CHAPTER 233: The Hottest Gear

"OK, Barbara...you've got that look in your eye.  You seemed pleased as punch about something"

"Moi, Jeremy?  Maybe I am pleased about something."

"OK, we've had our anniversary...both of when we first met and our first date.  I've remembered your birthday...so what is it?  Halloween isn't for another few weeks..."

"The new stock is arriving today.  You know, that Carnaby Street fashion house has sent me some of their most exciting new clothing?"

"The stock that we paid quite a hefty price for?  I was sceptical when you said we should import directly from England."

"Jeremy, I know this stuff will sell.  We're heading into the Fall/Winter season and we need to freshen up our stock.  Everything British is cool right now:  The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, James Bond, Tom Jones, Mary Quant, Ozzie Clarke, Michael Caine.  This stock is what the young Mods in London are wearing and the Americans are lagging behind on this!"

"You make it sound like the space race"

"It's a culture race and the US is behind England right now.  I'm a Canadian:  I'm part English, part French and part American.  I can see things from a more balanced perspective.  Now eat up, darling...we've got to get to the shop early to set things up."

There was an air of palpable excitement about Barbara and Jeremy hadn't seen her this mix of anxiousness and excitement since she started the boutique.  They arrived in time to take delivery of boxes and boxes of clothing and then began the task of dressing the mannequins with the new items.

"It's just women's clothing, Jeremy, so just change the outfits on all our female dummies" said Barbara, getting into her role of shop manager.  

Jeremy had a sharp cutting knife in his hand and was slicing through the packing tape to open up the boxes.  He pulled out an item of clothing that was wrapped up in tissue paper, laid it across a table and opened it up.  A see-through black whisp of nothing much was contained within and he held it up to see what on earth it was...some kind of VERY diaphanous blouse.

"Erm...you're going to have to help me out here, Babs.  What is this?"

"That's a negligee, Jeremy.  It's part of an intimates collection.  In that same box should be some matching bras and knickers."

"Trust my luck to pick out underwear..." he said.  He had to admit it looked sexy and wondered if Barbara would like to model a set.

It took an hour and a half to dress all the mannequins and the result was that the female section of the boutique looked radically different to what had been for sale just yesterday.  It was a bold collection of outfits, to be sure, and Barbara was impressed by them but also had a small, nagging doubt as to how popular they would be with customers.  Just how many Mods were there in Sim City?

It was now 8:40 and there was time to kill before opening time.  Toni, their shop assistant, hadn't arrived yet so it was just the two of them, alone.  Barbara was excited at the prospect of opening the shop and having amazed and thrilled customers flocking to the boutique.  When she was feeling excited she tended to feel romantic towards Jeremy.  She took his hands and kissed them, gently saying "thank you for being a part of all this.  I wish we could just jump ahead 20 minutes in time so we won't have to wait."

 "What to do in 20 minutes?" said Jeremy, suggestively.  Barbara saw that look in his eye and smiled suggestively back at him.

"Well...Toni might show up any moment now so keep those dirty thoughts to yourself, Mr Saint!  However there was one outfit I was keen to display but we've run out of mannequins.  I was thinking I would become a human one myself and wear what I think is my favourite outfit of the new collection."

"It wouldn't be that black negligee set by any chance?" he asked.

"No, silly!  I'd catch a cold in that!  No, you wait here and I'll change out of this outfit and show you." she said, giving him a coquettish wave before disappearing into a changing room.

When she emerged Jeremy's jaw figuratively hit the floor.  He was also stuck for words, so striking was Barbara's outfit.

"What do you think?" she asked.

"Ah...I...well...it's..."

"You don't like it?" she said, her glee suddenly gone and a worried look replacing it.

"No!  I mean, yes!  I mean...you look amazing!"  Said Jeremy, desperately trying to encourage her again.

"Do you think so?  This is THE Mod look!  I love the hat and the little boots as well.  I've long wanted a Mondrian dress and now I have one!"  Barbara was happy again in an instant her frown became a smile once more.

"Wait a minute...that outfit is still property of the business, not us." said Jeremy, his business mind suddenly kicking into gear.

"I will pay for it out of my own savings...I have to have it!  Everything:  The dress, the hat, earrings, boots and tights."

"I think you've outdone Suzy in the Mod stakes.  If we're ready to go, let's open up and see if your hunch pays off"

Toni arrived on the stroke of 9 and then 10 minutes later their first customer entered the boutique...but it was a man and thus the new collection wasn't what he was looking for.  It wasn't until nearly 10am that the first female customer entered and already she saw something interesting.

"Good morning, Madam, are you interested in this particular outfit?  It's brand new, from the House of Poppy all the way from Carnaby Street."

"Really?  The customer's face lit up at the words.  "I mean...it's so radical, so fab, it's great gear!  It reminds me of....erm...what does it remind me of?"

"You mean the contrast of the cream and black colours?  The Total Look?"

"A Rorschach ink blot test!  But in a good way!  I've gots to try it on!" 

"Certainly madam, the changing rooms are right along here."  Barbara was elated; an impressed customer!

