Heading into town, her hand clasped in his, a few scorned stares scattered over Louise as she was watched by most of the public. Early morning didn’t seem to put off most people, yet as Mark glanced at her and she felt his eyes wander over, she knew that she was ok. Sunny, but not yet blazing, the air was mild whilst the crisp blue sky brought with it the thought of Spring. This was a time for new beginnings, so maybe Louise would be getting hers?

"Everyone’s staring," Louise confided to Mark.

"Don’t worry Lou." He comforted, squeezing her hand. "You’re fine to me so don’t worry about what other people think."

"Still doesn’t help making you paranoid," Louise sighed as Mark dragged her through the small crowds that were assembling.

Having the dress neatly thrown over her arm, she held onto it tightly, knowing that this was her only ticket left in surviving in the real world. She had to provide for herself, yet to begin with, Anton’s help wouldn’t go too much a miss.

"It’s this shop, right?" Mark smiled as they stopped outside the well-refined store.

"Yeah," Louise answered as a black paint of dread began coating her insides.

"Will you be alright?" Mark asked, turning to face her whilst peering in through the window.

"Yeah," She said out of habit, just standing there.

"Lou?" Mark questioned, moving closer to her as silence seemed to take over.

"Mark, I can’t go in there! They’re not gonna believe me are they? They probably won’t even take it back. They won’t take me serious! As soon as I walk in they’ll make their judgements, I know they will."

"Lou," Mark smiled lightly. "Lou, come on, I’ll come in with you." He offered.

"But what will I say?" Louise worried, as Mark took her hand and opened the door.

"Just play along," Mark grinned, straightening his jacket before strolling in with Louise trailing behind.

"Why hello." Mark coughed, bringing Louise round to by his side.

"Yes, may I help you Sir?" The young lady asked, looking confused as she glared towards Louise.

"I am a… er… associate…" Mark began.

"Chauffeur… Chauffeur." Louise choked, smiling sweetly.

"Chauffeur of erm… Mr Aphex Campbell’s, and I am here now with his… his fiancée to be, Louise."

"Louise? You are Mr Aphex Campbell’s fiancée?" The woman said in utter shock. "I… I hardly recognised you."

"Yes, well, Mrs Aphex er… Campbell to be has a erm… an unsatisfied purchase that she is… well not happy with." Mark lied, stepping back a little.

"Well, erm, what seems to be the problem." The young lady smiled.

"Problem? I do not really feel this is a problem… more of a disaster!" Louise exclaimed, switching into upper mode.

"Well, what happened?" The lady asked calmly.

"This!" Louise said forcefully, laying the dress on the counter. "I do not expect to buy a dress that is easily ruined by a little water! I can never wear this again!"

"Ok, if you could just calm down madam, and I am sure we can sort this out."

"You are lucky I did not get my fiancée down here as he would just not stand for this! I am disgusted, and unless a substantiate refund can be made, I shall be taking my custom, as well as many of Anton’s associates, else where!" Louise ranted, while Mark looked on, a little stunned.

"I am sure there is no need for that." The lady grimaced. "How would a full refund on the dress help?"

"Yes, yes that sounds very reasonable." Louise agreed, smiling. "Thank you."

Stumbling out of the door, laughing with Mark as the lady had generously handed over a little more then what she was supposed to, Louise clutched the notes tightly in her hand; a glow of happiness radiating out.

"I can’t believe you in there!" Mark laughed. "You were kinda scary!"

"Well if you want to get somewhere with people like them, you have to be in control." Louise enlightened, giggling.

"Well you certainly were that!" Mark told, taking her hand in his.

"Thanks Mark." Louise smiled, looking up at him.

"No worries Lou."

"Hey, how about we go spend some of this money?" Louise grinned. "And then after we can grab something to eat."

"That sounds great, but are you sure you should be spending that." Mark advised.

"Mark, it was my dress right?" Louise questioned. "So therefore my money. It’s simple, now stop worrying. If it makes you feel better, I’ll go buy some clothes with it. Actually I think I best do that anyway," She smirked, glancing down.

"Alright…" Mark chuckled. "And you never know! We might not even get any time for job hunting! This day is gonna be perfect."

