CHAPTER 195: You Wouldn't Believe Who Came Into The Shop Today

MOVERS N' SHAKERS GYM: 7:35am

"Suzy!"

"Barbara!  Great to see you here!  You're looking fabulous."

"As are you"

"Oh thank you for saying so.  I'm worried I've put on some pounds lately.  I don't want a repeat of that weight gain fiasco back in the Springtime."

"Oh that was horrible.  We all porked out...except Julia.  She must have a super fast metabolism.  So how are you?  Enjoying the new house still?"

"It's lovely.  That extra space is coming in handy for my work and Neil's art.  How are you and Jeremy?"

"We're good...the shop's doing well but...well, I have to confess..." and at that point Barbara lowered her voice.  "...I still fret about Jeremy's work.  I'm worried what the Landgraabs are up to."

"No good, I bet.  But I admire Jeremy's courage in trying to get to the truth.  I'm also working on that and, well, I've found out some very interesting things about them.  I can't say what right now, but we must all get together soon.  It's been....well...stressful at times learning about them."

For a moment Barbara could detect the stress on Suzy's face and guessed that under that calm, happy exterior she liked to project to the world she seemed to be carrying some kind of burden, like she knew something dark, sinister and troubling.  The small anti-Landgraab group:  Suzy, Neil, Jeremy, Action, Burr and herself hadn't met up as a group to discuss and share knowledge for some time now and Barbara wondered if Suzy was keeping too much to herself.

"We should arrange to come down here on a regular basis" said Barbara.  "Exercise is more enjoyable with good company:  Jeremy and I come here, or the gymnasium in the city, on weekends but I find I need a weekday exercise as well."

"Oh we must!  And then grab a coffee if there's time.  I'm going to head off soon as I've got a meeting soon at the offices:  Word is that an international celebrity is visiting Sim City soon but no one knows who that is.  Whoever it is, I want to land the first interview."  Said Suzy, regaining some of her usual enthusiasm.

"I wish you luck." Barbara replied before heading over to do some leg curls on the weight lifting apparatus.  She envied Suzy in some ways:  The world of high fashion, meeting famous people and, in the back of her mind, being married.  As for her, Barbara liked the idea of being married but there was no rush right now.  She was settled and happy with Jeremy and weddings were very expensive; their finances couldn't bear it.

She was hard at it with the exercise when Jeremy arrived.  They'd agreed to meet just before heading off to their respective jobs and his appearance must have meant that it was time to stop working out.  The time had gone so quickly for her.

"Hey, gorgeous" he said.

"Hey there.  Looking snazzy I see."

"Do you think this is a bit loud for work?" he asked, inspecting his blazer and shirt.  "Only Fanshawe has been wearing more colourful blazers recently and I thought this might be fitting with the times." 

"You're fine; I like it a lot.  I'll just shower and get dressed then we'll head on out." she replied.

On the way to Pack's Clothing, a way point between Movers n' Shakers and downtown where the Landgraab Corporation headquarters was, Barbara noticed that Jeremy was acting restless and nervously.  

"What's up, babe?" she asked.

"Nerves.  The security check at work is entering the second week now and they've been asking all these questions, going through all our files and the stress is getting to me.  I've hidden all incriminating evidence of my investigations but still..."

"If you act nervous then they might start to suspect you" replied Barbara.  "Come inside the shop, grab a drink and just relax before going in to the office"

"I know I should just act relaxed but...heck...I've always been a bit on the nervous side about a lot of things.  It's part of my character."

"Then look your normal, slightly anxious self.  And don't you have a colleague in the building working with you whose backing you up?"

"Yes...but I haven't seen much of him lately.  I feel on my own."

"I think you need to have a group meeting to discuss things:  Get them off your chest to Suzy and Action" she said.

"Maybe..." he replied with a nervous look on his face.

"But for now, come inside and have a relaxing cup of Jasmine tea...I find it works wonders for relieving stress."

"I don't know...maybe I should go in to work early to show my keenness?"

"You need to do the opposite:  Go in to work as if nothing is bothering you.  Come on, just relax for a few minutes."

A short while later Jeremy's mood had completely lifted.  

"That was a delicious tea and fruit salad, Barbara" he said with a big smile on his face.  "And as for that neck and shoulder massage, that really did the trick.  Shame we didn't have time to test out how big the changing rooms are with two people in them..."

"Another time.  But do try to remain calm at work today and if you need to quit in a hurry then there's plenty of work to do around here....Hmmm, some of those counter tops need cleaning." she said, looking around the place and noticing all the things that were out of place.

