Author Anon

“I knew this day would come,” says William.

“You knew about this?” asks Robert. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I never expected Blanche Albright to turn up again. Mother was very upset by the whole affair and we had to keep the scandal quiet.”

“So you had Dad’s last will suppressed?” asks Tom.

“I had to. Mother was still alive. And when she died, there seemed no point in trying to find Blanche. By that time, Julia was already taking charge. She’s the one who made us what we are.”

“Yes, but what are we to do with Blanche?” asks Robert.

“We could buy her off. Give her the money due based on what we once were.”

“You can’t do that to her,” says Tom. “I think we should have a family conference. After all, it will affect your kids as well.”

“You forget what she did to us,” says William.

“I haven’t forgotten, but I’ve forgiven. After all, I’ve got Lucy back.”

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Belle and Claire walk into Les Carr’s boutique.

“This dress did not fit right,” a lady screams at Leslie. “I had to go to my party in another dress. I want my money back.”

“Perhaps, I can try to fix it,” says Leslie. “If you can try it on for me..”

“It doesn’t fit on anywhere,” says the lady.

Leslie goes very red. “Perhaps you can choose another dress.”

“I’m not going to waste my time,” says the lady. “Please give me my money back.”

Belle and Claire turn away from the scene. As they are examining the dresses, Belle gasps.

“The dresses are ghastly,” says Claire. “The materials are cheap and the colors are too loud.”

Belle is silent as she continues to view the dresses. Claire looks up to see Belle turning pale.

“What’s wrong?” asks Claire.

Before she can answer, a voice is heard behind them. “May I help you?” an older woman asks in a light falsetto voice.

They turn around and stare at the woman.

“Just looking, thank you,” says Belle.

“You look a little peaked, my dear,” says the woman.

“Yes, I need some air. It’s a bit stuffy in here.”

“Oh, yes. It’s very busy,” says the woman.

Claire helps Belle out of the shop.

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“There they are,” says Nicholas.

“Something seems wrong,” says Gavin. “We’d better get them.”

The two approach Claire and Belle as they make their way to the car.

“Good morning, ladies,” says Nicholas. “Nice, sunny day we’re having.”

“Yes,” says Claire, nervously.

“Would you like to join us for a cup of coffee?” asks Gavin. “There’s a little cafe down the street.”

Claire looks at Belle, whose color is returning.

“That would be fine,” says Belle, quietly.

“Well, hello there,” says Mark, greeting them, as they walk through the door.

Belle looks up in surprise. “So, this is yours.” She makes the introductions and he seats them.

“Everything’s on the house for you today,” says Mark.

They thank him, give him their orders and and he walks away.

“How did you like the boutique?” asks Nicholas.

“Ummm. Well, I can’t say it was to our taste,” says Claire. “But it was pretty busy.”

Belle is busy looking down and playing with her napkin.

“Did you notice anything unusual?” asks Gavin.

Belle jerks her head up and stares at him. However, she doesn’t say anything.

“They seem kinda weird,” says Claire.

“Who?” asks Nicholas.

“Just all of them. The owners, the workers, the customers.”

“Were there a lot of workers?”

“We really didn’t see much before we walked out,” says Claire, looking at Belle. “Belle wasn’t feeling well.”

Belle flushes and looks down again. She is saved from explanations by Mark bringing their drinks. As she turns her head, she notices that Gavin is examining her face intently.

“Did you notice anything?” Gavin asks Belle, directly.

“Yes,” she says, angrily. “And if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got things to take care of.” She turns to Claire. “I’m sorry to leave you like this. Can you catch a ride with one of the guys?” She gets up and leaves.

“What was that all about?” asks Nicholas.

“I don’t know,” says Claire. “But she seemed pretty mad.”

Mark comes over again, puzzled. “Is everything OK?”

“Uh, yes,” says Nicholas. “We just don’t know what got into Belle.”

“It looked like she’s got something up her sleeve,” says Mark.

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Filed under: All That Glitters