'Good luck love. Be sure to remember us and your time here,' said Polly, placing her hands on Maddie's cheeks and giving her a maternal smile. She pulled Maddie into a warm hug, rubbing her back soothingly.
'I will Pol. There's no way I'm going to be forgetting you lot anytime soon,' replied Maddie with a chuckle.
As Maddie pulled away from their embrace, John barged forward in front of Polly and scooped her up into his arms.
'I'm going to miss you Mads!' he shouted as he squeezed her tightly around the waist and spun her around.
'I know John, I'll miss you too!' she squealed in exaggerated faux terror.
Plonking Maddie back onto her feet, John stepped to one side as Arthur approached to have his goodbye. He held his arms out and she stepped into them, resting her chin on his shoulder.
'Take care of yourself, Mads. And give whoever it is you're fightin' hell eh?' he said playfully and with a note of brotherly affection. As they hugged, Maddie spotted Tommy lingering a couple of feet away from the group, looking at his pocket watch impatiently. She rolled her eyes to herself; it was his fault they were running late anyway.
As amusing as a drunk Tommy had been the previous night, Maddie had thought it typical that the day they had stepped over the invisible line in the sand and accepted that they were going to fuck, the man decided to get himself plastered on her last night at Arrow House. Maybe the universe was trying to tell her something, she pondered. That being said, she enjoyed seeing a more vulnerable side of Tommy, even if it was alcohol induced. She imagined it was very rare that he let himself get that way, and she felt privileged to have seen that side of him. But that meant that he had arisen that morning far later than usual, looking particularly grumpy about it as well. Maddie could sense his mood deteriorating more as he rushed to be ready to leave in good time to get to London before dark.
Then Maddie recalled her and Tommy's sexcapades the previous day and immediately felt her skin become hot. Fucking hell, that was a riding lesson she would never forget. She was the first one to admit that she could be promiscuous and risqué at the best of times; but grinding against Tommy's hard on whilst sat on horseback reached a whole new level entirely. Maddie imagined the jokes and teasing she would receive from her friends if they ever found out. As happy as she was to see the Shelbys at the house to throw her very own party, she would have been comfortable in punching all of them unconscious so she and Tommy could have some time alone.
The conversation Maddie had with Polly as she helped her get ready immediately followed in the metaphorical memory reel in her head. She remembered she had needed to pinch herself in order to suppress the arousal that had built up over the afternoon. She admitted that she had become quite irritable, being made to come down from the aggressive blood pumping horniness had the initial side effect of making Maddie moody. And the sarcastic comment she got from Polly didn't help the matter.
'I hope we didn't interrupt anything important back there,' said Polly as Maddie stripped herself of her muddy clothes and went to get into the bath for a quick soak. Polly reminded her of her mum when she was alive. She sounded like she'd just found Maddie kissing a boy behind the bloody bike shed or something. Maddie scoffed but tried her best to not sound too pissed off.
'Oh no, nothing important,' she muttered, dripping with sarcasm. She sighed and closed her eyes, hearing the bitterness in her voice. Thankfully, Polly didn't take it to heart as Maddie heard her laugh from the bedroom.
Maddie quickly scrubbed herself down, Frances must have prepared the bath expecting her back earlier as the water was tepid and not particularly enjoyable. As she got out of the bath and started brushing her hair, she could hear Polly rifling through her clothes in the wardrobe.
'My nephew has a way of drawing in strong women,' came Polly's voice through the door before she appeared in the doorway holding two dresses. Maddie held eye contact with Polly, not sure of what to make of her comment. She felt like it was the beginning of a warning.
Polly walked to Maddie and held up each dress in front of her, scrutinising them to decide which was the best. Maddie decided it was probably best to speak plainly with Polly, she got the impression the older woman would prefer it that way.
'You think Tommy has drawn me into what exactly? A trap?'
Polly regarded Maddie with a knowing smile, thinking about what she'd said. She eventually shook her head and grasped Maddie's forearm.
'No. Not quite,' she said. 'You're too much of a free spirit to be completely seduced by the blue of his eyes.'
They chuckled, Maddie thankful that Polly didn't completely disapprove of her and Tommy's attraction to one another.
'You're quite a poet with words Pol,' she said.
'I can be when the mood strikes me,' Polly replied with a grin. 'Now, are we wearing the orange or the blue?' Polly held up the two dresses for Maddie to choose, who eyed them both before making her decision.
'The blue.'
The rest of her time with Polly was mostly spent in silence as the matriarch moulded Maddie's hair into beautiful waves, pinning the bottom part of her hair up and under so her hair looked several inches shorter. Maddie liked the look, maybe she would get a haircut when she got back home. She did her makeup in the mirror as Polly did her hair, trying her best to copy the makeup she'd seen the other women wear. By the time they had finished, Maddie barely recognised herself. She'd only ever seen women like the one she saw in the mirror in old photos, now she was one. This is so fucking surreal, she thought.
'Do you think Tommy will like it?' she asked nervously.
Polly guffawed as she lit a cigarette, admiring Maddie from across the room. 'Sweetheart. You've already got him acting like a dog with a bloody bone, now you'll have him by a fucking lead.'
Polly's compliment lit a bright fire of confidence within Maddie, but did she really have that much of an effect on Tommy? He was so unbothered by everything that it was impossible to tell most of the time. But then again, the sexy kissing sessions were convincing enough evidence for Polly's argument.
Maddie was proved that Polly was indeed right. On entering the party she looked over to Tommy as everyone cheered and clapped upon her entrance. He didn't even notice her looking at him as his eyes were too busy travelling up and down her body hungrily, the signs of his non-smile appearing. Maddie was sure he didn't even notice that he was doing it. She was snapped back to the present as Tommy cleared his throat loudly in a signal for everyone to hurry the goodbyes along. He'd started to pace around, his impatience evidently increasing. Maddie approached Esme next and embraced her, followed quickly by Finn, Isiah and Michael; she was going to miss their youthful charm. She was surprised when Linda, one of the people she was sure hated her, took both of her hands and gave her a friendly smile before wishing her luck. Johnny tipped his hat to Maddie, expressing his regret that he couldn't get her involved in any of his hair brained schemes.
The last person left to wish farewell was Lizzie. Maddie admitted she hadn't made much effort to get to know the woman over the past two weeks and could more than tell that Lizzie wasn't keen on her. She'd even made an effort to behave like Maddie was invisible during the party, and had a sour look on her face when the other women had pulled her away to ask for details on her and Tommy. Which Maddie had refused to give.
Lizzie regarded her with a venomous look as everyone else looked on awkwardly. Despite not knowing much about Lizzie, Maddie knew that she liked Tommy. They were destined to be married after all. So, for Lizzie to see her and Tommy all over each other must have been hard for her. Therefore, Maddie made the decision to be the bigger person.
'It was nice to meet you Lizzie,' smiled Maddie, holding out her hand for Lizzie to shake. She looked down at Maddie's hand and hesitated. After a couple of seconds her expression changed, and she accepted her hand.
'Likewise,' she responded. It was a short and forced politeness, but Maddie was chuffed with it, nonetheless.
'Right,' came Tommy's booming voice. 'If we are done with the farewells maybe we should be getting off.'
He began walking out of the front door, not looking back to see if Maddie was following. She and the Shelbys walked out together behind Tommy and to his car which he got into without a word.
'Well, this is goodbye then,' said Maddie, waving her hand innocently before getting into the car beside Tommy. He started the engine as she opened the window hatch to wave at the group. Hebegan to drive the car down the driveway as she continued to wave her hand out of the window.
