CHAPTER 158: Clandestine Shopping Trip

"What was that noise?" said Edna Sneedley, her suspicious gaze suddenly turning towards the front door.

"I think it was the mailman, dear" said her husband, George.

"The mailman's delivery is always precisely 10am, this is 2 hours ahead of that.  I'm going to find out what's going on!" she exclaimed, striding to the door.

On examining the contents of the mailbox she noticed a flyer for a local politician that belonged to the opposition party.  Edna unfolded it and read the words.

"we STAND for PROGRESSIVE policies...MORE taxes on wealthy people....MORE representation for our younger people...MORE government INTERVENTION programs!  Bring our BOYS back home from VIETNAM...END the WASTEFUL Apollo program!  Make LOVE not WAR!"

Edna's nostrils flared and she crumped the flyer in her hand.  "Who befouled my mailbox with this FILTH!" she exclaimed.  It didn't take her long at all to discover who...a lady in a pink suit but wearing an opposition party button on her jacket lapel was putting the same leaflets through all the letterboxes on the street.  Edna saw her target and strode purposefully over to her to confront them over this.

"Excuse me, is this yours?" said Edna to the lady in her demure voice, which usually set up the unsuspecting victim to be lambasted loudly.

"Why yes, are you interested in our cause?" said the lady.  "My name is Reyna Narayanan and I'm your local candidate..."

"NO YOU MAY NOT COUNT ON MY SUPPORT!" Blasted Edna.  "And nor can you count on my husband's either!  THIS is League of Decency country!"

"The League of What?" said a startled Reyna. 

"The League of Decency....a group of dedicated citizens who are standing up against the degradation of our society by the likes of your party!" And with that Edna crumpled the flyer up in her hands and shoved it back at Reyna.  "YOU are not welcome HERE!" she bellowed.  Reyna said nothing but instead stomped off, angry at being met with such hostility.

"Pinko!" muttered Edna, behind her back.

Meanwhile George was in the house bunker having a drink and thinking of what to do today.  He had a day off from work but Edna was on the campaign trail thus leaving him on his lonesome for a few hours.  Now normally he would change into his alter-ego, Georgina, or was it Beulah?  A few hours dressed as a woman took George to his private happy place although it was touch and go last time he dragged up:  None other than Geoffrey Landgraab had spotted him as a her and even tried to flirt with him...leading to George having to improvise matters and create yet another alter ego named Beulah who was this Southern Belle character.  That day was such a thrill that George considered doing it again and venturing even further afield.

"Alright, Dear, I'm off...wish me luck at City Hall!" said Edna as she was exiting the house.

"Bye-bye, my love!  Have a nice day" replied George.  As soon as the front door closed shut, he thought about what he wanted to do.  Instead of dressing up he decided that Georgina's wardrobe needed some additions so he was planning a shopping trip down at Magnolia Promenade.  It was a part of town he didn't venture into much, so there was less chance of him being recognised by anyone he knew.  He took a bus and a subway downtown, committed to his plan of action.

It was 9:30am when he arrived at Magnolia Promenade and, as he suspected, it was mostly deserted down there as it was a weekday morning.  The first shop he walked past he had mixed feelings about:  Pack's Clothing.  It was owned by this mere slip of a girl, one of those so-called "Dolly Birds" he had read about in the newspapers.  Pack's was where the Mods, Dolly Birds and Faces all bought their clothes.  Not George's thing, not even "Georgia's", but his attention was grabbed by some of the displays in the shop window.

He particularly liked a black lace basque and next to it, a purple exercise leotard.  Hmmm, I need to shed a few pounds...he thought, patting his stomach.  Along the line of mannequins he saw some nice cocktail dresses as well.  Maybe this shop did have some things to interest him?  He decided  to venture inside.

Apart from a couple of shop assistants, he was alone in the boutique.  First he wandered by the menswear section, feigning interest whilst occasionally glancing at the more interesting womenswear.  He had already seen a couple of things that took his interest but now his heart pounded faster and faster as he had to check more closely to see if they had the outfits in his size and then...actually go and purchase them.

"Can I help you, sir?" said a voice behind him.  George turned around and saw two shop assistants standing behind him.

"Erm...I...well...I don't know" he stammererd.

"May we help you?  Are you looking for yourself or for someone else?" the lady shop assistant replied.

