Jeremy Saint arrived at the offices of Dewey, Cheathem & Howe with something weighing on his mind: How much would he and Barbara have to raise to get that boutique up and running? He knew one person in the company would have the answers...one who could calculate in his head the cost based on the idea, the plans, the refurbishment costs and the value of the property. But this person was running late and Jeremy patiently waited in the lobby for him to arrive.
"Hello there, Saint, what are you doing down here?" said the very man Jeremy was waiting for.
"Actually I was waiting for you, Fanshawe" he replied.
"Shoot" said Fanshawe and the two of them walked upstairs to their office level.
"Did you get that business proposal I sent you?" asked Jeremy.
"The fashion boutique? Yes I did...interesting idea, Saint, very interesting. But I thought you were in legal compliance regulations, not commercial property?"
"Well, call this a 'side project' of mine, Fanshawe. Anyway, by interesting you mean?"
"I mean the idea is sound, the market research was well done and shows promise. But there's the matter of initial capital. It's not going to be cheap"
"I guessed...do you have some numbers?" asked a tentative Jeremy.
"Not to hand, but my secretary does...I'll call her over. Carol!" said Fanshawe, calling across to lobby to where his secretary was standing. She was holding a stack of cardboard folders.
"Yes Mr Fanshawe?" asked Carol.
"The fashion boutique budget plan...do you have it with you?"
"Yes sir, it's here...give me a moment to dig it out" she said with an air of clipped efficiency in her voice.
She produced the folder and handed it to Fanshawe, who took a look inside before handing it on to Jeremy. Jeremy gingerly opened it up, expecting the worst. However, when looking at the final cost, he raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"So we'll have to take out a loan but it won't be a large one and, if the business does even reasonably well, you'll be able to manage the repayments" said Jeremy to Barbara once the two of them were back home.
"Well that's positive news" said Barbara, very satisfied at this bit of information.
"Another step closer, eh?" replied Jeremy.
"Thanks for doing all this; I really appreciate it...now, on to other things: I need to get more exercise" said Barbara. "I'm too static these days"
"Well, let's make this a bit fun by going for a swim rather than do weights or running?" said Jeremy.
"A swim sounds great!"
They headed off to the Downtown pool for a swim and challenged each other to see who could swim the most laps. After two, Barbara looked uncomfortable.
"Ouch! My swimsuit is pinching me in all the wrong places!" she complained. "It's too old, I need a new one"
There was one other person in the pool: An old man who looked exhausted. He swam over to the ladder, got out, grabbed a towel and left. Barbara let out a sigh of relief.
"Now he's gone....." she said as she took off her swimsuit. "Ahhh, that's so much better!" she said, tossing the suit to one side of the pool before swimming gently on her back, naked.
"What? Barbara! You!....You....can't do that!" said a nervous Jeremy.
"Do what?" she replied.
"Be in here....naked!" he said, wincing when he said the word 'naked'.
"Why not? I didn't see any rules against it, there's only you and me here and this place isn't busy and besides, we can do this in Canada"
"We're not in Canada!" Jeremy was still frantic.
"Maybe not....but don't you like me like this; in nothing at all" she said, coquettishly, as she swam right up to him.
"Well....I do, but what if we get caught?"
"Live dangerously, Jeremy!"
She playfully splashed him and he responded back and before long they were laughing and joking around. They were also not disturbed their whole time in the pool, which was a relief to him.
Later they relaxed in one of the pool's hot tubs...which Jeremy insisted Barbara should wear her swimsuit in. The pools were very popular today and he did not want to get chucked out by the pool management.
"Ahhh, this is so nice" said Barbara, shutting her eyes and enjoying the hot, bubbling water.
"I noticed you were really putting in the laps back in the pool" said Jeremy.
"Well, I was more streamlined so I went faster" she replied, batting her eyelashes at him.
"You....there's a naughty side to you, Barbara Dubois"
"You love it though!"
"I sure do...and I'm not all stuffy and button down either: Come here!" and he leant in and gave her a big kiss.
Eventually they left the pool and started on their way home when Jeremy had an idea. "Barbara, just around the corner are the offices of Dewey, Cheathem & Howe. It's a Sunday and only a security guard and the janitors are in...we could go in and get some more information about that shop site you want to buy."
"Are you sure we're allowed in?" replied Barbara.
"Sure...Hank, the guard, knows me! It'll be fine!"
"Well, I didn't expect it to take THIS long to get to my office!" said Jeremy.
"I don't think Hank knows you as well as you think....but anyway, we're here now." replied Barbara.
"I asked my colleague, Fanshawe, for some information about city planning, retail and overheads...I'll search his desk, you look in that bookcase for anything that might help" said Jeremy, pointing towards a large bookcase along one side of the wall of the office.
They spent the best part of an hour looking around the office for the information they would need to help set up the boutique. Barbara found some general books on tax for small stores and city planning regulations. Jeremy found an in-depth guide to property in the Magnolia Promenade area and the information he needed to draw up a comprehensive loan plan to take to the bank.
They headed home soon after and when they got to Crick Cabana they found Judith Epstein, their friend and neighbour, waiting outside.
"Hi Judith" said Jeremy. "How are you?"
"I'm...well....OK, you know" said Judith, but it was clear she was feeling awkward about something.
"Would you like to come inside for some coffee?" asked Barbara
"Actually, I can't stop...I'm off to a new art exhibition that's having its opening night. I came by to ask you something...erm....about....fashion" said an awkward sounding Judith.
"Sure, fire away" replied Barbara.
"Remember when I asked you for some tips for how to dress for a trendy event and you pointed out this outfit in a magazine? Well, I took your advice and bought it...the lot, the dress, the shoes, the tights...erm, does this look OK?"
"You look great and yes, that is ideal for your art event tonight: Peppermint green and white are this season's colours. I notice you haven't got your glasses on either"
"I'm wearing my contact lenses...I don't often wear them" she said, blinking wildly. "Takes...a...bit of getting used to". Judith was also tugging at the hem of her dress.
"No, that's the ideal length for this season" said Barbara, helpfully.
"Sorry...I'm also not used to something this....well..." she said, embarrassed to say the word "...short" she said in a whisper.
Jeremy chimed in. "Is there someone you're going to be meeting...someone a bit special?" he said with a smirk.
"Not that kind of thing! I mean! Me and some guy? No! I'm just trying to make a good impression on everyone there by looking more...what's the word?"
"Mod" said Barbara.
"Yes, Mod. I fancied a slight change of image, that's all" said Judith, defensively.
"Well, I think you look very nice...what do you think, Jeremy?" said Barbara.
"Oh yes...very much so." he agreed; the finer points of Mod fashion lost on him.
"Thanks, Barbara, wish me luck...erm, I mean, making a good impression at this event....with everyone! That is, no one in particular. Bye!"
"I'll wager she fancies someone" said Barbara. "It's a shame we're not going to this event tonight to find out"
"What? Judith? Fancies someone? Come on, this is Judith we're talking about: She hates romance!"
"So SHE says...no, feminine intuition tells me she's got someone special in mind....the question is; who?"