 

Jeremy was likewise busy dealing with customers, all of whom were interested in the new range.

Lots of customers wanted to try things on, but there were no sales yet.  Barbara, Jeremy and Toni were all busy serving but the success or failure of this new range depended on sales and Barbara was now starting to fear that it was too experimental, too cutting edge to find success in this one city in the US.  Sim City was not as cosmopolitan as New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco nor a massive media and star driven place like L.A.

It took just one customer to determine the fate of this range.  A beautiful red headed young woman of college student age who had tried on many outfits but had yet to find the one she was truly interested in.

She said her name was Daphne and she was an amateur sleuth by trade, along with some other friends from college.  She wanted something in pink and purple; her two favourite colours and which she claimed were her signature look.  As it so happened there was one outfit in the new range that fit the criteria and it was a strapless minidress that was designed to be worn formally or at some trendy hot spot in town.  It came complete with complimentary accessories and when Daphne had tried it all on, she was ecstatic.  

She emerged from the changing room and stepped into the main shop, under the spotlights and modelled dress.  Barbara and Jeremy were impressed as this girl looked like a professional model.  This didn't go unnoticed by the other customers and when they saw Daphne taking centre stage in the boutique, it prompted a flurry of enquiries about whether Barbara had more in stock.

After Daphne had purchased the outfit, three other customers were interested in it and the stock flew off the shelves thereafter.  The 'ink blot' outfit also sold well and Barbara was relieved that at last she was making sales.

At the close of business they sat down in their little staffroom and went over how the day went.  It was one of Jeremy's ideas to install fridges stocked with food because he figured money and time could be saved if the option to eat on the premises existed.

"In the end we sold one male suit, two 'inkblot' outfits, 3 men's sweaters, 2 of those pink and purple party frocks and even 2 of those lingerie sets...in black." said Barbara, looking over her accounts book.

"At the mark up we put on those clothes we're well in profit today" replied Jeremy.  

"I knew those Mod fashions would sell, I had a good gut instinct" said Barbara.

"I won't doubt you again" said Jeremy.

"Mind you, you've become quite the salesman.  That man's suit, one of the party frocks and the sweaters were all down to you.  If you weren't already co-owner of the shop I'd have had to pay you a commission."

"I've always been able to learn new things quickly" he replied.

"Well, I'm very happy things are working out for us!"

"Indeed they are!  Say, how about we do our traditional thing and head on down to the Salty Paws Saloon for a few drinks, a little dance, some more drinks and a romantic evening stroll along the harbour?"

"And show off my new dress!" said Barbara.

"They won't know what hit them" replied Jeremy.

The sun was setting when they arrived at the Salty Paws Saloon; they had never been there during daytime but it was their regular, favourite watering hole.  Jeremy was still amazed at how fabulous Barbara looked to the point of being transfixed by her.

They had arrived just ahead of the crowd.  The Salty Paws could get very busy as the evening wore on with both people and cats...

Jeremy and Barbara noticed Eliza Pancakes was there as well...without Bob or their baby.  "Bob must have volunteered to babysit" said Jeremy.

"Volunteered?  Or maybe Eliza volunteered him?" said Barbara with a wry smile.

It wasn't long before the expected throng of patrons started showing up, some familiar, others new faces.  One familiar face was part of the extended "Foundry Cove Gang"; people who were close friends or family of those living in Foundry Cove.  On this occasion it was Francesca Griffiths, Julia's work colleague and best friend.

"Barbara!  Oh my gosh you look amazing!  Wonderful!  Is that a new outfit?  Where did you get it from?"  Francesca gushed enthusiastically.

"This is brand new...arrived at the shop first thing this morning and I had to have it.  We've got more in stock if you're interested"

"Oh I have to visit your boutique again, it's been too long.  Now can I get away with wearing a dress like that?"

"Of course you can!  Jeremy, do you think this dress would look fab on Francesca?" said Barbara as she put her boyfriend on the spot.

"Well...I mean...well...yes.  If you like bright colours and I think you do given the red and orange you're wearing." he stammered in reply.  "Let me buy you and Barbara a drink!  I could sure do with another..."

As Jeremy ordered another round of drinks Barbara managed to have a conversation with Francesca.

"How are things going right now?  How's Stefanie?" Barbara asked, sensitively.

Francesca nodded.  "We're getting there...the routine of work and school helps and everyone's been great, really great but I miss Rod so much and there are times when the grief gets to us.  Fortunately those days where I cry...and Stefanie as well...are getting fewer and farther between.  Julia's babysitting tonight and she's wonderful."

"She is...and she's great with children; has a natural rapport with them."

"I just wish she could find a good husband and start a family of her own" mused Francesca.

"You know what Julia's like with relationships...nothing romantic." said Barbara.

"Well, I'm not so sure anymore...she's been on a couple of dates, you know?"

"No way!  I didn't know." said Barbara in surprise.

"She doesn't talk about it much and the men she went out with were not right for her.  The thing is, there's a man who's perfect for her but...well...he's not around." said Francesca with a shrug.

