Real Rocknrolla

by ghost_nerd

Summary:

Isobel "Izzy" Cole has had about enough ofgangsters. Her father, Lenny Cole, keeps her around to run the books. She wants out. She wants out of the gangster life and away from her father. But a spark ignites a fiery relationship with his right-hand man, Archy. A man she has held a torch for, for years.

If Lenny finds out, Archy is a dead man. If he finds out she let her brother into the house, she'd be the Brown Bread.

Notes:

I know I have a couple of other fics in the works. Don't worry, I am still working on them. Unfortunately adulthood caught up with me and I had other boring responsibilities. I watched Rocknrolla for the first time at the beginning of this year and I just couldn't not write something because Mark Strong.
Please, please, please leave a comment, a like or any sort of constructive criticism, it is more than welcome.
Also! Enjoy my first ever smutty fic guys!

Chapter 1: The Boss' Daughter

Summary:

A summary you say? Smut. It's all just soft, gentle, messy smut.

Notes:

Soooo. I edited this one after I a) remembered it existed and b) I found the notes for it (they weren't lost).
It's been a few years but I realised recently I got the timing wrong which is possibly why I never continued it. I'm getting back into writing so here's hoping I actually finish this one.

When Izzy awoke the next morning, Archy was gone, the side of the bed he’d slept on long cold.

Once she had showered and dressed, she made her way downstairs for breakfast.
"Morning, sweetheart!" Lenny greeted when she entered the kitchen. Her eyes instantly fell on Archy, who stood in the corner of the kitchen reading a newspaper as he waited for the kettle to boil. He'd changed his clothes, so obviously went home at some point last night.
"Morning Lenny," she said as she crossed the room and kissed her father on the cheek.
She stepped over towards Archy who was now pouring himself a coffee.
"Morning Archy," she said quietly. She watched the water pour from the kettle and into his mug.
"Morning, love," he greeted gently. He gave her that Archy smile before he sat at the breakfast table with Lenny while Izzy set about making herself a coffee.
"Have a nice night then?" Archy breezed over his shoulder. Izzy dropped the spoon she had been holding and in her attempt to catch it, had it glance off every surface around her.
"Yeah," she squeaked once she had caught the damn thing, cleared her throat and tried again. "Yeah, it wasn't bad."
"Thanks for bringing her home, Archy," Lenny said through a mouthful of toast. Archy had lifted his mug to his lips but he'd frozen with his lips on the rim.
"Yeah, no problem Len." He managed before he sipped his coffee audibly. Izzy pursed her lips to hold back the laugh she felt bubble in her throat as Archy glanced at her, and a flash of amusement passed over him. Izzy poured her coffee into a mug and sat down opposite him.
"Didn't get up to any mischief, then?" Lenny asked. Izzy looked pointedly at Archy.
"No more than usual," she smiled at him. Lenny hummed his disapproval as he turned the newspaper he was reading. The table fell silent as they all focussed on their breakfasts.
"Fucking Labour at it again. Cunts." Lenny threw out to the world. Archy hummed in detached affirmative.

Feeling the need for something to do, Izzy crossed one leg over her knee and started to gently lift her foot up Archy's leg. She watched him pretend to read his newspaper, but his flushed cheeks gave away his dilemma. As she got higher, she noticed his eyes begin to glaze over and his shoulders relaxed. Once she reached his crotch, he looked at her over the newspaper with a look of warning.

Lenny flicked his paper in irritation and slapped it down on the table next to him and spread marmalade over another slice of toast.

“We’ve got a couple meetings today, darlin’.” He took a bite of his toast and turned to look at her. “Will you be alright in the house on your own?” Izzy dropped her leg over her knee and threw him a look.

“Len, I’m twenty five years old. Not five. Yes I will be fine in this Fort Knox of a house on my own.”

“Good girl. We have a meeting with the Councillor at the tennis courts tomorrow, I need you there to keep our Jackie happy.”

Izzy rolled her eyes and stood abruptly from the table. Archy glanced over his paper between her and Lenny as she stared Lenny down.

“Did you even think to ask me first?” Lenny’s eyes widened as he raised his eyebrows and bared his teeth.

“You will do what you’re *fuckin'* told!” He growled as he jabbed a finger in her direction. “You’re under *my* roof, you abide by *my* rules. And even if you weren’t I own fucking London!” Izzy froze with wide eyes before she slowly picked up her mug and made her way to the door.

“Whatever you say, Len,” she croaked. She glanced at Archy who now sat rigidly with his newspaper in one hand and his fingers sat on the rim of his coffee cup as his eyes darted from Lenny to her with concern. Izzy shook her head minutely before she stepped out of the room and made her way to the stairs.

“Be ready by ten o’clock tomorrow morning!” Lenny shouted. “Or I’ll smack you myself!” Izzy closed her eyes when she reached the stairs, and steadied herself before she lifted her head and turned towards the kitchen to reply.

“Yes Lenny,” she croaked.

She traipsed into her bedroom and looked around at the carnage she and Archy had left after the night before. As she approached the bed, she sipped her coffee and let her eyes wander the mess and came to a stop with a loud sigh. It was then that the sound of a loud rhythmic vibration roused her. She furrowed her brow as she searched around herself in attempt to work out where the noise was coming from. She got onto her hands and knees and clambered under the bed to search around until she found the perpetrator. With a small smile, she grasped the phone and pushed herself out from under the bed.

"Nice view," Archy commented from the doorway behind her. Izzy startled and turned her head to look at him. He leaned against the doorframe with his hands pushed deep into his trouser pockets, his eyes on her as he looked her over with that cheeky Archy smirk on his lips. A small smile ghosted her lips as she stood from the floor and stepped towards him. Archy checked the hallway behind him before he pushed away from the door and moved into her bedroom.
"Lose something, Archibald?" She teased as she held his mobile out to him. Archy slid a hand from his pocket and took the phone from her, his fingers grazed the skin on her wrist, which sent goose bumps up her arm.
"Thank you." He muttered and checked his phone to see the list of missed calls and texts.
"Popular?" She asked airily.
"Apparently."
"Chatterbox this morning," she joked and stepped a little closer.
"You talk enough for two of us," he muttered with that smirk that drove her mad.
"Touché."

Archy’s smirk dropped as he stroked a finger under her jaw and pushed her hair over her shoulder.

“You alright, love?” He muttered softly while his eyes saw more than she really wanted him to. Izzy crossed her arms tightly and shrugged her shoulders as she averted her gaze. Archy’s brow furrowed and he gently tipped her chin up with gentle fingers and she met his eyes as he caressed her face. “I’m sorry, love.” Izzy tipped her head and looked away with a tired smile on her lips.

“It’s not your fault. He’s Lenny Fucking Cole. He does and says what he wants with no consequences. Not much anyone can do, really.”

“Oi, Archy!” Lenny’s voice called from downstairs. “Get a fucking move on or we’ll be late!”

Izzy rolled her eyes while Archy huffed a heavy sigh.

“You should go before he throws a strop.”

“Will you be alright?”

“Archy I’ve dealt with Lenny Cole my whole life. I’ll be fine. Now *go.”* Before she could move away, Archy caught her hand and lifted it to his lips to kiss the knuckles on her fingers, before he stepped up to her and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips.

“I’ll see you later then,” he muttered with a grin before he turned and left the room. Izzy stood and stared at the door that stood ajar and listened as Archy and Lenny left the house.

*I could just go now.* She thought to herself. *I could pack a bag and leave. Just walk out of the house and leave London.* She chewed her lip as she stood there and turned that thought around in her head for a while.

The sound of her own phone ringing roused her from her thoughts. With a sigh she traipsed to her nightstand and answered it without checking who it was.

“Hello?” She answered the phone softly.

“Hello mummy!” Johnny cried loudly into her ear. “Have you missed your big brother?” Izzy closed her eyes and smiled as a giggle escaped her.

“Course I miss you Johnny.”

“Well I must admit that is nice to hear. It is nice to be missed.”

“What can I do for you, brother mine?” She asked as she lay herself down on the bed and lifted her feet up onto the wall behind the headboard.

“Well little sister, I just wanted to warn you about tomorrow's papers, and how the news of my death will be greatly exaggerated,” he informed her conversationally. Izzy closed her eyes and exhaled a long irritable sigh.

