(Y/n) looked at the pile of clothes that lay on the bed. Sure, that she had been doing just that for the last hour. She had raced back to her home from the schoolhouse, as quickly as she could. The notion that she had told Arthur that he was sweet, still making her cringe; but she hadn't had time to linger on that too much, sure that she would continue to beat herself up for that later, when she was on her own. No, now she had to find something suitable to wear for the evening.

She had only been to the Shelby's pub once before, and she had to say that in all honestly, it hadn't really been her thing; but she hadn't been with Arthur. And (Y/n) would happily spend the evening in the local junk yard, if it meant that she could spend time with the oldest Shelby; so she was more than happy to give the Garrison another try. But that said, she was still to find the perfect outfit.

Arthur had said that there was something special going on that night, so her attire needed to be suitable. Perhaps even a little special; yet her simple, restrained, school teachers wardrobe, didn't necessarily lend itself to special. Nor did it lend itself to...........well, sexy. And that was what she wanted to be for Arthur. She wanted him to see that she was a woman. A real woman. That she could compete with all those other women that he had associated with. But sexy was not something that parents wanted to see in their children's teacher. Her clothes usually quite dark and designed to conceal most of her skin. But..............(Y/n) suddenly thought, turning back to the wardrobe and digging around at the bottom of it, until she found a packaged wrapped with brown paper, and held together with sting.

One day, (Y/n) had a sudden rush of blood and decided to make her way to the capital. While there, seeing the sights of London, she had come across a small shop. The front window filled with quite the most wonderful of dresses, and she had been lured in. Only making her way back out onto the street, when she had spent far too much money. The real problem though, was that even though she had fallen in love with the piece of clothing, once back in Small Heath, she had realised that she would never have anywhere to wear it. But perhaps tonight, the dress that had been at the bottom of her wardrobe for some time, might just be perfect. (Y/n) slowly pulling on the string and pulling back the brown paper. A soft smile coming to her lips, as she looked down at it.

                                                       >>----------------------------------<<

"Oh yeah........and who are you getting all dressed up for...........?" John chuckled, as he watched his oldest brother fuss over his appearance.

"What tha fuck you talkin about............." Arthur retorted, as he continued to look at his reflection. Combing out his moustache, before pushing his fingers through his hair. Tommy looking over the top of his papers, and just shaking his head.

"You! Since you got back with Charlie, you've done nothin but fuss about how you look. You aren't doin all this for one of them whores are ya............?" John scoffed, as he pulled the toothpick from his mouth. Smiling broadly, as Arthur finally turned and glared at him.

"Alright, that's enough................." Tommy interjected, as he put down his paper and reached for a cigarette. The head of the firm, quite aware who Arthur was doing all this for.

"He isn't doing it for one of the girls from tha club. He's doing it for (Y/n)........" Tommy continued, as he lit his cigarette. Arthur now turning his attention to Tommy. Not sure how he could know.

"(Y/n)? You mean that beautiful teacher of Charlie's? Fuckin hell. Didn't think that she would be your sort, Arthur..........?"

"And what do you mean by that............?" Arthur retorted angrily, as he squared up to his younger brother.

"Oy, I said, that's enough. John, leave Arthur alone." Tommy interrupted again, as he got to his feet and pulled his jacket from the back of his chair.

Tommy had seen the look in his older brother's eyes, when he had introduced Arthur to the school teacher. It was a look that made him smile, a look that gave him hope. (Y/n) was a good woman, a kind and gentle woman; nothing like the prostitutes that his brother would normally associate with. And all that made her just the kind of woman that Arthur needed. Just like any man that had experienced the war, Arthur had come home plagued by the horrors that he had seen; giving into alcohol, cocaine and women to try and deaden those memories, deaden the pain. Yet, in a way, all of that was making things worse, and Tommy wanted more for his brother. He wanted Arthur to find a woman that would love him, would help him fight his demons, and be there when he needed her the most. So, who better than (Y/n)? A woman that even his son seemed to adore.

"What time you pickin her up..........?" Tommy asked, as he pulled his jacket around his shoulders.

"Seven.............." Arthur replied. Giving John one last glare, before looking back to Tommy.

"Well, you better be goin................" Tommy continued, as he looked down at his watch.

"The rest of us will meet you at the Garrison." Tommy added, as he patted Arthur reassuringly on the shoulder, before gesturing for John to follow after him.

                                                      >>--------------------------------------<<

(Y/n) looked at herself, her fingers carefully pushing a curl back into place. She was sure that this may be a little much; but it was too late now to change into something else. The school teacher looking over to the clock on the mantle above the fireplace, grabbing her coat before quickly making her way down the stairs; her heart almost stopping as she heard a sudden knock.

For a second she stood there, sure that she was going to be sick.........or perhaps even die. What if Arthur didn't like how she looked? What if he didn't...........Her thoughts interrupted, as there came another knock. The school teacher taking a deep breath before opening the door. The sound of the blood rushing through her ears almost deafening, as Arthur smiled at her. The older Shelby leaning against the jamb of the door, as he looked her up and down.

"Bloody hell............you're beautiful................"