"Vincent..." 

"Yes, Vincent.  She still holds a candle for him.  I hope and pray he comes back from the Congo to Sim City because he's the only man she's ever had genuine feelings for."

Barbara looked around the bar and noticed Eliza dancing with a man she didn't recognise.  "Oh now there could be trouble..." she said to Francesca.

"Oh Eliza, why be so blatant about it?" said Francesca, shaking her head.

After downing a second drink, Barbara and Jeremy were ready to hit the dance floor but her energy had left her and it was a struggle do manage anything more than zombie like shuffle on the dance floor.

"I think I should take you home" said Jeremy.

"Ugh, I think you should as well...My eyelids are so heavy right now!" Barbara replied.

"I'll call a cab and you can take a nap on the way home, come on, my gorgeous Mod fashion model"

They said goodbye to the regulars at the bar, especially Francesca and a tipsy Eliza (who was enjoying the attention of some men in the place), caught a cab and went home.  All the way Barbara had dozed off and rested her head on Jeremy's shoulder.

He looked at Barbara as she slept and thought about their future together.  She was the one, for sure, and he should put a ring on her finger but with only 4 weeks to go before Summer and Travis' wedding he didn't think it right to propose now because that might be seen as stealing their thunder.  Best to wait until after they return from honeymoon...but then when to plan his wedding for?  March or April 1967 at the earliest.  A spring wedding?  Maybe...

He thought about popping the question, when and where and how, all the way home whilst she slept in the back of the cab but when they got home she had woken up and had perked up a little.

"Hmmm, so good to be home" she said as she headed for the bedroom.  Before she kicked off her boots and took another moment to inspect herself in the mirror.  "Wow!  I love this outfit...it's my new favourite"

"You certainly turned heads...especially mine.  Once again, I'm so fortunate to be your boyfriend" said Jeremy.

"You are adorable and say all the right things..." she said, smiling at him.  

Like "would you do me the honour..." he thought to himself.

Barbara went towards him, threw her arms around him and gave him a big kiss.

"Hmmm, I thought you were tired?" he said when they broke apart for air.

"I was back at the Salty Paws...but now I'm feeling all sexy."

"You are, are you?  Then maybe you'll appreciate this!"

"Oh yes!  Hmmm, more!  Or maybe...we should move this to the bed?  Would you unzip me from my dress...carefully?"

"I will be the personification of delicacy"

Barbara threw her cap across the room and once out of her new dress she kicked off her boots and started to undress him.  Then they went straight to bed, got under the covers and had a steamy bit of woohoo.

Well, maybe not a white wedding now... he thought, mischievously. 

 

CHAPTER 181: Goode's Luck

 

"So much to do today, Neil.  Do you think I should pop next door to speak to Eliza now?"

"Suzy, it's 7:30am.  She might still be in bed...especially if the baby's been keeping her up at night.  Relax, darling, just give it until around 9am and then go and see her."

"But I'm too excited, I'm buzzing...so many questions about this Advik Archaya to put to her!"

"And that can wait another 90 minutes or so...I tell you what; why don't you write down on a piece of paper all the questions you want to ask her; gather your thoughts properly.  It'll help you pass the time instead of wearing a hole in your shoes pacing up and down".  

Suzy stopped talking, and pacing around the room, smiled sheepishly at Neil and nodded.  He was correct and so she walked over to the kitchen counter, picked up a pad of paper and a pen and started to jot down some ideas and questions she would put to Eliza and Bob about Mr Archaya.  It was a strange congruence of circumstances that fired her imagination:  That they would buy a house where the previous owner had discovered the mysterious hidden glade in Foundry Cove, that the man had known the mysterious assassin, Leanne McGregor, and that his disappearance was probably due to her.

And this saga she had found herself on all began with the discovery of a missing page from a book...

On the stroke of 9am, Suzy gathered up her questions and ideas and headed straight round to the Pancakes residence.  She rang the doorbell and it was Bob who answered it.

"Oh, hello Suzy. What is it?" he asked in his usual, slightly bored sounding voice.

"I'd like to talk with you and Eliza about the neighbourhood...we're still getting the hang of things around here.  And I've been learning a bit about our new house:  Can I ask you guys some questions?"

"Erm, yeah, sure...come on in" replied Bob, looking slightly confused by Suzy's request to answer questions.

He led her to the lounge and he sat down to watch some TV:  The news was on and it was about the airline worker's strike.

"I hope you guys weren't planning a big vacation anytime soon.  Looks like the whole system's grounded." said Bob, nodding at the footage of striking airline workers.

"No...well, not until around August; we're still settling in." replied Suzy.

"Well..." said Bob with a sigh.  "...we weren't going to go on vacation anyway:  The baby's nixed that idea.  Anyway, what did you want to know about the neighbourhood?"

"Your old neighbour, Advik...he mysteriously disappeared, didn't he?" Suzy phrased her question as gently as she could in order not to spook out Bob with everything she knew about the case.  Bob sighed again and drew in a deep breath before responding.

"Yeah, poor guy." was the eventual reply.

