'Charles must we go through this every time!' Helena sighed and held her breath as her brother pulled the strings on her specially made corset tight around her chest.

'Dearest sister you know we do. Please don't ask this each time you go out as HG. You and I both know a man does not have breasts now does he?...hence we must endure this regular charade. ' Charles hummed with his hands on hips.

'I would say it depends on his size.' Helena quipped as she pulled a tight white shirt over her head.

'Sister, do you always have to have an answer for everything? Anyway hush your mouth or you will have a side burn instead of a moustache.'

As Helena buttoned up her shirt tightly to the top of her neck Charles painted a fine line of glue to his sister's upper lip before carefully placing a slim dark fake moustache.

'Is that ok ? ' Charles stood back admiring his work.

'It itches as usual ! ' Helena almost stamped her foot as she pulled the bracers hanging off the top of her trousers over her shoulders.

'That's your fault sis for having such a soft baby face.' Charles gently slapped Helena's porcelain cheeks. ' Nobody would ever believe this skin belonged to a man.'

'That's because it does not...thank God ! It's been five years though. Surely now I can come out and reveal I am a woman! My work is my merit , does it really matter that much if a man or woman wrote the novels the public seem to like so much?' Helena tightened the laces on her leather boots and let her head hang exasperated.

Caringly Charles crossed the room to his sister's side and placed a warm hand on her shoulder. 'You know you can't. The fans will never accept it. It's a man's world out there. Helena. If you want to keep writing you must carry on this charade. You remember what father said. They will never accept you, they never have. Do you remember that day you wore trousers to their anniversary party, they were livid, the room of guests stunned.'

Helena fell to the floor and hunted for her pocket watch beneath her bedside table. ' It's just so bloody, bastarding unfair.'

'One day sweet Helena when you meet the man of your dreams you can give this all up and live as you like. '

'One Charles how will I ever meet anybody dressed like this ...' Helena paused as she tightened her long black hair into a dark bun. .. ' and two...I do not wish to be a kept woman ...I am not a man's wife and you know that. Do not wind me up. I am not in the mood. I love my work and you know it, I just wish I could do it as me.'

'Ok,ok. I'm just trying to say the right thing.'

'Probably best you don't darling.' Helena picked up her brief case and placed a hand on the door. 'Shall we?'

'Lets'. Charles sighed unable to comfort his sister . 'Look out world, HG Wells is on the prowl.' Charles grinned and poked his sister in the ribs trying to boost his sibling's mood with humour.

'It's a book signing Charles. I don't believe that counts as on the prowl.' Helena adopted her best HG voice and pushed open her bedroom door.

'Touchy much. If you're nice to me I might take you to that club you like so much later...as Helena of course. Perhaps we can find you a suitor to tame you at last.'

'Charles please do not start that again. It pisses me off as it is having to have a chaperone to go into a night club.' Helena cringed inwardly. 'It's not right a woman shouldn't be allowed to go alone...maybe I'll go as HG next time.'

'Fine do that...but you'll only be able to pull a woman you idiot! ' Charles laughed gruffly from the back of his throat.

Pursing her lips Helena continued her journey down her stairs. A woman right now she thought, would not be such a bad thing at all.

...

Tapping her fountain pen gently against her ink well Helena gazed at the clock and then down the line of the final few people in the queue waiting patiently to greet her...HG Wells. It had been a long day... A long uncomfortable day Helena thought as she scratched once again at the fine hairs upon her top lip. She liked the trousers and she liked the shirt but the corset and fake moustache she could do without.

With inky index fingers Helena smiled sweetly as each fan greeted her at her table. She saw men, women and children of all ages, it seemed there was no limit to who would read her fantastic tales. The writer was polite and courteous to everyone she met making sure to sign a personal message in every book. When her first story was published she vowed to never forget the people that put her in such a privileged position.

'Is that it ?' Helena leant back, her ribs ached from the tight corset wrapped around her waist. It had been a long day.

'That's it. HG Wells takes London by storm once more. I have a feeling this one's going to be your biggest yet.' Charles tapped the book on top of a large pile. The label read 'war of the worlds'.

'We shall see. Time for a drink now I think. I'm just going to use the little girl's room before we go.' Helena packed up her things. 'Can you grab the posters from the outside store window, I told Claudia she could keep them for the wall at her café.'

Charles nodded and left his sister to head out towards the chilly evening air. Grabbing the key from the counter Charles went to unlock the bookstore door when he noticed a young woman peering in from the cold outside. Stepping out into the night Charles called out to the young pretty woman trying desperately to see into the now darkened shop. 'Are you quite alright mam?'

'I …. Have I missed the book signing?' The young woman let her arms hang limp at her sides.

'I'm afraid you have. We closed up 15 minutes ago.'

'Dammit. Those bloody trains. Please sir, is there any chance Mr Wells is still in there? I have travelled such a long way to get here today. It's my Father's birthday you see and HG Wells is all time favourite author.' The young woman bit her lip and wrapped her arms across her stomach, the cold of the night was starting to seep in.

'I'm sorry Miss. Mr Wells cannot sign any more tonight.' Charles regretfully began ushering the young woman away when the shop door opened up behind him.