'Bye Mads!' she heard John, Arthur and Finn shout after them. Maddie turned to look out of the back window to see the place she'd called home for the past fortnight for the last time. She watched as Arrow House became smaller and smaller and eventually disappeared from sight as Tommy drove them through the trees and onto the main road
The journey to London took an exceptionally long time. Without motorways, driving there via the main roads, which to Maddie seemed more like country lanes, was dull and seemingly endless. However, she saw the time as the perfect opportunity to reflect on her time spent in 1924. Tommy didn't seem like he was in much of a talkative mood; well, less so that usual anyway. She had looked over to him as he drove and saw the hard lines of his brow and jaw were stiff and set. She could tell his mind was pre-occupied elsewhere and so decided it was best not to try and engage him in conversation. So, Maddie unlaced her shoes, freeing her toes from the tight leather. She brought her legs under herself on the seat and rested her head on her forearm which she placed on the window ledge so she could gaze out of the window comfortably.
Well that was one hell of a holiday Maddie, she thought to herself. If she wasn't a vampire slayer or as familiar with the supernatural, she would have put this whole experience down as a fever dream. But she admitted that travelling back in time and becoming a member of the most well-known gang in Birmingham was the coolest thing that had ever happened to her. And she was a vampire slayer! Not only that, but she had begun to fall for the Peaky Blinder's notorious leader.
Maddie had finally realised, or more accurately confessed to herself, that she was falling in love with the infamous Thomas Shelby the night he tended to her glass shredded hands. She had known that something was trying to keep her in 1924, a desire to remain that battled silently within her against the opposing desire to go home. She only realised that it was her feelings for Tommy that was the root of this conflict; she'd seen the look in his eyes when he'd said Maddie would soon be back home and able to forget about her insane trip through time. The lightbulb had clicked on in her brain and she realised part of her didn't want to go. And despite his words telling her one thing, his eyes told her that he didn't want her to go either. Maddie had communicated her feelings to Tommy with a kiss. She had wanted to sleep with him desperately in that moment, wanted to have him as close as possible for as long as she could get away with. But Tommy had decided to grow a conscience in that moment and turned her away, all because of some bloody cuts and bruises. At least she got the hot make out session on horseback to make up for it.
There's still time to fuck him though, she thought mischievously. She glanced over at Tommy and saw that his face hadn't changed in the time she'd spent sat in thought. Maddie thought about making up some excuse for him to stop the car so she could jump him. The thought their first time being in a car in the middle of nowhere however, stopped her. Not to mention that Maddie wasn't completely convinced that pulling that kind of move wouldn't in fact incur Tommy's temper with the foul mood he'd displayed so far that day.
Maddie sighed and went back to her contemplation. She considered all the other people she'd gotten to know over the past two weeks. The second family that she'd made in the Shelby's. John and Arthur felt like her older brothers; Finn her younger brother; Ada like a twin sister; Michael a cousin and Polly like a mother. She knew she was going to miss them all dearly. Then she was reminded of little Charlie. Whilst Tommy had stormed about the house getting his arse in gear earlier that morning, Maddie had taken the opportunity to spend half and hour with Charlie to say goodbye. She had become fond of the little shit despite her best efforts. He definitely took after his father; the toddler knew what he wanted and when he wanted it and it made her laugh every time she noticed the resemblance. She played with Charlie in his room for the last time, eliciting high pitched laughter from his little lungs. Tommy came to tell her they were leaving, and Maddie had scooped Charlie up and given him a tight hug. She had to blink rapidly to fight away the tear that was threatening to make an appearance as she squeezed him.
She could suddenly feel her eyes stinging at the memory and she momentarily pressed her fingers to her eyelids, willing the feeling to stop. The last time Maddie had felt such intense emotion was when her mum died. Since then, every emotion she had experienced hadn't felt as poignant as the ones she'd felt when she realised that she would never see her mother's face again. Bloody hell, Mads! Will you stop thinking about such gloomy shit, she berated herself. However, Maddie's attempt to cheer herself up was short lived as she remembered the other major event that had happened as a result of her gangster life. She'd killed a human.
Maddie wasn't sure what was worse, that she'd taken a life, albeit it being accidental, or that she felt less guilty about it than she expected. She'd only shed a few tears that night under the scrutiny of Tommy's gaze, her eyes being exceptionally dry since. She believed she had come to terms with it as quickly as she had because the act had been in self-defence and the man that she had killed had been her enemy. The fact that she didn't know his name also made it easier, she was able to detach the body from the person, although she was sure that wasn't such a good sign. Maddie wasn't proud of what she did, but she had gotten over it and pushed the initial shame aside. She'd heard that being a slayer could make you cold like stone, maybe that was true.
Maddie awoke from her nostalgic daydreaming session and inspected the scenery around her. It looked exactly the same as the scenery she'd seen over the past two hours, no landmarks that she recognised to signify which part of the country they were in. She was now keen to break the silence. The longer it went on, the more she feared that Tommy may start questioning her about the future as he had the day before. She had only just managed to stop herself from spilling the beans about a certain war that would break out in another fifteen years during that conversation, and she wanted to keep it that way. She had decided it best that that knowledge was best left unknown to him. Maddie slouched back in her seat with a huff before turning to look at Tommy who gave no reaction to her sudden display of boredom.
'Are we there yet?' she groaned. Finally breaking the infinite silence that they'd been sat in.
Tommy turned his head to peer over at her, his artic eyes piercing her skin as he flitted his gaze up and down her unladylike posture before turning back to the road.
'No.'
Maddie scoffed and folded her arms over her chest. She'd done well so far to keep her patience for so long but now she was thoroughly bored, and that was always dangerous for anyone who had the misfortune of being stuck with her. She remembered that she had hated long car journey's as a child and had often made up games to entertain herself. These games were usually only ever obvious to her, with anyone else on the journey usually unaware that they were participants in her little fancies. She looked over at Tommy shiftily and quickly thought up of a fun game she could play. Time to play the 'Get a Reaction Out of Tommy' game.
Maddie smiled sneakily and leaned back more as she slowly lifted one un-shoed foot onto the dashboard and then the other, keeping her eyes on Tommy's face as she did so. She saw his eyes slowly look over to her feet and back again silently. She smirked to herself, maybe this game would be easier than she thought. She went up another level and curled her toes to make them crack and pop loudly. Tommy took in a slow inhale followed by an equally slow exhale. This was just the sort of fun Maddie was looking for.
How do I get him to say something? Maddie looked around her before resting one arm on the door, beginning to tap one of her fingernails on the polished wood in a regular rhythm. She watched with amusement as Tommy's face slowly showed signs of annoyance as she continued to tap, tap, tap on the door. The first thing to crack was Tommy's jaw muscles, which began to twitch and flex rapidly as she continued her annoying orchestra. Next his knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel tighter, but still he remained silent. Damn…
Ok then, Tommy. You haven't seen anything yet. Maddie started to cluck her tongue in time with her tapping, the sound emulating a horse's hooves clopping on cobblestones. He took a deep breath, his nostrils flaring angrily as he exhaled. Yes, go on Tommy, tell me off.
'Maddie,' said Tommy with a dangerous undertone of annoyance. 'What are you doing?'
Maddie mentally fist pumped the air at her success, smiling smugly and struggling to contain her laughter.
'I don't know what you mean,' replied Maddie, now openly grinning and no longer bothering to hide how much fun she was having. Tommy turned his head to her, hitting her with his glare yet again. She met his glare and raised her eyebrow indignantly, acting like she really didn't know what he was talking about. They held eye contact, each waiting for the other to lose their nerve. She could feel the laughter at the situation building in her chest, she wouldn't be able to keep a straight face much longer. Sure enough, laughter quickly erupted from Maddie and she collapsed into a fit of giggles, bringing her knees to her chest as she struggled to breathe as the laughter forced the air from her lungs. Tommy gave her a puzzled expression before returning his sight on the road.
'What's so funny?' he asked evenly, his deep voice returning to its usual monotone.
'I'm sorry Tommy. I was just winding you up,' explained Maddie, gasping for air. 'I'm just so fucking bored!'
Tommy gave a nod and Maddie spotted a smirk on his lips before he spoke.
'I never would have guessed.'
'Ha. Ha,' she droned, lifting her body up to sit up straight with a huff.