"I might take you up on that offer!" he said, getting up and smiling.  He appreciated the support that Barbara gave him; she never liked the idea of him going to work for Landgraab's but once that decision was made she stuck by him through thick and thin.  As he turned to give her one last look before heading downtown he thought there had to be a hand of God, or at least fate, in his life:  At one of his lowest points they found each other...the odds were not in his favour, especially after having his heart broken by that Bianca Gregory.  He almost didn't go in to town that day, he had to be dragged there by his best friend Travis.  And then after meeting Barbara that first time he didn't know if he would ever see her again...fate, or God, had intervened there as well.

It was time to open up the shop and the first customers streamed in.  However, one customer put Barbara's nerves on edge.  She tensed up the moment she saw her:  It was Bianca...a woman who once rejected Jeremy's romantic advances but who also seemed to toy with his affections at the same time.  The only time she had met Bianca was in another boutique and the woman was needling her about just how "close" she had been with Jeremy and had made snide remarks about how she knew him better than Barbara did.  That confrontation had then led to a serious and teary conversation between Jeremy and her that threatened to break them apart.  Now Bianca had shown her face in Pack's Boutique and Barbara was torn between having to serve her, ignoring her or throwing her out of the shop.

Bianca either hadn't noticed Barbara or else didn't care to acknowledge her.  Barbara had noticed that she had made her way to the menswear section, where she was checking out some shirts.  Barbara had an instinctive dislike of Bianca's haughty demeanour. 

But Barbara knew that interaction with her was inevitable:  She WAS the shop...the owner and the staff.  A customer's a customer and unless they cause trouble she couldn't think of a decent, professional reason not to serve Bianca.  Once she had finished answering another customer's question, she took a deep breath and walked over to Bianca.

"Hello there.  Can I help you with anything?" said Barbara.

"Oh, I thought it was you...Jeremy's girlfriend.  I trust you still are together?"

"We are."

"And you work here as well?"

"I own this boutique."

"Own it?  I see..." Bianca raised an eyebrow in astonishment.

"Is there anything I can help with?" replied Barbara, not rising to the bait.  "I see you're looking for something for a man, perhaps?"

"How very perceptive.  Yes, I need some hip, with-it shirts for my beau.  As a matter of fact he works with Jeremy at the same place."

"That must be Fanshawe"

"Yes, 'Shaw' as I call him.  He likes wearing more raffish, mod like clothes.  Shirts with a fuller sleeve, rounded collars and in bold colours."

"We certainly have those in store.  Let's see what we can find." said Barbara, maintaining her coolness in front of Bianca.

As Barbara was showing Bianca the various fashionable shirts she had in store another customer entered the shop, almost unnoticed.  She walked around, looking at the dresses on the mannequins with great attention.  After a few minutes a little girl, who was being dragged around the boutique with her dad and who had been acting bored the whole time noticed the elegant and beautiful red headed woman.  A little bell rang in the girl's head that told her this lady was famous...although she didn't know why.

"Daddy!  That lady!  She's from the TV...or that magazine Mommy reads!"

"Shh, dear, it's rude to point" the father replied.  

The lady walked around the shop some more, looking with great interest at the variety of outfit's on display.  She wasn't flamboyantly dressed for a young woman of today:  A lilac sweater and matching skirt, black pantyhose and matching sling back shoes but there was a grace and style about her that made her look like a model.

As Barbara listened to Bianca's requirements as to what she was looking for in men's shirts she noticed the newcomer and, after a few seconds, the penny dropped as to who this was.

"Oh my God!" she blurted out in a quiet voice.  Bianca looked puzzled.

"What?  What is it?" Bianca replied.

"That's Jean Shrimpton...the Shrimp!"

"You must be mistaken...what would The Shrimp be doing in your shop?"  Bianca looked in the direction of where Barbara was staring at.  "Oh my goodness...you're right!  That's her!"

Jean Shrimpton.  Along with Twiggy and Patti Boyd she was Britain's top model and one of the best in the world.  Her face was world famous and what she wore was the height of style.  Every young woman in the Western world wanted to look like her.  And she was here, in Sim City and in Pack's Clothing Boutique.

"I should say something to her" said Barbara.

"You should.  You own this shop" replied Bianca.

"But what do you say to someone like Jean Shrimpton?"

"How about 'can I help you, Miss Shrimpton?'"

"That's very familiar.  What if she takes offence?"

"What if she takes offence at you, a trendy fashion boutique owner, not recognising who she is?"

"Good point"

Jean walked over to where Barbara and Bianca were standing.  The little girl scowling at them for not knowing who this woman was.