"Erm...I'm looking for clothes...FOR MY WIFE!" George exclaimed.  The male shop assistant stepped away and the young woman continued to probe George for more information.

"A present or something to mark a special occasion?" the shop girl continued.

"I just like to buy my wife gifts now and again...a surprise." said George.

"And did you have anything in particular in mind for her?"

"Erm....that...erm...basque...you have in the window."

"Oh, now that is ideal for a special gift.  What size is she?"

"Erm...a Sixteen" he said, giving his own size.

The shop assistant went out back to the stock room and returned with an ornate cardboard box which she proceeded to open, revealing the black satin and lace garment wrapped up in thin tissue paper.

"Is this what you want?" she asked.

"FOR MY WIFE!  Yes, thank you" he replied.

"Of course...and would you like any hosiery to go with this?  Stockings or pantyhose?"

"STOCKINGS!" he blurted out.  "Erm...black.  Sheer."

"Sir knows his wife very well.  There we go" she said,  reaching for a pair of black nylons that were on a shelf and putting them on top of the box.  "And anything else?"

George's heart was pounding faster and faster and he was about to break into a sweat.  This is going well, he thought, he just had to remain calm.  The last item he was interested in was the little black dress.  A bit shorter than he was used to wearing...and the kind of thing that Edna would object to...but Georgina would be interested in wearing it.

He decided that the three items were enough for today and, besides, he didn't like the other outfits in the shop as they were too trendy.

"There you go sir, I hope your wife enjoys what you've bought her.  I must say, you have very good taste.  Most of our male customers are hopeless at buying for their wives but you have a good eye for fashion." said the shop assistant once the transaction had been completed.

"Oh, do I?  Well, she gives me clues" he stammered.  The mission was almost accomplished...almost.  George had the items and he was prepared to head on out of the shop, content that he'd picked the right shop and right time of day so he wouldn't be recognised.  But he had and by someone he knew so tangentially that even though they had never spoken with one another, they had seen each other just often enough for a mutual recognition.

The person in question was Joelene Scholl:  A former Lothario Kitten now turned solo singer who had left her modelling career and kitten outfit behind.  But George had seen her enter and leave Lothario proprietor Alan Cuffe's house many times and she had seen him.  He was present when Edna lambasted her at the Blue Velvet Club in Willow Creek.  She had noticed him.  Now she recognised him here, alone and without Edna and she let out a startled cry.

George saw her as well and their eyes met.  She looked at him and noticed he was carrying some shopping bags with clothing from this shop in them.  Unfortunately for George, Joelene was between him and the door so he couldn't avoid her.  He started to walk purposely out of the shop but as he walked past her she couldn't resist a little dig in his direction.

"I didn't think this was your kind of shop, Mr Sneedley" she said.

"That's none of your business!" he snapped back at her.

"Does your wife know you're here?  Strange that a man known for his upstanding views on society should shop for clothes in an establishment that caters for all the kinds of people you hate."

"Again, my business is my own and not your concern!"

"How many times did you lurk outside of Alan's house, trying to get a peep at us?"

"I did not try and peep at you!  Well, only to find out what kind of lewd activities you were getting up to!" he said, defensively.

"I bet it gave you a thrill!" she shot back at him.

All George could muster as a retort was a loud, indignant huff and he stormed out of the shop.  Those Lothario Kittens are the worst kind of women, he thought to himself.  Not only was their clothing and work provocative, but they were obnoxious as well and this Miss Scholl was one of the worst even though she was out of uniform!  George was also concerned that she might have guessed why he was in Pack's Clothing to begin with...

Without thinking, he found himself entering a very different kind of clothing store:  JF&S clothiers.  They specialised in expensive evening and formal wear.  George was exhausted and nearly had one of his turns back at Pack's Clothing so he sat down and saw all the elegant dresses displayed there.  This place calmed him down; civilised, traditional and upmarket. 

As George was being becalmed by all the elegance around him, he was approached by a young, fashionable blonde woman.

"Wife's brought you along for one of her shopping trips, eh?" said the woman.

"What?  Are you talking to me?" George replied.

"Yes...and subject my boyfriend to the same ordeal as well.  Ha-ha.  You menfolk are very patient and kind whilst we indulge ourselves.  What's your wife looking for?"