'It's not much further. Half an hour,' said Tommy, turning to give her a genuine smile. Sensing that he seemed to be in a better mood, Maddie decided to try her luck.
'Well can we at least play a game or something?'
Tommy laughed his not-actually-amused laugh before sighing. 'What kind of game?'
'I spy?' He looked back at her blankly, evidently not familiar with the game. 'We play it at home during car journeys. I'll start.'
Maddie crossed her legs on the car seat and proceeded to look out of the window, seeking inspiration for something for Tommy to guess. They were currently surrounded by fields and hedges, all very easy to guess. But then in the distanceshe spotted a group of buildings that made up a farm.
'I spy with my little eye, something beginning with B,' she sang happily, turning to Tommy to await his guesses. He responded with barely a second's hesitation.
'Barn.'
Maddie's face dropped, her mouth opening in an O shape, and shutting it quickly before Tommy could notice. Of course, he would guess it first time, he's Tommy fucking Shelby. She made an irritated snorting noise, looking away from the smug bastard.
'Beginner's luck,' she grumbled.
Tommy chuckled a deep sexy chuckle before stating. 'My turn.' His eyes scanned the horizon once before he spoke again. 'I spy with my little eye something beginning with M.'
'Mud.'
'No.'
'Maple tree.'
'Nope.'
'Money.'
'No.'
'Magpie.'
'No.'
'Me, Maddie?'
'No.'
Maddie huffed and sat back in her chair, now in a sulk. Why on earth did she think it was a good idea to play car games with Tommy?
'I give up,' she whined, throwing her hands up in the air.
'Myself,' said Tommy, smirking smugly at his genius reveal.
'That's cheating! You can't say 'myself'.'
Tommy turned to Maddie with his eyebrow raised, giving her a 'really?' look. She sighed before laughing at herself. She'd just made Tommy play I Spy, like she was bloody twelve. She told him she was done with annoying him and with suggesting shitty car games and would try her best to sit quietly for the rest of the journey. He turned to look at her with softness before he reached into the inside pocket of his jacket. He pulled out something that Maddie couldn't make out as his hand wrapped all the way around it.
'Here,' Tommy said, holding his hand out towards her who held her palm face up under it. 'This should keep you entertained.' He dropped something heavy and metal into Maddie's hand; she immediately scrutinised it and realised it was a butterfly knife. It was made of a high-quality silver metal that glinted dangerously as the light hit it.
'Thanks,' said Maddie. Tommy had certainly gotten to know her well, the best gifts she received were always weapons.
'A leaving present. I've had it since the war, but I could never get the hang of it.'
As he spoke, Maddie began to do tricks with the knife. She flipped it around her wrists and threw it between her hands expertly, the knife making metallic ringing sounds as the blade slid against the handles. Tommy huffed a laugh as he watched her.
'But you definitely have.'
'So, you don't have any idea who I'm fighting?' questioned Maddie as she and Tommy walked through a building that was apparently a bakery, lead along by a slight Jewish boy named Ollie. For a bakery, this place smells an awful lot like alcohol, she thought.
'No. But we will soon find out,' grunted Tommy in reply as he walked alongside her.
When he had driven them into London, specifically Camden Town, Maddie was in awe at how different the city looked compared to her time. She had only visited London twice before, but it was enough to remember that the future London will be far vaster than the one she was currently driving through. She had looked inquisitively at him as they pulled up to the large factory building with 'Aeriated Bread Company' written on a large sign above the door. She had never heard of boxing matches being held in a bakery.
They were led to an office at the end of a long room filled with huge barrels and Maddie clocked as to where the alcohol smell was coming from. This place must have been a front for a booze distillery; she vaguely remembered reading about places like this in history. Places that she had also read that the Shelby's were occasionally involved in. As they reached the office door she noticed the name on the front of it: 'Alfie Solomons'. The name rang a bell, but she couldn't conjure up any specific information about the name. She was just going to have to go off her instincts on this one.
Ollie knocked on the door as Maddie looked up at Tommy. He turned his gaze to her and ducked his chin down and up again slowly in a subtle nod. She knew it was a signal for her to be on her guard. She lifted her head up higher as she heard a gruff voice call for them to enter from inside the office. Ollie opened the door and gestured for them to follow.
Maddie stepped into a tremendously gaudy but equally as messy office. The decorations and assortments that filled the office were expensive and tasteful although they were scattered around the room haphazardly and looked like they hadn't been dusted in a decade. The resulting effect was rather chaotic with the addition of hundreds of pieces of paper pilled and littered over almost every surface. It was a stark contrast to Tommy's office which was pristine and organised in every manner.
Her eyes quickly fell on the man they had come to see, sat behind the desk. The surface of which was obscured by a mass of clutter. He had long mousy brown hair and beard that covered his head and face. She noticed the skin of his face and neck was cracked and blistered, as was the skin on his hands. The man's clothes were scruffy, signifying that no attempt had been made on his part to look presentable. Another stark contrast to Tommy. Despite these obvious features, the man radiated a dangerous air or power and influence, and he hadn't even spoken yet. So, this must be Alfie Solomons. Alfie's brow was furrowed as he looked down at a piece of paper on his desk, gold rimmed spectacles balanced on his nose. He made no sign of acknowledging Maddie and Tommy's entrance and the room fell silent as they waited for him to speak.
'Er Alfie, It's Mr Shelby and his accomplice,' announced Ollie after several seconds silence. Maddie bristled slightly at being referred to as an accomplice but brushed it off, she hadn't actually told anyone here her name yet after all. Alfie continued to look down at his paper but lifted one hand up slowly to waft it at Ollie as an order that he was dismissed. Ollie bowed his head down before turning to leave.
As the door shut, Alfie finally looked up at who was in his office and his gaze landed squarely on Maddie. He looked her up and down before locking his eyes with hers. Like Tommy, he had a piercing stare that she knew must intimidate most who met him. But Alfie's eyes were dark, almost black from a distance. She got a distinct sense that he was dangerous, and most definitely a bit crazy.
'And who's this lovely thing you've brought with you today Tom?' asked Alfie finally, his cockney voice low and gravelly as he indicated to Maddie.
'My name's Maddie,' she stated, feeling anger at being talked about like she wasn't able to speak for herself. She couldn't see it, but she sensed Tommy stiffen next to her as she spoke. She however didn't care and didn't break eye contact with Alfie. If there was something she had learned about Tommy's world, it was that the men in it communicated by simple looks and dominance games. And she planned on winning this one with Alfie.
Alfie continued to stare back at her for a few seconds before a small almost imperceptible grin came onto his face.
'Well Maddie certainly has spunk, doesn't she?' he chuckled before turning his gaze to Tommy.
'Hello Alfie,' greeted Tommy. 'I'm assuming everything is ready for the match.' Typical Tommy style, he had gotten straight down to business.
'Fuckin' ell Tommy, it's nice to see you too, how ya bin?' chanted Alfie mockingly as he leaned back in his chair. 'For god's sake Tommy, it's always bloody business with you innit?'
'Is there ever anything else Alfie?' replied Tommy, stepping forward towards two chairs that were in front of Alfie's desk. Maddie followed and they both sat in front of Alfie as he scrutinised the two of them.
'Now, Maddie luv, I'm assuming you know Tommy quite well to know that this man ere is fuckin insufferable, yeah? Comes into my office for the first time in months without so much of a how do you do? Can you believe that?' said Alfie, waving a pointed finger between her and Tommy.
Maddie quirked her eyebrow up at Alfie, the man was certainly eccentric. She could sense the mood had relaxed slightly with his joking tone so she nodded before replying. 'I suppose he can be.'
Tommy got his cigarettes out and lit one as Alfie sat back in his chair as he considered Maddie's non-committal answer. He looked between the two of them questioningly, no doubt trying to figure out the relationship between the two of them and why she had been brought along.
'Is your fighter here?' asked Tommy, now sounding inpatient as he puffed on his cigarette.
'Yeah, he should be ere shortly,' replied Alfie. 'And your stand in, Tom?'
