"So this is the fancy place you like to go to, eh? Looks impressive" said Francesca Griffith to her friend, Julia Epstein."
"It's great here" replied Julia. "It's better than a gym, I can tell you...it's a beautiful, quiet setting and not filled with sweaty bodies"
"That depends on whose body is sweaty" said Francesca in a risqué manner. "OK, this sounds good...I've not been to a spa before, or done any yoga. I attend jazz dance classes but that's about it."
Francesca had taken Julia's invite up to go visit the spa with her as she'd been very busy with work and family lately. Her daughter, Stefanie, had only just recovered from a nasty illness and was back at school and catching up on her ballet classes, which she loved. Her husband, Rod, had taken their daughter into town to resupply Stefanie with school items as she was always losing pencil cases, bags, books and shoes. This afforded Francesca the chance to hang out with friends.
They entered the Perfect Balance Spa and the décor took Francesca's breath away. "Indoor fountains and streams! Hmmm, the smell of incense and Jasmine...why haven't I heard of this place before?" she said.
The two women went to get changed into their exercise clothes and headed upstairs to the yoga lesson. They were the first ones to arrive so Julia clued Francesca in on what generally happened.
"It's not exhausting but there is a lot of bending, stretching and balancing" said Julia.
"The first two I can manage...not sure about the third" replied Francesca.
Julia and Francesca waited for the yoga instructor to arrive and they got their hopes up briefly when the door to the room swung open. However, it wasn't the instructor...instead it was someone Julia knew: Kerry Fry, and he looked surprised to see her.
"Hey, Kerry, I didn't know you worked here...are you our instructor?" asked Julia.
"No...I work in reflexology and massage" he said, jerking his thumb in the direction down the corridor. "I just came in to say we've had a call from the yoga teacher to say he's running a little late. I must say it's nice to see you here" he said, looking Julia up and down "...and your friend; I don't believe we've met...hi, I'm Kerry" he said with a smile as he made eye contact with Francesca.
"Francesca..." she replied. "I'm a work colleague of Julia's"
"Francesca, lovely name and healing the sick, wonderful" said Kerry, still looking at Francesca; his eyes being drawn to her legs. "Well, I play my small part in that line as well but in a more therapeutic way than actual medicine" he added.
"I've never tried reflexology" said Julia.
"Well maybe you should pop along to my little neck of this place and give it a go after you're done here" said Kerry. "Oh, by the way...my 'Friends of Gaea' group are having a little fund raiser this weekend...it'd be wonderful if you could come along. You and Francesca" he said, handing out a business card with the name of the organisation and address on it to the two of them.
"This weekend I'll be very busy with my husband and daughter" replied Francesca.
"Oh..." said Kerry, his face dropping at that revelation. "...well, anyway, I've got clients waiting. Julia, if you'd like to visit afterwards I'll have a chair waiting just for you". Kerry winked at Julia and left the room.
"How do you know that guy?" asked Francesca.
"Oh he's the son of some friends of my parents...they set me up on a blind date with him some weeks ago and...well...he's pretty nice..." said Julia.
"Yeeessssss" said Francesca, with a tone of scepticism in her voice that Julia didn't pick up on.
Then things started to happen all at once. More people arrived for the class and the instructor eventually showed up. Julia noticed a late arrival and another person she knew: Her auntie Elle, who was wearing all white exercise clothing. Elle had suffered from long term psychological problems and Julia was worried if she was on her medication or not...if not she could act very violently and unpredictably. Elle didn't seem to notice Julia's presence as she took her place at the front of the class.
Francesca leaned closer to Julia and whispered "isn't that?"
"Yes, my aunt Elle...she hasn't spotted us. I should go over and say hello" replied Julia.
However the instructor clapped his hands to signal the start of the lesson. "Hello everyone, sorry I'm late. If you'd all like to take off any shoes you're wearing and take your positions, one person per mat, then we'll begin...."
This was a beginners class so the stretches and positions weren't too difficult. A lot of it involved controlled breathing. It was only when it came time to balancing on one leg that there was trouble: Francesca's knee gave way and she collapsed onto her mat in a heap. Julia's first instinct was to rush to her aid but the class was moving on to the next step and she instead dithered while Francesca gathered up her wounded pride and got back on her feet.
"Psst...are you alright?" said Julia at a whisper so she wouldn't incur the ire of the instructor.
"More embarrassed than hurt, Jules" replied Francesca. She stood up, brushed herself down and resumed the lesson with only a hint of redness in her cheeks.
After the class they had a joke about it and all was well but Julia had another thing on her mind. She saw Elle leave the class abruptly and wanted to see if her aunt was alright so she told Francesca she'd meet her downstairs whilst she had a catch up with Elle.
"Auntie Elle! It's me, Julia...we were in the same yoga class just now" said Julia, catching up with Elle; who was just about to have a massage session.
"Oh yes, Julia...sorry, I didn't see you in there. How funny that we're here together" replied Elle, serenely.