"Excuse me.  Would one of you be the owner of this establishment?" said Jean in a cut glass English accent.

"That would be this young lady..." said Bianca, indicating Barbara.  

"Oh hello" said Jean, smiling politely.  "I do like your shop.  Such fab gear"

"Ah...thank you..." stammered Barbara.  Jean was even more beautiful and elegant in person than she was in the magazines.

Bianca piped up at that moment.  "Barbara here is too modest:  This is THE place to buy the latest fashion.  She has a great eye for colour, detail and style."

"Uhm, thank you...Bianca" replied Barbara, stunned at Bianca's statement.

"Oh you deserve the praise for putting Sim City on the cultural map" continued Bianca.

"Well, I just play a small part..." said Barbara, meekly.

"You're too be congratulated, Barbara." said Jean.  "I've never been to Sim City before and I've only got a short time before I'm due in New York for an American Vogue photoshoot...then Terence is flying over from London to spend some time there and on the West Coast."

"Terence...as in Stamp?" said a flabbergasted Barbara.  She had a massive crush on the handsome young English actor.

"The same" said Jean, smiling.  "Please, Barbara, relax.  We're both in the same business" she added, reassuringly touching the star struck young shop owner's arm.

They talked more about the shop and what was in fashion...or what was going to be in fashion next season before Jean had to stop and sign some autographs for the customers.  Barbara saw Bianca over at the menswear section and made her way over to her.  The next part was going to be difficult to say, but it needed saying nonetheless.

"Bianca...thank you for those kind things you said to Jean back there." 

"Not at all.  You deserve the credit for what you've done here."

"Did you know that Jeremy is part owner of the shop as well?"

"I did know, as a matter of fact:  Fanshawe told me...he helped draw up the loan agreement."

Barbara took a deep breath before speaking again...this was the toughest part.

"Bianca...I know you and Jeremy have history but I want to know where you stand with him now."

"I treated him unfairly, Barbara.  I realise that now.  But you've lasted, what, six months now together?"

"Coming up to six months"

"He's clearly devoted to you and I am having lots of fun with Fanshawe.  I think it's time to draw the line under my past with Jeremy.  I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to move on."

Barbara nodded.  "So we're cool?" she asked.

"We can be cool"

"In which case, can I interest you in a funky shirt or two?" said Barbara, with a slight smile.

In the end Bianca bought a couple of colourful shirts.  As Barbara was ringing up the cash register Bianca spoke again.

"Thank you...and once again, well done on winning over your celebrity customer.  You're on the map now, Barbara."

Barbara looked over to where Jean was standing and noticed she was still surrounded by admirers.  "I think I'm going to have to rescue her in a moment!" she quipped.

"Excuse me for one moment" said Barbara, gently ushering Jean away from the gathering crowd.

"Thanks Barbara!  I was being bombarded with so many questions back there!" replied Jean.

"Oh I have many of my own but I don't want to bore you with them" 

"For you I'm happy to chat and answer away."

Barbara drew a deep breath and cast her gaze all over the shop.  "Where do I even begin?  What's Carnaby Street really like?  Who's your favourite photographer?  Is Terence even more handsome in person?  Do you know The Beatles?  What was it like to wear the first miniskirt in Australia?..."

"It's truly fab.  David Bailey.  Oh boy, is he ever!  Yes, but not very well.  Very exciting.  Does that answer everything?" Jean giggled.

Barbara giggled too and clapped her hand over her mouth.  "I can't believe this is happening!  I'm sorry if I seem like a silly little girl acting this way around you...but...but...you're here!"

"Don't let it bother you so much!  I've noticed Americans are more excited when they meet people who are famous."

"That's just it, I'm actually Canadian!"

"Well, God Save The Queen.  We should stick together as daughters of the Commonwealth.  Now I've noticed that there's lots of people here but they're not actually buying anything..."

"I know" Barbara sighed.  "I should be dealing with my customers but I didn't want to appear rude to you."

"Not to worry...you've been so welcoming and I love the idea of a young person setting up their own business and doing well.  Hmmm, I think I have an idea to drum up some more interest...Can I choose any outfit here to try on?"

"Jean, you can try on absolutely ANYTHING."  

"I think I've spotted something I like....can I get some shoes and accessories as well?"

"Help yourself!"

"OK, you keep chatting to your customers and I'll be right back." said Jean.

A few minutes later and Jean emerged from the changing room wearing the hottest trend in Sim City right now:  The peppermint green floaty dress with white collar and 3/4 length sleeves teamed with white strappy shoes and off-white seamed tights.  She had immediately zoned in on the up to the minute look without being prompted.  Barbara was impressed.