“For fucks sake Johnny, how many times have you died this year?”

“This will be the third. But do not fret, for I will rise again.”

“Please don't equate yourself to Jesus. I'm not even religious and I find that offensive.”

“You make a good point, little sister. I apologise for the offense and ask your forgiveness.” Izzy giggled and pressed a hand over her eyes.

“You're forgiven.” She dropped her hand and kept her eyes closed. “But only if you promise me you won't stay lost for too long.”

Izzy knew that when Johnny faked his death, it meant only one thing, and that was a drug fuelled bender that either she or Archy would have to drag him kicking and screaming out of after he has pushed his body too far.

“And if you need help, you call me or Archy.” Johnny was silent for a long time before he answered.

“I promise, mum,” he uttered. She knew it was the hollow promise from a heroine addict. Her heart sank and she cleared her throat before she spoke again.

“You know you break my heart when you do this, Johnny.”

“Sorry mum.” They both fell silent, neither sure what to say to the other. Izzy bit her lip and held back the tears that threatened to escape as she heard Johnny spark up a lighter, inhale deeply and expel the smoke with a loud huff. “Love you sister. If you ever need a way out-”

“Stay in school?”

“I was going to say don’t do drugs but that’ll do.” She heard him blow out another puff of smoke. “See you soon little sister.” He hung up.

Izzy sighed and snapped her phone shut as she lay on the bed and wondered where Johnny was. She could have asked but he would never have told her. He’d probably just wax poetic and conclude he was enjoying the views on Jupiter.

With another sigh, she looked around her room and decided that a good deep clean of the house would be the perfect distraction to her life. And so she put on some music and turned up the volume to full blast.

Lenny hated music. Her mother, on the other hand, had loved it. It had been her passion. She had been a wonderful musician, and had taught Johnny how to play the guitar and the piano. Izzy had been too small to really learn much from her before she died. Izzy shook herself out of those thoughts and turned towards her bedroom and pulled her hair up into a ponytail, before she stripped and remade her bed, took the dirty sheets downstairs and threw them into the washing machine.

She pulled out the polish and the hoover, and sang and danced her way around the house as she cleaned. Lenny had a cleaner, but Izzy had always found cleaning to be therapeutic. She often found herself following the cleaner around the house and redoing what she had just finished. It wasn't that she wasn’t good at her job, it was just that Izzy liked to have the house a certain way.

It was the only thing she had any real control over.

She had been in the middle of deep cleaning the oven, and singing along loudly to the music when a light tap on her shoulder caused her to fall back onto her ass with a yelp.

Archy's throaty chuckle accompanied gentle hands as he helped her to her feet.

“Jesus fuck, Arch,” Izzy huffed as she brushed loose hairs from her face with the back of her hands.

“Sorry, couldn't resist,” he grinned. Izzy straightened and looked around.

“Where's Lenny?” Archy turned his torso to check the door  behind him before he answered.

“He had a drink at the meeting with the Russians. Couldn't handle  what they were having.” Izzy grimaced and met looked at his face.

“He hasn't had vodka has he?”

“I have no idea.  He told me to get you sorted with lunch.” Archy became suddenly shy and dropped his gaze to the floor as he spoke. Izzy nodded, turned to close the oven, then removed the marigolds she  had donned some time ago. Izzy bit her lip nervously before she leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to Archy’s cheek. His eyes met her’s, before she silently moved towards the door.

“Give me ten minutes to change.”

Archy watched at her wide eyed as she smiled at him sweetly and disappeared from the kitchen. He pushed one hand in his pocket while he reached out with the other and switched the music off with a click.

Unsure of where they were going, Izzy opted for black jeans and a nice top. She threw them on, scraped a brush through her hair, grabbed her phone and her purse, slipped her feet into a pair of dolly shoes and quickly made her way back down the stairs. Archy was waiting at the open front door with car keys in hand and gave her a faint smirk as she passed by him.

Before he stepped out behind her, he cast a glance around the room at all of his foot soldiers. Each man nodded once at him before he turned and followed Izzy to the car. He unlocked the car and let a patiently waiting Izzy into the car and slid into the driver’s seat after her.

“Where would you like to eat?” He asked as he stuck the key into the ignition and pulled on his seatbelt.

“Surprise me,” Izzy answered with a smile, which Archy returned.

“Alright. I know a place.”

They drove in silence for a while before Izzy switched on the cd player. The cd was partly through Psycho Killer when it began to play, and she tapped a hand as she sang along. Izzy’s rhythmic hand tapping distracted Archy and with one quick movement he grabbed her hand in his.

“Stop it, love,” he told her quietly, before he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently; his eyes on her as he did.

“Sorry,” she muttered as she took her hand back.

There was another silence between them as all of Izzy’s bravado from this morning had disappeared. They had never driven in silence before. One of them usually always had something to say.

Archy cleared his throat loudly and opened his mouth to say something, and then closed it again.

After another long silence, Izzy finally found some words.

“How did the meeting go?” Archy frowned at her.

“You’ve never asked about that shit before,” he pointed out.

“You’ve never been so quiet before, I thought work would get you talking.” Archy cocked an eyebrow at her, and then turned his attention back to the road. It was silent again before Izzy spoke again. “Would you rather I mention the utterly fantastic shag we had last night?” There it was. That bravado.

The comment caught Archy off guard, car swerved into the sound of car horns before Archy righted the car and got them back on the right side of the road.

“Jesus fuck, Izzy!” Izzy smiled widely at his reaction as he waved apologies at other drivers. “You really will be the death of me at this rate.” Izzy managed to look at him again and realised his eyes were on her. They held each other’s gaze for a moment before Archy turned towards the road again.

“Fantastic, was it?” Archy asked with feigned disinterest while Izzy smiled and bit her lip.

“Yes,” she replied carefully. Archy turned his eyes towards her again and looked her over. He slowly placed a hand on her thigh and squeezed lightly. Something in her core tightened when her eyes landed on him and he watched her closely as heat rose to her cheeks. She averted her gaze though her mind was concentrated on the hand that now gently rubbed her thigh. Izzy stared at his hand for a long moment.

“You know. We don’t have to go out for lunch.” Archy frowned but kept his eyes on the road.

“What?”

“You have a flat,” she pointed out. Archy stilled and took his hand back to grip the steering wheel tightly. Izzy’s heart deflated.

Archy drove in silence while Izzy stared out of the window, ashamed that she could even hope that maybe, just maybe… Someone cared.

Chapter 2: The Morning After the Night Before

Summary:

Some morning after, some cleaning and some sisterly love. Len is Len, Archy is Archy and Jonny is chaos incarnate.

Notes:

So like any story this is just a build up to the main events. I have genuinely enjoyed digging back into the story and redefining the relationship between Izzy and Archy (it was a lot different before I found it again.)
Please leave your reviews, comments, commiserations and recipes at the end of the chapter.

When Izzy awoke the next morning, Archy was gone, the side of the bed he’d slept on long cold.

Once she had showered and dressed, she made her way downstairs for breakfast.
"Morning, sweetheart!" Lenny greeted when she entered the kitchen. Her eyes instantly fell on Archy, who stood in the corner of the kitchen reading a newspaper as he waited for the kettle to boil. He'd changed his clothes, so obviously went home at some point last night.
"Morning Lenny," she said as she crossed the room and kissed her father on the cheek.
She stepped over towards Archy who was now pouring himself a coffee.
"Morning Archy," she said quietly. She watched the water pour from the kettle and into his mug.
"Morning, love," he greeted gently. He gave her that Archy smile before he sat at the breakfast table with Lenny while Izzy set about making herself a coffee.
"Have a nice night then?" Archy breezed over his shoulder. Izzy dropped the spoon she had been holding and in her attempt to catch it, had it glance off every surface around her.
"Yeah," she squeaked once she had caught the damn thing, cleared her throat and tried again. "Yeah, it wasn't bad."
"Thanks for bringing her home, Archy," Lenny said through a mouthful of toast. Archy had lifted his mug to his lips but he'd frozen with his lips on the rim.
"Yeah, no problem Len." He managed before he sipped his coffee audibly. Izzy pursed her lips to hold back the laugh she felt bubble in her throat as Archy glanced at her, and a flash of amusement passed over him. Izzy poured her coffee into a mug and sat down opposite him.
"Didn't get up to any mischief, then?" Lenny asked. Izzy looked pointedly at Archy.
"No more than usual," she smiled at him. Lenny hummed his disapproval as he turned the newspaper he was reading. The table fell silent as they all focussed on their breakfasts.
"Fucking Labour at it again. Cunts." Lenny threw out to the world. Archy hummed in detached affirmative.