"My wife?  Oh, her.  Uhm, well, you know, something elegant, refined, that sort of thing."

"She's certainly taking her time...I've noticed you've been sat here for ages.  An epic shopping trip?"

"Yes, ha-ha." George laughed nervously.  "You know, you ladies with your fancy dresses, frocks and...erm...shoes"

"Don't I know it!  My boyfriend is busy this morning otherwise I would have dragged him down here..."

"Dragged?" said George, gulping.

"Dragged, led, forced into coming to JF&S's when he'd rather be watching the baseball.  Anyway...so I've got this event coming up and..."

"Excuse me for interrupting, but I've realised I haven't locked the car up...must dash" George made a hurried excuse to leave because he had spotted Edna's old high school rival, Katrina Calliente, entering the shop and not only did she know George, slightly, she was such a gossip that word was bound to reach back to Edna that George was in JF&S's on his own.

George got up out of the chair, lowered his head, put his hand over his face and skulked off out of the shop, once back on the street he started to run for home.

Before he got to the subway station, he'd remembered he'd left the new clothes he'd bought behind at JF&S's so he had to quickly run back, grab them when Katrina wasn't noticing, and then run out again.

It was an exhausted, but relieved, George who returned to Sneedley Burrow.  He wasted no time in heading down into the bunker to stash his new purchases with his other secret items.  However, no sooner than the suitcase went back into the storage room than he heard Edna's footsteps coming down the stairs.

"George, are you here?" she cried.  "What are you doing down here, my dear?"

"Oh just a bit of sorting out, chucking out, that kind of thing.  Would you like a drink?"

"Oh yes please, I absolutely need one.  The problem with City Hall is that it's dry!" she said, flopping down on a chair.  George poured her a Sweet n' Spicy and she downed it in one.  She looked at George and felt warm towards him.  Getting up she went over to him and stroked his cheek.  "My man" she said, softly.

"Now, George, I think I can thrash you!" she said.

George looked worried.  "At...erm...what, dear?" he replied.

"Don't Wake the Llama.  We haven't played in ages.  Let's get us a couple of more Sweet n' Spicy's and play a few games!  I'm warning you, George, I play to win!"

"Don't I know it, dear"

CHAPTER 105: A Little Pick Me Up

                 

"Madelyn, we need to have an urgent discussion" said Alan Cuffe.  He hadn't seen his live in companion and personal assistant either yesterday or at breakfast today and had only now seen her emerge from her bedroom.  He downed the last of his juice and called her over.

"What's up, Alan?" she replied, innocently.  "I can tell something's bothering you"

"You're right; something is bothering me.  I had a little discussion about you with Nancy Landgraab yesterday."

"Oh yeah, what did she have to say?" said Madelyn, giving a contemptuous shrug of her shoulder when Nancy's name was mentioned.

"She told me about your shady business dealings with Malcolm Landgraab...the drugs." said Alan, bluntly.

Madelyn said nothing at first.  Alan pressed her.

"Well?" he said.  "What's the deal here?"

"So I buy a little pot off of Malcolm Landgraab; it's no big deal" she said.

"From what I've been told it isn't a little; you're buying it off him in bulk!"

"Bulk?  Hardly!  OK, it's a little more than just for personal use; I sell some on to some of my herbalist friends and some guys down at Britechester U.  But it's really not that much, a couple of kilos or so"

Alan threw his hands up in despair "A couple of kilos!  If you're caught with that amount on you you're going down and I'll most likely go down with you!  I have a successful business to run and I cannot be involved with scandal of that kind"

"Alan...you're not against pot use: You don't complain when some of us light up at Kitten Club meetings"

"Personal use no, but we're talking dealing!  I run a clean ship, Madelyn!" he said, protesting.

"We walk the line, Alan, with the law in lots of different ways" she said, calmly.

"I stay on the right line all the time!" he said, defensively.  "The club members are all over 18, we have a liquor licence and what I publish falls squarely within the 1st Amendment.  I know the cops won't bust us for just a little pot use at a party or something like that but you can't be buying and selling narcotics whilst you work for me and live under my roof!"

Madelyn said nothing.

"Furthermore, this situation with the assassin makes things worse...what if the target wasn't Lilly Feng but you instead?  Maybe it's one of Nancy's or Malcolm's goons trying to silence you?  Have you thought about that?"

Madelyn shook her head.