Jean walked up and down and sashayed, displaying the outfit like a true top model.  "I'm not a catwalk model so apologies if I'm not doing this quite right" she said, self-deprecatingly to Barbara.

"I'm just sorry I didn't bring a camera" replied Barbara.  "But keep going, you're doing swell."

Soon a lot of customers were enquiring of Barbara if she had more of those dresses in stock and in what sizes.  She had sold three of them by the close of business and with the matching shoes and accessories as well.  Once 5pm came around and Barbara had flipped the sign to "closed", Jean breathed out a sigh of relief.

"I trust that helped" she said.

"Oh believe me, it did!  The sale of those outfits alone covers the cost of a day's rent.  I ended up doing very good business."

"Glad to help..." said Jean before going back to the changing room to get back in to her original outfit.  When she emerged she handed back the borrowed items to Barbara.

"No, you can keep them if you wish" she said.  "That's my small way of saying thank you for the honour of modelling in my own shop!"

"I don't want to take from you, Barbara"

"Consider it payment in kind"

Jean smiled and asked for a bag in her soft, politest English accent.  "I have to go now.  I'm meant to be somewhere called The Kitten Club for a publicity shoot this evening.  Hmmm, I think I'll wear this dress you've kindly given me."  Jean and Barbara hugged each other and with that, the most famous person Barbara had ever met left the shop.

Five minutes later, Jeremy had arrived at the shop to take  Barbara home.

 

"Was business good today?" he asked.

"Oh my goodness, was it ever!  A bit slow for most of it but then came a big flourish of spending at the end.  You know that peppermint green dress I have in stock?  Completely sold out of them by close of business."

"Wow.  How did that happen?"

"That's the most fantastic thing about it:  I had Jean Shrimpton right here, in this shop!  She was actually here, Jeremy, and I got to speak to her, and there was a hug..."

 Jeremy interrupted her.  "Sorry, who is Jean Shrimpton?  Someone famous?" he asked.

"Only the top model in the world!  You know, the English one?"

"The only model from England I've ever heard of is someone called 'Twiggy'" he replied, overemphasising the name 'Twiggy' as if it was ludicrous.

"Jean's the other one...listen to me, calling her 'Jean'!  Oh Jeremy, she's absolutely amazing!  She knows The Beatles!"

"How nice for her...and she was in the shop today?  Wow, that's a feather in your cap.  I just don't know my fashion models very well."

"Do you remember when I met Llamaman and I had no idea who he was?  Well, this is me getting even with you for meeting a celebrity."

"You met Llamaman, not me.  You're way ahead of meeting the stars than I am:  Llamaman, Darling Walsh and now this Jean Shrimpton.  Soon it'll be Rock Hudson or Doris Day...now, how about we celebrate by hitting the Orange Peel club tonight?"

Barbara loved the idea of going dancing at her favourite nightclub.  She was absolutely buzzing with excitement and adrenaline about what happened today.

It wasn't very busy, being a Monday evening, but the disc jockey's mix of sounds was really good this evening and Barbara got right into the swing of things.  Jeremy was more subdued, which was normal when it came to him dancing.  The bright oranges and purples of the decor and lighting in the Orange Peel went well with Barbara's outfit and if Jeremy wasn't focussing wholly on his dance moves then it was because he was drinking in the beauty of Barbara.

Eventually they paused for a drink and went to the bar.  Jeremy ordered two fruit cocktails for him and Barbara and they sat down to take the load off their feet.  

"Here's to celebrity friends" said Jeremy, raising his glass.

"To celebrity friends, cheers" said Barbara, clinking her glass to his.  "I was so bowled over by everything today...I was even nice to Bian...." she said, suddenly stopping herself from saying Bianca's name fully.  She had forgotten to tell Jeremy about her other customer today...

"Nice to Bianca?  What, she was in the shop as well?"  said a startled Jeremy.

"Yeeeeah, did I not mention that earlier?" she said, sheepishly.

"You certainly didn't!" he replied, firmly planting his glass on the counter top.  "Now did she give you a hard time?  Was she trying to get to me?  Did she upset you?" 

"No, no, no...I was worried at first as well but do you know what, she was actually nice to me and she talked me up to Jean.  I believe she's too keen on Fanshawe to think about bothering us."

"Too keen on Fanshawe's bank account if you ask me!" Jeremy retorted derisively.  "Well, I'm glad she wasn't bad to deal with today."

"I think we're turning a corner in our lives, Jeremy.  Today was awesome.  It's up, up, up from now on; I can feel it!"