Maddie kept her face as straight as possible, Tommy must not have told him that she was the replacement fighter, and he evidently hadn't figured it out.
'You're looking at her,' said Tommy flatly.
Alfie's face didn't move for several seconds until his eyes slowly craned back over to Maddie, now regarding her with a more critical eye.
'I don't know how much whiskey you've been drinking Tommy, but you do realise that she is a woman, right?'
Maddie felt a furious heat burn under her skin at Alfie's question. She admitted that she should have expected it, women didn't box in the 1920's, let alone win matches. Which was what she was supposed to do that evening in order to win Tommy money through bets. Everyone will bet on her opponent so when she wins, he will make a profit. Or that was her understanding of it anyway.
'I can assure you Alfie, she's more than capable,' said Tommy flatly.
'You've got that right,' she added under her breath, now visibly irked by Alfie's attitude.
Alfie ignored her and stood up, walking around his desk to lean on the corner of it nearest to her.
'No offence darlin' but as lovely as you are, I'd give you ten seconds if that against my bloke,' he said, gesturing his arm up and down her form. She heard Tommy sigh next to her as she glared at Alfie, only managing to keep herself from balling her fists up on her lap. Her stare was broken as the office door was opened and a she heard a pair of heavy footsteps thud into the room.
'Speak of the devil,' muttered Alfie, standing back up to go over to the person who entered the room.
Maddie and Tommy stood and turned simultaneously to look at her would be opponent. What greeted them was a colossal brick of a man. Maddie estimated he was about six foot ten. He had a square angry looking face and black hair, and his nose looked as though it had been broken several times as it pointed sharply to the left. She felt confident that she could knock the brute out in one punch, but that unfortunately wasn't the plan.
'This,' said Alfie, slapping the huge man on the back. 'Is Hercules. The great Greek hero of legend. Hercules, this is Maddie. Your opponent.'
Hercules looked down at Maddie before beginning to laugh a deep booming laugh, looking at her in disbelief.
'I want to fight real opponent,' shouted Hercules, stepping up to her and looking down at her. He towered above her like a big lumbering ogre and she simply looked back at him unimpressed. In fact, she smirked as she attempted not to laugh at Hercules' poor grasp of the English language. What he possessed in stature, he more than lacked in brains.
'Alright, Hercules. Steady on mate yeah?' said Alfie as he pulled Hercules away a step. 'Apparently, this little lady is more than a match for ya.'
Alfie's voice dripped with sarcasm and insult. Maddie was one step away from knocking both of the men out and sacking off the boxing match. But thankfully Tommy came to her rescue.
'Six o'clock start?' asked Tommy, locking eyes with Alfie.
Alfie ran his fingers over his beard as he looked from Tommy to Maddie and back again before slowly nodding, 'Yeah. Boxing club down the road.'
'Good, come on Maddie,' said Tommy as he put his hand on her back to lead her out. Maddie stared daggers into Alfie and Hercules as she was walked out of the room led by Tommy. As soon as he shut the door behind him, she looked up at him as he let the stress of the interaction show on his face momentarily, his facial muscles flexing anxiously.
'Is Alfie always like that?' she asked quietly once they were a few steps away from the office.
'Yes,' he sighed, pulling his hat out of his pocket and putting it back on his head.
'Can I punch him?' she asked hopefully.
'No.'
Tommy pulled the car up outside a grand four-story London townhouse, which according to him was home to Ada. Maddie was itching to see the Shelby sister. She had been looking forward to it for the past few days, even if it would be the last opportunity she was going to have to see her. Tommy got out of the car and got their overnight bags out of the back as she went up to knock on the front door. Ada answered the door and smiled on seeing Maddie's face. She pulled her into a hug on the doorstep before ushering her and Tommy inside.
Ada's house was pristine and tasteful, expensive artwork and decorative pieces filled the walls and surfaces. She definitely had the best sense of taste of everyone in the family. She showed Maddie to her room for the night, the last bed she would sleep in before going home. Tommy was left in the living room with a glass of whiskey. Once they were in the room, Ada shut the door behind them.
'So, tell me. When did you give into my brother's irresistible charms?'
Maddie grimaced, of course Polly had told Ada about her and Tommy. She really wasn't in the mood for another lecture, least of all from Ada, but when Maddie turned to look at her, she saw that she had a teasing smile on her face. She laughed, and shook her head.
'In all honesty. Probably on the day I got here,' sighed Maddie truthfully.
'That's what I thought.' Ada sat on the bed and tapped the mattress next to her in an invite for her to sit. 'Polly owes me ten quid.'
Maddie laughed as she dropped onto the bed beside Ada, not at all surprised that Ada and Pol had put a bet on whether she would fall for Tommy. Ada took Maddie's hand in hers and gave her a sympathetic smile.
'He's going to miss you, you know,' said Ada. 'I saw the way he looked at you when you got here. I don't think he even realises how much you mean to him.'
She gave Ada a sceptical look, she wasn't sure that Tommy's feelings for her were that intense. She also didn't want to hear this the night before she was supposed to go home, it would only make it ten times harder. But Ada kept her face serious, obviously convinced she was right. She is right Maddie, you fool, realising that he meant a lot to her too.
'The slayer who fell for the gangster. I should write a book,' laughed Maddie, Ada laughing along with her at her silly joke.
They went back downstairs together, striking up a conversation about Maddie's adventures as they joined Tommy in the living room. She told Ada about her work for the gang, including her injury she sustained during the pub brawl. Ada's eyebrows climbed toward her hairline as she told her story about getting the glass in her hands and how it was nothing serious. She conveniently left out the part about Tommy sewing her hands back together and the erotic scenes that followed. Tommy remained silent as he listened to her relive her time in 1924 but she spotted him watching her as he smoke and drank in his armchair.
After a while of chatting avidly with Ada, Tommy cleared his throat and stood up before checking his watch.
'Apologies Ada, but Maddie and I should get going.'
Ada smiled and stood, pulling Maddie into another hug. She squeezed tightly before whispering into her ear. 'I know you won't let me down, Mads. I'll be waiting for you to tell me about it when you get back.'
'Can't you come and watch?' pleaded Maddie.
'Sorry I can't,' she replied, withdrawing from the hug. 'I have to watch Karl.'
Maddie and Tommy left Ada's less than an hour after they arrived. She hadn't realised how late in the afternoon it had been, regretting that she didn't have more time to catch up with Ada. Tommy drove them back to Camden and to the boxing club Alfie had mentioned, the building a lot more well kempt than she expected. As he led her inside, they passed many men from a variety of backgrounds. Most were certainly working class, but some more well-off spectators were dotted amongst them. Maddie was relieved to see a few women amongst them, happy that this meant she wouldn't get questioning looks from the people they passed. Although that would soon change once she got into the ring. Tommy had obviously been there before as he led her through the narrow corridors without pause, politely excusing himself as he pushed past various people. They turned a corner and she saw a young man spot them before hurrying up to them.
'Mr Shelby! I've got what you requested over the phone this morning in your changing room,' the man said before casting Maddie a puzzled look.
'Thank you,' replied Tommy without breaking stride. The man stopped in the hallway briefly before walking away in the opposite direction.
They came to a door a little further down the corridor which Tommy opened and they both disappeared inside. The room was cold and bare, there was a sink in one corner with a couple of chairs and a bench, the only furniture that filled the little room. On the bench was a pile of clothes and a pair of white leather lace-up shoes. Maddie had wondered what she would be fighting in. She didn't have anything already appropriate and realised that Tommy must have organised the clothes for her. She went over to the pile of clothes as he removed his coat and hat, placing them on a peg near the door. There were a pair of boxing shorts that looked about knee length in the pile, a vest that looked far too big and a pair of socks.
'Do I really have to wear this?' she asked wryly.
'Mm-hm,' responded Tommy as he ran a cigarette over his lips.
Maddie looked expectantly at Tommy, expecting him to leave so she could change. But instead he went and sat on one of the chairs in the room, the wood creaking under his weight.
