Camden, 1923

Always by his side, always. He was the mouth through which you spoke, he knew you so well he could've sworn he'd been granted special powers.

~ "See, zeeskeit? See, I know you inside and out yeah? I know what makes your pretty little mind turn over and over, so don't you worry about a thing, just you keep a hold on me," ~

You'd started working for Alfie after he repaid a favour to your father, who wanted you to work with someone the family knew, someone who wouldn't treat you differently due to your selective muteness. Alfie seemed the perfect boss, always looking out for you while you were at the distillery with him, never punishing you for your mistakes, rather coaxing you out of your upsets with a warm hand and a gentle tone.

~ "See now zeeskeit it's alright, no need for tears, don't cry over spilt milk eh? Well, this is a little more expensive than milk but we get by don't we? Now darlin' I'll need you to look at me so I know you're alright yeah?" ~

He let you sit in on all his meetings, except the truly dangerous ones, ones with Tommy and Luca, and the dreaded bloodbath that was the Passover Satyr.

~ "Now you listen to me yeah? Be a good little thing and stay put yeah? Don't need you spoiling your eyes with anything untoward, zeeskeit. You just stay here with your book." ~

If you needed him, to speak for you or listen, your pinky finger would find his wrist, or his own fingers, looping into them just to let him know, there wasn't any rush, but you needed him. If he was on the phone or talking with one of his men, you'd wait patiently, until he was free.

~ "Yes, my darlin'? What can I do for you, hm? Need my ear? C'mere so I can hear you, you tell Alfie what it is you want and he'll make it so," ~

He'd hold your hands so gently, so you had something to focus on while you whispered barely perceptible words in his ear, his bearded cheek pressed to the top of your head, thumbs running over your knuckles as you whispered.