"Right.  So you've got a choice: Continue to run your own private dealership with Malcolm but you'll have to cut ties with me and Lothario Publishing or stop the dealing completely and stay working for me and living here.  Which is it to be?"

"I don't want to ruin our partnership, Alan.  I'll break off contact with Malcolm" she said, apologetically.

Cuffe nodded, stood up and went to his office to begin work.

SNEEDLEY BURROW, THE NEXT MORNING

"Hmmm, that smells wonderful George" said Edna, taking in the waft of freshly grilled meat that George was preparing.

"Only the finest for you, my love" he replied.

Edna took a look around the neighbourhood before saying "It's a lovely morning, a beautiful blue sky" before her gaze settled on the ramshackle converted trailer home that was the abode for their neighbour, the struggling comedian Johnny Zest.  "It's a shame more people around here don't take better care of their homes"

"I quite agree" said George.  "I like to think we set a good example around here"

"An exemplarily example, George" Edna added.

George handed her a serving of the freshly cooked breakfast and they sat down on their front porch to eat it.  After making some small talk, they went inside to clean up the plates and also discuss the plans for the day.

"George, later on this morning we'll have our next League of Decency meeting.  Will you have time to help me plan it and get the house ready for guests?"

"I've taken the trouble to write a fresh agenda, Edna" he said proudly.

"Music to my ears" responded Edna.

"It'll be the debut of the uniforms" added George.

"Yes.  That should give everyone just a little extra oomph today; a sense of purpose" she replied.

"And then shall we protest outside of Hey Wow magazine?" 

"Hmmm, maybe right now that might be a little beyond our reach.  We need to get our message out there and then hit the depraved society hard.  But we shall canvass our members' opinions on the matter....now is that?" Edna paused to look out of the front window.  "I do believe that is Scott Urban outside...he's somewhat early for the meeting"

"I think he must be doing his mail route" said George.

"I will go and see" said Edna.  Scott Urban was the League's newest recruit: An ex-Army man and current mailman for the neighbourhood.  He had a quiet, no-nonsense rural ruggedness about him which appealed to Edna:  A nod towards America's pioneer past.

However, Edna saw that he was standing at the end of their road, doing some kind of strange dance or martial art.

"Mr Urban...how lovely to see you here." said Edna.  "Might I enquire what you are doing?"

"Tai Chi, Ma'am" replied Scott in his Virginia drawl.  "I learned it in the Army...it's a system of moves and exercises designed to tone the muscles and achieve focus"

"Is it really?  How interesting.  Are you here for the meeting?  It's not due to start for a couple of hours"

"No Ma'am, I've got that writ down in my diary.  I'm doing my mail route right now and I'll be right over when I'm done...sorry I won't be in the new uniform today: I tried it on, fits real nice and the colour's decent."

"Not to worry, Scott" said Edna, smoothly.  "It's your presence we really value.  I will see you in a couple of hours then"

They said goodbye and Edna headed back to the Burrow.  George was already changing his clothes and Edna did likewise; her carefully pressed uniform was checked for spotlessness with not a stray hair in place.  Then she retouched up her make up, made sure her boots were so shiny she could see her face in them and then went back to the living room to make it as hospitable for her guests as possible.  Then she went to pour herself a glass of sherry as a pick me up.

One by one they arrived:  First Scott, straight from his mail route and then Julia, who was wearing the uniform of the League of Decency as well.  Everyone seemed impressed by the new look.

"Well I must say this is a splendid turn out...even though we all appreciate that Scott had to come straight from work to be here I must declare the uniforms a success!" said Edna.

"I say, Dr Epstein, you look mighty fine" said Scott, giving Julia an admiring gaze.

"Please, it's Julia" she replied.

"Sure thing, Ma'am, I mean...Julia" Scott said, bashfully.

"Moving on to business" said Edna.  "Item One:  A protest has been organised in San Myshuno near the Skye Fitness centre...that is courtesy of a friend and ally, Ken Pepper, who has organised a space for us to hold our first public meeting.  Myself and George will be giving speeches"

The others all made notes in their diaries.

"Item Two:  George will be printing flyers about the League for us to hand out at the protest.  Item Three:  A review of books and publications that are deemed not suitable for public consumption without heavy warnings...."