"Did you know him well?" she asked, pushing a bit more.

"Yeah, pretty well.  We'd go fishing and hunting a few times.  Decent guy but I didn't hang out with him much as work and...stuff with Eliza..." he said, with a faint grimace on his lips "...got in the way.  Then I really lost contact with him after he went a bit crazy."

"He went crazy?" Suzy pressed again even though she could tell Bob wasn't comfortable with talking about such things.

"Yeah...really far out, you know?" said Bob, shifting uncomfortably on the couch.

"How so?"

"Jeez, where to begin?  You know he was a regular guy and all that but he met this girl...wait a moment, no, she came along later...That's it, he claimed he'd stumbled on some kind of terrible secret and it really freaked him out.  He was never the same guy after that; became a recluse."

"Did he say where he found this secret?" asked Suzy, her eyes bright with excitement as further revelations in this story.

"Yeah, in some book." Bob replied.

"Do you know which book?" asked Suzy without hesitation.

"Jeez, I know you're a reporter and all that but this is kind of intense!" said Bob, defensively.

"Sorry, Bob, that's my training taking over.  I'm just interested in strange stories, that's all.  This sounds fascinating."

"Well, it was weird to witness, I can tell you.  I don't know the name of the book but he showed it to me one time.  I didn't understand it; it seemed gibberish to me about pocket worlds, triangles of power and conspiracies."

Suzy's heart skipped a beat...this book, could it be the one she had one torn page from?  Could this be the book that explained everything mysterious about Sim City?

"And it was after reading the book his behaviour changed?" asked Suzy, restraining herself.

"Big time.  He became paranoid, then he got into that whole painting gig, quit his job and I only saw him a few times after that."

"You mentioned a girl he was seeing, what do you know about her?"

"Not much.  Saw her a few times when she came over to visit him but I never spoke with her.  She was a classy chick; long black hair, dark eyes, kinda sultry looking.  Oh yeah, Advik told me her name was Leanne.  Anyway they were an item for about six weeks and then...BAM...he disappeared.  Only found his shoes.  The official report said he probably fell off a cliff and into a fast moving river...body's probably washed out to sea."

Suzy sat back in her seat and took a deep breath.  Everything fitted here; the book, the obsessive painting and Leanne McGregor, angel of death.  She probably pushed poor Advik off the cliff.  

Upstairs the baby started crying and it could be heard in the lounge.  It was loud enough to interrupt their conversation and after a few seconds Suzy could hear a door open upstairs and Eliza's voice boomed out downstairs.

"Bobby...can you feed Armand?  I'm in the bathroom right now...there's a bottle of milk by the crib." she said.

Bob got up and sighed with exhaustion again as he trudged up the stairs to feed the little one.  He was resigned to the fact that he wasn't going to get his old life back now, that he will never be able to watch a TV show all the way through and that sleep would be intermittent but he figured what else was there to do to resit it?  Kid's gotta be fed, he figured.  Besides, Armand was his son and give it a few years and they'll be throwing a football around in the back yard.

"Suzy, is that you?" called out Eliza.  "Come on upstairs, I'm busy cleaning the bathroom but I'd love a chat"

Suzy walked upstairs where she could hear Bob cooing to the baby in one room and Eliza's footsteps in a room opposite.  Eliza greeted her neighbour with a hug and a big smile.

"Did I hear right that you're interested in hearing about our old neighbour, Advik?" she said.

"Yes, sounds like an interesting, if tragic story" replied Suzy.

"Oh it was so sad when we heard the news of his disappearance." said Eliza.  "But he did give us one of his paintings, for free, before he left on that last, fateful trip.  Would you like to see it?"

"I'd like that" replied Suzy, again excited that she was learning more and more about this story.

Eliza led Suzy to one of the bedrooms and there, above a mantlepiece, was a landscape painting of a mountain range...in the same particular pink shade as the painting she and Neil had seen at the art gallery.

"Did he tell you what inspired this painting?" asked Suzy.

"Not really...he said it was called '6am Sunrise' and asked if we would take very good care of it...and we've done so.  It's hung there ever since we got it."

"He was quite talented" said Suzy, scrutinising the painting for any clues.  Nothing obvious struck her though.

Her studiousness was interrupted by the sound of the baby gurgling "ah-goo" and she turned to look at him lying there, his feet gently kicking in the air and one hand at his mouth.  She started making goo-goo noises back at him.

"Any plans to start a family with Neil?" asked Eliza and Bob.

"What?  NO!  Well, not now...but...I'm tempted!" Suzy replied.  The power of a cute baby had struck her.  "Anyway, it smells like he needs a change of diaper so I'll leave you to it.  Thanks for that very interesting information."  And with that, she headed home.

She found Neil reading a book about French 19th century painters.  He looked up at her and asked how the talk with Eliza and Bob went.

"Good, very interesting in fact" she replied.  "So this Advik Archaya got hold of some mysterious book that told of all the conspiracies in Sim City...I think it's the same book the missing page I have in my possession is from.  Anyway, Bob and Eliza think it drove him mad and he became paranoid and obsessive.  And they said he was dating Leanne McGregor!  It all fits!"

