamh murmured, her anger softening.
"If you say so."
"I do," Niamh smiled even though Polly couldn't see. "But yours'll be over if you wake me up this early again for no bloody good reason, do you hear?"
"I hear," Polly murmured softly, and Niamh knew her facial expression would be one of affection if she could see her. "But you can tell Solomons I don't apologise for threatening him. That man needs a fucking reminder of his place."
Alfie snorted out a laugh at that and Niamh spun around to grimace at him, only just realising that Polly's voice must have been carrying loudly enough through the receiver for him to hear what was being said.
"I'll make sure he receives your apology, Pol," Niamh smirked. "Love you."
"Love you too."
When the phone clicked off, Niamh placed the receiver back into its cradle and sighed.
"She's not sorry but I definitely am," she shook her head ruefully.
"Yeah and I already told you upstairs there aint no need to be," Alfie smiled. "She's just doin' what families do, aint she?"
"She's doing what my family does, yeah," Niamh nodded, walking past him and towards the staircase. "I'll just get dressed and then I'll make breakfast if you're hungry?"
"Oh starved like a man what's had his throat cut," he agreed. "But there's not much in. However, there's a lovely little cafe what does breakfast up the road and then maybe you'd like to look 'round Camden. See your new home an' all that."
"With you?"
"Well I can have one of me lads show you 'round if you prefer," he answered, hoping his disappointment wasn't showing.
"No," Niamh shook her head quickly. "I want to go with you, I just thought maybe you were busy."
"Nah," he scrunched up his nose and Niamh swore she almost swooned right there and then on the spot. "Took a couple of days off the bakery to help you settle in and what not."
"You did?"
"Yeah," he frowned. "Might a right bastard most of the time but I'll make an exception for you I think. After all, friends is meant to be nice to one another, aint they? I mean, aint never really had no need for friends before so I don't know. And yeah, I s'pose you could call Ollie a friend of sorts but mainly he's like charity work 'cause he would test the patience of a fuckin' saint that lad."
"I don't think I quite believe that," Niamh grinned. "I think you like Ollie a lot more than you let on to him or yourself."
"Smart one, you, aint ya?" he narrowed his eyes playfully, pointing at her. "'Ave to keep my eye on you I see."
"Always," she grinned, disappearing up the stairs and leaving Alfie to wonder if she enjoyed their playful exchange as much as he did.
"Fuckin' ridiculous," he muttered bitterly to himself when he realised he was grinning after her. "Absolutely fuckin' ridiculous."
Niamh met Alfie's eye and smiled as they came to a stop outside of the bakery. Of course, the only thing Niamh could smell from the outside was rum, but as Alfie had informed her on their way here, the distinction between bread and rum was not discussed. Not ever.
It was already past lunchtime, and the morning had been spent perusing around Alfie's territory of Camden leisurely and taking in all of the surroundings and new people introduced to her. Everyone had been very kind and welcoming but many hadn't hidden their shock at meeting Alfie's shiksa wife; a word she had learnt after hearing it in conversation numerous times between Alfie and various people they had met throughout the day. Thankfully their respect, and perhaps fear, of Alfie had made them at least treat her nicely even if they weren't entirely happy that one of their own had married outside of the faith; and to a Peaky gypsy nonetheless.
Niamh had thoroughly enjoyed getting the chance to see Alfie interact with members of his community; people he had grown up with and who he genuinely seemed to like for the most part. He was willing to listen to any of their problems or complaints, making a promise to fix them. He was funny and charming, especially with the old ladies who fussed over him as though he was a little boy and not a grown man who also happened to be a gangster. In many ways he reminded Niamh of Tommy but there was something about Alfie's interactions that were different. The people of Small Heath who had known Tommy all of their lives, and those who remembered him as nothing more than a bare footed, snotty nosed kid running wild through the streets, maintained a sort of personal distance from him whereas Alfie's community were respectful but they continued to treat him as they always had. Niamh liked it a lot and it told her that there was truly more to Alfie Solomons than his reputation spoke of.
She hated to admit it to herself but the more time she was spending with the man who was now her husband, the more and more she was growing to like him. Whenever his hand would touch her lower back as he guided her somewhere or when his arm would brush past hers, it was easy at first to convince herself that she only felt a frisson of something because she was undeniably attracted to Alfie but as the day began to wear on she had to admit that her attraction to him was becoming something that went far below how he looked.
"I'll take you 'round this way," Alfie pointed towards the front of the building where there was an actual bakery which Niamh presumed he used as a cover for his other bakery. Walking through the front door, the girls behind the counter immediately stood up straight and plastered the politest of smiles on their faces. "Afternoon ladies," Alfie acknowledged them. "How are we gettin' on today?"
"It's been a fairly busy morning, Mr Solomons," the eldest of the ladies replied hurriedly. "But it's quietened down somewhat now so we're just baking and re-stocking."
"Well make sure you all take your breaks, yeah? I know it's been busy this last couple of weeks and some of you ahve been workin' through lunch but now it's quiet you make sure you take 'em," he told them. "Now would one of you ladies wrap up a couple of cakes and maybe a nice loaf for me to collect on me way home? Gotta feed me wife here somethin' so she don't starve tonight."
"Your wife?" the older woman questioned casually as the rest of the ladies passed a glance between themselves.
"Oh don't you lot bloody pretend you don't know," Alfie tutted with a roll of his eyes. "I know how you all love a good gossip."
The older woman and the rest of the ladies had the good grace to chuckle at that and Niamh couldn't help but smirk at the fact that Alfie was such a sweetheart with his female employees. Clearly there was a fine line of respect that none of them wanted to cross but the way he joked and grinned with them was endearing.
