Camden, 1924

Idly thumbing through your magazines in Alfie's office, keeping him company, was commonplace these days, whittling by the hours as you saw fit.

In a new fashion magazine you'd picked up, you were reading about eyeliner, all the different types, kohl, powder, pencil, and the different effects that certain strokes of pigment could achieve, making the eye appear more rounded or pinched at the corners.

You'd snipped out a few of the instructional illustrations to keep handy and stick to your vanity mirror to try out.

~

"Mornin' treacle, you been 'ere long?" Alfie greeted you as he ushered you into his office, not looking up from the ledger in his hands.

He mumbled and muttered to himself as he sat down behind his desk, and you sat opposite him, eager for him to notice your new makeup.

He did a double take as when he did eventually glance at you, you fluttered your eyelashes at him to emphasise what he should be noticing.

"Something's different.. hold still," he pinched your cheek gently to keep you still as he surveyed your face.