Everyone grabbed a book or magazine that were in a neat pile on the table and started to peruse them.  Scott had a magazine called "Leather Cyclist" which had a picture of a young, pouting woman on the cover who was wearing nothing but a leather biker's jacket and a pair of panties on the front.  Julia had a book in her hand called "Let It All Hang Out: An Appreciation of Nudist Colonies".  As she walked past, George also took in Julia's appearance favourably "She reminds me of Edna when she was young...when I was young" he thought, wistfully.

Julia flicked through the book and then shut it, firmly.  "What shall we do if we think the material is disgusting?" she asked.

"We make a note and then send our objections to the publisher.  If we do not receive a satisfactory reply then we start an awareness campaign to get more people complaining." said Edna.

"And what if they don't complain?" asked Scott.

Edna took a moment to smile at Scott before answering:  "Oh people will complain; don't worry about that.  You need the RIGHT people to do so"

"I would suggest" said George "That everyone takes home a book or magazine, highlight the sections that cause offence and log them down in a journal so we can point out the specifics to others"

"Good idea...but if the material gets too strong, do take a break and contact a fellow League member for support" added Edna.

The meeting drew to a close and everyone went home, energised from a positive session.  George, in particular was pleased at how it'd gone.

"I thought the others were fired up today" he said.  "I must say I feel most invigorated as well"

"Anyway, I must get ready for work...have a lovely afternoon, dear" he said.

After he had left Edna took a look around Bedrock Straight and sighed.  There was the ghastly Zest home in all its ramshackle tawdriness.  The house next door, once belonging to the even more ghastly Alan Cuffe and the scene of his vile parties, had a "for sale" sign outside and the other property was unoccupied since they took the old man away to the retirement home.  The truth was, despite the immaculate condition of Sneedley Burrow, Edna was often at a loose end when George wasn't around and the rest of the neighbourhood depressed her.  She went to the fridge to pour herself a glass of wine but none could be found.  Then she had a thought:  She was going to go and try to recruit new members, why not try at the Solar Flare Lounge?

"Gee, I don't know, Mrs Sneedley...I guess it's hard to find a decent man these days" said the bar tender.

"Exactly, that's my point.  Where are the decent men, I ask you?  Where are those who are courteous, chivalrous and dutiful these days?  Where?"

"I had a good man...once, although I thought he was good." said the bar tender.  "Got shipped off to West Germany and fell in love with a local farmgirl.  I got the 'Dear Jane' letter a few weeks later"

"Ugh, those foreign women!  Such a distraction!" said Edna with a huff.  As she drank her wine she would strike up conversations with other patrons.

"I can tell a smartly dressed young man is interested in holding up standards of decorum and good taste"

"Ma'am, I'm the Nightclub Singer.  This is my uniform when I work here." said the man.

"Oh I see...will you be playing any music by Perry Como in your act tonight?" said Edna.

At that moment her friend, Ken Pepper entered the lounge.  "Edna, no George this evening?" he said.

"He's at work still.  How goes things at your school?" she replied.

"Sheesh, kids these days...so lazy, always complaining that that P.T. is too hard for them.  Too hard!  They're soft these days, soft" said Ken.

"Tell me about it!  I'm on a little recruiting drive for the League this evening...I was hoping to meet some people who are fed up with all that laziness and excuse making."

"If I had the time, Edna, I'd join...say, are you hungry?  I haven't had chow yet and was thinking of heading to the Spice Festival...do you want to come?  If George knocks off early at work he can join us"

"Spicy food...do you know, I haven't tried any.  I might just come along" she said, curious to see what the Spice Festival was all about.

"So what does one do at a Spice Festival?" asked Edna.

"Well, you try different kinds of spicy food basically...you've got your Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Moroccan...that kind of thing."

"Sounds....interesting" said Edna without much conviction.  The truth be told, she was here mostly for a recruitment drive.

Edna and Ken went over to the tables to sample the dishes on offer, with Ken tucking in with enthusiasm.  However Edna heard a voice from behind her that felt like a glass of cold water being poured down her back.

"Edna Bunt?  Is that you?"  the voice said.  Edna turned around to see a face she hadn't seen in 20 years.

"Katrina McTavish...how...lovely to see you.  What a surprise" she said in a voice that dripped with false sincerity.

"Actually, it's Katrina Caliente now."

