Easy As Oversleeping.
by Angharad
part: 33 doz.

I met with Stella who had already bought several items. “Someone’s having fun?”

“Oh yeah, but this is just a warm up. I’ve seen several things I want your opinion on, and some things you really need to try yourself. There is this just darling little dress in royal blue which is made for you.”

“Stella, I don’t need any new dresses at the moment.”

“Oh course you don’t, shopping isn’t about need, it’s about opportunism.”

“Is it? I thought it was about getting things you needed but didn’t actually have.”

“Nah, that utility shopping. That’s what men do, women go on expeditions, like sort of hunting but with a credit card.”

“I suspect I’d feel better shopping at the Horsefair.”

“What? There’s more?”

“Yes, we have several shopping areas, this, Horsefair and Cribbs Causeway–that’s one of those out of town shopping malls.”

“Is it far away?”

“No, not from here.”

“Well let’s go then.”

“Okay, but what about your little blue dress?”

“I’ve just noticed your eyes are green.”

“As far as I know, they always have been.”

“Come on, I don’t need your excuses.” With that, she bustled me back to my car.

It took half an hour to get to Cribbs Causeway. It’s a large site with most of the major chain stores there, including a huge Marks and Spencer. The first priority after parking was to find a loo. After that we decided it was close enough to lunch time to find somewhere to eat.

I had a Spanish omelette, Stella had a jacket potato with prawns and coleslaw. We washed the meals down with a bottle of still water–always sounds as if it’s going to mutate into something, like ice–no, it’s still water. The sparkling or fizzy water makes you burp and rots your teeth, so I always have still. Then I was going to order a cup of tea, but Stella began to get twitchy–it must have been at least forty minutes since she bought anything.

We did practically every shop in the mall. I did buy a new dress, a little black one–I know, every girl needs one, I now had two, suppose that makes me a girly girl. I don’t care, it was a very me dress, the dropped waist helped to emphasise my hips, which are a bit narrow and it had three quarter sleeves. It was made out of a very fine jersey material, so was a little clingy and the scoop neck was a little lower than I’d like, but it looked fine and will continue to do so as long as I don’t put on any weight. Maybe I should take it back–nah, Stella will kill me.

I bought Tom a tie with spaniels on it and I got Simon one with bicycles on. They were quite expensive, so I hope they appreciate it. I bought Stella a new bag and she–the rat, bought me a new pair of boots. They are exquisite, black knee length with a three inch stiletto heel. They were reduced in the sale, same as her bag. In fact the price was pretty much the same.

Finally, we were almost shopped out and went to Asda, a huge store. It’s part of the Walmart group. I got a few more food things and some more fuel, but the reason I came was to get some cheap paper for my printer. I bought two reams from their home and wear department and a new black ink cartridge. What a rip off–I decided, I needed a laser printer.

Stella looked absolutely bushed, and started to nod as I drove us home through the rush hour traffic. It endeared Bristol to me each time I got stuck in it. Thankfully, we didn’t have too far to go, although Stella was asleep by the time we got home.

“We’re there,” I said loudly and gave her a nudge.

“Oh don’t Paddy, I said no, didn’t I?” she said loudly, then stared at me blankly for a moment. “Cathy, what are you doing here?”

“I live here, remember, it’s my house.”

She looked around in part astonishment and part aghast. “Where am I?”

“Brissle, me dear.”

“Where’s Patrick?”

“Do you perchance mean, Dr Kelly?”

“Yes, you know I do.”

“I don’t Stella, you fell asleep, I just woke you now when we arrived home.”

“Are you sure?”

I wasn’t anymore, but rather than postulate about parallel universes, I decided to keep quiet. “I think so.”

“But it was so real, he was trying it on and I said no, but he wasn’t going to listen to me.”

My mood became more serious. “Has this actually happened or is it just a dream?”

Stella blushed and looked straight ahead, “Your garage door needs painting,” she said.

“Are you still seeing him?”

“I think black would be the best colour don’t you?”

“I haven’t even thought about it.”

“You should or it won’t keep the weather out.”

“It’s been like that as long as I can remember.”

“That’s no excuse, it needs doing.”

“Come on, let’s get a cuppa and I need a wee.” We unloaded the car and after dumping all the bags in the hall, I quickly scrambled into the cloakroom, I only just got my trousers down in time.

After tidying away everything, we had a cuppa but Stella avoided any mention of Dr Kelly. I could only presume that what she had dreamt was a rerun of a real event, in which case I felt very sad, primarily for her, especially if he forced himself upon her, but also for him as he seemed such a nice young man. Another demonstration of how appearances can be deceptive, I wondered?