Julia turned to the masseuse and asked if she could speak with her aunt in private for a few minutes. The young lady said "of course" and stepped outside.
"Auntie Elle, how are you?" asked Julia.
"Doing better, Julia, thanks" replied Elle. "I'm taking my medicine and my therapist recommended I should try yoga to help keep my negative feelings and outbursts under control."
"And has it?"
"I think so...I'm taking things slowly at the moment. Is that friend of yours back there the one I insulted and threatened?"
Julia nodded ruefully. "She's a nurse, she understands"
"I'm so, so sorry about that...and all the times I was nasty and cruel to your other friends. Tell her I'm sorry if I don't see you before I leave"
"Will do, Aunt Elle....hey, if you're doing this yoga regularly then maybe I'll see you here again next week?"
"Yes. That would be nice." replied Elle.
Julia headed downstairs to have a shower and get changed and there was now a little spring in her step as she was happy in the knowledge that her aunt was looking the best and most healthy she'd had been in months. Francesca was just touching up her make up as Julia finished getting dressed and she asked how Elle was...Julia was pleased to say she was fine.
"Well, that was actually quite fun and I feel energised" said Francesca as they left the spa.
"Will you go home now to see Rod and Stefanie?" asked Julia.
"Actually I was going to meet up with Harper...she wants to hit the clubs" said Francesca, rolling her eyes a little at the idea. "Say, why not join us?"
Julia bit her bottom lip. "Won't I be muscling in on you two? After all, three's a crowd" she said.
"Well in that case you must have a friend you can ask to bring along too. Harper wants to go to the Orange Peel club as neither of us have been there before."
"I've been a couple of times" said Julia. "If we can find a payphone I know just who to call to join us"
"Barbara...so good of you to join us!" said Julia. "I would have thought you'd be off with Jeremy this evening."
"Boy's night out with Travis and Liberty's boyfriend. Just me, my lonesome and I Dream of Jeannie" replied Barbara.
"I'm with work colleagues, I'll introduce you to them" said Julia.
"Nice...and I hope you're going to hit the dance floor instead of perching on a stool by the door!" said Barbara, tugging at Julia's arm.
Francesca saw Harper Newell up at the bar and went to greet her.
"Hey, Harper" said Francesca. "Sorry I'm a bit late...Julia and I were over at the spa just now"
Harper turned around and saw Julia and Barbara in conversation on the far side of the dance floor. "You brought Dr Epstein with you? We're the rank and file, she's officer corps" she said.
"Don't be silly. Julia's not just a doctor, she's my friend and you and her get on great at work. We're always having a good gossip at break times."
"Yes, that's at work, this is play" said Harper. "I'm here to have a good time, I just hope I don't have to mind my P's and Q's with one of the doctors around"
Julia went over to Harper and Francesca and introduced the both of them to Barbara. Then she ordered what she knew to be a house specialty at The Orange Peel Club: The giant pretzel. Meanwhile Harper was impressed that Barbara owned Pack's Clothing.
"I was in there last week and that place is great! You own and run that? Wow, amazing! I love your stuff!" she said.
"I'm glad to hear that" replied Barbara. "I'm trying to convince Julia to come in one day but she's a bit resistant"
"Only because I don't do fashion, Barbara. I like things not too with it" replied Julia.
"You are so in need of a makeover, Doctor...I mean, Julia" said Harper. "Barbara can do your outfit, Francesca can do your hair and I will do your make up"
Julia gulped nervously and munched on her pretzel more.
"Anyway, we didn't come here to chat!" said Francesca.
"We didn't?" said Julia.
"We came here to DANCE!"
"Oh...well, I suppose I can do a little bop" said Julia. The other girls goaded her onto the dance floor where they formed a tight little group.
"It's a bit short on men tonight" said Harper, dismissively.
"Who needs them?" said Francesca. "I'm a married woman.
"I've got a steady boyfriend" said Barbara.
"I'm not really into dating" said Julia.
"Oh yes, what about that Kerry guy?" asked Francesca.
"Ooh, Julia's got a beau, has she?" said Harper.
"No! Not at all! It's not like that! We've been on two platonic dates, that's all" said Julia.
"He does have an eye for the ladies though" said Francesca.
"He's very into conservationism and natural healing" said Julia.
"I didn't think all that hippy stuff would appeal to you, Julia?" said Harper.
"Well, not normally, but...well...he makes it sound interesting. Anyway, can we go for one evening without talking about men? It should be a challenge, a test. Go one evening where no one mentions men."
The other three girls all looked at each other and shook their heads. "Nah!"
It got late and the four of them staggered out of the Orange Peel to head home. Harper, tipsy, hugged Julia. "You're alright, Doc...for a doc" she said.
Julia and Barbara headed home to Foundry Cove, exhausted. "It looks like Jeremy's made it back home. Well, goodnight Julia; thanks for inviting me and introducing me to your friends."
"My pleasure. Goodnight."
Julia went inside her home, took off her clothes and changed into her nightgown. Of everything that happened today the thing that pleased her most was that her Aunt Elle was improving.