'Aren't you at least going to turn whilst I change?' Maddie asked, admittedly a little flirtatiously. She found she kind of liked the idea of him watching her change. Although she'd have to make sure it didn't end up with them all over each other when anyone could just walk in. Predictably, Tommy was thinking the same thing.
'No,' he said, a cheeky smirk appearing as he leant back in the chair, resting one hand on his leg whilst the other brought the cigarette to his lips. He sat with his legs apart, looking relaxed as he waited for Maddie to start stripping. She rolled her eyes at him, but she could feel the familiar tingly heat prickling between her legs as she regarded him as he sat there. She didn't answer him but started unbuttoning her blouse.
Maddie started off facing Tommy, watching him as she took her blouse off, letting it drop to the floor. His sharp blue eyes were fixed on her, she could see his pupils dilating despite being a few of feet away from him. She felt her nipples begin to harden and rub against the silk of her bra, sending waves of arousal down her spine and between her legs. Tommy's eyes darted to her chest to look at her them as they were now pushing against the fabric, demanding to be seen. She turned around quickly, a blush spreading across her face and chest. If she continued to watch Tommy watch her, she was certain it would end up with her on his bloody lap.
Maddie continued to undress, pointedly avoiding Tommy's gaze. She unbuttoned her skirt, letting that drop next to her blouse on the floor, leaving her stood in her underwear, stockings and heels. She swallowed; she could now feel her skin becoming hot despite how cold the room was. She couldn't hear any sounds from Tommy other than the occasional sound of him drawing on his cigarette as he watched. Maddie sat down on the bench, which involved her facing back toward him again, but she made sure she focussed on her shoes which she unlaced quickly. As she slid her stockings and garters down her legs, she heard him shift in his chair. She smirked to herself, at least he was getting as aroused as she was by this experience. She stood up, now bereft of everything but her bra and knickers and grabbed the hideous shorts she needed to wear. Then she heard Tommy stand up and stub his cigarette out on the floor before his footsteps approached her. Maddie held her breath but continued to fiddle with the strap of the waistband of the shorts, pretending not to have heard him get up. She felt the heat of his body behind her first, followed by the rough skin of his hands on her waist. She gasped, flinching a little before turning to face him.
Tommy's expression was practically ravenous. Now she was up close, Maddie saw that his pupils were so dilated that only a thin ring of blue could be seen circling them. Oh, god this isn't going to end well... But before she could say something to stop him, Tommy smashed his lips to hers, grabbing her by the ass and pulling her flush against him with need. Maddie's heart raced as she kissed him back, only half-heartedly trying to push him away as she felt his erect cock against her pelvic bone. She sighed into his mouth, her clit now throbbing in desperation.
Two thoughts went through Maddie's mind as Tommy grabbed at her body, one of his hands going into and grasping a handful of her hair.One, going into a boxing match obviously sex frazzled wasn't a good idea and she needed to stop this before it went too far.Two, ah… fuck it! She grabbed the lapels of his jacket and pushed them backwards over his shoulders. She would be damned if she was going to fuck him whilst he was fully clothed and she was in her underwear. He took over removing his jacket, throwing it to the floor before Maddie started to unbutton his vest. They kept their lips connected as she hastily but clumsily tried to undress him, the kiss making her head swim and her thoughts become hazy with lust.
Fate definitely wasn't on their side that evening however. As Maddie managed to finish undoing Tommy's vest there was a loud knock at the door and she came rushing back to senses, jerking back from him and panting rapidly.
'Mr Shelby? Your fighter is needed in the ring in two minutes,' came a voice from the other side of the door.
'Alright!' yelled Tommy, sighing in frustration at the rude interruption. He immediately turned back to Maddie and attempted to pull her back to him, but she pushed against his chest with both hands shaking her head and smiling.
'No, Tommy. I should get out there, preferably with a clear head,' she laughed weakly, apologising to him through her eyes. He exhaled through his nose before running his hand through his hair and down his face before nodding reluctantly and clearing his throat gruffly.
'Okay.'
Maddie picked up the shorts and started to put them on hastily as Tommy straightened himself up. She took some deep breaths to slow her heart rate and suppress the lust that was still throbbing between her thighs. The last thing she needed was people suspecting she'd been fooling around in the changing rooms, even if that was exactly what she had been doing. The shorts fit but only just, she had to tighten them as much as possible around her waist so they wouldn't fall down. The vest was completely too big but at least stayed in position once she tucked it into her shorts. Finally, Maddie put the socks and shoes on before turning to Tommy who was now fully dressed again, showing no sign that anything just occurred.
'What do you think?'
Tommy looked up and regarded her. He looked her up and down before smiling, pursing his lips together as though he wanted to laugh.
'I look ridiculous, don't I?' she groaned. Great, not only were the audience going to laugh at her for being a girl, but now also for her outfit.
Tommy let out a laugh, not just a small huff but a genuine, loud laugh that made her stare at him in disbelief. After all the effort to get him to laugh over the past two weeks, it turns out all she needed to do was wear some ill-fitting clothes.
'I admit, I prefer you without the kit,' said Tommy, his lips settling into a smug smile. 'Come on, it's game time.'
'Er, don't I need gloves?' asked Maddie as she followed him out of the dressing room.
He didn't answer and continued to lead her towards the ring where she could hear the crowd chattering loudly. They reached a large door where two men were waiting for them. When they spotted Maddie, the two men looked at each other and sniggered. When her and Tommy reached them, she made sure to look unbothered by their laughter.
'So, it is true. The Peaky boy has brought a little girl to fight Hercules,' one of the men said, snorting loudly and looking at Maddie with distaste.
'You her seconds?' asked Tommy, ignoring the man's statement. Their faces dropped and they shifted uncomfortably, feeling intimidated by his glare Maddie suspected. They both nodded and she then noticed one of them holding boxing gloves. Tommy jerked his head towards her in silent instruction.
The man with the gloves came up to her and instructed her to hold her hands out which she did. He smelled of sweat and BO, making Maddie wrinkle her nose. He put the gloves on her hands and tightened them well around her wrists. Meanwhile the other man turned to Tommy.
'What's the fighters name?'
'Maddie Chapman'.
'Nickname?'
Tommy turned his head to Maddie silently in a question. They hadn't come up with a nickname as part of their preparation for the match, so she thought on her feet.
'The Slayer,' said Maddie confidently. Tommy looked at her with a raised eyebrow and she shrugged back at him apologetically in response.
The man gave her an odd look before smirking and turning to the large door which he opened a crack to repeat Maddie's name to a man on the other side. He turned back to them and asked if they were ready. Maddie nodded and went to stand in front of the door, waiting for it to open. BO man walked up beside her and held up a rather manky looking gum guard which she was sure was pre-used.
'I'd rather crawl though a river of shit than put that in my mouth,' she spat bitterly.
'Your funeral,' he mumbled before putting the rancid thing back in his pocket.
Tommy came to stand beside her as the sound of the commentator's voice began to address the crowd on the other side of the door.
'When we walk out just look straight ahead and up at Hercules. Ignore the crowd. They're not there alright?' he whispered to her.
'Okay, Tommy,' she whispered back.
Maddie listened as the commentator announced Hercules onto the ring, the crowd cheering for him raucously. She took a deep breath, the moment seeming to last much longer than it actually did as she awaited the door to open.
'Aaaannnd in the red corner, give it up for Maddie 'The Slayer' Chapman!'
The doors opened and Maddie was hit with a blinding light and the most deafening silence she'd ever heard. Which was saying something since she spent ninety percent of her time in graveyards. She, despite the assault on her eyes, started to walk forward into the large room towards the ring which now came into view. Her eyes adjusted as she approached it and spotted Hercules stood eyeing her down from above. She did as Tommy instructed and kept her eyes on Hercules although she could see some audience members out of the corners of her eyes gawping at her as if she were an hallucination. She went up the steps and ducked under the ropes as Tommy and her two seconds sat in their places in her corner.
