#brimingham

You loved joining in, although initially it had been because there was a male interest in all of the activities. Arthur had started coming, drawing a few women in to join the community but they tended to stand off to one side, whispering hurriedly to each other and nodding their heads in Arthur’s direction; you had no idea why, though. Arthur held an aura that you were in awe of, and you were instantly drawn to him.

The first thing he signed up for was hymn singing, which typically was just women and women only, however, when the announcement was made that Arthur was to be joining, the air had stilled and it became apparent amongst the other women that this was against the organisers original wishes. It completely went past you though, you sat nodding along when the pastor had said that the added baritone could widen the range of songs that you were able to sing as a group.

That Monday afternoon, there had been a group of reluctant women huffing and making a fuss before Arthur had turned up. When he did, he walked to the empty chair in the row behind you and greeted the women either side, “Hello, ladies. Just doin’ my bit around here, I fancied trying out practicing my hymns and talking to the Man in Charge every so often.”

They had given him curt replies and moved on from the conversation as quickly as they could manage. Arthur had ignored it and looked ahead, joining in on the singing when required and offering his two pence where it was worth. Frankly, it was horrible singing and he needed to work on his timing a bit better but you didn’t say anything, not wanting to stick your nose in anything so soon on. Nevertheless, he turned up for two more sessions before you worked up the courage to talk to him at the end of one of your meetings, approaching him with your coat wrapped around your shoulders and the other women rushing to make their way out after tucking the chairs away behind a pillar.

“Arthur, right? I’m --”

“I know who you are,” he begins, face forming a small smile.

“Oh,” your hands fall to your sides and you let a smile adorn your face, “well, in that case, I just wanted to say that your addition to the group has been wonderful, really. It’s nice to have a change in the way we sound as a collective.”

Arthur’s eyebrows raise, “Not shocked by my presence?”

“A little, I mean, it has been just us ‘gals’ all this time but now we get to sing new songs since you’ve joined. Honestly,” your hands accentuate your words, adding flair to your speech, “it’s been a thrilling few weeks, wondering what we’re doing next.”

Arthur nodded, not sure what else to say, “I can see you’re getting ready to go somewhere so I’ll leave you to it, then,”

You smile and thank him for sparing a minute to talk to you and go to make your way out. Before you make it all the way to the door, you stop, hand resting on the handle and turn to face Arthur who was still hanging behind to talk to the pastor, “Arthur,” you call. He turns.

“I’m not sure if it’s your kind of thing but we’re baking next weekend for the people of Small Heath. It’s not always a big turn out and most of the others don’t like the kids that come in looking for something to eat and a warm place to stay but it’d be nice if you came,” you falter over your next words, an uneasy feeling settling in your stomach as you didn’t know how he’d react, “I’m baking sourdough this time round; I’ll save you some, if you like?”

He nods, a tight smile on his face, “I’ll see what I can do.”

And that’s how it went for months. You and Arthur worked together more often, stood by each other in hymn practice and he even brought along his younger brother to some of the baking dues that the Church held. Over time you both got closer to one another, sharing laughs and the other women pointed at you and Arthur, muttering things under their breath that you couldn’t quite catch but you paid them no mind, preferring to feign ignorance so that you could enjoy yourself for longer.

It came around to Christmas time and the both of you made it known that you were going Caroling once the group was set up. On Mondays the songs transitioned into traditional Nativity-themed songs and songs that made everyone merrier this time of year.

Soon, time passed and you found yourself giddy with excitement over being able to spend the evening caroling with Arthur. You had discovered some form of comfort when he was around that allowed you to be yourself and to not hold back in front of the other women and also developed a way to blur out their gossiping in the background, not caring what they had to say. 

“Alright tonight, ladies?” Arthur greeted them all before turning his attention to you, “And you, how are you?”

Immediately, you wrap your arms around his torso, a greeting he had gotten used to over the months as he returned the favour, wrapping his arms around yours and enjoying the warmth before you pulled away to talk to him properly.

You offer a bright smile, “I’m alright, you know me. How’re you? How’s Finn?”

Arthur smiles warmly, something in his eyes shimmering at the thought of you remembering to ask after Finn, “He’s upset.”

Your face falls, “What, why? What’s up? Who’ve I gotta scrap to keep that ball of sunshine happy?”

“He’s upset because his Aunt Pol’ wouldn’t let him come caroling with us,” Arthur chuckles as you let out a huff of air.

“I take back the scrapping; I don’t want to fight the face of authority, instead I’ll stick to singing hymns and cooking over baked bread occasionally.”

You turn and smile at Arthur, offering a toothy grin. He smiles back and watches as you move side to side and blow hot air onto your mitten clad hands.

“If your hands get cold, you can put them in my pockets.”

Flitting your eyes up to meet his gaze you mumble a ‘thanks’ and feel the heat rushing to your cheeks.

The person running the caroling announces that you’re going to leave to begin caroling and Arthur offers the crook of his arm and you gladly accept, enjoying the warmth his body offered.

For the rest of the evening you and Arthur sang side by side, some would say more enthusiastically than the rest of the carollers in the female led group. Arthur told jokes in between houses once you begin house calls and even elicited a laugh or two from some of the others but that didn’t mean you hadn’t laughed with him all night long.

When the evening was coming to an end you perked up, “Hey, Arthur, wanna go for a drink in the Garrison? On me for keeping me company all night.”

“You know,” he says bumping his shoulder with yours, “that it’s always on me when we go in there.”

You roll your eyes, “Own the place or something? I’ve never seen you physically pay Harry, y’know. I’m beginning to think you’re secretly really rich and doing your bit for the community in secret.”