Feeling the need for something to do, Izzy crossed one leg over her knee and started to gently lift her foot up Archy's leg. She watched him pretend to read his newspaper, but his flushed cheeks gave away his dilemma. As she got higher, she noticed his eyes begin to glaze over and his shoulders relaxed. Once she reached his crotch, he looked at her over the newspaper with a look of warning.

Lenny flicked his paper in irritation and slapped it down on the table next to him and spread marmalade over another slice of toast.

“We’ve got a couple meetings today, darlin’.” He took a bite of his toast and turned to look at her. “Will you be alright in the house on your own?” Izzy dropped her leg over her knee and threw him a look.

“Len, I’m twenty five years old. Not five. Yes I will be fine in this Fort Knox of a house on my own.”

“Good girl. We have a meeting with the Councillor at the tennis courts later on, I need you there to keep our Jackie happy.”

Izzy rolled her eyes and stood abruptly from the table. Archy glanced over his paper between her and Lenny as she stared Lenny down.

“Did you even think to ask me first?” Lenny’s eyes widened as he raised his eyebrows and bared his teeth.

“You will do what you’re *fucking* told!” He growled as he jabbed a finger in her direction. “You’re under *my* roof, you abide by *my* rules. And even if you weren’t I own fucking London!” Izzy froze with wide eyes before she slowly picked up her mug and made her way to the door.

“Whatever you say, Len,” she croaked. She glanced at Archy who now sat rigidly with his newspaper in one hand and his fingers sat on the rim of his coffee cup as his eyes darted from Lenny to her with concern. Izzy shook her head minutely before she stepped out of the room and made her way to the stairs.

“Be ready by two o’clock!” Lenny shouted. “Or I’ll smack you myself!” Izzy closed her eyes when she reached the stairs, and steadied herself before she lifted her head and turned towards the kitchen to reply.

“Yes Lenny,” she croaked.

She traipsed into her bedroom and looked around at the carnage she and Archy had left after the night before. As she approached the bed, she sipped her coffee and let her eyes wander the mess and came to a stop with a loud sigh. It was then that the sound of a loud rhythmic vibration roused her. She furrowed her brow as she searched around herself in attempt to work out where the noise was coming from. She got onto her hands and knees and clambered under the bed to search around until she found the perpetrator. With a small smile, she grasped the phone and pushed herself out from under the bed.

"Nice view," Archy commented from the doorway behind her. Izzy startled and turned her head to look at him. He leaned against the doorframe with his hands pushed deep into his trouser pockets, his eyes on her as he looked her over with that cheeky Archy smirk on his lips. A small smile ghosted her lips as she stood from the floor and stepped towards him. Archy checked the hallway behind him before he pushed away from the door and moved into her bedroom.
"Lose something, Archibald?" She teased as she held his mobile out to him. Archy slid a hand from his pocket and took the phone from her, his fingers grazed the skin on her wrist, which sent goose bumps up her arm.
"Thank you." He muttered and checked his phone to see the list of missed calls and texts.
"Popular?" She asked airily.
"Apparently."
"Chatterbox this morning," she joked and stepped a little closer.
"You talk enough for two of us," he muttered with that smirk that drove her mad.
"Touché."

Archy’s smirk dropped as he stroked a finger under her jaw and pushed her hair over her shoulder.

“You alright, love?” He muttered softly while his eyes saw more than she really wanted him to. Izzy crossed her arms tightly and shrugged her shoulders as she averted her gaze. Archy’s brow furrowed and he gently tipped her chin up with gentle fingers and she met his eyes as he caressed her face. “I’m sorry, love.” Izzy tipped her head and looked away with a tired smile on her lips.

“It’s not your fault. He’s Lenny Fucking Cole. He does and says what he wants with no consequences. Not much anyone can do, really.”

“Oi, Archy!” Lenny’s voice called from downstairs. “Get a fucking move on or we’ll be late!”

Izzy rolled her eyes while Archy huffed a heavy sigh.

“You should go before he throws a strop.”

“Will you be alright?”

“Archy I’ve dealt with Lenny Cole my whole life. I’ll be fine. Now *go.”* Before she could move away, Archy caught her hand and lifted it to his lips to kiss the knuckles on her fingers, before he stepped up to her and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips.

“I’ll see you later then,” he muttered with a grin before he turned and left the room. Izzy stood and stared at the door that stood ajar and listened as Archy and Lenny left the house.

*I could just go now.* She thought to herself. *I could pack a bag and leave. Just walk out of the house and leave London.* She chewed her lip as she stood there and turned that thought around in her head for a while.

The sound of her own phone ringing roused her from her thoughts. With a sigh she traipsed to her nightstand and answered it without checking who it was.

“Hello?” She answered the phone softly.

“Hello mummy!” Johnny cried loudly into her ear. “Have you missed your big brother?” Izzy closed her eyes and smiled as a giggle escaped her.

“Course I miss you Johnny.”

“Well I must admit that is nice to hear. It is nice to be missed.”

“What can I do for you, brother mine?” She asked as she lay herself down on the bed and lifted her feet up onto the wall behind the headboard.

“Well little sister, I just wanted to warn you about tomorrow's papers, and how the news of my death will be greatly exaggerated,” he informed her conversationally. Izzy closed her eyes and exhaled a long irritable sigh.

“For fucks sake Johnny, how many times have you died this year?”

“This will be the third. But do not fret, for I will rise again.”

“Please don't equate yourself to Jesus. I'm not even religious and I find that offensive.”

“You make a good point, little sister. I apologise for the offense and ask your forgiveness.” Izzy giggled and pressed a hand over her eyes.

“You're forgiven.” She dropped her hand and kept her eyes closed. “But only if you promise me you won't stay lost for too long.”

Izzy knew that when Johnny faked his death, it meant only one thing, and that was a drug fuelled bender that either she or Archy would have to drag him kicking and screaming out of after he has pushed his body too far.

“And if you need help, you call me or Archy.” Johnny was silent for a long time before he answered.

“I promise, mum,” he uttered. She knew it was the hollow promise from a heroine addict. Her heart sank and she cleared her throat before she spoke again.

“You know you break my heart when you do this, Johnny.”

“Sorry mum.” They both fell silent, neither sure what to say to the other. Izzy bit her lip and held back the tears that threatened to escape as she heard Johnny spark up a lighter, inhale deeply and expel the smoke with a loud huff. “Love you sister. If you ever need a way out-”

“Stay in school?”

“I was going to say don’t do drugs but that’ll do.” She heard him blow out another puff of smoke. “See you soon little sister.” He hung up.

Izzy sighed and snapped her phone shut as she lay on the bed and wondered where Johnny was. She could have asked but he would never have told her. He’d probably just wax poetic and conclude he was enjoying the views on Jupiter.

With another sigh, she looked around her room and decided that a good deep clean of the house would be the perfect distraction to her life. And so she put on some music and turned up the volume to full blast

. Lenny hated music. Her mother, on the other hand, had loved it. It had been her passion. She had been a wonderful musician, and had taught Johnny how to play the guitar and the piano. Izzy had been too small to really learn much from her before she died. Izzy shook herself out of those thoughts and turned towards her bedroom and pulled her hair up into a ponytail, before she stripped and remade her bed, took the dirty sheets downstairs and threw them into the washing machine.

She pulled out the polish and the hoover, and sang and danced her way around the house as she cleaned. Lenny had a cleaner, but Izzy had always found cleaning to be therapeutic. She often found herself following the cleaner around the house and redoing what she had just finished. It wasn't that she wasn’t good at her job, it was just that Izzy liked to have the house a certain way.

It was the only thing she had any real control over.

She had been in the middle of deep cleaning the oven, and singing along loudly to the music when a light tap on her shoulder caused her to fall back onto her ass with a yelp.