"So here she is," he placed his hand against Niamh's lower back and urged her to step forward. "Ladies, this is the new Mrs Solomons. Niamh, these are the biggest gossips you'll ever come across but also proper sweethearts an' all."
Niamh smiled shyly, feeling uncomfortable with all eyes being on her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Solomons," the older lady was the first to lean forward and hold out a polite hand which only made Alfie chuckle.
"Go on, get it all out your bloody systems, yeah?"
And just like that, the ladies all started fawning around Niamh, complimenting her on her outfit and her hair and her eyes.
"Oh just think if you have a girl how beautiful she'll be with your eyes," the older woman exclaimed.
"And her hair," added another.
"What's wrong with my hair and eyes?" Alfie pretended to scowl.
"What's right with them?" someone giggled.
"Oh and look at that ring; it's beautiful. Very elegant and not gaudy like some."
"What was your dress like? Was it lace?"
"Did you keep a piece of the wedding cake for your first anniversary?"
"How do you like Camden?"
"Alright, alright that'll bloody do," Alfie put a stop to all of their clucking and fussing, seeing that Niamh looked somewhat overwhelmed. "I'll be back for them cakes and that in a bit and now you've met my wife you have my permission to gossip about just how lovely she is to anyone what asks, yeah?" Leading Niamh through the back where there were men and women baking cakes and loaves of bread and all sorts of things, he accepted their polite greetings with a nod here and there. "They're all lovely ladies but cor blimey they're bloody old mother hens. The older lady, Zena, was my mother's friend growin' up. Keep tryin' to pay her to retire but she won't have none of it. Says workin' keeps her young. Anyway, just come up this step and then once we're through that door I'll show you 'round my other bakery."
Niamh nodded, following Alfie's lead; her mind still whirling from what he had said to the ladies in his shop about her being lovely. She knew he was just putting on a show for his employees but she couldn't deny the little flip it caused her stomach to do.
Closing the door they had just come through, Alfie once again steered Niamh through another part of the building where the atmosphere was completely different. There was silence aside from the noise of people working, bottles clinking, barrels rolling and the odd order being called out. The sound of Alfie's cane clanking on the ground somehow seemed to be louder than anything else and when the workers saw him in their eye line they would quickly look down and no one dared to greet him. It was clear to Niamh they were terrified of their employer and she was intrigued to see this side of Alfie.
"Alfie," Ollie appeared just as they reached Alfie's office. "I thought you were off for a few days."
"I am," Alfie nodded, opening the door and ushering Niamh inside. "And not that it's any of your business but I thought I'd show Niamh here 'round the bakery."
"Oh hello, Mrs Solomons," Ollie smiled politely, following them both inside. "How are you today?"
"Hello Ollie," Niamh's smile was genuine. "And Niamh will be fine."
She didn't miss the glance from Ollie to Alfie and the tension that left his young face when Alfie nodded almost imperceptibly.
"So how long have you worked for Alfie?" Niamh asked him.
"Erm about twelve years," he answered. "My wife knew Alfie growing up and she put in a word for me when there was an opening for an assistant. We were only just courtin' then mind you.."
"Put in a word?" Alfie scoffed. "Fuckin' come down to me house right, knocked on the door and said 'remember when I used to piss in my own shoes and then tell me mum you done it? Well can my boyfriend have a job, please?'. Then when I said I wasn't sure about you, she threatened to tell everyone that my schmekle weren't nothin' write home about and she'd make sure all the girls knew it. I reminded her that the last and only time she'd seen it was when we was about three and if the ladies needed proof of it I'd be more than happy to show 'em."
Ollie let out a chuckle, being that he was completely used to Alfie's eccentricity and his vulgar language but what surprised him was to see Niamh bent over from the waist, laughing so hard that she even had to cross her legs. . His gaze fell upon Alfie who was grinning at the sight of her and when his own shoulders began to shake with silent laughter, Ollie wondered if he had entered the twilight zone.
"Oh god, I can't breathe," Niamh snorted which then sent her laughing even more. "I don't even know why it was so funny but I can't stop laughing."
"Probably the bloody fumes from the bread," Alfie decided, rubbing his hand up and down her back without even realising he was doing it. "Perhaps we should leave our tour for another day, eh? Can't have you pissed as a fart before it's even supper time, can we?"
"No no," Niamh waved him off, standing up right and wiping away tears that had dripped down her cheeks from laughing so hard. "I'll be fine now, I promise. Just a small moment of madness but I'm calm now I promise."
"You sure about that?" Alfie smirked, peering into her face and thinking that her flushed cheeks and glistening eyes looked radiant.
"Positive," she nodded, chewing on her lip so she wouldn't laugh again. This was one of the things she had quickly come to appreciate about Alfie in such a short space of time. It wasn't what he said, it was the way in which he said it and she enjoyed it immensely.
"Yeah?" Alfie checked again, narrowing his eyes playfully.
"Yep," Niamh smiled. "Best behaviour from now on, I swear."
"Oh, no one said anythin' about behavin', love," Alfie winked. "In fact, misbehavin's what I like best."
The look that passed between Alfie and Niamh at that comment almost made Ollie blush, and he decided to scurry from the room with the excuse of going to check that the shipment for that afternoon was loaded up correctly. As he wandered off through the bakery to find something to do to keep him busy for ten minutes or so, he decided that the newlyweds liked each other a lot more than perhaps either one was willing to let on for now. Ollie had never seen Alfie so jovial inside of the bakery before and it was clearly all to do with Niamh and her infectious happiness. Smirking to himself, Ollie knew that he had a lot to tell his wife when he got home that night and hopefully she would have some bright idea to help the two of them admit how they felt.