"If only we can find that book..." mused Neil.

"The more progress we make, the more we discover that we need to find out more" she sighed.

Neil stood up and put the book back on the shelf.  "I have to go out for a bit" he said.  "I'm meeting Andre in town".  Andre Good was Neil's best friend and was best man at his wedding.

"Aww, that's nice.  Do give him my love" said Suzy.  "Is he seeing anyone, do you know?"

"I don't think so, I'll soon find out when I catch up with him" replied Neil, grabbing his wallet and set of car keys.

"I hope he is...he's too down on himself when it comes to dating.  There's plenty of nice women out there!"  said Suzy.

"Now don't do yourself down, Andre...there are plenty of nice women out there" said Neil, trying to encourage his friend.

"I hope so...it hasn't worked out so far." Andre replied.  "But you'll be my wingman, right?  Encourage and big me up to the ladies?"

"Of course.  You're officially a friend to the married man.  Well, let's get a beer and catch up...I haven't seen much of you since we moved house" said Neil, jerking his head towards the Waterside Warble bar.

The two went inside and found there weren't many people there.  It must be a slow afternoon, Neil thought.  They took their places at the bar and ordered two beers.

"How's it going, Andre?" asked Neil.

"Job's much the same, I'm still at the same place and doing the same things." said Andre with a shrug.

"Dare I ask how the love life is?" 

"Deader than pleats and men's hats" replied Andre, taking a big swig of his beer.

"Did you follow things up with Tiffany?"

"We had one date, but it's clear she and I are two very different people to make anything work.  I suspect she still holds a candle for some other guy.  Kept dropping the name 'Alan' into the conversation.  At one point she accidentally called me by that name.  Shame, as she was extremely HOT!"

"Yeah, you know she's a Lothario Kitten?" said Neil.

"You told me that...I can well believe it.  Shame it never went any further; I'd have liked to see her in her kitten outfit." said Andre, managing a wry smile.

A beautiful and svelte looking young woman wearing the latest fashions walked past them both and glanced in their direction momentarily.

"Speaking of kittens...there goes another one!" said Andre, excitedly.  "And she's my favourite!  Miss Ginger!"

"Why don't you say hello to her?" asked Neil.

"You know I think I will!" said an eager Andre, ready to leap off his bar stool but as soon as he was poised Miss Ginger, Tasha Michel, walked over to a tall, slim and very handsome man and gave him a kiss on the cheek.  They sat down together on one of the bar sofas and snuggled up to one another.

"...or maybe not.  Some guys have all the luck" said a deflated Andre.

"Well, there's..." began Neil.

"DON'T SAY IT!" replied Andre, interrupting and pointing an accusatory finger at Neil.

"...plenty of fish in the sea?" continued Neil, looking admonished.

"Well while you think up your next homily I'm going to the bathroom." said Andre, getting up and walking to the bathroom...taking a moment to look once again at Miss Ginger in all her beauty as he walked past.

Meanwhile Neil smiled and took another sip of his drink.  Andre was frustrated by his lack of success with women but he didn't seem despondent.  Where there's hope, there's love; Neil thought.

"Fancy seeing you here!" came a familiar voice sitting next to him.  Neil turned and saw his neighbour, Barbara Dubois, sitting at the end of the bar.

"You too.  Where's Jeremy?" said Neil.

"He's meeting me here; we're going to go out to dinner tonight at a Chinese restaurant we both like.  Where's Suzy?"

"Right about now she's still over at the Hey, Wow! offices.  I'm here with my friend, Andre.  Do you remember him?"

"Oh yes, from the wedding.  Nice guy.  Is he still seeing Tiffany?"

Neil shook his head.  "Didn't work out; I'm helping him look for a bit of romance down here.  He's not having much luck, I'm afraid."

"Too bad.  I hope his luck improves tonight!" said Barbara.

Andre returned from the bathroom and the three of them had a friendly discussion until Jeremy showed up and whisked Barbara away for their dinner date.  Andre watched them leave and said "now that's the kind of girl I'm looking for.  How did you and Jeremy end up with absolute angels like Barbara and Suzy?"

"In my case, she worked on me until I cracked.  I'm glad she did.  Anyway, the right girl is out there for you, Andre.  You've just got to be patient.  Let's get another round in." said Neil, catching the barmaid's attention.

They had a second round, then a third but tonight wasn't the night where nice, attractive single ladies came to the Waterside Warble.  Perhaps the one night in its entire history where this had not happened.  Andre grew despondent and left to go home.  The scene was dead, the vibe had gone and so had Andre's quest for this evening.  Neil finished his last drink and headed home as well but he paused to watch and listen to a busker in Spice Quarter Square.  Andre's words before he left buzzed around Neil's head as he watched the busker.

"There's no attractive single women around!"

Neil looked around the square and saw a young, attractive woman eating a bowl of Ramen.

...and another...

...and another although, Neil thought, she looks a little spaced out...

...and another.  Wait, isn't she that singer from TV?  If only Neil had hung on just 10 minutes more...10 MINUTES!  Andre just has no luck...