The referee took Maddie's hand and held it up before dropping it. By this point the crowd had begun to boo and hiss at her. Now over the shock of seeing a woman walk out, she assumed they were now expressing their anger at what they assumed was going to be a short match. Maddie imagined herself in their position and conceded that she would be pissed if she saw a mammoth and a tiny woman in the ring; she'd question it as well. Boy, were they in for a surprise. The ref made Maddie and Hercules face off before instructing them to stand in their starting positions. Maddie took up her stance, bringing her hands up in a block position as the crowd started to quieten down. Hercules didn't even bother to bring his hands up to block; he must have thought that he could end the match in one punch. Ha.
Then the bell rang, and the match began. Hercules immediately swung a haymaker at Maddie which she saw coming a mile off. She ducked, dodging it easily before strafing round to the right. He turned to follow her, an expression of confusion on his face at her proficient dodge. She weighed up the idea of punching his lights out in one punch but decided that riling the oaf up would be more fun. She spent the first minute dodging and dancing around him, occasionally blocking a few of his jabs for variety; but it only elicited unsatisfied boos from the audience. Tommy had told her to make the match last for least eight rounds before taking the guy out. Not only that but she needed to let her opponent get some seemingly good hits in or the crowd would get suspicious.
Hercules' movements were heavy handed and slow and Maddie realised that she could put herself in his path just enough so his gloves would connect to wherever she wanted whilst making it look genuine. She stepped forward and jabbed him sharply in the ribs but with barely any force. Hercules retuned the jab and she let her face enter his path so that his glove glanced off her cheek. She did a stumbling step backwards as the crowd cheered, finally happy that contact had been made. Hercules advanced again and Maddie let him punch her in the gut three times before blocking him and connecting her glove to his face, this time with a decent amount of effort. His head flung to the side and he bought his hands up to block instinctively. The crowd made a noise of astonishment as she resumed her circling around him just before the bell rang again to signal the round was over.
Maddie went to sit in her corner where Tommy and her seconds were waiting. The crowd murmured amongst themselves, pointing at her angrily. Bookies were walking around the crowd and taking bets on the outcome, just what Tommy wanted. Maddie looked at her second who held up a glass of water for her to sip but she shook her head. The other came up with a towel only to discover that she didn't have a drop of sweat on her and retreated, looking bewildered.
'You're doing good, Maddie,' came Tommy's voice from behind her. She looked down to see him looking up at her from between the ropes. 'Try to work up a sweat or we'll start losing bets.'
The ref signalled for them to get back in the ring and Maddie got up to meet her opponent again. She looked over into Hercules' corner to see Alfie staring at her. His face was serious as he regarded her in a whole different way than he had in the office, now realising that there was more to her than meets the eye. The bell then sounded again, and Maddie ramped up the pressure on Hercules. She moved faster and more aggressively, now starting to sweat and look like more of a boxer, despite her frame and stature.
Rounds went by and the crowd grew more aggravated with each one. Hercules swung at her in frustration, some punches Maddie let collide with her. The rough seams of his gloves left scratches on her arms and face, further adding to the realism. She made sure however that he got his fair share, landing her punches perfectly and even making Hercules tire at one point causing her to have to back off a bit. Five, six, seven rounds went by and before long the eighth round began. The round where she could finally knock the fucker out.
Maddie now dropped all pretence of struggling with the fight in any way, wanting to give the audience a show they wouldn't forget. She let her arms hang limp by her sides as Hercules threw a barrage of punches at her as she simply stepped from side to side, his gloves missing her by miles. She taunted him like this for two minutes until she saw that the guy was really pissed off. She saw him ready for another advance and she considered her options. The man was too tall for her to uppercut straight in the jaw from her height, so she needed to jab him in the gut first.
Hercules made what would be his final steps toward to Maddie, bringing his right arm back as he did so, leaving his body wide open. Stupid oaf. Her gloved fist connected with his abdomen with the most force she'd given so far. She heard the air fly out of his lungs as he keeled forward in agony. Then she drew her arm down and, with even more force, socked him in the jaw in an uppercut. He flew backwards into the air, his arms flailing wildly before he crashed into floor with a loud thud. The room went silent instantaneously; so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. The ref stared at Maddie in shock, so overwhelmed that he forgot to count Hercules out. Not that it was necessary, the giant was out cold. She walked up to the ref who recoiled from her slightly as she approached.
'I think you're supposed to hold up my arm now,' she whispered to him. He swallowed before grasping Maddie's glove and raising it above her head. There were no cheers from the crowd. In this moment, she wished that the Shelby's were there. They would be making a proper racket for her right about now. The ref dropped her hand and she walked over to her corner as Hercules' seconds came on to drag him out of the ring.
Maddie ducked under the ropes and jumped down to where the seconds and Tommy were standing. Tommy smiled and congratulated her on her victory as she held her hands out to BO man to remove her gloves for her. The man just stared at her in bewilderment, seemingly frozen to the spot. The room had started to murmur dangerously around them as angry patrons began to come to terms with loosing their money. Maddie jerked her hands angrily towards him again and he finally snapped out of it and unlaced them and she quickly pulled her hands out of the sweaty leather.
'Can we get out of here now?' she asked Tommy urgently. He nodded and allowed her to lead the way back to the changing room and away from the angry crowd that stared her down all the way out of the door.
Once they were inside the changing room, Maddie allowed herself to breathe. She shook her arms out and stretched her neck from side to side to ease the adrenaline out of her system. The fight hadn't been hard, in fact it had been one of the easiest fights she'd had. But having the eyes of the crowd, Alfie Solomons and the match staff constantly fixed on her had made her nervous. Having that many people watch your every move was uncomfortable at best, especially for someone like her who was used to working alone and hidden in the shadows. Nevertheless, punching that giant's lights out was an experience Maddie wouldn't trade for anything.
'Well that was fun,' she said, turning to smile victoriously at Tommy.
'That was quite the knock-out,' he agreed, lighting up a cigarette.
Maddie turned to her normal clothes and began to eagerly strip herself of her costume, not caring this time whether Tommy was watching or not. As she pulled the vest over her head, she caught a whiff of a horrendous sweaty odour. She knew she stank to high heaven; she recognised the smell of her sweaty armpits, but this stench was emanating from her hands. It must be the gloves, she thought as she quivered with repulsion at the thought that she had her hands in a pair of manky, used boxing gloves. Tommy must have also picked up on Maddie's new perfume as he kept to himself in the corner of the room. She could feel that her underwear was saturated with sweat, making it rub against her skin uncomfortably. She wanted to rip them off, but she didn't want to tempt Tommy into another incident like the one earlier. After removing her shorts, she went over to the sink which also had a mirror above it so she could assess her reflection. There were a couple of grazes on her face and arms as well as a smattering of bruises. She picked up a towel that was hung on the edge of the sink, wetting it and methodically began to clean her various scrapes. Maddie saw Tommy in the mirror, watching her as she quickly cleaned herself up.
'You've had worse scrapes since you've been here,' he joked.
'If only you could see the states I come home in after patrol back home,' she laughed, but his face changed to a more serious one and she remembered how much of a fuss he made about her hands a few days ago. 'Actually. Maybe it's best you don't think about that.'
Maddie quickly pulled her regular clothes back on, thankful that she now looked more like herself and less like a child swamped in a tent. Just as she laced up her shoes, there was a knock at the door before it was opened without assent from her or Tommy. Alfie walked in, wearing a hat and jacket, evidently on his way out of the building.
'Alfie?' questioned Tommy, staring the man down as he entered.
'I thought I'd stop by to congratulate you on your victory,' said Alfie, looking to Maddie. 'You fought back against some damning odd's there didn't ya?'
She smiled at him sarcastically. 'Thank you. Sometimes the odds don't always represent the real picture.'
Alfie chuckled at her witty response and nodded before tipping his hat to her
'It was very nice meeting you Maddie,' he said, turning to leave. 'Oh, and I'll see you on Monday Tom,' he added, jabbing his finger at Tommy before walking out into the corridor.
