Surging forwards thorough the bustling street, Abigail kept close to Louise as they both fought the crowds that heaved the main town and what Abigail liked to call, the outskirts of her shops. Letting the sea of people continue to flow ahead, Abigail quite harshly grabbed Louise’s arm and pulled her into the respectable shop that would occupy her for the day, if not the whole trip. This was Abigail’s favourite shop, and just like Anton had promised, Louise now had her shopping trip, but whether it was what she would have hoped for, seemed to be trampled on, just like shoppers were doing outside.

"At last, some civilised sociality." Abigail huffed as the atmosphere around them was calm, collected and what Abigail would call, pleasant. "Those common folk just get in the way…" She continued as she brushed her long, sophisticated grey coat.

"Yes madam." A young assistant smiled. "May I be of any help to you?"

"Oh yes, yes." Abigail grinned as the young assistant took her coat. "I am… I say I…" She chuckled. "My son, Anton Aphex Campbell’s fiancée here, is looking for a fine ball gown to append her for next week’s county ball."

As Louise was pushed in front, her long black coat was swiftly taken from her by another assistant as now two busy body’s beamed like the sun around them both, hoping to be toasted by their ‘class’.

"Yes Ms. I am sure we can find something in our range to cater your needs." The assistant smiled, heading over to a small rail of clothes. "Is there anything you are looking for in particular?"

"Erm, we do not want anything trashy." Abigail told honestly. "We want something… something sophisticated and refined like black. Nothing too revealing either…"

Rummaging through the racks while Abigail looked on, the assistant shuffled the array of blacks for something to Abigail's liking. Meanwhile, Louise decided that because this was her shopping trip, then it would be her choice, and, as it was her dress, it would be of her own taste, not Abigail’s.

"What about this one madam?" The young lady said as she pulled out a short black pin stripe dress.

"No, no, no. Far too business like. This is a county ball – she has to be elegant too." Abigail pointed out whilst Louise just looked on, appalled in what they thought she would like.

"Yes, I agree." The assistant smiled. "Let’s see what else we have here…"

Turning her attention back onto the rack she was admiring, Louise silently looked herself, hoping she’d find something before they did. Deciding what to wear was important to her, as although Louise wasn’t hung up about looks, she felt that what you picked to wear reflected a part of who you were. Already feeling false in the company she was often in, the dress she wanted couldn’t show this, as this was something she wouldn’t allow to loose control over. If she lost this part of independence, what would be next?

"Excuse me," another lady politely greeted. "Would you like some help there?"

"No thank you." Louise said. "I am fine as it is, but thanks anyway."

Continuing to look at the dresses in front of her, the assistant turned on her heel, a little shocked in her offer being refused. This was the type of shop where if you were offered help, you took it, but obviously not in Louise’s eyes.

"Louise," Abigail called gently. "How about this lovely gown?"

Coming face to face with a hideous, depressing, plain black dress, Louise shuddered inside at the thought of having to wear what looked so repulsive.

"I erm… it is… well… erm…" She stuttered before quickly turning round and grabbing any random item from behind her. "The thing is, I erm… really like this one." Louise smiled, pushing the gown out in front of her.

"Oh Louise! That is truly lovely! It will be perfect!" Abigail exclaimed, overjoyed.

"Would you like to try it on?" The assistant questioned.

"Yes, right away. Come on Louise, let’s see if it fits."

Trudging over, throwing the dress softly over her arm, she cursed herself inside, wondering exactly what she had selected. Thinking quickly gave no time for a rational choice and after picking up anything that was closest, the expression on Abigail’s face said it all to her: if she liked then it must be awful.

