Lizzie and I both looked up as the door to the shop opened. "Alright, Pol?" I greeted, going back to the books I was dealing with. "What are you doing here?" she asked from behind me and I didn't have to look up to know that she wasn't talking to me. "On Mondays, I do the inventory. Make sure nobody's dipping their hand." Lizzie told her and I could feel an argument brewing as I wrote some more numbers. Polly stepped into the cage behind me. "Well, that's mine and Evie's job now." Polly countered. "I'm back and there's gonna be nobody dipping their hand with me here, not unless they want it cut off." she added, leaning over the table.

We all looked up as the door opened and closed again, I stifled a groan as I watched Linda walking towards us. I shared a look with Polly as Linda started making herself comfortable at one of the tables. I stood at the same time as Lizzie, all three of us going to the doorway. "I said to Arthur while I'm in this fucking place I want something to keep my mind busy." she told us while taking off her coat and not looking round. "What? You're going to take bets?" I asked, confused. "I've always been able to do addition and subtraction without pen and paper." she told us, finally turning to look at us. "But I'll need a telephone. Apparently we have special clients who take bets by telephone." she added, sitting in a chair.

I watched Polly as she crossed the room, leaning against the bar. "Linda?" Polly asked as Lizzie and I came and stood beside her. "This is a betting shop." Polly reminded her. "Look. Arthur said yes. Tommy said yes." she told us, her face growing harder. "But did God say yes? Gambling is a sin, Linda." I reminded her, crossing my arms. "It's not me that's doing the gambling. I'm just taking the bets." she told us and went back to tidying the table in front of her. I swung my head back in frustration as Polly walked away.

The door opened and closed once more, Finn walking in. "The rule is that door should always remain locked until nine am." he told us and Polly and I shared a look. "And who the fuck do you think you are?" I asked, looking at him in disbelief as he walked past me. "Where are you going?" I asked and he stopped in his tracks. "Well, Arthur's not coming in today. He's taking the day off. So.." he told us. "So what?" Lizzie asked, crossing her arms. "So, today, Tommy said that I'm in charge." he told us and I scoffed. "Sorry, you're in charge?" Polly asked. "Yeah. That's what he said." he confirmed. "I'm not working for a fucking 16 year old that I fucking raised." I scoffed, going behind the bar and pouring myself a drink. Polly stood up, bringing her phone to Linda. "All right, sweetheart." Polly muttered. "Now, now, Evelyn. Let's give our boss a first day that he'll never forget." she told us and Finn rolled his eyes and walked away.

I walked into Tommy's office and he looked surprised to see me. "You shouldn't have sent Finn to the shop. We've already found out he's a virgin and Polly is arranging a girl for him this afternoon." I told him, walking in and taking a seat. "I thought Linda was there." he stated, confused. "She is. She loved the idea." I told him, reaching forward for a cigarette as Tommy scoffed. "Yeah, I know, a few hours with me, Pol and Lizzie and she has become a corrupt woman. She even swears now. It sounds funny coming from her." I smiled as I lit the cigarette. "Ah, well… Keep an eye on her." he told me, his eyes meeting mine as I leant back in the chair. "Does Finn know what they have planned?" he asked, "No." I told him, taking a drag from my cigarette. "Do they have someone?" he asked. "Yes. A girl Lizzie used to work with." I answered, watching his reaction. "Is she nice?" he continued, sitting back in his chair. "No. She's from Aston apparently. I told them to start him off gently but they wouldn't have it. They're paying her out of petty cash." I replied as he stood. "Right, well, call 'em, and tell them to pay extra and get someone nice." he told me. "Hmm.." I muttered, narrowing my eyes at him. "What?" he asked, looking up at me once more. "I remember when John turned 16, you weren't concerned with getting him anyone nice." I shrugged, looking up at him. "That wasn't John's first time with a girl." he countered. "No and Finn's not like John." I muttered, taking a long drag from my cigarette.

I looked up at Tommy and his blue eyes were intent on mine. "How are you doing, Eves?" he asked, coming around his desk and leaning against it. I rested my head on the back of the chair. "I'm okay, Tom. Taking it day by day." I replied, searching his face. "Do you get lonely?" he asked as I finished my cigarette. "I keep busy. Got the lads at the house to watch out for." I replied, trying to read his motives. "You know that's not what I meant." he chided, still watching me. I smiled to myself before standing. "Yes, Tommy. I get lonely. I miss the feeling of being close to someone." I told him, looking up at him through my eyelashes as I took a step closer to him, my body almost touching him. "But what's a girl to do?" I whispered and his lips were on mine, his hands pulling my body into his.