'I really don't know how you've managed to do business with that nutcase,' commented Maddie as she heard Alfie's heavy footsteps retreat down the corridor. Tommy grunted in response as he went to put his coat and hat on.
Tommy led Maddie out through a side exit into a narrow alleyway so they could avoid the angry crowd. They got back to the car unnoticed and began their drive back to Ada's. She was dying for a bath. Within five minutes of sitting in the car the cabin started to smell of her new sweaty scent, and she noticed Tommy was trying not to look bothered by the smell. When they got back, Ada confirmed Maddie's insecurity and immediately covered her nose as she walked through the front door.
'Oh wow, what is that smell?' she asked.
'It's me,' grumbled Maddie. She saw Ada trying not to laugh and threw her an exasperated look.
'There's a bath ready for you upstairs,' said Ada with a loving smile.
'You are an angel!' squeaked Maddie before she took off at a sprint up the stairs to her room, leaving Tommy and Ada in her dust.
She wrenched her clothes off again, this time with her underwear as well. Her bare skin finally able to breathe as she kicked the clothes across the floor. Maddie could smell the inviting scent of rose that came from the piping hot bath in front of the fire and wasted no time in submerging herself in the water. She grabbed the brush next to the bath and scrubbed at her hands and nails to rid herself of the smell. After a few minutes there came a knock on the door.
'Maddie? It's Ada.'
'Come in!' called Maddie. Ada entered and went to sit on the bed as Maddie continued to scrub.
'Tommy says it was an undisputed success,' said Ada, smiling widely.
'Success yes, but I'm not so sure about the undisputed part. The men who lost their money were definitely disputing the result.'
'I'm not surprised. The people we took bets from back home were rarely happy,' chuckled Ada. 'But you showed them something that's worth more than all the money they lost.'
Maddie smiled; she hadn't considered that her fight could be seen as a statement. A declaration that women are stronger than they look and shouldn't be messed with. Maddie described the details of the fight to Ada, who laughed hysterically at her retelling of the ending. Ada soon announced that she was leaving her in peace and left the room. Maddie let herself relax in the hot rose water for a while, letting it permeate her skin as much as possible. She felt her eyelids being pulled down more and more as she sat, looking over at the small clock on the bedside table she saw that it was nearly midnight. She grumbled and lifted herself out of the bath and towelled herself off before putting on the nightdress she'd brought with her.
She delved to the bottom of her overnight bag and pulled out her outfit from home. The one she had arrived in when she was blasted through time. She lifted the crop top to her nose and breathed in, it still smelt like home. Tomorrow she would be back there, surrounded by her friends and TV and takeaway and her playstation. She felt excitement stir inside her at the thought, although she still felt sad about leaving her new family behind. About leaving Tommy behind. Maddie shut her eyes and sighed, why did he have to come along and make things so difficult for her? Bloody nuisance, she thought although she felt herself smiling just at the thought of Tommy and the moments they'd shared together. Another knock rapped on the door behind her, and just like the devil himself, Tommy entered without waiting for her to respond. He had his shirt sleeves rolled up, his tie had also been removed and his top button was undone. He carried two glasses of whiskey, one of which he held out to Maddie as he came to stand in front of her.
'I could have been naked in here you know,' she teased, rolling her eyes at Tommy's forwardness as she took the glass from him and eyed it suspiciously. He knew she didn't like whiskey; she remembered the last time she tasted it and cringed at the memory.
Tommy raised an eyebrow at her before replying. 'A drink to your victory,' he said raising his glass towards her 'And to our successful partnership together.'
Maddie laughed and clinked her glass to his before bringing it to her lips, deciding to give the whiskey another try before deciding it wasn't for her. The liquid hit her tongue and she felt its burn as a mouthful of it filled her mouth and scorched its path down her throat. She grimaced, pursing her lips together. She managed not to cough, which was a significant improvement from last time and admitted that it tasted slightly better the second time around. Maddie didn't even have to look to know that Tommy was smiling at her reaction to the alcohol. If she were him, she definitely would have laughed too. She threw him an annoyed look before putting her glass down on the bedside table.
'Maybe slayers aren't so tough if they can't even finish a glass of whiskey, eh?' taunted Tommy devilishly, smirking as he brought the rim of his glass to his sexy bloody lips.
Maddie squinted at him in annoyance, the bloody cheek of him. Huffing she snatched the glass back off the table before downing the glass in one, tilting her head back to allow the whiskey to pour straight down her throat. This time she couldn't hold in the coughing, and she spluttered into her hand as her throat stung horribly. Tommy's eyebrows raised and he nodded, impressed.
'I stand corrected.'
A silence fell between them and Maddie's skin started to crawl with anticipation. She knew it was unlikely that Tommy had come to her room at midnight just to share a toast. And now she was stood there in nothing but her nightdress, in her room alone with him. He held eye contact with her for a moment before his gaze flitted to look at something behind her.
'Were you planning on wearing that tomorrow?' he asked, pointing to the bed. Maddie turned to see he was pointing at her clothes from home. They both turned to look at the brightly coloured outfit which was laid out on the bed.
'No. But there's no way I'm leaving them behind. That cost me thirty quid!' exclaimed Maddie, pointing at the crop top. Tommy picked up the miniscule piece of fabric, dangling it on his index finger as he inspected it with a scowl.
'This cost thirty pounds?' he questioned in disbelief. Of course, she had forgotten that thirty quid in 1924 was like… five hundred pounds. Maybe that was an exaggeration, but she knew it was a lot of money anyway.
'It's not as expensive as you think. It would probably be the equivalent of a few, what are the called? Shillings or something,' explained Maddie, not wanting Tommy to think that she'd spend so much on just a tiny bit of fabric.
Tommy huffed out a laugh before dropping the top on the bed. He finished the rest of his whiskey in one quick gulp and turned to Maddie to take her glass that she was still holding. He put the glasses on the bedside table before turning back to her. He looked into her eyes, a softness settling on his features before he bought his hands up to cup her face. Why were his eyes so damn hypnotising? She pondered this as she found herself unable to break her eyes away from his. He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips, the pads of his thumbs brushing her cheekbones softly. Maddie lifted her own hands up to touch his face with her fingers as well. She traced his cheekbone and then up to his forehead, carrying on until she could run her fingers through the long hair on top of his head. She heard him hum quietly and she started to feel the denied arousal from earlier that evening begin to make its presence known. She went to caress the shaved part of his head; she had discovered that she enjoyed the feeling of it on her skin. She hummed in pleasure at the sensation as they pulled apart, drawing in much needed air. Tommy's eyes bore into hers before they flickered around her face, as if taking in her features and memorising them.
'How do you want to spend your last night here Maddie?' he whispered huskily, brushing his lips against Maddie's agonisingly. His accent sounded thicker than normal as he spoke, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
Maddie knew what he meant. He was asking if she wanted him to stay the night with her. She had never felt so tempted in her whole life. Every fibre of her body was saying yes, begging for her to throw the man onto the bed and have her way with him. After all the missed opportunities they'd had, there now wasn't anything to stop them. But at the back of Maddie's mind, the same part that she had ignored the last time she had her heart broken, was screaming at her to stop. The pain she had been through over the past nine years as a slayer was more than most people would be able to bear, and this part of her mind was worried that sleeping with him would make the pain of leaving him too much.
Maddie sighed before kissing Tommy again and withdrawing back to look him in the eyes again.
'I want you to stay Tommy. But I'm afraid if you do it'll make things too hard for both of us,' choked Maddie, her voice catching on the sticky saliva in her throat.
Tommy sighed and looked down at his feet, his eyes closing as he continued to hold onto her face.
'I know,' he finally said, looking back up to meet Maddie's eyes. 'I just wish there was a way…' He trailed off, swallowing his words. She knew he wanted her to stay in 1924, but she couldn't. They both knew it. He pressed his lips to hers again in a small gentle peck before stepping away, picking up the two whiskey glasses from the table and opening the bedroom door.
