Chapter One
Florence Black shivered as she walked down the damp, dirty Small Heath street. It was a typical day in Birmingham, the air was thick with smoke and it was gloomy. The sky was black, and it was threatening to rain again. How anyone could be happy living here was beyond her, she pulled her long green coat tighter trying to keep in the heat.
She hated Birmingham, she found much more comfort in her hometown of Liverpool. These streets felt rough and dangerous in comparison, but needs must, and she had business to attend to. She turned quickly down the street and went into the Garrison Tavern.
"I'm looking for Mr Shelby" She announced to the bar keep who was busying cleaning glasses.
"Which one my love?" He replied.
He eyed the pretty red-haired woman, thinking that she did not fit in with the usual patrons of the pub. They'd eat her alive if she wasn't careful.
"Thomas" She replied gazing into the bar keeps eyes.
She hoped that he would find her attractive, she always found that dazzling men helped her get her way. It had worked many a time in the past for her.
"He's not been here for a few days love, don't see him much these days." He remarked, wondering what her business was with him.
"Can you get a message to him for me it's urgent." She batted her eyelashes at him.
Although she did have her own methods of contacting him, she didn't want to show her hand just yet. It was important that Tommy didn't realise who she was until after they had met for the first time. As far as she knew he may know of her family name but he wouldn't know her face.
"I can try, but he's a busy man" The barman nodded.
Florence smiled and ordered a gin, taking a seat in the pub. Her surroundings were as dark and gloomy as outside, the pub was smoky and dirty. Her expensive shoes were stuck to the sticky floor and she was sure there was a pool of blood under the table, obviously missed from the last bar fight.
Days passed and Florence sat in the same spot from open until close she would arrive and wait for Tommy to appear. She didn't know if he was coming but she suspected he would be interested enough to eventually turn up. The news of a young attractive woman waiting for him would intrigue him enough to appear. And she was right, on the fifth day of waiting and firmly denying any advances from the men who wanted to take advantage of her. Tommy walked in just as she was failing to get rid of a particularly persistent man.
"Look as I have told you before I am not interested, go away" She snarled as she pushed the highly intoxicated man away yet again and he tried to grope her leg.
"I will if you give me a little kiss bab" He said as he slid closer to her.
His stench was revolting, she practically gagged as he moved his lips closer to try and tease a kiss from her.
"Leave the lady alone" A voice boomed from above.
Florence's eyes flew up to meet her rescuer, and there he stood a tall capped man.
The drunken man looked up ready for a fight until he realised who had ordered him, and he hastily left, leaving his hat behind which her rescuer promptly threw at him as he retreated.
"I believe you have been asking for me, Thomas Shelby" He introduced himself.
He took seat opposite her in the booth and gestured for a drink for himself. "Want anything?" He asked.
Florence shook her head, she wanted to be sober for this meeting, she'd waited long enough for it to take place. Her heart was already racing in anticipation for finally meeting the man she'd waited for so long. She needed to try and keep her head as clear as possible.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, I had family business to attend to. So why have you been waiting so long for me? Must be important." He remarked as he lit up a cigarette.
During their encounter he had not once made eye contact with Florence, which made her feel slightly uneasy.
"Thank you for coming, I know you are a busy man Mr Shelby but it was important I meet you face to face. My name is Florence Black, and I believe we have an enemy in common." She said as she desperately tried to make eye contact with him, she wanted to make a connection with him. In a hope that she might be able to read him and gauge his reaction.
Tommy continued to stare down at his cigarette.
"We may well have, I have many enemies Miss Black. But why have you come here to ask me about them? You must be very afraid of them to come all of this way." He muttered.
Florence scoffed.
"You really don't know me Mr Shelby, I am not afraid of anyone." She growled.
He had hit a nerve with her, all of her life she had been put down for being weak purely because she was a woman.
"Then deal with them yourself, and if you dispatch someone worth my while I may even send you a prize. Good day Miss Black." Tommy excused himself and began to walk away.
"Please just stop and listen to me." She begged leaping from her chair, desperate not to lose him now.
"Look I need your help, not because I'm afraid but because I have no one else to help." She cried out, and the rest of the pub quietened down as they watched this strange encounter.
"Alright, we cannot talk here people are listening come to my office tomorrow at three." Tommy sighed as he stopped at the door.
He finally looked up at her, his beautiful blue eyes meeting hers, put out his cigarette and left the pub.