Archy's throaty chuckle accompanied gentle hands as he helped her to her feet.

“Jesus fuck, Arch,” Izzy huffed as she brushed loose hairs from her face with the back of her hands.

“Sorry, couldn't resist,” he grinned. Izzy straightened and looked around.

“Where's Lenny?” Archy turned his torso to check the door  behind him before he answered.

“He had a drink at the meeting with the Russians. Couldn't handle  what they were having.” Izzy grimaced and met looked at his face.

“He hasn't had vodka has he?”

“I have no idea.  He told me to get you sorted with lunch.” Archy became suddenly shy and dropped his gaze to the floor as he spoke. Izzy nodded, turned to close the oven, then removed the marigolds she  had donned some time ago. Izzy bit her lip nervously before she leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to Archy’s cheek. His eyes met her’s, before she silently moved towards the door.

“Give me ten minutes to change.”

Archy watched at her wide eyed as she smiled at him sweetly and disappeared from the kitchen. He pushed one hand in his pocket while he reached out with the other and switched the music off with a click.

Unsure of where they were going, Izzy opted for black jeans and a nice top. She threw them on, scraped a brush through her hair, grabbed her phone and her purse, slipped her feet into a pair of dolly shoes and quickly made her way back down the stairs. Archy was waiting at the open front door with car keys in hand and gave her a faint smirk as she passed by him.

Before he stepped out behind her, he cast a glance around the room at all of his foot soldiers. Each man nodded once at him before he turned and followed Izzy to the car. He unlocked the car and let a patiently waiting Izzy into the car and slid into the driver’s seat after her.

“Where would you like to eat?” He asked as he stuck the key into the ignition and pulled on his seatbelt.

“Surprise me,” Izzy answered with a smile, which Archy returned.

“Alright. I know a place.”

They drove in silence for a while before Izzy switched on the cd player. The cd was partly through Psycho Killer when it began to play, and she tapped a hand as she sang along. Izzy’s rhythmic hand tapping distracted Archy and with one quick movement he grabbed her hand in his.

“Stop it, love,” he told her quietly, before he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently; his eyes on her as he did.

“Sorry,” she muttered as she took her hand back.

There was another silence between them as all of Izzy’s bravado from this morning had disappeared. They had never driven in silence before. One of them usually always had something to say.

Archy cleared his throat loudly and opened his mouth to say something, and then closed it again.

After another long silence, Izzy finally found some words.

“How did the meeting go?” Archy frowned at her.

“You’ve never asked about that shit before,” he pointed out.

“You’ve never been so quiet before, I thought work would get you talking.” Archy cocked an eyebrow at her, and then turned his attention back to the road. It was silent again before Izzy spoke again. “Would you rather I mention the utterly fantastic shag we had last night?” There it was. That bravado.

The comment caught Archy off guard, car swerved into the sound of car horns before Archy righted the car and got them back on the right side of the road.

“Jesus fuck, Izzy!” Izzy smiled widely at his reaction as he waved apologies at other drivers. “You really will be the death of me at this rate.” Izzy managed to look at him again and realised his eyes were on her. They held each other’s gaze for a moment before Archy turned towards the road again.

“Fantastic, was it?” Archy asked with feigned disinterest while Izzy smiled and bit her lip.

“Yes,” she replied carefully. Archy turned his eyes towards her again and looked her over. He slowly placed a hand on her thigh and squeezed lightly. Something in her core tightened when her eyes landed on him and he watched her closely as heat rose to her cheeks. She averted her gaze though her mind was concentrated on the hand that now gently rubbed her thigh. Izzy stared at his hand for a long moment.

“You know. We don’t have to go out for lunch.” Archy frowned but kept his eyes on the road.

“What?”

“You have a flat,” she pointed out. Archy stilled and took his hand back to grip the steering wheel tightly. Izzy’s heart deflated.

Archy drove in silence while Izzy stared out of the window, ashamed that she could even hope that maybe, just maybe… Someone cared.

Chapter 3: Game. Set. Match.

Summary:

Izzy and Archy have lunch, we meet Bob and Mumbles for the first time, and Izzy plays tennis badly.

Notes:

So it's been a while, huh? I recently found my notes for this fic, edited the previous chapters (they are vastly different) and I have organised things into some sort of order.
Please leave comments, hopes, dreams and recipes at the end of the chapter.
Or yell at me, that's cool too I guess,

They read their menus in silence as they glanced at one another, though they missed the other's eye each time they looked up. Izzy sighed, placed her menu down and took in the restaurant around her. It was much more high end than she expected from Archy. Dark wooden floors and walls have the whole place a somewhat cosy, homey feel. Warm lighting relaxed her, and the jovial shouts and laughter from the kitchens helped her feel more comfortable. There were one or two other occupied tables dotted about the room, though not many.

"What can I get for you?" Their server asked, a young girl with a wide smile stood ready with pen and pad between her and Archy, who smiled and gestured for Izzy to give her order.

"Just the Tabbouleh for me, please." The girl smiled and wrote it down as Archy leaned around her.

"You sure?" He asked with concern. Izzy smiled at him and nodded.

"Not very hungry." Archy arched a brow at her before he gave his own food order and handed the girl their menus with a polite smile. She watched as she fixed his suit jacket and leaned his arms on the table and knotted his fingers together. "So." He began with that winning Archy smile.

"So," she returned quietly. Archy searched her face closely as he chewed on his lip.

"We fucked," he said impishly. Izzy giggled and placed a hand across her face to hide her blush. Archy's fingers wrapped around the hand on her face and pulled it away gently. She glanced at him and smiled bashfully while she let him hold her hand carefully. "You don't have to hide from me, love," he muttered. Izzy relaxed into her chair and twined her fingers with his.

"I know," she replied lightly. "You've just always made me blush." She looked at him to find a small smile tipped his lips up.

"I noticed." Izzy bit her lip and averted her gaze. She opened her mouth to speak just as their food arrived.

"Can I get you anything else?" The server asked. Archy glanced at Izzy and pointed at the table.

"Just some water for the table, sweetheart, thanks." The girl disappeared again and Izzy dug into her food while Archy watched her closely. They ate in silence for a while until the girl returned with a jug of water and two glasses. She smiled sweetly at them both and disappeared again. Archy poured water for them both and resumed his meal. They ate their food in silence, both concentrated on the plates in front of them. After some time, Izzy leaned towards him with a furrowed brow.

"You noticed?" She asked quietly. Archy swallowed the mouthful of food he'd been chewing and looked at her with a smile.

"Course I did. Soon as I got back. After I got out of prison. I noticed." Izzy stuck her tongue into her cheek, lifted her glass to her lips and looked at him over the rim. She cleared her throat quietly and looked down at her hands.

"I noticed you too," she admitted quietly. This got his attention, and he sat forward to sip his water while he listened. "After you came back," Izzy started as she moved the remnants of her food around her plate. "I noticed..." She huffed an awkward laugh and searched around the restaurant as she willed the words out. She finally turned her eyes on him and turned herself towards him. She reached out and grasped the fingers of his hand on the table. "Your eyes. I noticed your eyes." His fingers hooked around hers while his eyes were intent on her. "You seemed... Sadder when you got back. You were sad before, I could tell." She spoke quickly before she lost what nerve she mustered. "I think you've always had a sadness about you. But now when you think nobody can see you. I see it." Archy was silent when she was done. His fingers tightened around her hand as he covered his mouth with the other. His dark eyes looked her over before he raised his hand to the server, who appeared at his elbow quickly.

"Could we get the bill please, sweetheart?" He requested softly, his fingers still on Izzy's hand. The girl disappeared and returned quickly with the bill, and Archy quickly paid in cash and stood abruptly from the table. "We should get back," he muttered. He stood to wait for her to stand and slid his hands into his trouser pockets. Izzy hesitated before she followed him, her eyes stuck to his back as he swaggered smoothly through the restaurant towards the door.
When they got to the car Archy turned abruptly, placed a hand under her jaw and pressed himself against her until she was against the car.

“You’re going to be the death of me,” he muttered into her ear. Izzy’s breathing picked up as her hands slid up and onto his shoulders. Archy’s breath was hot against her skin as he trailed his lips along her skin until he hovered over hers. He bent his head slowly until he was a breath away from her when his mobile rang.

