I shed my coat as we walked into the main room to reveal a black and emerald sequin dress, earning a few looks as I handed my coat to a waiting Blinder. I walked ahead of the men, taking my ringside seat with Polly, Lizzie and Linda who all greeted me with a smile. I smiled coyly at the man that brought me a drink, earning me a shy but cheeky grin in return as I whispered a thank you. I took a sip of the drink as the crowd picked up, the fighters were entering. I watched Bonnie closely as he made his way to the ring and the announcer was another noise in the background as his eyes locked on mine. He looked confident and gave me a smile as he entered the ring.
I sipped my drink as I watched his hands being wrapped and gloves being put on, not realising my glass was empty until the previous boy came back around with another. I gave him a quick smile this time, my eyes glued on Bonnie. "I think you hurt his feelings, Evie." Polly laughed beside me and my eyes flickered to her. "Pardon?" I asked, confused. "The waiter, I think he likes you." she smiled, nodding over to where the waiter was watching us closely. "He's just Blinder. I can't help if they all fall in love with me." I laughed dismissively but my attention was drawn back to the ring as the fight began.
Even though I had seen him fighting in the gym, this was different and my gut wrenched everytime the other guy got a hit on him. I gasped as his opponent got a particularly good hit on Bonnie's face, sending him reeling. The bell rang to signal the end of the round and I watched as Bonnie spoke to his father, his eyes drifting to me for a moment before going back to his dad. Lizzie got up, making her way through the crowd. A few moments later, as the second round began, Polly went too. I gave a fake smile to Linda before looking back at the ring. A moment later, Ada tapped on my shoulder. "Come on. Ladies meeting in the loos." she told me, making her way through the crowds. I rolled my eyes, looking up at Bonnie before leaving.
"Pol, this fight is fixed, isn't it? Poor Gypsy boy's getting battered out there." Ada said as we walked into the bathroom to find Polly and Lizzie. "Bonnie knows what he's doing." I told her, going over to the counter by Lizzie and sitting atop it, Ada doing the same opposite me. "Does he now?" Ada asked suggestively, raising her eyebrow at me and I narrowed my eyes at her. "He's just business." I reminded her, earning a scoff from all three women and I rolled my eyes.
"Right. You said you have some news?" Ada said, drawing us all back to the reason we were here. "Lizzie has some news." Polly corrected her and we both looked at Lizzie expectedly. "Polly." Lizzie scolded, turning around to face the woman. "Well, tell them. Now! While the men are screaming for blood." Polly replied, matching the woman's gaze. "Have a swig. You're gonna need it." Polly told Ada, handing her a bottle of clear liquid. Ada and I shared a looked before turning back to Lizzie. "I'm up the duff." Lizzie told us, looking in the mirror. "And it's Tommy's." she added, turning once more to face the room.
Ada almost choked on the liquid in her mouth before handing the bottle back to Polly who dutifully passed it to me. "How far along are you?" Ada asked as I took a large mouthful of what turned out to be gin. "If I were going to London I'd be in Coventry." Lizzie told us. "And are you carrying on past Coventry?" I asked before taking another mouthful. "All the way to fucking Piccadilly Circus." she told us. "You found out whether she's having a boy or a girl, Pol?" Ada asked as I handed the bottle back to Polly. "No." Polly replied, taking the bottle. "Go on then. Don't leave us in suspense too long." I told her, sharing a look with Ada as she jumped off the counter to check her makeup in the mirror.
Lizzie giggled as Polly felt her breast. "It's a girl. Call her Ruby. Ruby Shelby. She'll be a star in a Hollywood movie." Polly told her and we all smiled. Ada came over to hug Lizzie and I leant forward, encircling both girls in my arms from my seat, our hug being interrupted by someone coming in. "Hey, Linda." Polly greeted. "Welcome to the extraordinary general meeting of the Shelby ladies club." I laughed, taking another swig of the gin. Linda looked at us disdainfully before looking at her back in the mirror. "Is there spit on my back? There are men out there spitting. It's fucking disgusting." she told us, putting her shawl and bag by the sink. "No, there's no spit on your back." Polly told her, going over to her own bag. "Don't let us stop you doing what you came in to do." Polly added, raising her eyebrows as Linda tapped some white powder on the counter. "Hey, Linda." I called and she looked at me. I raised my eyebrows at her and she dutifully threw the blue vile over to me.
"Evelyn!" Polly and Ada scolded as I tapped some onto the back of my hand. "What? Fucking Linda is doing it!" I retorted before inhaling the powder. "What? It's helped me get through the fucking nightmare of being stuck in this city." Linda countered before inhaling her own. "Well, since you're here and you're almost family. Lizzie's got some news." Polly told her, looking at Ada. "I'm pregnant." Lizzie told her. "Oh? And who's the father, have you managed to narrow it down?" Linda snipped back and I almost snorted, disguising my giggles by taking another mouthful of gin. I could see Ada's amused face in the mirror and that was doing nothing to contain my laughter. "Yes, it's Tommy." Lizzie replied through gritted teeth, nudging my leg in annoyance. "Congratulations. You've won the raffle at last." Linda replied, handing a rolled up note to Polly. "Yeah, she's a real Shelby lady now, Linda." Polly said, wiping some white powder off the girl's nose. "Just like you." Polly added.