"Is it really?  I'm Edna Sneedley now"

"I haven't seen you since the High School Leavers' Prom" said Katrina.  "So you went and got married...that's funny because in the yearbook you were voted..."

"Person least likely to get married.  Yes, I remember...and you were person most likely to have 3 children before the age of 25"

"Actually, it was two in the end...two girls." said Katrina.  "I mean, I could have a third at 39..."

"Katrina dear, I know how old we both are...we were in the same year.  So did you end up marrying Flammy Caliente?"

"I did...I did.  He died, sadly" Katrina's face dropped for a moment.  "But I've found another wonderful man in my life;  Don." Katrina leaned in towards Edna and whispered into her ear.  "He's a little bit younger than us but, boy, being with a younger man does wonders for the complexion and fitness...do you know what I mean?" and she leant out, nudged Edna in the ribs with her elbow and gave a snorting laugh.

"How nice for you" said Edna, supressing a look of disdain.  "My George is a successful chef and a wonderful husband: I couldn't ask for more."

"Well look at you...Edna Bunt, now Sneedley...all married and doing well for yourself.  You're looking good for a woman your age...I envy your thinness...you must tell me your secret."

"Yes.  Another time perhaps" replied Edna.

"Yes, we must catch up more...call me" said Katrina, walking away and miming a phone gesture.

Edna smiled and waved goodbye.  When Katrina was in the distance, she mumbled "slut!".  Sighing she put down the bowl of...whatever that food was...and headed to a nearby temporary bar:  She needed another drink after that hot chilli and chat with Katrina.

She went to join Ken, who was watching a street musician.  "Any joy finding people to join the League?"

"No...so far the only people I've met are MOST unsuitable."

"I know you, Edna, you won't give up easily"

"I won't give up at all" she replied, defiantly.

Eventually the festival petered out and Ken and Edna said goodnight to each other.  She got a taxi home, hoping to find George there and awake but he'd left a note on the dining room table.  "CHAOS AT THE RESTAURANT, DOG TIRED.  GONE TO BED.  LOVE, GEORGE"

She sighed.  It was kind of him to leave the note but, again, those feelings of frustration, emptiness and boredom when things weren't moving forward rose up within her again.  She went to the drinks cabinet.

"Just one more little pick me up" she said.

CHAPTER 46: Natural Healer

 

A day off for Julia Epstein...she hated them but she also respected the Sabbath so she begrudgingly went along with it. But what to do? Julia took her glass of water to drink and stood on her front porch watching the world go by as she pondered how to spend her free time.

"Good morning, lovely day" said a woman walking by Julia's house.

"Yes, it is" replied Julia.

"This house is new...I haven't been for a walk around the Cove for a while so I hadn't noticed this place before" said the lady, looking with keen interest at Julia's house.

"Yes, it's a new build...I've been here a couple of weeks." replied Julia.

"Oh nice....by the way, my name's Katrina"

"Julia"

"Nice to meet you, Julia, and I hope you like it here...I mustn't linger; I have a hairdresser appointment soon because later on my boyfriend is taking me somewhere special! I'm so excited...I love it when men spring surprises, don't you?"

"Not particularly. I hope you have a pleasant time..." said an unimpressed Julia....ugh, boyfriends, girlfriends, dating, lovey dovey stuff...Julia treated them with disdain.

Julia went back into her home and wondered what to do next. She turned on the TV.

"Oh Brad...how could you leave me for HER?"

*CLICK*

"Oh darling....I can't live another day without you!"

*CLICK*

"In these ever changing times we look into the hot topic of today: The pill, mini skirts and the sexual revolution"

*CLICK* and off. Ugh, everywhere there's sex and romance...Julia couldn't stand it.

She had to find somewhere to spend this day that was the least sexy, least flirtatious place in Willow Creek.

Willow Creek Archive

Julia entered the library and approached the librarian.

"Well hello there" said a rather over enthusiastic young man who was the librarian.

"Hello. Would you tell me where your medical and science section is?" she asked.

"Sure...it's right over here" he said, guiding her to the correct bookshelf. "And if you need any further assistance, then just call for Kengo"

"Kengo?"

"Yes, that's my name"

"I don't think I will require assistance"

"If you change your mind...I'll be right over there" he said, with a wink.

