ELEGANCE
"Oh no, honestly Raisa I wouldn't want to… Raisa I'd better head back…" Sophie insisted as she was pulled inside the large hall. The room was beautiful, large shiny gold sashes were draped across the ceiling and gold and silver pieces of paper cut into spirals were dangling from the rooftop. The room was brightly lit, with flashes of bright fabric and cloths blending together in the centre of the room where a large group of people danced joyously. There must've been easily a hundred people in the room, thought Sophie. There was a band standing on a small platform dancing around wildly while they played their instruments, their loud happy music bouncing off the walls. The whole room seemed to shimmer and Sophie was transfixed by the sight of it.
"Nonsense, dear. You're my plus one now, you said you love weddings so consider this my paying you back for helping me earlier." Raisa said absent-mindedly as she pulled Sophie through the crowd, seemingly looking for someone.
"You really don't need to-"
Raisa tugged Sophie forward towards a small group of older women. The three women, were huddled around a table, taking sips of wine while laughing heartily at things the other had said.
"Ladies! Stop your gossiping and make some ruin for my guest." Raisa interrupted their conversation, linking her arm with Sophie's and pulling her further forward again. Sophie nervously smiled, painfully aware of how much she stood out in the room. The three women turned to look at the new arrival, letting their eyes scan up and down the girl discerningly. No one said anything or even attempted to strike up a conversation as they stared rudely at the small girl. "For goodness sake, the girl saved me from having my challah stomped and spat on the least you can do is be polite you heathens!"
Sophie's face felt hot and she shifted uncomfortably on her feet under their harsh gaze. Her bun had started to come loose and the frizz of her curls was threatening to burst from the pins that held it so tightly in place. Why did she let Raisa bring her inside? This was obviously a mistake. How could she think that she could immerse herself in this community and expect no one to notice how different she was?
"Oi Raisa, who you calling a heathen now?" A gruff voice bellowed from behind the two women. Raisa's face lit up in excitement and she whirled round to face the voice.
"Alfie! You better not be talking down to me, young man." Raisa scolded the man, scowling at him with a glint in her eye that gave away the humour in her words. "Alfie, I want you to meet my new friend, Soph. You're going to be nothing but a gentleman aren't you?"
Sophie was turned gently by Raisa until she was facing the stranger. Her striking blue eyes met his misty grey ones and she felt immediately swarmed by the enchanting fog they possessed. It was as if all the air had been immediately expelled from her lungs as she took in his scruffy beard hiding his soft skin and handsome face. There was no denying Alfie was a very attractive man, it left Sophie feeling very girlish and silly with a fierce blush painting her cheeks. Seeing this, a small but genuine smile seemed to pull at his plump lips.
Alfie was not one to indulge in beautiful women, he had been with his fair share of pretty girls before but it was nothing more than a convenience. Living the life he did, he never really thought or considered any romantic life he may potentially have with another woman. However, looking at this new woman he began to feel his knees go slightly weak. His back had been feeling a lot better lately, but it could've just been his back issues right? It definitely wasn't the beautifully dainty freckles on the bridge of her nose that had him smiling like some lovesick fool. Her big blue eyes looking up at him so innocently made him freeze as he begun to introduce himself, and so they remained in thick silence both too shocked and shy to speak.
Raisa glanced between the two, immediately noticing their stunned faces. A sly smile began to take over her face, the concocting of a grand match-making plan beginning to take place in her mind. "The girl saved me from some belligerent idiot on the street, hurt her knuckles breaking his nose and everything." She said smugly.
Sophie's eyes flickered back down to her reddened knuckles which seemed to be beginning to bruise slightly, with the swelling haven lessened on the walk over to the wedding. Feeling awkward, Sophie held the damaged hand in her other hand as if she were trying to hide the damage.
"Er right, pack a mean punch do you, girl?" Alfie stumbled, rubbing his beard uncomfortably. He inwardly groaned at the harshness of his voice. Raisa shot him a harsh glare.
"Soph - and yes I'd say so, had the man running off with his tail between his legs didn't you dear?" Raisa encouraged.