Archy exhaled as he pulled back slowly, his hand still cupped Izzy’s face while her heart hammered in her rib cage. Archy blinked quickly as he stepped away and pulled his phone from his pocket and answered it, his eyes still on Izzy.

“Yeah?” He greeted harshly as he turned away from Izzy. “Lenny? Yeah. Yeah we’re on our way now.” He placed a hand on his waist and turned completely away from her. “Yep. Won’t be long.” He snapped his phone shut and bowed his head before he slowly turned to look at Izzy, guilt plastered all over his face. Izzy sighed and shook her head.

“Please don’t look at me like that, Arch,” she gasped. Archy placed his phone in his pocket and nodded towards the car.

“Gotta go, love,” he muttered. He walked around the car and silently got in while she attempted to catch her breath again. She took one deep breath to calm her breathing before she opened the door and climbed in next to him.

The drive home was spent in complete silence. Izzy leaned an elbow on the window frame and watched the London traffic from where she sat in the passenger seat.

They returned to the house to the sounds of Lenny yelling inside. Izzy and Archy stopped on the step and stared at the door as the shouting became more intense.

"Bet you a fiver it's Bandy," Izzy muttered. Archy arched an eyebrow as he looked down at her and then smirked.

"Too easy, love." Izzy stepped forward and carefully opened the door, having once or twice come between Lenny, whatever he threw, and whoever it has been thrown at. Archy placed his hand over the one she had rested on the door handle. She turned her head to look at him as he placed a hand on her waist and guided her behind him before he stepped through the door before her.

"Are you stupid or just fuckin’ brain damaged? Stop askin' stupid questions and do what you're fuckin' told! Archy! Slap him." Archy stopped short and glanced around the entryway of the house.

"What the fuck is goin' on, Len?" Izzy asked, as she closed the door.

"This dumb little fucker won't stop askin' stupid questions is what's goin' on," Len snapped before he pointed at Archy and swept his hand at Bandy. "And you!" He snapped at Izzy, “Office! Now!"

Archy turned his head to look at Izzy, who only shrugged and made her way to the stairs.

"Bandy," Archy snapped before he returned his attention back to the rest of the room. "Come here." Izzy made it to the landing and slowed her pace as she watched Bandy as he reluctantly made his way over to Archy, who held his hand out across himself and brought the back of his hand down across Bandy's face. Bandy stumbled backwards and Izzy bit her lip before she picked up the pace and made her way to her bedroom. Archy glanced up and watched as Izzy turned the corner on the first floor and disappeared up the hallway to her bedroom."

Archy come and see this!" Lenny shouted excitedly from the library.

**************************************************************

Izzy stepped into the Speeler that evening and sought out Handsome Bob. She spotted him at the back of the room with Mumbles, and made a beeline for him. Bob noticed her before she reached the table and straightened his back as she approached.
"Does that grin mean what I think it means?" He asked a smile peeked it's way onto his lips. Mumbles looked between the two then clicked his fingers at Izzy.
"Who did you shag, then?" He asked quietly. Izzy swatted his shoulder, looked around then dipped her head next to his.
"Archy."
"Fuckin hell!" Mumbles bellowed. Bob and Izzy hushed him, and flailed their arms at him. "Well what was *that* like?" Mumbles asked as he leaned forward, and she sat down. Izzy looked at him surprised then looked at a grinning Bob.
"Pretty good would be an understatement," Izzy grinned. The pair laughed, and Mumbles slapped a hand on his knee.
"I've always wondered what he'd be like," Bob stated, in his camp voice. "Big, bad, Archibald at his most vulnerable." Mumbles swatted at Bob who couldn't stop laughing. Izzy breathed a laugh and chewed her lip.
"Listen this stays between us. If Lenny finds out he'd have Archy killed." Mumbles and Bob grew serious and nodded their heads in agreement.
"Course darlin'," Mumbles said.
"Won't breathe a word, love." Bob added. Mumbles drained the dregs of his beer and shook his glass at Bob, who nodded once. Mumbles moved to the bar to buy another round and Bob moved closer to Izzy to bring their heads together.
"So how many times did he have you…" He bobbed his head to finish the question. Izzy grinned and held up four fingers.
"We were in a hurry." Bob smiled widely. "Well done Archibald. Four in a hurry ain't half bad." Izzy laughed loudly, and threw her head back. "He's probably over the moon and all." Bob said as Mumbles passed him his beer and sat down on the other side of him.
"What? Why?" Izzy asked.
"He's had his eyes on you since he got out the joint," Mumbles told her matter of factly. Izzy blinked at them both.
"How the *fuck* did you figure that?" She asked. Bob and Mumbles looked at each other and chuckled.
"Man as cold as that doesn't half throw the puppy dog eyes your way. He likes you, darlin'. Alot." Mumbles took a swig of his beer and watched her. "I'm judging by that look that your own fuzzy feelings for him are far from fairly recent." Izzy raised her eyebrows, and nodded her head slowly.
Bob watched their exchange with an air of interest, as he practically hugged his pint.
"Does he know you like him? Or does he think that last night's activities are the once in a lifetime kind of experience?" Mumbles asked.
I think so. I've been flirting with him a lot recently but I'm not sure he realises how much I like him." Bob and Mumbles glanced at each other, then back at her.
"Tell him," they said in unison. Izzy nodded and stood from her chair.
"Hold on, darlin'," Mumbles said, holding a steadying hand out. "After your drink." Izzy glanced at the Guinness she hadn't noticed.
"Oh. Thanks Mumbles."
"Also next round's yours," he threw at her with a cheeky grin. They were two more rounds in and had been joined by One-Two, when the buzzer went. Izzy was too busy laughing at Bob to notice a disgruntled Archy appear in the doorway.
"Uh oh," Mumbles chuckled quietly. He leaned towards Izzy to whisper in her ear. "Your missus looks mad." Izzy snorted and slowly sipped her drink as Archy approached the table.
"Get your coat, we've gotta go," Archy snapped at Izzy. Izzy raised her eyebrows in surprise and the boys all fell silent. They looked between them both and slinked back in their chairs to a safe distance from the exchange.
"I’m sorry?" Izzy asked. She'd never dreamt Archy would ever speak to her like that, and she didn't like that he thought he could. "Who the *fuck* are you talking to?" Archy's face was dark, though she could see hesitation in his eyes.
"Lenny asked me to fetch you," Archy growled.
"Right. And what's got your knickers in a twist?" Izzy snapped. Archy rolled his eyes and looked away. He marched to the door.
"Just get your coat," he threw over his shoulder. Izzy drained the rest of her drink and grabbed her coat.
"What the fuck is wrong with him?" One-Two asked, as he gestured to the door Archy just disappeared through. He watched Izzy as she made her way across the room. "You don't have to go with him. We can get you home." Izzy turned to the boys and smiled.
"Thanks. But that might just get you hurt right now." She glanced at Mumbles and Bob, who nodded once and sipped their drinks. "Night boys."

Izzy stepped out into the cold London air, and pulled on her coat. She searched up and down the street until she spotted Archy who was leaned up against a town car. Izzy squared her shoulders and stomped over to him. Archy spotted her and turned to open the car door, and hadn’t expected her to back hand him as hard as she could in true Archy style.
"If you have a problem with me, come to me and say it. Don't humiliate me in public, in front of my friends." Archy turned his head back to look at her and stuck his tongue into his cheek in frustration.
"Bit of an overreaction, love." He said dangerously.
"Gets the point across," Izzy glared at him. "What the *fuck* gives you the right to speak to me like that?" Archy sighed and looked around the street to keep from looking at her.
"Alright. I'm sorry." Izzy blinked in surprise.
"Pardon?" She was shocked he'd apologised so quickly.
"I'm sorry, love." Archy shuffled from foot to foot and looked at the ground. "I'm not good at this shit. I was sent to fetch you from the Speeler, and I saw you with *them* and-"
"*You* got jealous." Izzy finished his sentence for him. She gauged his reaction and noted his bashful demeanour. Izzy stepped forward and closed the gap between them until she was pressed up against him. She tilted her head and she kissed his cheek gently. Archy cleared his throat and furrowed his brow as he shuffled his feet again. "There's nothing to be jealous of, Archibald. I'm all yours."
Archy took in a sharp breath before he turned his head and captured her lips with his. His hands grasped her arms and he pushed her against the car. She pulled away and caught his eye.
"I'm sorry I hit you."
"It's alright. It was a good one though, I'm actually proud." Archy grinned at her as she chuckled, and hid her face in his chest.
"It's probably not a good thing to be seen like this, though." She pointed out. Archy seemed to remember where they were and looked around, as he rubbed his hands up and down her arms.
"Yeah. Come on, get in the car. Lenny’s waiting," Archy held her hand as she climbed into the front seat and closed the door. She waited for him to get into the driver's seat before she before she leaned over the centre console and pulled him into a deep, gentle kiss.