"Not so fast Mr Read. I will not distract you from your… your duties! We will find you a job too. Ooo you could always be a chauffeur!" Louise laughed.

"No, I’d say being your personal assistant would be better."

"Well then, you best start working." Louise grinned, kissing his lips tenderly.

Exiting one of the last shops after days events had occurred in one of its best orders, Mark had filled in a few application forms for various jobs, while Louise spent what she had earlier attained that morning. Now dressed in a pair of flared blue jeans with a low cut pink top and black jacket, she looked like a totally different person. Bags obtained in her hands proved that she had, had a very successful day, and as she wandered back to where Mark and the others lived, she couldn’t help but feel that she was living for once, the way she was supposed to.

"Do you think the guys will like this Chinese?" Louise asked as she gripped Mark’s hand tightly.

"Yep. I know for a fact that Paul loves it, and the others will too. It was really nice of you to offer and buy dinner."

"Well don’t thank me, thank Anton." Louise laughed, as Mark pushed open the gate and she followed behind.

Stepping in past the door, Louise trailed behind Mark as they both led into the lounge. A small drop of worry was hanging in the air for her, as what if what she had done, they didn’t approve of? Staying in their house and then spending the money you get on yourself may not wash to well with the guys. But then again, what she had planned to offer them later, dried out that worry and allowed it to crack into dust.

"Wow! My god is that you Lou?" Paul asked in amazement as she stood shyly with Mark.

"Yeah," she said coyly.

"Wow! You look so much different! You look… look hot!" Paul grinned.

"Hey!" Mark laughed, wrapping his arm around her.

"You been back to get some stuff?" Christian questioned.

"Erm… not exactly…" Louise informed. "I erm… well I went shopping. I took that dress back that I came in and got the money from it."

"So, you took that dress back, claimed back the money, Anton’s money and then spent it?" Paul interpreted.

"Yeah…" Louise said consciously.

"Go Lou!" Paul laughed. "I like that idea!" He chuckled.

Smiling with relief, Louise felt she was slowly growing closer to the niche she was living in, the people she was sharing the house with. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxing, and with Mark’s arm around her, a sense of love was also building…

"Oh, erm, while we were out we also picked up a Chinese that you could say Anton’s brought too." Louise smiled, placing the bag on the table.

"No way!" Paul beamed. "I love Chinese! And this is all on Anton too… ahh what a lovely bloke!"

"Aww this is really nice of you Lou." Ben smiled, heading over to the bag.

"Yeah thanks." Christian grinned, getting up to collect some plates.

"So Ben, how was your day? Sell anything?" Mark asked, sitting down and pulling Louise onto his lap.

"Yes I did actually, to a very nice young lady called Sam."

"Ahh Sam is it? What she look like?" Paul questioned eagerly.

"Quite short, blue eyes, brownish hair… very nice." Ben smiled.

"Score!" Paul shouted. "So what did you sell her?"

"Erm… it was either a set of forks, or a set of spoons. I can’t quite remember, but I got her number too!"

"You’ll be like this with all of them won’t you?" Mark smirked as Christian returned.

"Well…" Ben grinned.

"Oh Mark, did you manage to get a job?" Christian asked, placing the plates on the table.

"Well I filled out a few application forms, so you never know." Mark replied, resting his hand on Louise’s legs.

"I’m sure you’ll get at least one of them." Louise added.

"Well we hope so. This week’s rent needs paying I don’t get paid to next week…" Christian mused, a little concerned.

"Erm, maybe I can help." Louise began, fumbling with her pockets before pulling out a wad of notes. "There’s about two hundred there that I want you to have. Maybe that’ll help." She smiled.

"What?" Christian said in a full state of shock.

"Did you just say two hundred?" Ben repeated.

"Yeah, it’s what was left over from the dress and stuff. I’m not gonna need it, so you have it. Call it a thank you if you like for letting me stay."

"Lou, you know that you can stay here regardless of money, don’t you?" Mark said, wiping a strand of hair off her face.

"Yeah, I know. But I want you to have this."

"Well then…" Paul started. "Thank you Anton! You the man!"