the book shop > j.l < MID EDIT

seventy four

15th August 1959

john

john stared at his reflection in the living room mirror one more time and combed his fingers through his hair nervously. with how nervous he felt you'd think him and penelope were on the verge of complete destruction - not a minor incident.

he felt so stupid, he didn't know why he'd let himself be such a big mouth to paul and george - especially with something penelope had told him specifically not to tell anyone at all.

"john you look very handsome, don't fret," mimi said walking in the room from behind him.

she turned him round and smoothed his collar on his jacket so it wasn't upturned anymore, "just listen to her, okay?"

he nodded smiling at mimi.

he then grabbed his house keys and said bye to his auntie.

"i won't see you until tomorrow if you come home," mimi added casually applying more lipstick drawing her attention off john.

john furrowed his eyebrows, "why?"

mimi turned to him, "i'm going on a date and depending on how it ends i won't be coming home."

johns heart dropped.

of course he wanted Mimi to be happy but the thought of her with another man made his skin crawl.

he didn't want to hinder her night, however, and so he just nodded his head.

"good luck with her, honestly, i see how happy she makes you and vice versa - she'll forgive you."

she hugged him, only for a second and then pulled off and ushered him out of the house.

•

penelope allowed charlotte to do her makeup and "make her look pretty."

she applied pink eyeshadow, a red lipstick and blush too. penelope never wore makeup like this, she tended to stay natural with it but charlotte made her look nice and she wouldn't argue with feeling good in herself.

she wore a black long sleeved floaty dress with pink floral patterns covering it paired with black mary janes and white socks. something like a porcelain doll outfit.

charlotte curled penelopes hair, only lightly to make it a wavy.

penelope agreed to let charlotte stay at her apartment whilst she was out so she could spend some time with pete - only until she came home later that night.

"good luck pen, stay safe," charlotte whispered seeing penelope off.

"thank you babe, love you," penelope said back giving her a hug.

•

penelope arrived at the restaurant after only a ten minute walk - on main streets of course - she was still much too nervous to walk in isolated areas.