"Uhm- yes… I mean I suppose so." Sophie fumbled, finding herself at a loss for words. Raisa rolled her eyes at the two bumbling idiots.
"Thought she deserved a dance for all her efforts, you wouldn't mind, would you, Alfie? Could do that back of yours some good to get moving. Besides, don't want Shayna's lad getting his hands on her, poor girl will lose her toes dancing with him, bloody fool." Raisa rambled on, desperately trying to bring the two of them together.
"A dance, yeah? Well it's been a while since I did that sort of thing, right Raisa." Alfie carefully avoided Raisa's pointed look.
"You don't have to - it's really okay. I'm just happy to be here- I mean I guess I should probably leave though…" The younger girl mumbled quietly, her blush growing hotter at the thought of being so close to Alfie. Raisa waved her hand in the air dismissively as Alfie's eyebrows furrowed.
"Well it's only fair innit? Ought to spare you from Daniel's fumbling hands as well, save you from bruising the other hand, yeah?" Alfie tentatively held out his hand, mild anxiety filling his stomach at the thought she might not take it. He swallows the bitter taste and glances into her eyes, his heart threatening to stop as he loses himself in the ocean. With a soft bite of her lower lip, Sophie hesitantly raises her hand and places it gently in his. Her hand looks tiny in his, especially as his engulfs hers when he holds onto it and begins to gently lead her towards the centre of the hall. Unlike when Raisa had been pulling her through the tightly packed crowd, this time people moved out of their way and stood back to watch them walk past. When they reached the dancefloor, people previously lost in dance had parted to make space for her and Alfie.
The music began to slow, only increasing the tension in Sophie's chest. Alfie turned his body to her, lifting the hand he held up to her shoulder height to their side and placing another of his large hands on her petite waist. He nearly swore when he felt just how tiny the girl was, with his fingers feeling the smooth skin of her waist through her flimsy blouse. Sophie rested her arm on his, her hand gently gripping his muscular shoulder. The two began to sway quietly together, their eyes intently locked.
"So where does a pretty girl like you, learn how to throw a proper punch, eh?" Alfie quietly leaned in to say in her ear. Her eyes fluttered closed for a brief moment at the feeling of his breath kissing her neck.
A sudden surge of confidence fills the young girl as she grins, "Are you trying to suggest a girl knowing how to fight isn't proper, sir?" A teasing eyebrow raised at the burly man. At her words, Alfie's pants seem to tighten slightly as does his hand on Sophie's waist. "I have four brothers, it comes with the territory." Sophie said calmly.
"Christ, four brothers? Your parents not have jobs to keep them busy?" Alfie rushes out, immediately regretting his words.
"Well, my dad was a drunk and they both were gypsies so I suppose not." Sophie snorts.
"Your lot travel in wagons and all that? Your brothers gonna nick the wheels off my car, eh?" It was as if Alfie was vomiting out the worst possible words he could think of - what was he going to do next- ask the poor girl to read his palm? Somehow Sophie seemed to instinctively understand him, she didn't take offence and instead she chuckled lightly at his nervousness.
"Got such a charming way with words, don't you Alfie?" she smiled, tilting her head at him slightly.
"Never been much of a poet." He grunted.
"You don't say." She laughs lightly. "Well for your information, my family always preferred to travel by boats - much more peaceful being on the water - and no, I don't think my brothers would be interested in stealing your car tires." Sophie smiled knowingly - it was nice meeting people who had no idea who she or her family was. The thought of Arthur and Tommy in their smart suits and peaked caps attempting to unscrew the tires on Alfie's car had her holding back laughter.
"Never much been one for boats, always got seasick on the way to France." Alfie spoke quietly this time, his shyness beginning to peek through his hard exterior. Suddenly Sophie realised just how much older Alfie must be than her. Her older brothers had served in the war, perhaps he was the same age as Tommy? He didn't look young enough to be John's age, but maybe he could be as old as Arthur?
"Did you serve?" Sophie asked quietly, she knew it could be a sensitive topic for many men that had fought overseas. The effect it had taken on each of her brothers varied greatly but there was no denying it had certainly taken its toll. Alfie nodded his head solemnly, looking away from her now.