CHAPTER 170: Moving Out

 

"Well, we're almost packed up...let's get the last few boxes into the truck and then we'll head off to our new home!" said Neil, with a trace of excitement in his voice.

Suzy looked around the nearly empty house she'd been living in these last six months and sighed. "Yeah, goodbye old house.  Goodbye groovy wallpaper, goodbye kitchen...oh, Neil, we forgot to pack up the coffee machine!"

"Relax, honey, I'll put it in a box and put it in the truck." he said, reassuringly.  "Are you very anxious about our house move?"

"A bit...it's funny:  I'm supposed to be this up to the minute, it-girl who's into the latest things and yet I feel nostalgic for this old place.  This is my first home as an independent woman, away from Mom and Dad and I grew fond of here."

Neil held her in his arms and looked into her bright blue eyes.  "I know.  I went from the family home to art school to a bunch of short term and cheap garrets until I met you.  This place has fond memories for me as well but we're going to make a whole bunch of new ones...together...in our new house." and with that he gave her a reassuring kiss on the cheek.

The last things were packed up and whatever they didn't want to take with them got left behind.  As they left the house and stood on the porch, Suzy turned around to look into the house one last time.  Closing the door was an act of finality:  Onwards to the new.

It was a short drive to their new home and they arrived there early enough to help the removal guys unpack the truck and unpack all the furniture to put it into place.  The previous week Suzy and Neil had hired painters and decorators to paint and carpet the place.  Now they were ready to begin the next chapter of their lives.

"It looks great!" said Suzy, looking around the house.

"Well, it was bound to with an artist and a fashion expert in charge" replied Neil, with a smile.

"Let's relax in our new home!" she added.

The living room was designed to Suzy's tastes:  Mod style with white walls and furnishings and black highlights.  Neil joked that she could camouflage herself whenever she wore her favourite black and white outfit.  Meanwhile he was pleased at how his sketches for the new place had been implemented by the decorators.

"How about we admire our new abode over a cup of Joe?" he asked.

"Sounds good to me" replied Suzy.

As they sat on their brand-new couch sipping some freshly ground coffee Suzy stretched out her legs and took in the surroundings.

"Do you know I think this is the kind of place suitable for my current status with work" she said.  "I can see myself entertaining the editor, interviewing celebrity guests, that kind of thing." 

"I can just see you swapping jokes with Twiggy in this room" joked Neil.  "I wonder what I'll be doing now...working in a shop isn't cutting it anymore."

"You got promoted not long ago to assistant manager" said Suzy.

"Yeah, but I want to develop my painting more.  I've sold 3 more of my works in the last month...I now earn just as much money from painting than I do at the shop.  Plus, two split shifts keeps us apart too much...I want more time with you, darling.  How many chances to we get to go out on a date these days when I have to work an early morning plus an early evening shift?"

"I would love to spend more time with you...and, hey, I'm a follow your dream kind of girl."

"You certainly are!  Anyway, I'm still rostered on for today and I'll have to get ready for my first shift so I'll give it some thought.  Before I go, I want to christen our new sink!"

"Are you going to be this reverential with all our appliances?"

"Behold!  Hot water on demand!" 

"Oh my hero!" Suzy exclaimed sarcastically.  "The wonders of plumbing!  What next?  Ode To The Floor?"

"You might jest..." said Neil, wagging his finger playfully at her.

"Thanks, I will" she replied.

"I'm going to get changed now" said Neil, changing the subject.  "What are you up to today?"

"I'm going to finish off an article and then do some sketches for the fall fashion issue of "Hey, Wow!" Suzy replied.

"Well, all the best with that"

"I tell you what, Neil, this street is a lot quieter than our old one.  I can't hear any passers-by out there"

"Then have a productive, and quiet, day...I'll see you later" he said, getting up and kissing her cheek.

Suzy then settled down in their new study...finally, she lived in a house that had a study...and began typing up her next article.

If anything, the current trends are only going to become more accepted in the mainstream and that American designers can compete with European ones...

Her writing was interrupted by the sound of the new doorbell ringing and the muffled sound of a woman's voice shouting "Coo-eeee!"

"So much for a peaceful neighbourhood..." muttered Suzy to herself.  She stopped typing, stood up and went to see who it was at the door.

"Hello neighbour!" said a very exuberant Eliza Pancakes on the front porch.  Right behind her was the slient figure of her husband, Bob.

"Hello, this is a nice surprise" replied Suzy.  "Come on in, I'll show you what we've done to the place."

"Oh I can't wait to see!" exclaimed Eliza.  Bob seemed more circumspect, so Suzy had to do a bit more coaxing to get him to step inside.

 "I am loving it already!" said Eliza, clapping her hands.  "This is so you...the black and white, the sleekness of it all.  It's all so mod!"

"That was the intention" replied Suzy.

Bob was looking around as well but less at the decor and more at the large stereo system they had.

"Hey, this is a good model...do you mind if I switch it on to check the sound?" he asked.