Julia sighed and proceeded to scan the shelves for any books on medicine, taking them and putting them in a pile on a nearby desk. She was satisfied she had quite a bit to be getting on with after a few minutes perusal.

There were some items of interest in the books she chose, but a lot was what she already knew but on the other hand the library was a refuge from all the romantic talk that seemed to be doing the rounds right now....or at least she thought it was a refuge.

"Hello again" said Kengo "I hope you've found what you're looking for"

"What I've found has been satisfactory" she replied.

"Can I just say that's it's a pleasure to have a young, intelligent, attractive lady around here" said Kengo, trying to flirt.

"Why?" came Julia's deadbatted reply.

"Well....you see....it brightens the place up for one thing" said an awkward Kengo.

"Maybe you should open the curtains more" replied Julia.

"Erm...I'm just going to put these books away now" said an embarrassed Kengo now and he got up to leave.

Julia sighed again...she couldn't focus on these medical books so she put them away and went for a walk down the road to Municipal Muses, the museum. She walked around some of the general exhibition but nothing was grabbing her attention.

However, she noticed a piano outside and felt a little tinkling of the ivories could lift her mood. Sitting down at the piano she started on a few warm up pieces before launching into Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

The music soothed her and she enjoyed the feeling of being able to make music...shutting her eyes to the world, she became lost in the piece.

"So anyway the husband walks in and Barry's there with his pants around his ankles" came a man's voice.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" came some laughter.

"Well, it's not the first time Barry's gotten himself into trouble with a woman he just met in a bar" came the voice again. Julia opened her eyes and saw a group of people having a ribald chat right near her. "And can you keep the noise down, lady, I'm trying to tell a story here!"

"That 'noise' as you call it, is Beethoven"

"Well tell Beethoven to knock it off!" said the man, laughing at his own joke, and his friends all joined in as well.

Every time Julia tried something today, it backfired. The rowdy group got noisier and noisier whenever she tried to play so she gave up and began to walk off. The group of rowdies went and sat down in the museum garden and as she was about to leave, Julia saw a little boy sitting on the ground, looking at a book and with a tear in his eye. She felt awkward but something inside her stirred and she couldn't leave this sad little boy on his own without finding out more.

"Excuse me, boy, what is the matter?" she said, rather formally.

"I'm sorry, lady, I didn't mean to disturb you...I'll go" said the boy.

"No need...that's not what I meant. I mean, what troubles you? I am a doctor by the way so if it's something medical I could help?

"Oh, actually...I'm not sick or hurt...actually it's my homework. There's so much of it, it's due in tomorrow and I don't understand any of it! My teacher says if I get this wrong again I'll be put on detention all week."

"Surely the extra time you spend in detention will help you understand your work better?" said Julia who, when she was at school, would welcome any opportunity for extra study time.

"But I don't learn anything in detention...it's full of rough kids who flick rubber bands at me, or kick the back of my chair..."

Julia was moved, by her standards, to the boy's plight. She hated seeing education go to waste. "Hmmm, well, can I help you understand your homework a bit better?"

"I dunno lady, there's an awful lot of it!" said the boy.

"I see your first problem...you look at your homework as one huge pile. What you need to do is break it down into easier to manage sections. Math first, then English, then science and so forth. Tackle each part individually and don't worry about the rest for now."

"I see" said the boy, who could see the wisdom in Julia's words.

She found a place for them to sit and she helped him with each bit of his homework, prompting him to think, breaking down the problems bit by bit so he could understand better and making small suggestions here and there. After an hour, his homework was finished and he seemed as if his cares had been lifted from him.

"Thank you so much!" he said, his face beaming. "Are you really a doctor?"

"I am" said Julia.

"Gee, you're the prettiest doctor I've ever met!"

Normally Julia would recoil in horror at someone complimenting her on her looks but this kid was innocent and was trying to say thank you in his own way. She smiled.

"Well, you're a very smart kid...now remember, break down your problems bit by bit in future"

"Thanks, I will, I got to meet my mom now...bye!"

She felt a bit better for helping the boy and she went home more encouraged. Just before she went into her house, she saw Jeremy Saint wave to her so she walked over to see what he wanted.

"Hi, Julia, I've got a question to ask you and would like your input" he said.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Well, as you know I've got a girlfriend now..."

Julia's heart sank...not more relationship issues!