"Was a Captain and everything, doesn't make a fucking difference over there though does it? Still fucking getting shot at either way."
"It means you're smart, brave too."
"Is that right?" Alfie begins to smile, looking down at the girl again. She was so small. He watched her gaze scan across the room slowly, taking everything in and absorbing her environment. Alfie wondered what was going through the young girls mind, eager to understand the way she thinks and sees things. Sophie's eyes slowly found Alfie's again, this time they were almost subdued, a content sleepiness seeming to consume them. The festivities around her made her feel warm and fuzzy inside, in Alfie's arms she felt able to relax and let down her guard a little. The two fell quiet as they stared unabashedly at each other, drinking in each other's features.
Sophie had never really fancied a man before, her brother's had certainly taken care of stopping that from happening. No man was ever allowed to even glance in her direction without Arthur swiping his cap at them. In this moment however, the Shelby boys were nowhere to be found and she could feel a swell in her chest at the sight of the handsome man holding her gently. She barely knew him and yet something about him was enchanting, she never wanted to be away from him. Dread began to trickle in as the reactions of her brothers filled her head. There was no way they'd let her be with a London man, not after Ada had left them for London.
Why was she going to let her brothers control her life? She was twenty now, not a child who needed guiding. She loved them dearly, and her and Tommy had always had a special understanding between them, but she hated not being able to make her own decisions. She'd stayed well away from the family business and had no desire to be sat in a stuffy office for days on end pouring over books full of numbers. Sophie loved to be with the horses, always helping Curly with them. Most days, Sophie could be found galloping around the vast fields, with a false liberation that left her yearning for more. Despite the distance she put between herself and Shelby Ltd, her brothers still seemed to have a say in everything the girl did. Sophie was determined to breakaway from this - wanting to feel that same freedom she gets a taste of in the fields. Dancing with Alfie now, she felt the same liberation - except this time it felt real.
"So how do you know Raisa?" Sophie broke their loving silence.
"She was me mum's best friend. Been beating my arse since I was a kid, that woman. She's fucking terrifying aint she?" Alfie chuckled.
"She's certainly got an iron grip, nearly pulled my fucking arm off getting me in here." Sophie giggled. At this Alfie's eyes widened slightly, shocked to hear such a pretty young girl have such a filthy mouth. He didn't think it possible, but his smile widened further watching her throw her head back in laughter at his shocked reaction. He took this moment to move his hand to her lower back and pull her gently closer to him so that their chests were touching. It felt so natural, it took Sophie a beat to realise just how close they now were. As she reconnected their eyes, they could feel each other's breath on their faces. In pure bliss, Sophie's eyes slowly closed as she took a deep breath in.
"This is so nice." Sophie barely said above the music.
"You not have weddings where you're from?" Alfie cracked, watching her delicate features. He couldn't help but admire her cute upturned nose and full lips, they made her look like a tiny pixie.
"We do, us gypsies love a wedding. You should see them, there's always a bonfire and drinking and dancing, they can get crazy. The last one was my brother John's, which was particularly wild - it wasn't quite as elegant as this though." Sophie teased, her eyes fluttering open. At the mention of her brother, it suddenly dawned on her - they had no idea where she was. What time was it? If it was dark outside they certainly would notice her absence. Panic coloured her features as she stood upright with her mouth agape. "Oh shit! - I… do you know what time it is?"
Alfie reluctantly let his hands drop from her body to pull out his golden pocket watch. "Just gone 9 o'clock, love."
"Fuck! I need to get home." Sophie began to pull away from Alfie and stepped backwards.
"Let me walk you, can't have a girl as small as you wandering the streets of camden on your own now can we?" Alfie offers gently, not wanting to be apart from her.
"No no - it's okay, the docks aren't far from here. I'll be okay, can defend myself remember?" Sophie waves her bruised knuckles in the air with a cheeky grin. "Tell Raisa I said goodbye!" She shouted over her shoulder as she took off, leaving the building quickly.
Darting through the people in the hall, Sophie's mind was buzzing with the events of the evening. She couldn't even let herself begin to worry about the fact she was so late getting back to Birmingham, her thoughts were preoccupied with Alfie's face.