'Charles?' Helena still in her HG outfit stepped out and onto the pavement. 'What's going on out here?'

'Nothing HG, we have final stray who missed the signing. I'm seeing her off now.'

Helena looked passed her brother and spotted a beautiful curly haired brunette woman. She was wearing a long tan coat with stocking legs peeking out the bottom, her feet decorated with a pair of perfect black heels. Helena let her gaze wander back to the strangers face framed with chestnut ringlets. The other woman's skin was tanned and flawless, and eyes so green Helena felt like she was getting lost in them.

'Wait a moment Charles, I think I can manage to sign one more book for this fine young lady.' Helena adopted her suave tone and walked towards the other woman stretching her back as she went hoping to give herself a bit of extra height.

'Oh Mr Wells. That would be magnificent. Please don't feel you have to though, I would hate to be an inconvenience.' The pretty brunette bit her lip nervously, it wasn't everyday she got to meet a world famous writer.

'I would really love to.' HG grinned and pulled a pen from her pocket. 'What's your name Miss?'

'Bering, Myka Bering…but could you make it out to my father please. It's for his birthday you see.' Myka held out the book from her bag open to a page ready to be signed.

'Of course and what his name?'

'Warren sir. Thank you so much Mr Wells, this is ever so kind of you.'

Helena looked up at the beautiful woman a foot from her and saw utter sincerity in the bright green eyes.

'Please call me HG. …and it's not a problem at all Myka…may I call you Myka?' Helena felt her stomach flutter at the sound of the woman's name rolling off of her tongue.

'Of course.' The brunette nodded hastily as she read the authors note and tucked the book away into her bag. Thank you so much Mr We…I mean HG.' Myka corrected herself and smiled.

'Would you like me to sign one for you too?' Helena suddenly felt desperate to not let the young lady in front of her leave too quickly.

'Oh no that's ok thank you.' Myka bit her lip again hoping not to sound rude.

Helena grinned. 'You're not a fan then?'

The curly haired woman suddenly looked mortified by the connotations of what she had just said. 'No, no, quite the contrary. I adore your work. I ..' Myka looked up into warm, dark chocolate eyes. 'I haven't brought another book to sign. I'm a huge fan though, I've read every book of yours at least twice.'

Laughing Helena flipped open her briefcase and revealed a slightly tattered looking novel. 'Here let me sign this one for you. I'm sorry it's a little rough around the edges, it's the first book I ever published, I've carried it with me ever since.'

'I couldn't possible accept that.' Myka gasped.

'Why not?' Helena grinned as she wrote inside the front cover. 'It's got your name in it. It must be yours.'

'HG. I don't know what to say. If you're sure…then …well…thank you very much. I will treasure it forever.' Myka held the booked to her heart getting a waft of an earthy perfume. It was unlike any man's cologne she had smelt before. 'I guess I better leave you to it. I'm sure you have many more exciting plans for tonight'

Helena mulled over a few ideas in her fast paced mind ignoring Charles clock watching out the corner of her eye. She couldn't explain why she felt so compelled to be near the beautiful brunette, she just did. Just like she wanted to give her the book she had so studiously carried with her for all these years.

Coyly Helena spoke up, once again opting for her HG tone.'Myka?'

'Yes?'

'Please do forgive me if this is too forward but would you care to join me for a spot of tea? My friend owns a café just around the corner? It's so cold out I think it would do us all good to warm up a little.'

Charles watched his sister quizzically. What was she up to?

'HG, my goodness I mustn't put you out.' Myka blushed a deep shade of red.

'Not at all … it would be my utter pleasure.' Helena bowed and held out her hand acting as a true gentleman should. Helena knew she should not be so deceptive but there was something about Myka Bering that compelled her to continue to chase…after all a bit of role play for just one evening wouldn't harm anyone. Not really. She just wanted to enjoy one evening entertaining the fine young woman at her side, she would see her home at the end of the night and that would be the end of it.

'Very well. Who am I to say no to the great HG Wells.' Myka beamed and took the arm of the baby faced gentleman in front of her. The brunette studied the face with coal black eyes that seemed to suck her in like a whirl pool. HG Wells was a lot younger than she had anticipated, softer than she had expected.

Helena noticed the intense stare coming from her green eyed partner. 'Is everything alright?'

'Oh yes sir.' Myka felt flustered for getting caught staring. ' You're just not quite what I imagined.'

'I'm so sorry to disappoint.' Helena laughed lightly.

'No, no, no, that's not what I meant….' Myka fumbled over her words.

'Darling I'm teasing.' Helena nudged the brunette gently and mentally slapped herself for letting her feminine term of endearment slip out.

'I guess I just built up a mental picture of you from the drawings in the back of your books…and then seeing you in real life….it's breath taking.' Myka wondered if she had made the right choice of words and felt relieved as the man's shoulders relaxed next to her.'

Helena felt her heart flutter in her chest. Helena tried to calm her own mind….Stay calm you silly fool, she thinks your HG Wells. She doesn't mean you.

'Let's make haste.' Helena moved off topic. 'Claudia normally has my tea ready for me after a work day, it will be stoned cold soon.' With that Helena tightened her arm hooked around Myka's and proceeded to lead the young brunette onwards through the streets of darkening London.