Camilla and Opal were dealing with the late shift at the Bistro while Krystal was taking her daughter out for a well-earned trip to the cinema.
Camilla finished dealing with the check for table four; their last customers of the evening. She escorted the chatty couple to the door, turned the closed sign and closed the blind.
"I was beginning to think they would never go!" she exclaimed wearily, as she headed back to the bar. Opal didn't answer. She was too busy looking thoughtfully off into the distance, a pad and pen in her hand.
"Earth to Opal." Camilla called, bringing her colleague back to reality.
"Oh... Sorry," said Opal, "I've just been thinking about Erica's Hen party."
"Are you organising that?" Camilla asked.
"Well I am her best gal pal. Who else would she ask?" said Opal, "But she's had so many I'm running out of ideas. Twelve marriages now… or seven, if you go by official, legal definitions. I just want to do something a bit different this time round."
Camilla leant on the bar.
"I know Reggie's planning his dad's Stag do. I think he's taking Jackson off for a golfing weekend. What have you planned for Erica?"
"I don't know." said Opal. "I did think of a Spa day, but her wedding is going to be on a tropical island, relaxation isn't going to be in short supply. So I'm trying to think of something fun."
"Bowling?" suggested Camilla, "Or paint-balling?"
"Seriously." said Opal with a laugh. "Can you see Erica paint-balling?"
"I think she'd enjoy it. I can think of a few people she'd be happy to shoot." said Camilla. "Just for fun!" she added from Opal's look.
Opal shook her head.
"Whatever we do, it need to be something that… everyone can take part in."
Camilla's jolly grin faded as she remembered Bianca.
"What other things do you young people do for fun?" asked Opal.
Camilla laughed at the thought of still being considered a young person.
"Well I'm happy to help out. Erica has been a good friend to me ever since I arrived in Pine Valley."
Camilla thought for a moment.
"Murder mystery nights are always good." she suggested.
Opal shook her head again.
"No, that might just bring bad memories for a few too many guests. Murder isn't taken lightly in Pine Valley. Do you know a little town like this… we even had our serial killer… Eleven victims. Not good times."
"Well then a theme night. Sixties or… Eighties. Erica was really big in the Eighties wasn't she? It might be fun to reminisce?"
"Relive the wardrobes..." said Opal wistful. "And the hair…"
"I know a place across town where you can hire the bar for the night for a private party. Carly had a birthday there a few weeks ago. It was a good night. They do dancing, Karaoke and cocktails…"
"Erica doesn't drink…"
"Non-alcoholic cocktails them." said Camilla. "It was just a suggestion."
"No, Karaoke sounds fun." said Opal thoughtfully. "I'll put it on my list."
…