"Sure" said Suzy "I'm not sure how it switches on yet"

"I got it; used one of these babies before" said Bob.

"YEAH!  TOTAL SOUND!" Bob said, excitedly.

"Bobby...would you turn that down a little?  Suzy and I can't hear each other speak!" said Eliza.

Bob muttered something and turned the volume down.

"Oh this place is just divine!  I want to be nosey and look all around!" said Eliza, jumping to her feet and scuttling off down the hall.  That left Suzy with Bob and she tried to engage him in some light conversation.

"So........how's the baby?  His name is Armand, isn't it?" said Suzy; her opening line.

"Sure is...he's OK." said Bob, nodding.

"And where is he today?"

"At home...with a babysitter.  Say, I'm a bit hungry.  Do you have anything to eat?  Just a little snack will do?"

"Erm yeah, some little bits...we haven't gone shopping yet but I think there's a slice or two of cake in the fridge" said Suzy.  Bob didn't seem like a man of many words but the paunch of his stomach told her he was a man of much eating.

SLAM! Went the fridge door as Bob slammed it a little too hard.  Eliza came striding into the living room to see what the cause of the noise was.

"Bobby Pancakes!  Treat our neighbours' house with a little more respect!" she said, scolding her husband.

"Dang it, woman!  This is a solid and well-built appliance!  I know what I'm doing." he gave a surly reply.

"I doubt that...and you've still got the stereo on way too loud!"

"Quit nagging me, Liza!  I'm warning you!"

"Oh you're warning me, are you?  Ooh, I'm scared" she said, sarcastically.

The tension in the room suddenly ramped up and Suzy felt anxious sitting between the feuding Pancakes.  

"How about I make us all a coffee?" she asked, both as a way of trying to calm things down but also to give her an excuse to get out of being in between them.

"Got any more cake?" asked Bob.

"I'll see...Eliza, coffee...or...cake?" asked Suzy, nervously.

Eliza shrugged her shoulders but said nothing.  Suzy took her chance and scampered off to the kitchen whilst Eliza sat down in a chair that was opposite the couch.  Bob looked at his wife and saw she was upset...he didn't know what to do so he made an awkward attempt at flirting to try and make amends.

Eliza just gave an indignant huff and turned her head away.

Suzy returned a few minutes later with coffee and more cake.  "Eliza, wouldn't you be more comfortable on the sofa?" she said, not wanting to be in the middle of those two.  Eliza got up and sat down next to Bob whilst Suzy sat in the single chair opposite them.  Bob didn't seem happy about the seating change.

"So...Bob was telling me a little about Armand?  How is parenthood, Eliza?" asked Suzy.

"Busy, busy, busy!" Eliza replied.  "Has Bobby told you about our babysitter?  Oh she's wonderful!  She makes little Armand giggle; it's so cute...you must come and see him again, I think he likes you." replied Eliza.

"He likes anyone who gives him milk" said Bob.

There was a bit more chat about things that wouldn't set the Pancakes off and then Neil returned home.

"Oh, hi Eliza and Bob...how's it going?  What do you think of our new home?" he asked the guests.

"We love it!" said Eliza.

"It's pretty neat" said Bob.

"You've got a nice place" remarked Neil.  "So...what else is new with you guys?" he added.

"Oh this and that..." replied Eliza.  "...mainly the baby though"

"Always the baby!" added Bob.

"I can imagine" said Neil.

"No you can't...unless you've experienced it, you can't imagine..." replied Bob as though he was reliving some traumatic memory.

"But he keeps us on the go and, yes, it can be a lot of fun, can't it, Bobby....I said, CAN'T IT, BOBBY?" said Eliza.

"Oh yes...say, Neil, I dig your stereo system" said Bob, desperately trying to change the conversation to something guy related.

"Thanks, man" replied Neil.  "Go ahead, find something cool to play"

Bob scuttled off to have a bop whilst Eliza sat next to Neil.  "Do you know I don't think we've really gotten to know each other...I didn't actually meet you until the wedding.  I hope we can spend more time getting to know each other..." she said.

"Yeah, OK then." said Neil, innocently.  Suzy was out of earshot, however...

Neil made an excuse to clean up the plates and cake crumbs whilst Suzy re-entered the room and sat next to Eliza.

"It's certainly nice to move to a new neighbourhood and have people you already know there" said Suzy.

"Oh we're going to be in and out of each other's houses, I'm sure!" Eliza replied.

"Yes..." said Suzy, a slight hesitation to her voice.

Bob walked over to them and looked at his watch.  "We'd better be getting back, we're paying the babysitter by the hour" he said.

"Alright, Bobby, don't fret...anyway Suz, let's meet for coffee sometime soon" said Eliza.

"Sure thing" said Suzy.

"I'll just head back now and pay the sitter...you join me when you can pry yourself away.  Thanks for the cake, guys" said Bob.

After the Pancakes had left Neil and Suzy could, at last, get a bit of peace and quiet.

"They're quite full on, aren't they?" said Neil as he checked out a work in progress that was on the easel. 

