5. "But Life Still Goes On"

It was the day marking the wives' monthly Ladies' Lunch. A chance to get together, chat, and update everyone about what was going on with themselves and their families. The news would make its way around to each family eventually - especially thanks to Tina, always the excited gossip - but this was a good chance.

Even Kash, Freddie's sister, joined them. Altogether it was Lettie, Tina, Priya, Veronica, and Kash. Mary usually joined them, but hadn't these last few times.

"No Mary, again," said Veronica as the ladies took their seats at the table in the cafe of choice for today.

"Maybe she's just running a little late," said Priya.

"I don't think she's coming," said Kash. "According to Freddie they haven't spoken much."

Lettie made a mental note to call Mary and check in - none of the ladies had heard from her in a while.

After a couple of hours out with her friends, she returned home to another friend, for as she pulled into the driveway she saw a familiar figure sitting on the front steps.

"Fred!"

He waved back. "Hello Darling!"

"Everything alright?"

"Oh yes - I was just in the area and thought I'd see if anyone was home."

"Ah, well I'm glad you did. I was just out at Ladies' Lunch."

"Ah, very nice." He paused before asking, "Was Mary there?"

"No, not this time."

"Ah." He nodded sadly.

"Give her some more time, Fred." She gave his arm a squeeze and gave him a sympathetic smile.

"I know, dear." Then he turned and nodded across the street to Mrs. Clayton's. "Your neighbour's been eyeing me this whole time."

"Oh, don't mind her. She's a bitch."

"Ohh, Juliette!" Fred snorted with laughter.

"Trust me."

"Oh, I do. Especially if she makes you describe someone that way. She must be truly horrible."

"Oh, she is."

"I was working on a new song." He stuffed the pencil and paper in his hand into the back pocket of his jeans.

"Very nice. How's it going?"

"Not well, I'm afraid. I also brought you this-" He held up a magazine. The front page told all about an article on Princess Diana's greatest style moments thus far. She gasped. "I got you two: one to read and the other to-"

"-To cut pictures out of," they both finished in unison, words overlapping.

"Oh, Fred, you know me so well! Thank you! Let's head inside - I can still feel Mrs. Clayton's gaze on us and it's making me very uncomfortable."

They were sitting at the table with cups of tea flipping through Lettie's new magazine when they heard a key in the lock and moments later Brian's whistle filled the house.

"You're not my wife," he said upon entering the kitchen and finding Freddie seated at the table.

"No, I'm not. Hello, Brian."

"Hi, Fred."

"Your lovely wife was just telling me all about your bitchy neighbour."

"Yes, I'm giving Fred an earful," Lettie confirmed.

Brian chuckled. "Oh, I don't doubt it."

"I take it you agree with Juliette."

"I do. In fact, I think the whole neighborhood does."

Freddie only laughed.

"Bri! Can you get that?" Lettie called from the loo, where she could hear the phone ringing out in the hall.

The phone stopped ringing. "Hullo?" Bernie's voice answered. Then, "MUM! PHONE'S FOR YOU!" He dropped it down on the table and scampered away.

Lettie flew out of the bathroom. "Oh, Bernie! What have we said about answering the phone?" she hissed before answering herself - not missing her eldest son's snickers. "Hello, May household, this is Lettie speaking - sorry about that, my son answered the phone."

A familiar chuckle and French accent answered. "No need to worry yourself, Juliette."

Lettie gasped. "Genevieve! Oh so good to hear from you! How are you doing? How's Biba?"

"Oh, fine, the usual," her former mentor replied. "To all of the above," she added with another chuckle. "The fashion trends keep changing with the times, and everyone wants what's fresh and new and popular."

"Ah, yes." Lettie smiled fondly at the memories.

"And how have things been with you? The children are keeping you busy, by the sounds of it."

"Yes, they certainly are. And the husband." Now it was Lettie's turn to chuckle. "Oh, it's so good to hear from you."

"And you, Juliette. Always good to talk to and hear from you. I've been thinking about you lately - how would you like to come have tea with me? I think we're in need of a good catch-up."

"Oh I'd love that. And yes, I agree, we certainly are."

"Bien. How does Friday sound? Two o'clock?"

"Sounds brilliant!"

"Excellent. Looking forward to seeing you then."

"And I, you." When she hung up the phone, she was beaming.

"Sorry, Love, did you call me?" Brian said, entering the room. "I was out in the yard."

"Oh, yes. The phone was ringing and I was in the loo."

"Oh, sorry. Who was it?" he asked, noting the wide smile stretching across her face.

"Genevieve."

Brian could sense her excitement. "Ah, nice. How is she?"

"She sounds good. She invited me to come have tea with her."

"Very nice."

"Yes. Oh, I wonder what I should wear..."

Brian rolled his eyes affectionately, seeing the wheels turning in her head. "It sounds rather casual, Love."

"I know! But you know Genevieve - she's always dressed as though she's meeting the Queen! We fashion-lovers always love a good dressing up."

He smiled. "Don't I know it."

"Hmm, I wonder where I put that cheetah-print blouse - or the new floral-print one... I'd better go find it and give it an iron." She hurried up the stairs in search of the piece of clothing, Brian watching lovingly as she went.

Sorry for the delay, I was experiencing major writer's block with this chapter :( But here it is, finally!

A fact I love is that Freddie and Princess Diana were friends, which is so cool! Apparently they watched 'The Golden Girls' together - how cool is that?! :D

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed! :)