When she pulled back, Archy searched her face in bashful surprise.

“What was that for?” Archy asked quietly. Izzy leaned back against the door and shrugged.

“That was for nonthing,” she answered softly with a smile. She watched as he smiled at himself and dropped his eyes to look at the steering wheel in front of him. He turned to her and hummed as he started the car.

Izzy stared at him as he drove. They were almost at Lenny's when she spoke.
"Why do you worry about me?" She asked quietly.Archy glanced at her with sad eyes.

“I always worry about you, Izz. Always will.” He pulled in outside the house, turned off the car and pulled the handbrake. He got out and made his way up the driveway and left her in the car. She watched him as she unbuckled her seatbelt and exited the car.

Hot and cold. That's how this was going to be. Wonderful.
She entered the house to the sound of one of Lenny's rants. Izzy rolled her eyes, as she removed her coat and made her way up the stairs.
"Where the fuck do you think you're going young lady?" Izzy screwed her face up and slowed to a stop.
"*Young*- Lenny I haven't heard that since I was *seventeen*." She said over the balcony.
"Why the fuck do you feel the need to go to a place like the fucking Speeler?" She frowned as she leaned a hand heavily on the banister.

"Whether you like it or not, Lenny, the Wild Bunch are my friends. And with the shit you and yours have going on round here right now, it's probably the safest place for me to be," she looked around the room and then down at Lenny, who had appeared from the living area. "Safer than here, at least." She glanced at Archy, who watched the exchange silently before he stepped up to his boss and he whispered quietly.
"Come on Lenny, she's right. The Wild Bunch might be arseholes but they will look out for her."
"She doesn't need a bunch of homo immigrants to look out for her," Lenny yelled.
"Why doesn't Archy come with me, then?" Izzy yelled. Archy threw her a warning look before he slid his eyes back to Lenny.
"I need Archy with me in meetings, sweetheart. What about Bandy? He could do with the experience." Izzy raised her eyebrows at Archy, and then they both looked at Bandy who, as usual, looked lost.
"I suppose I could always give him to Handsome Bob to play with," Izzy said as she made her way towards her room. She glanced at Archy and noticed the smile he had hidden under the hand he wiped across his lips. Lenny threw his hands in the air and shook his head.
"Fucking, women. She might not be a kid anymore but she will do as she's told." Archy glanced up towards the landing again before he followed Lenny into the sitting room.
"She's your blood, Lenny, do you really expect her to do as she's told?" Lenny turned and gave Archy a tired look. "Has she ever?"
"There was that one summer, she tried being good. Didn't like it. Shaved Johnny's hair off as a big comeback." Archy smirked before he gestured towards the decanter of bourbon. Lenny nodded, and sat wearily in one of the armchairs.
"She's probably right though. You're right about that. Those boys do look after her. As much as they irritate my balls." Archy handed Lenny his drink before taking a seat across from him.
"It'll do Bandy good to follow her about a bit. She might scare him into a grown fucking man."
Archy nodded his head slowly as he took a large gulp of his whisky, and silently seethed at the thought of Bandy spending more time with Izzy.
*********************************

Jackie was Lenny’s favourite resource when it came to deal making. She was beautiful, funny, and reasonably smart. Izzy loathed her, and Len knew it. Therefore he forced Izzy to socialise with her. Izzy was losing miserably. She hated tennis.

A short, sharp, loud whistle burst from the other side of the tennis courts and startled Izzy just as Jackie hit the ball back at her. The ball hit her square and hard in the chest and sent her backwards onto her arse.

"Oi, Jackie!" Archy called. "You fancy giving the councillor the run around?" The wide smirk on Archy's face set her blood to boil. And now her chest hurt, as did her dignity.

"Only if he's *wicked*." Jackie flirted.

Izzy’s jealousy built in her chest as she watched the exchange. With a clenched jaw she pushed herself up, threw her racket to the ground hard enough for it to break, and left Jackie on the court. She stomped up to the members club and felt blood trickle down her arm.

Great. And she was wearing white.

Why was she so jealous? She is aware of Archy's history with Jackie. It was far from romantic.  They fucked when they were bored.  Hardly couple of the year.

And yet.

She pushed her way through the heavy front door of the clubhouse. stormed into the bathroom and over to the sinks where she twisted her arm until she could see the damage.

A thick trickle of blood trailed from her elbow and down onto her fingers. She swore quietly when it began to drip on to the marble floor and lifted her arm up over the sink.

She tugged a few paper towels out of the dispenser and shoved them under the cold tap while a few women filed in through the door and watched as she dabbed at her elbow.

"Ought to be careful out there Isobel. Tennis isn't for the faint hearted," one of them quipped.

"Fuck off Karen before you get hurt."

Izzy threw a dirty look at Karen through the mirror and was satisfied to see the woman start before she hurriedly locked herself inside a cubicle.

Lenny lesson #1: Don't give out threats you don't intend to follow through on. An empty threat makes for a pathetic nobody. Which is not a thing the Coles could be. More's the pity. Izzy would give her left hand to be a nobody in her father's world.

With a loud sigh, Izzy tried to angle her elbow enough to dab at the areas she couldn't see as the bathroom door opened again, and Izzy tried her best to ignore whoever else had entered the room. That was until she felt a warm hand on her shoulder while another took the paper towel out of her hand gently. She glanced up into the mirror, surprised to see Archy stood behind her.

"I think you're lost Archibald. Unless you're trying to tell me something." Archy flicked his eyes at the mirror with quiet amusement before he carefully angled her arm to see the damage.

"Lenny sent me to find you. Thought you were on the courts, but when I went to fetch you, I found a very broken tennis racket in your place."

"This is *your* fault, you know." Izzy twitched her arm so he knew exactly what she had reffered to.

"What did *I* do?" He complained and halted his medical aid.

"Well whistling isn't exactly a developed way of communication. Yes, it catches people's attention. Sometimes not the right people. You distracted me when Jackie was serving."

"Sorry." He muttered as he focussed his attention back on her arm.

"Why do we keep her around anyway? Apart from you getting your rocks off with her." Archy smirked as he reached for a dry paper towel.

"You're not too fond of our Jackie, are you? Why? You want her job?" A disgusted noise escaped Izzy, and she turned to barge past him and out the door.

"*Men*." Karen uttered from her cubicle.

"My sentiments exactly, Karen," Izzy said before she stomped out of the ladies'.

"Oh come on Izz, I was only joking," Archy followed her with his arms outstretched.

"That's what makes it worse, Arch," she barked as she made her way through the lobby and out through the front door.

"Listen, love." Archy gently caught her arm and she turned to face him. "I'm sorry. I don't know if you've noticed but I *am* a bastard."

"Not to me you're not, Arch." Izzy replied, and caught him off guard. His eyes flicked to her chest and he frowned.

"She really gave you a sore one with that," he gently placed his fingers where Jackie had hit her with the tennis ball and she flinched at the sharp pain that followed.

"Ow," she gasped.

"Sorry," Archy muttered. Lenny appeared near the bar and waved them over.

"Hurry the fuck up you two, I'm getting fucking tired just watching all this bullshit." Izzy rolled her eyes.

"Way to keep up appearances, Len." Archy placed a hand on her back in invitation for her to lead the way.

"Come on." He guided her down the stone steps and out into the car park where they caught up with Lenny.

"Good game was it, sweetheart?" Lenny asked.

"The best." She answered sardonically, which always seemed to be lost on Lenny when it came from her.