He tasted of whiskey and smoke and a shiver went down my spine when he lifted me, turning us both so I was sitting on his desk with him between my legs. My hands went to the back of his neck as he removed my coat. I wrapped my legs around his hips, pulling him into me as I arched my body into him. I moaned into his mouth as his hand went to my thigh, his fingers finding the bare skin above my stocks and squeezing gently. His other hand went to my hair, knotting and gently pulling the curls on the back of my head so our lips disconnected and I tilted my head back, allowing him access to my neck.

He peppered kisses down my exposed neck, nipping the sensitive skin with his teeth every so often. My breathing was heavier as he brought his lips back to mine, roughly claiming them as his hand trailed down my body, gripping my waist. We broke apart suddenly as we heard the outer door opening. I moved quickly, sitting back in the chair I previously occupied as one of Tommy's men walked in. "What?" Tommy demanded, clearly annoyed at being interrupted. "Gold wants to see ya." the man told him and Tommy stared at him for a moment. "Alright. Alright, I'm coming. Make sure Evie gets home safe." he replied, his lust filled eyes glancing at me as he gave his orders. I stood, picking up my coat from the desk and walked out, looking at Tommy over my shoulder as I went.

A few days later, I had been told to stay in the offices with Blinders at every door as the men went and prepared for the expected ambush. I had willingly done what Tommy had asked, knowing there was plenty of work to be done in the office. Admittedly, it felt weird sitting behind my desk after so long. My office hadn't been touched and it looked the same as it had when I left it. Tommy had told me that they would be gone for a few hours and a member of the family would come and get me once it was safe.

I heard the gunshots ring out around the building and I shot up from my seat. I fumbled around in my drawers, mentally cursing myself when I realised that someone had taken the gun I used to have stashed there. I tried to calm my breathing as I stood proudly behind my desk. The door opened and in walked Luca Changretta, locking the door behind him. I watched him as he turned around slowly, wide brim hat low over his eyes and a toothpick in his mouth. "Mrs Shelby, Evelyn, a pleasure to finally meet you. Officially, of course." he said slowly, walking into the room. "Last time my men were sent for you, you got lucky. That husband of yours took the bullets meant for him, you and your cousin." he told me, coming around the desk. I held my ground, looking him in the eye as he stroked a finger down my cheek.

"It's a shame you're a fucking gypo, you could've made one of my men very happy. A beautiful girl like yourself." he continued, slowly pulling a gun from his pocket. "Now, your luck's run out." he told me, pointing the gun at my temple as I refused to break eye contact with the man. "If you're going to shoot me, then fucking do it." I told him after a few brief moments. He gave me a smile before pulling the trigger and my heart stopped.

I hadn't flinched as the gun went off and Changretta looked impressed as he lowered the gun. "You've got nerves of fucking steel, girl." he commented as he slowly backed away. "And tell your aunt, we have a deal." he told me, unlocking the door and leaving. My lungs felt like they were about to give way as I started breathing heavily, my legs no longer holding me as I sank to the ground. I heard the footsteps of Changrettas men retreating as I covered my head, his words swimming in my mind.

I barely looked up as I heard footsteps entering the office and my door banged open. Someone's hand were on the side of my head and I looked up into the concerned face of Tommy. "Eves? Eves, are you alright? What happened?" he asked and I nodded before grabbing the lapels of his jacket and pulling my body into his. He wrapped his arms around me as I buried my head in his neck, breathing a sigh of relief and knowing I was safe in his arms. "She's alright! She's alright." he told the people that entered the room, gently rubbing my back.

"What happened, Eves?" he asked again, pressing a kiss to my head. "They heard you were on your way. That you knew Arthur was a set up. The gun misfired and he ran. They ran." I told him, still trying to work out what had happened. "Alright, alright." he whispered, stroking my hair. "You're safe now." he added. We sat on the floor for a few minutes before Johnny came in, whispering in Tommy's ear about something I didn't care about. "I need to make a call, alright. Give me a minute." he told me, untangling himself from me and going to the phone. "Small Heath, 3-3-3." he said into the phone as I stood on shaking legs. He reached over, pulling me into him by my waist and held me against him. "Charlie? Listen, Molly Gold will be calling in four minutes. Tell them the Italians are around south. A Rolls Royce. Maybe two. Black. Tell them to expect a full complement of men. We inflicted no casualties." he relayed before looking at me. "Tell Aberama and Bonnie that they went for Evie." he added before hanging up.