Terrified didn't even begin to describe it.. waking up to an empty house wasn't something you were used to, loud banging on the downstairs door of the flat jolted you from sleep.

Quickly dressing, making sure you hadn't missed a button or tie in your hurry, you went to the door, calling for your father as you went.

When no answer came, you took it upon yourself to answer the door.

"Your bleedin' father around eh?" a gruff voice greeted you, "I.. he isn't in the shop?" you replied.

"No, he ain't, and I've been waiting nearly an hour!"

"Oh dear, I'm terribly sorry, I'll make sure he sees you," taking the muttered thanks as signal they were gone, you quickly turned and closed the door, calling again for your father.

~

With no luck in the flat, you walked the short but familiar route, hugging the walls as you went, feeling for your landmarks as you reached them.

Keys in hand, you unlocked the shop, grasping the ribbed door handle your father fitted especially so you'd know you were at the shops door and not someone else's.

Searching around the shop, in the back, up in the loft, no sign of your father and you were starting to panic. With no telephone to call for help, you sat quietly being the counter and weighed your options.

Walking as far as possible on your own, as far as you knew, proved to be difficult, but you had to find Alfie, he'd know what to do, he always did. Sounds of Camden guided you, leading you to oscillate on the pavement, feeling out the curb with your foot. Special care needed to be taken when crossing the road, especially when you couldn't see what was coming.

A tentative step, success! A few more, easy does it, take your time, keep listening- a blast of a car horn had you cowering, a clamour of loud shouts rendered you completely confused and lost, but a loud voice came booming over the hubbub.

"Oi! Stay still darlin', don't move a muscle, stay perfectly still treacle, don't you worry,"

Alfie..