"Good to hear. Jackie likes you, she doesn't like playing with the men. Need to keep her happy so she keeps keeping clients happy."

"Happy to be of service," Izzy muttered as they reached the car. Turbo waited with the car door open for them and they all climbed in.

"Why is there blood on your skirt, sweetheart?" Lenny enquired conversationally as he pulled a cigar out of his jacket. Izzy looked down to see heavy blood drops on the side of her plaid tennis skirt.

"Ah, fuck. I had an accident on the court. Archy's fault." Lenny gave Archy a chastising look before he slipped his cigar between his teeth and lifted her elbow to check it.

"Ah nevermind, love. You can clean it proper when you get home."

He gently placed her arm back and searched for his lighter. Izzy chanced an amused glance at Archy who’s irritated glare was on her. She winked at him and stuck out her tongue. He averted his gaze and pushed his tongue into his lip to hide his amusement. Lenny finally found his lighter and lit his cigar. Izzy glared between her father and his cigar before she held her breath as best she could. She may smoke when she’d had a drink, but she couldn't stand the stench of a cigar. Turbo pulled the car out of the carpark and took off into the streets of London.

"Did the councillor take to Jackie well, then?" Archy asked Len suddenly, as he leaned forward to see past Izzy, and glanced at her to gauge her reaction.

"I think he was taken with her before hand. It's hard not to be, is it?" Lenny answered perversely. Izzy couldn’t help the disgusted scrunch of her face and glanced at Lenny who was happily puffing away on his cigar. She sobered quickly enough to see the impish smirk on Archy’s lip. She returned the smile sweetly and pinched his thigh hard.

"Ah fuck!" He exclaimed.

"You alright Archy?" Izzy asked sweetly. Archy looked between her and Lenny’s startled looked.

"Fine. Yeah." Archy grumbled. Lenny took a drag of his cigar and then turned to Izzy.

"Speaking of Jackie," he tapped her leg to get her attention. "You're going for drinks with her this weekend. She was saying she was getting bored of the usual places, so I told her you'd go out with her." Izzy looked at him in shock, her mouth agape.

"What if I had plans? Did you even think to ask?"

"You'll do as you're told," Lenny growled.

Izzy felt herself revert back to her childhood reaction to news she didn't like. She pouted and a frown creased her brow. She felt Archy's shoulders shake, and turned her head, to glare at him as he laughed silently. She threw him a dirty look, but he merely gave a cocky tilt of his head.

"Listen, love. We're going to drop you off at home. We've got some other business to get to." Lenny said as he rolled down the window and tapped the ash from his cigar.

"That's fine, I'll have the Wild Bunch round. We can have a party." Izzy looked at her nails, aware that both men now stared at her.

"I know you're joking, sweetheart. But fucking don't," Lenny said flatly

The trio remained silent until they reached the house. Archy got out to so that Izzy could clamber (elegantly) out of the car.

He took her hand to help her step out and winked at her before he slid back into the car. Lenny waved from behind Archy and then they were off down the road and round the corner.

"*Psst*." Someone hissed from somewhere behind her. Izzy twirled in shock before her eyes settled on her big brother Johnny Quid. And he was high off his fucking tits.

"*What the fuck are you doing here*?" She hissed as she stomped over to him and punched his shoulder before shepulled him into a tight hug.

"I just need a few things little sister of mine."

"Johnny you stink." Izzy startled and pulled away from him quickly.

"Rude. But observant. And very nice of you to tell Johnny the truth."

"What have you taken?" She asked crestfallen. Johnny shrugged at her look of disappointment.

"Bit of everything," he mumbled and cast his eyes to the ground.

"Come inside, get cleaned up, and you can be on your way before Lenny gets back." Johnny plastered a smile on his face before he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Of course mum. A mutually beneficial arrangement."

"You can't steal anything, Johnny."

She opened the front door just a fraction to make sure none of Lenny's men were kicking about before she hurriedly ushered Johnny inside.

"Upstairs, quickly." She commanded.

"Sister mine, you realise there is blood on your skirt. You been fighting or do I need to start handing out my own twist on the famous Archy slap?"

"Not unless you can backhand mother nature, love. Now upstairs."

"Yes mother."

Izzy tried to smack him on the arm again, but he moved quickly up the stairs and out of sight. She tiptoed around the downstairs area to check nobody else was in the house. If Lenny were to find out Johnny was here he'd have a fit.

Once she had confirmed they were alone in the house, she ran upstairs to find Johnny, who had let himself into the billiard room and had sprawled himself out on the table. With an impatient sigh, she left him to whatever it was he was doing to find him a towel from the airing cupboard and returned to Johnny, to toss said towel at him.

"Come on Johnny, I don't know how long Lenny's going to be." Johnny lifted the towel from his face and sat up as he lit a cigarette.

"Alright mum, watch my cancer stick. It's my last one." Izzy rolled her eyes as he ambled out of the room. He'd always been one for the dramatic.

"Will you behave yourself if I go for a shower too?" Johnny looked at her.

"We're not sharing." He joked dryly.

"Ew! Johnny!" Izzy shrieked. Johnny laughed as he made his way to the guest bathroom. Izzy sighed in disgust before she headed to her own en suite.

The very knowledge that Johnny was in the house had her showering in record time. She jumped out of the shower, dressed as quickly as she could and ran out into the hallway, slowed herself to seem cooler than she felt, and wandered through the house in search of her brother.

The discovery of a bone dry towel that hung limply on the banister gave her pause. She picked up the towel and searched around as she tried to work out where the fuck he had wandered off to.

“Johnny?” She called.

Silence.

Her stomach dropped as she thought of the multitude of things he could have taken. She threw the towel back down onto the banister and ran through the house in search of him. Nothing seemed to be missing as far as she could tell, which could mean Lenny wouldn’t notice if Johnny had stolen something. She returned to the landing and breathed a sigh of relief as she grabbed the towel and took it down to the washer.

Chapter 4: Eartha Kitt

Summary:

Uh oh.

Notes:

I would just like to inform, dear readers, that the title is Cockney Slang.

The sound of Lenny's shouts startled Izzy awake. She turned her head groggily to look at her bedroom door and slumped her head back down into her pillows with a groan,

"Isobel!" She heard from down the hallway. She slowly rolled on to her back and inhaled loudly as she pushed her fingers into her eyes. "Isobel!" Came from right outside her door. Said door flew open. the lights were flicked on and she groaned at the sharp, bright light that burned into her cornea before she scrunched her eyes shut.

"For fucks' sake," she croaked and pulled her duvet over her head. Lenny ran up to her bed and panted as he spoke.

"Isobel! Isobel." She felt him grasp her leg and he shook it hard.

"What?" She moaned from under her duvet.

"The painting!" Lenny panted. "The painting! Izzy it's gone." Izzy folded the duvet open and looked at him in disbelief.

"What do you mean the painting's gone?" She asked flatly as panic began to build in her chest.

"What the fuck do you mean, what do I mean? It's fucking gone! It was on my wall and now it ain’t. Now get the fuck down the stairs. Now!" She watched through squinted eyes as he patted the sweat from his brow while he stormed out of her room. She sat up and watched as he disappeared out the door before she let herself crumple in utter disbelief.

Fucking Johnny! Fucking shit!

She pushed her face into her pillow and screamed as loud as she could before she sat up and pushed her hands into her face.

"Johnny, I'm going to fucking kill you myself when you crawl out of hell," she muttered as she grabbed her silk dressing gown and tied it tight around her middle, dragged herself into her slippers and did as Lenny had told her and sleepily ambled her way downstairs.

                                                                                ***

Izzy leaned against the windowsill and pressed her hand up over her mouth with her elbow propped up on her other hand, as she stared wide eyed at the bare wall behind Lenny's desk. Lenny paced back and forth in her periphery as they both silently contemplated what this might mean for them. Not just the Coles. But Archy, the boys. And quite possibly anyone who has ever done business with Lenny.

Archy arrived with his boys some time later and entered the room with his hands in his pockets and his eyes also on the bare wall. He turned to Izzy with a finger pointed at the empty space and a panicked look on his face.