Closing the curtain behind her, the rich purple velvet dropping softly, Abigail waited outside, sitting comfortably on a small leather chair. Rolling her eyes as she faced the mirror, Louise faced away as the unhappiness she saw made her want to change where she was, what she was doing. But she couldn’t. Not yet anyway…

Looking at the dress, squinting at first trying to see an ounce of good, she opened her eyes widely, as the dressed she picked was rather lovely. As a small smile tugged at her mouth, she quickly slipped off her clothes and gently pulled on the dress. Zipping it up carefully at the back, she confronted the mirror before that smile stretched even more.

"Well Louise dear, how does it look?" Abigail called from outside.

Still smiling, Louise loved the way the silky wine draped around her neck. Thin straps held the dress by its shoulders while the loose fabric ruffled like ripples, down into a V shape. Clinging to her immaculate figure, gentle folds hung in the dress as the reasonably high split to her knee created a slight flare from the waist.

Slowly opening the curtain, Louise smiled weakly, hoping for her approval. If she wanted this dress, was going to wear this dress, then she’d need that more then the money.

"Oh Louise…" Abigail said, standing up.

Glancing down, Louise’s smile fell as words lost their path.

"That looks lovely!" She complimented, amazed. "Oh it is beautiful… truly perfect."

"Well I erm… I really like…" Louise told nervously.

"Yes, of course you do. Do not be so silly Louise! How could you not?" Abigail grinned before breaking into a small giggle. "Well, it really is lovely, but something is not right…" She said placing a finger to her lips. "I do not quite know what it could be…. Let me think… it… it…"

"Ah madam. We have matching shoes in store if you would like to take a look at those." The assistant intervened.

"Oh, brilliant! That is what it is. Shoes… you just have to have shoes!" Abigail exclaimed.

Grinning underneath it all, Louise admired the dress in the mirror as the perfect fit and perfect look made the unexpected pick a better result. Maybe this was the same with Anton? But what if it was Mark…

"Ah, here we go Louise. Sit down and let this young lady here help you with your shoes." Abigail instructed.

Doing as she was told, Louise sat in the chair before her foot was placed carefully into the deep red sandal. Resuming her once stood position, the dress fell elegantly, just what Abigail wanted as the few inch heels and strapped look gave the dress the height it needed. Clasping her hands together in what could only have been joy, Abigail smiled while Louise spun round, for once feeling slightly happy. Things weren’t so bad after all, were they?

"We just have to take it!" Abigail proclaimed. "Do you agree Louise?"

"Yes, yes of course. It is… it is wonderful." Louise grinned.

"Well I am glad that is decided. Now then Louise, hurry along so I can then next select mine." Abigail advised.

Heading back into the changing room, she took one last look in the mirror, noticing that smile that seemed so real. The question was though, was it?

Munching on his chips as he trailed along the road with the brown paper bag in his hand, the others strolled a little ahead, each with a paper cup in theirs.

"I am so glad we got a Macdonald’s!" Paul cheered while Ben still continued eating his chips, pulling them out of their bag.

"I know, and I am so glad you insisted on me paying, Paul." Mark added, sarcastically as he took a gulp from his cold drink.

"Yeah, yeah Mark."

"Oh hey Paul." Christian began as Paul took a mouthful of drink. "You got yourself a job yet?"

"Aha! Funny you should mention that Chris mate…" Paul trailed off mysteriously. "You are now looking at a waiter of the new Italian restaurant!"

"Italian? Paul you’re not Italian!" Mark laughed as if it was the most preposterous thing he had heard.

"Mark, who said you had to be Italian to work in an Italian restaurant, ey?" Paul asked, eyeing him determinably.

"Sorry… but Italian? You’re Spanish…"

"Same thing isn’t it?" Ben intervened, after finishing his chips and reaching for his burger. "I mean, no offence when I say this, but they’re all from the Mediterranean aren’t they?" He added, taking a bite of the burger.

"Oh my god…"

"What Mark? Come on, it’s not that shocking for Ben to be sort of right about something…" Christian chuckled.

"Hey!" Ben grinned as he continued to eat.

"No… not that…" Mark said distractedly. "In… in there…" he told, peering in through the window.