"...and anyway" Jeremy continued. "I want to treat her this weekend to something special. You know, something a bit romantic"

"Jeremy, you should know by now that I DON'T do romantic. Maybe Summer would be a better person to ask."

"Oh no, that's not what I meant....I want to take her to a concert...a classical concert and as you're a fan of classical music I was wondering if there was something on in town that you'd recommend so I can book tickets"

Julia felt relieved. She smiled and said "of course...well, I'd recommend the Dropov Ballet Company's production of Prokoviev's Romeo & Juliet"

"Provocative Ballet Company?" said a slightly puzzled Jeremy.

"No, Prokoviev...I'll write the details down for you" she said.

Jeremy said thanks and after they had a coffee and a chat Julia went home. As soon as the door shut, her phone rang.

"Hello Julia? It's Francesca here. I'm going to head down to Desert Bloom Park with Rod and Stefanie, I wonder if you're free and want to come down with us?"

"Actually, yes, I could do with a more wholesome scene. I'll meet you there" said Julia.

She met with the Griffith family soon afterwards and it was nice to meet Francesca's husband, Rod, and their daughter, Stefanie. The latter rushed to play on the monkey bars and the play equipment and Rod was happy keeping an eye on her and giving her a push on the swing or a lift to reach up to the higher play areas, leaving Julia and Francesca to talk.

"Let's get some food on the grill because they're going to be very hungry!" said Francesca. Julia and she got some chicken and sweetcorn cobs from out of a cooler box and began to grill them for the family dinner.

"So how's it going?" asked Francesca.

"Awful...just everyone playing fast and loose romantically everywhere I go! I can't get a minute's peace! Is it just me or is this the most sex obsessed generation in history?"

Francesca laughed. "I suppose there might have been a time in Ancient Rome..." she said.

Once they'd finished cooking, they put the plate down and a very hungry Griffith family tucked in and invited Julia to join them. As soon as she'd finished eating, young Stefanie wanted to hare around the park, dragging her dad along. This left the two women to talk some more. They decided to head for the little library area to continue their conversation.

However they were soon joined by a teenage boy followed a few minutes by a teenage girl...one Julia had met before at work; Yuki Behr. The boy seemed uptight and upset.

"Oh don't mind us, we're just chatting" said Francesca, trying to put the boy at ease.

"What's wrong?" said Julia, picking up on the boy's distress.

"It's nothing much...well, it's everything really...I...well....I worry that I'm not popular, with girls" he said, awkwardly.

Instead of getting uptight, Julia was instead moved by the boy's sincerity.

"Well, it's natural for a boy of your age to feel everything is more emotionally charged. It's just your body trying to adjust to the changes going on. Would you like me to expand on this topic? Don't worry, I'm a doctor and she's a nurse" said Julia, matter of factly.

"Geez....well....I mean, from a woman's perspective...and a Doctor's....erm...do I stand a chance with the girls at school?"

"I've learned something in these matters" said Julia. "Work on being the best you can and the rest falls into place. If you're good, and show you're capable, the girls will come to you"

"Wow, thank you Doctor!" said the boy, cheering up. Yuki, on the other hand, was standing by the fire place, sobbing. Julia and Francesca looked at each other and Julia decided to go on point on this one.

"What's the matter, Yuki? Did that rash return? Will I need to book another appointment at the hospital?" she said.

"No...it's not that, Doctor Epstein....It's just that I'm such a failure! My sister, she's doing so well with her music career, she's got all these guys who are into her, she's Miss Popular and she's been approached by Alan Cuffe of Lothario magazine to become a member of the Kitten Club! That's like the hottest, most exclusive club in town!"

"I'm well aware of the Kitten Club, Yuki" said Julia with disdain. She definitely did not like Alan Cuffe, Lothario magazine and young women running around in skimpy kitten costumes. "But why waste your time comparing yourself to your sister? Look at you, I've heard you play the guitar, you are generally what is considered to be attractive to the opposite sex..."

"And did you see the way that boy looked at you! He was trying to say hello" said Francesca.

"Precisely. What I said to him, I'll say to you: Be the best you can. You are not your sister and, frankly, you shouldn't bother with trying to become one of Alan Cuffe's kittens! Ugh!"

The girl cheered up and said thank you to Julia and Francesca. Alone, the two women finished off their dinners.

"You know, Julia" said Francesca "you're a natural healer"