"Right, ladies, let's rejoin our gentlemen. And just remember, Linda, if they spit, just spit back." Polly told us before leaving, Linda and Lizzie in her wake. Ada and I laughed as I jumped off the counter, checking my make up and nostrils for any stray snow. "So are you fucking the gypsy boy?" Ada asked, applying more lipstick in the mirror. "Which one?" I asked, reapplying my own. "Evie." she said in a warning tone. "No, I haven't fucked Bonnie." I told her, rolling my eyes. "Hmm.. maybe you should. Blow away some of the cobwebs." Ada replied with a cheeky tone in her voice, turning to face me. "Ada Thorne!" I laughed, shaking my head and turning to face her. "And what about your cobwebs?" I laughed, "You just mind your own." she told me, wiggling her eyebrows and sending us both into fits of giggles.
We walked arm in arm to the main room as the bell rang and Bonnie and his opponent were squaring up to each other, each covered in blood. "Maybe you should go give our Gypsy boy some encouragement." Ada told me with a grin on her face. "What? I laughed, looking at the girl. "You know, a little good luck kiss." she explained, wiggling her eyebrows. I rolled my eyes at the girl. "Yeah, because if he survives this match I want him to be killed by your brothers." I laughed, sarcasm in my voice but powder and liquid confidence coursing through my veins. "Go on." she encouraged me and I rolled my eyes once more. "Okay, fine. But that boy's life is in your hands." I told her, entangling her arms and walking around the ring.
Someone tried to stop me but a Blinder got involved and I was allowed to continue. I stepped up on the bench next to King, earning a glare from Aberama as King put a surprised hand on my back to make sure I didn't fall off. "How are you feeling, Gypsy boy?" I smiled and Bonnie turned to look at me, his eyes were tired but a smile crept onto his face. "I'm good. In control." he told me, his spirits lifting slightly. "You've got this." I smiled before reaching my hand to his neck to pull him into me, pressing my lips against his as a few whoops and whistles filled the air around us. He returned the kiss with a smile on his lips and I couldn't help but laugh as I heard the distinct voices of Lizzie, Ada and Polly filling the air. We broke apart after a moment and he grinned at me. "Are you ready?" I smiled and he nodded. "Good luck." I told him, pressing my lips to his once more before being helped down from the bench by a Blinder who kindly escorted me to my seat. I didn't miss the glare I got from Tommy as I passed him but I kept my head high and my smile strong.
The women all grinned at me when I rejoined them, I rolled my eyes as the bell rang and we all began cheering loudly for Bonnie. "Did you know, Alfie said I should try fucking the Goliath to fucking tame him." I shouted over the noise to Ada. She looked at me with wide eyes. "I fucking know!" I laughed, bringing my eyes back to the fight and cheered loudly. The gin bottle kept making it's way up and down our little line and I couldn't help but notice Tommy and Arthur becoming more and more agitated across the ring. "Come on, Bonnie!" I shouted after a mouthful of gin.
I gasped, standing as a blow knocked Bonnie to the ground. "Bonnie!" I shouted, concerned. His father rose from his seat to stand in front of his son and after a few minutes he grinned. Bonnie was okay. The ref started counting down but Bonnie got himself up. I could hear Johnny Dogs somewhere behind me taking bets. Me and the women cringed as the Goliath started pounding into Bonnie right in front of us, his back against the ropes. "Come on, Bon!" I called and the tables turned and Bonnie was beating on the Goliath. It didn't take long for the giant to go down, a grin spreading on my face as the ref counted him down and Bonnie paced the ring. A cheer erupted from my lips as Goliath stayed down, Bonnie jumping up onto the ropes in victory.
Ada pushed me towards the ring and two Blinders helped me in as Bonnie was announced the new welterweight champion. He grinned at me, spinning me round the ring before pressing his lips to mine. I laughed as he placed me on my feet again and my eyes went to where the women were sitting. My smile fell as I saw Polly and Lizzie consoling Linda. My veins turned to ice. My suspicions were confirmed when Tommy climbed into the ring, firing his gun in the air as Bonnie and the two Blinder men surrounded me. The room fell to silence.
"Close the doors!" Tommy demanded. "No one fucking leaves." he added, pointing hs gun wildly around the room before letting off some more shots into the air. "My brother is dead. You hear me? My brother is dead." he shouted, pacing the ring. I pushed my way out of the circle of men, going to Tommy as he bent over. His initial reaction to my touch was to shove me away before pointing his gun at me. "Tommy! It's me, it's Evie." I told him, confidently taking the man's wrist and forcing his arm down. I held him to me as he fought half heartedly to get away. Uncle Charlie joined us, forcing the gun from Tommy's hand before encircling us both in his arms.