"Do you know anything about this?" He demanded. Izzy glanced sideways at him as her stomach twisted at his question. Technically yes, but also no. Instead of the complicated truth, she shook her head and kept her tired, uncomfortable eyes on the wall. Archy moved around the desk to stand in front of her, spared her a fleeting glance, and turned towards the others.

“Where was it Len?” Bandy asked like a child would ask why the sky was blue. Izzy closed her eyes and shook her head as Lenny came to a stop from his long paces, while Archy stared at him.

“Let's take a wild stab in the dark, shall we Bandy?” Lenny said conversationally before he turned to Archy and gestured towards Bandy. “Archy slap him and then send him to school 'cos I can't take any more of this. You sort it out, get that picture back and bring me a body, I am going to back to bed.”

Lenny stomped off through the door and up to bed. Izzy glanced up at Archy who’s attention was on the door before he turned to address Bandy.

“Bandy if you ever ask a stupid question like that again, you see Danny there? He's gonna slap you.” Danny looked startled by Archy’s claim and glanced between him and Bandy.

“Sorry Arch, it's just... I was trying to use initiative,” Bandy reasoned with a nervous shrug.

“Danny slap him,” Archy demanded flatly. Izzy sighed as she watched the back and forth, leaned her hands on the sill under her, and kicked one leg across the other to make herself more comfortable while they sorted themselves. Izzy’s mind wandered to earlier in the day when she had been stupid enough to let her guard down and left Johnny unsupervised to have a shower. Every self deprecating thought flowed through her head before she closed her eyes and sighed quietly to herself.

It was then that Archy rounded the desk and startled her from her thoughts.

“For Fuck’s sake,” he muttered as he stomped over to Bandy and gave him a proper Archy backhander. “Like that.”

The room watched in silence as Bandy became a little boy again. He sucked on his bottom lip as though it were his mother disciplining him. Izzy settled in for the Archy business lesson that she felt was about to occur.

“Now,” Archy began, and returned his hand to his pocket as he regarded Bandy and the rest of the boys. “If you men can master a slap like that, there's no need for your clients to hold back. They'll open up like a fountain full of words after one of those.” He gestured to Bandy with a nod. “No need for strong violence, no no, they're straight back to their childhood. Putty in your hands, ask Bandy... Look, thinks he's back at school.”

“But he never went to school, Arch,” Danny helpfully informed him. Izzy couldn’t help the surprised giggle that bubbled from her chest. Archy turned to regard her with an arched brow.

“Daniel, do you want a slap as well? Now, if the slap doesn't work, cut 'em, or pay 'em, but keep the receipts 'cos this ain't the Mafia.” Izzy blinked with amusement at his statement. "Get out there and look for the Painting!” The boys all filtered out of Lenny's office as Archy pushed his hands into his pockets and turned to regard her. Izzy made to move towards the door but Archy caught her elbow.

"Not you. I want a word," he said lowly. Izzy nodded and began to regret her decision to stay as she leaned against Lenny's desk. Archy waited for the doors to close before he turned his eyes to her.

"You didn't have anything to do with this painting going missing did you?" He asked again, eyes on the floor and his hands in his pockets. Izzy sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Of course not Arch." Archy stepped closer to her, leaned one hand on the desk next to her, and moved his eyes up to the bare wall behind her.

“Forgive me if I don't completely trust you on that. I know what you're like when you're bored." Izzy crossed her arms in indigence.

"You don't know anything about me Archibald."

His full name gave her his full attention.  He reached out and brushed a finger down her arm, his eyes fixated on the goose bumps that followed his touch.

"I know more than you think, love," he husked.

Izzy's heart hammered loudly in her chest; which Archy could probably hear from where he stood. He moved closer to her, his fingers wrapped around her hand and pulled it up to his lips. "I've known you since you a long time, and I know something happened while I was locked up. But for the life of me I can't work it out."

At his words, Izzy tensed. She didn't want to go there. She didn't want to remember. She wet her lips and took her hand back.

"You're the only person who has ever looked out for me, Arch. When you were sent away... I was all alone." She dropped her gaze to her feet and wrapped her arms around herself.

Archy absently ran his thumb across her hand, while his eyes followed the movement of his thumb. He got lost in thought as they both stood in silence, the clock on the back mantle the only noise in the quiet night. He opened his mouth to speak, closed it again, and thought some more. He couldn't bring himself to ask her once more if she were involved with the missing painting. He took her hand, pressed another kiss to it, placed the other on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring squeeze.

"I'm here now, sweetheart." Izzy nodded before she furrowed her brow and looked up into his face.

“What is it?” He asked quietly as he let her go and leaned back to regard her.

"Where do you find them?" Archy turned himself to look at the door before he looked back at her with a shrewd smile.

"Who?"

"Well Bandy for a start."

"He's Danny's cousin," Archy shrugged. He smirked at her as he scratched his face, glanced back at the door, and stepped right up to her. He came to a stop between her legs, though didn't reach out to touch her.

"Okay. So answer me this one," she muttered with a grin. Archy leaned down and placed a hand on the desk again.

"Fire away," he muttered with amusement.

"Where the fuck are they supposed to find a painting at this time of night with no leads?" Archy's eyes trailed away from her and came to a stop on the wall behind her as he turned the question over in his head. "Not to toot my own trumpet but I'd say I'm reasonably intelligent. And, might I add, that you are too."

"You think so?" He breezed with a grin.

"I know so." Archy hummed as he turned his eyes on her again, his face mere inches away from hers. "So how is an intellectually deficient individual like Bandy supposed to find a painting he's never seen before?" Archy chuckled before he ghosted his hands up her arms and over her shoulders until he cupped her face.

"You think too much, love," Archy rasped before he placed a hand on the back of her neck and pulled her to him in a hard kiss. Izzy moaned as he pressed closer to her between her legs and his hands came down to lightly trace up the inside of her thighs, drawing a trembling moan from her. His fingers pushed her dressing gown to the side oh so delicately as his lips moved against hers. He traced her bottom lip with his tongue and slipped it between her lips and deepened the kiss. She leaned back on her hands as he leaned over her and his kisses became more and more hungry the longer they stayed wrapped up in one another. Izzy felt herself tremble when his hands deftly untied the knot on her dressing gown and let it drop from her shoulders.

As though a cold bucket of water had been poured over him, Archy abruptly pulled away. His hands grasped her shoulders as confusion creased his brow and he frowned.

Without another word, Archy turned and left the room.

Izzy pressed her lips together and stared silently at the door before she pushed her hands up into her face and sighed quietly. She rubbed her face harshly, slid down off the desk, fixed her dressing gown and her hair before she slowly exited Lenny’s office.

The house was dark and quiet, and Izzy began to wonder whether their conversation had echoed down the panelled hallways and up the stairs. She wandered slowly down the short hallway and came to a stop just before the foyer.

Archy opened the front door and glanced up when he heard floor creak behind him. Izzy stopped at the lip of the hallway and tightly crossed her arms as she leaned a shoulder on the wall. They observed each other for a long moment before Archy stepped back and closed the door quietly, crossed the room, and pulled her into a softer, gentler kiss than the previous one had been. Izzy’s hand snaked up and grasped the collar of his shirt while he wrapped his arms around her.

He pulled away and searched her face while he towered over her. His features were filled with remorse before he slowly let her go and returned to the door, and without a word, left the home.

Izzy stared at the door with her lips pressed together until she took a deep, levelling breath, pushed her hair back, and made her way up the stairs. As she passed Lenny’s room, the sound of heavy footsteps behind her had her whip around in startled fright.

"Alright, love?" Lenny appeared from the shadows, donned in his dressing gown with his sunglasses still on. "Just had to get myself a drink. This fucking painting going missing is all I fucking need. I needed a whisky or something to take the edge off." Izzy nodded as she spotted the crystal tumbler in his hand, filled halfway with a large measure of Scotch. Her heart thundered in her chest as she realised he’d been so close to walking in on her and Archy’s little display in the foyer. "Listen, I need to ask you, and I need you to know I trust you with my whole heart, love. But have you spoken to Johnny recently?" Izzy considered him for a moment before she answered.

"No Len. Not a peep." Lenny considered her before he nodded his head once and he stepped up to his bedroom door.

"Alright, love. G'night then." Izzy strode up to him and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Night, dad.”

Notes:

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Notes:

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