'Goodnight,' he said as he left the room.
Maddie buried her face in her hands as she fought back tears as soon as Tommy shut the door behind him. What the hell had she gotten herself into? Falling in love with someone she could never be with. Was that what this was? Love? She forced the idea from her mind, she can't be in love Tommy Shelby when tomorrow will be the last day that she would see his face. That just wasn't fair.
She snatched up the butterfly knife that he had given her from her bag before throwing herself onto the bed. She fiddled with the blade, unable to get the image of Tommy's face out of her head as she waited for sleep to take her.
'Are you sure we're in the right place?' asked Tommy impatiently as Maddie scrutinised the buildings on the street, looking for any signs of the Watcher's Council.
Maddie huffed angrily; Tommy had constantly questioned her all morning about finding the Watcher's Council and it was beginning to get on her nerves. She knew it was on Regent Street in Carnaby but other than that she had no idea where it was. She had never visited it with the place no longer existing in her time for nearly twenty years. He had soon picked up that she didn't in fact know where she was going and had thrown suggestions at her as they paced up and down Regent Street for half an hour.
'Yes, Tommy. I'm sure,' said Maddie through gritted teeth. She was glad to have Tommy with her, his support would be more than needed once she needed to talk to the watchers, but she could do without his constant questions.
They had awoken early that morning, a large breakfast greeting Maddie when she got downstairs. Ada's leaving gift to her. She had milked as much time as she could get with Ada that morning before begrudgingly getting ready to leave. She squeezed Ada so hard in their final hug that she almost stopped the poor woman from breathing.
'Good luck, Maddie,' she'd smiled as Maddie finally released her and swung the strap of her overnight bag over her shoulder.
Maddie had to wipe away a tear that fell down her cheek as she got into Tommy's car, also for the last time, and he drove them to Regent Street.
They did another sweep of the street and still found no sign of the place. She groaned in frustration; she was missing something. Think, Maddie, think. She cast her mind back to what Giles had told her about the council and what she had read in the watcher diaries. They were obviously top secret so… so they must have ways to stay concealed in the middle of a busy city like London. Of course! Magic.
Maddie began yet another lap up the street, holding onto the strap of her bag tightly on her shoulder. This time she called upon all her senses, including her special slayer ones. She walked at a fast pace, Tommy keeping up behind her as she awaited any sign of magic. She held her hand out as if to feel the air in front of her, earning her odd looks from passers-by who she ignored.
'What are you-,' started Tommy, but Maddie cut him off.
'Shhh!' she hissed, waving her hand dismissively in his direction. She imagined that no-one had ever dared shushed Tommy Shelby before, and Maddie allowed herself to smile secretly for doing so.
They got halfway along the street before Maddie sensed it. A tingling sensation like pins and needles shot through her hand as they walked past a seemingly unremarkable length of wall. She stopped abruptly and Tommy nearly collided with her. Magic always left a trace, most not usually visible and only detectable by someone who was in line with the supernatural. Someone like a slayer.
'Here,' she said, turning to face the blank wall and squinting at it suspiciously. Tommy turned to follow her gaze and cleared his throat as he scanned the empty wall.
'It's a wall,' he said dumbly. Maddie rolled her eyes at him.
'Duh. It's a magic wall. Probably a glamour.'
She stepped forward and reached out to touch the wall. As her hand got within an inch of the stone, it suddenly disappeared and a small alcove appeared in the wall in front of her. Huge wooden double doors towered above her in the alcove and a sign on the wood read: 'Watcher's Council of England'.
'Are you seeing this?' asked Maddie as she stared at the doors.
'Seeing what?'
Maddie tuned back to Tommy to see him scanning the wall still. You must need to be close to the wall to see the door, she realised.
'Come on,' she said to Tommy with a smile, holding her hand out for him to take. He hesitated, looking around him to see if anyone was watching, probably concerned that she was about to walk them into a brick wall. Eventually he stepped forward and took her hand.
She stepped forward into the alcove, pulling Tommy through with her so they were stood on the step directly in front of the doors. Tommy flinched as the door appeared in front of him, his mouth dropping open in shock, much to Maddie's amusement. He gawped at the doors in disbelief before shutting his jaw and looking down at her.
'So, do we knock?' he asked.
Maddie shrugged but proceeded to knock loudly on the door. They waited for the door to open, or for something to happen when she realised that they were still holding hands. She released her grip from Tommy as one of the big wooden doors creaked open and the face of a youngish looking man appeared in the doorway.
'Yes?' enquired the man, looking at her and Tommy. He had a posh accent that sounded unpleasantly nasal, wired spectacles that sat close to his eyes and he wore a hideous tweed suit. He reminded Maddie a lot of Giles, she knew that he had a penchant for tweed back in the day.
'Er… hi. My name's Maddie, and this is Tommy. I need your help,' she stuttered. She realised that she hadn't planned what to say prior to getting there. It was times like these that she wished she had a way with words like Tommy did.
The man looked at her perplexed. 'How did you find the door?'
'Oh er, well. I'm the slayer. I mean the slayer from the future. That's why I'm here, I need help getting home,' said Maddie, smiling nervously at the tweed man.
'I see…' he said slowly, processing what she'dsaid. After a long pause as the man scrutinised her, Tommy spoke up.
'Are you going to let us in or not?'
The man's eyes snapped to Tommy; he stammered and took a step back, opening the door wider.
'My apologies, please come in,' he said, holding his arm out to allow Maddie and Tommy inside.
Maddie stepped through the door followed closely by Tommy, the man shutting it as soon as they were inside. She found herself stood in a huge atrium. The pillars glinted with gold all the way up to a domed ceiling which was decorated with fresco type paintings, although they depicted images of a more supernatural nature compared to the ones in the Cistine Chapel. Vampires with bumpy face were depicted in some kind of battle against humans. There were a few doors and corridors that lead off the circular atrium, giving the place a labyrinth type feel.
'My name is George, I man the entrance,' said the man to Maddie. 'What did you say you name was Miss?'
'Maddie,' she replied. 'And this is-,'
'Thomas Shelby,' said George, glancing at Tommy. 'Even in the world of monsters and shadows, your name is well-known.'
Maddie looked back inquisitively at Tommy, but he had his eyes fixed on George, a bizarre expression on his face. No doubt shocked to hear that he was famous in the watcher's circles. They regarded each other for a moment before George spoke again.
'If you'd wait here please.'
George turned away from them and went down one of the corridors, leaving Maddie and Tommy alone. She looked around and debated whether to try and sneak through the building to find the library, which was where she knew her answers would be. But she knew it was unlikely she'd get very far.
'You were unusually nervous back there,' said Tommy coming to stand beside her. He was right, she had been uncharacteristically nervous. Maddie cursed herself, she knew the watchers were a bunch of misogynistic twats that deserved nothing but contempt in her mind. But right now, she needed their help to get home, causing her nerves to be on edge around them.
'These men are archaic and stalwartly traditional when it comes to their practices. And I need to try and convince them that I'm telling the truth,' she huffed with bitterness.
'Have you thought about how you're going to do that?'
'Of course,' she lied. Damn him for his perceptiveness, thought Maddie. No, she hadn't thought this far ahead. She admitted that she had pictured walking through the front door and them handing over the spell she needed like they were expecting her all along.
They waited in the atrium for almost fifteen minutes, long enough for Maddie to start pacing around the room in circles impatiently before eventually she heard footsteps coming back down the corridor George went down. She looked toward it in anticipation, fidgeting on the spot as she awaited whoever it was to appear.
George reappeared, stepping into the atrium followed by a much older man. He had grey hair and was balding on the top of his head. He was shorter than George and had to walk at a faster pace to keep up with him. The man looked over to Maddie as he walked in and approached her with confident strides.
'Maddie is it?' he asked, stopping a foot or so in front of her and Tommy. She nodded to the man who then smiled, holding out his hand.
'Richard Travers. A pleasure to meet you.'