"Eliza's got a heart of gold but she does come across as brash...Bob, I don't know so well but he seems like he carries the burdens of the world on his shoulders." replied Suzy.  "But they're our neighbours now..."

"I'll never complain about Action and Julia ever again" said Neil.  "How do you like this drawing?  It's just charcoal on canvass at the moment but I want to move from just doing landscapes to doing portraits"

"I love it!  And we get to work together in this room as well!  Me on my typewriter and you at your canvas"

"I'll work on this later...Right, I'm just going to get a bite to eat...that is, if Bob hasn't eaten us out of house and home.  Then I have to briefly pop into the shop to hand in my notice and work out my remaining time there." said Neil.

"You're serious, you're going to quit your shop job and turn full time artist?"

"Yep, made up my mind and I want to do this.  Are you OK with that?"

"I think that's wonderful news...your talent shouldn't go to waste." said Suzy, kissing him on the cheek.

That made Neil's day.

Once again Suzy found herself alone but only briefly...there was another knock on the door.  "Who is it this time?" she sighed.

It was a woman; an auburn haired, tall and slim woman in her late 20s who had an air of refinement about her.

"Hello, there" she said.  Her accent was English and sounded very upper crust, almost aristocratic.  "My name's Emma and I live just across the river there.  I see you've just moved in and I wanted to say hello."

"That's kind...you're English, aren't you?" asked Suzy.

"Correct.  I've only just moved to Sim City with my...erm...associate; Steed."

"Steed?  The name rings a bell...wait, I met a man named John Steed at the Humour and Hijinks Festival recently.  Dapper chap, wears sharp suits and a bowler hat?"

"That's the fellow.  So you've met Steed, eh?  Interesting..." said Emma with a wry smile.

"Well do come in...I still have some fresh coffee in the pot" said Suzy.

"I do say I like the decor here...did you choose all the furnishings?" said Emma, looking and sounding impressed at the surroundings.

"I did...I work in fashion and my husband is an artist so we chose all the decor and furniture with an eye for a total look." replied Suzy.

"I can tell you work in fashion; you're up to the minute in style." Emma said, looking Suzy up and down.  "That dress:  Cardin?  Quant?"

"J.C. Penney, I'm afraid.  I can't quite stretch to getting an original Quant." replied Suzy, sheepishly.

"But I love your boots!  I have the same pair...they have to be originals!"  Said Emma, showing off her white go-go boots which she wore with beige and tan pants.

"Yes, these I did get from a boot makers in Chelsea...but I had to mail order them though.  Did you get yours there?"

"In Chelsea, yes, it must have been the same boot maker.  So you're interested in Carnaby Street fashions, are you?"

"Oh yes!  I'd love to go there one day"

"It's worth it.  I used to go there every weekend before our work, that is, Steed and myself's work, took us to America."

"What line of work are you in, if you don't mind me asking, Emma?"

"Oh we're troubleshooters you might say.  We go wherever we're needed." was Emma's nonchalant and uninformative answer.

"And what about yourself, Suzy, what do you do in fashion?"

"I'm a fashion reporter for a magazine but I sometimes dabble in other kinds of journalism...you know, investigative."

"Wait, are you Suzy Kent?  I read your article about Malcolm Landgraab!  I found it very informative."

"Yes I am and thank you"

"You should do more investigative pieces...I'm sure there's a lot in Sim City that could do with an expose."

"Oh there is...I'm working on something right now but I need to get my facts straight with it because some of it sounds fantastical on the surface."

"Now that does sound interesting!" said Emma.

When Neil came home from his second shift he found Suzy with some strange Englishwoman sitting, laughing and conversing in their new study.

"Hello, Suzy, another visitor?" he said.

"Oh yes, this is Emma from across the river...she came to say hello.  Emma, this is Neil, my husband."

"Pleased to meet you: Suzy's had a lot of nice things to say about you." said Emma, with an effortless grace and charm that was accentuated by her accent.

"Well, I must be heading off now...no doubt Steed's got some problem that needs dealing with urgently and I must help him.  Goodbye, Suzy and Neil.  Lovely to meet you." she said, getting up to leave.

Once she had gone home Neil looked at Suzy and said "It's like a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company has graced our home."

"Now, now, she's lovely and such an interesting person...she's actually married to a test pilot but he went missing two years ago and no trace of him has ever been found!"

"This sounds like the basis for your next article..." he said, drolly.  

"Now let's lock the door, pretend like we're not in so no more people will disturb us, and let's snuggle down to some nice dinner and a cosy night in." she replied.

"I like the sound of that" said Neil.

"I'll just go and freshen up" she said, leaving the study and going to the bedroom.  There, she checked herself up and down in their new, large wall mirror.  She felt great and excited by their house move and after all the chaos of having visitors she had only one thing on her mind...Neil.

By way of coincidence, Neil had only one thing on his mind and it wasn't dinner... When Suzy sauntered back into the study he grabbed her by the waist and drew her close to him.

"Neil!  This is most unlike you!" she said.  "But I like it"

"Only you can get me all hot and not bothered at all" he replied.  "Let's skip dinner..."