Opal had picked an old dog grooming parlour, not far from Krystal's Bistro, for the site of her re-launch of Glamorama. The business had closed down in a matter of months… too few dogs in Pine Valley to keep it afloat. Opal had better hope for her new beauty boutique.
She had seen the shop as the prefect location, but she was having a real problem with the designers on the remodelling. There were very few architects in town who weren't too busy to take the commission. The guy she had hired had listened to nothing of her vision and presented her with a stark modern black and steel design, a million miles away from Opal's personality. It was desperation that caused Opal to seek Reese's help. She couldn't think of any other qualified people to ask… she just wasn't too sure how Erica would take it.
Opal was wandering the remains of the old grooming parlour waiting for Reese; she'd received a text to say she was on her way. On cue Reese's car drew into the parking lot outside the shop, but Reese hadn't come alone.
Reese retrieved the wheelchair from the trunk and then helped Bianca out from the car. Opal stepped out to meet them, holding open the door.
"So this your new shop?" said Bianca with a grin as she bumped her wheelchair over the small step to come inside with a little push from Reese.
Opal made a mental note to add a ramp.
"It will be." said Opal.
"It has potential." said Reese looking around with approval.
Opal sighed with relief. Most people couldn't see past the bright pink interior with the crude poodle cut outs on the walls… in truth Opal quite liked the colour scheme.
"Talk me through what you had in mind." said Reese producing a pad and pencil from her bag.
…
Bianca had accompanied Reese to be sociable… and also to be a little nosy… but now she found herself watching her ex-wife with a hint of nostalgia.
Opal was walking around the shop; pointing out features, explaining where she wanted the washbasins; the mirrors; the nail bar. Reese barely looked up as Opal spoke; instead she was sketching and every so often asking a question or offering a suggestion.
It was like watching an artist at work. For the longest time Bianca had seen Reese's passion for architecture as the enemy… the cause of their break up. Now, with distance, Bianca could once again appreciate the dedication and the skill Reese possessed when it came to her work.
After twenty minutes Reese showed Opal the sketch she had worked up while they spoke. Opal gasped with delight.
"That is just the thing!" she exclaimed. "That is perfect!"
"We'll still need to talk about colour scheme…" said Reese, "And I think there is a lot of work to do with the electrics and we'll need to see where the plumbing goes, but it should all be possible!"
Opal clasped her hands in joy.
"So you'll help me fix the place up?"
"It would be my pleasure." said Reese.
"You ex-wife is a genius." Opal gushed to Bianca.
"…when it comes to interior design, I can't disagree with that." Bianca said. Her aim was to be gracious to Reese after being rather harsh with her over her plans to move to Pine Valley. Reese didn't notice, she was making a small correction to her sketch and writing a few notes in the margin.
"Well then, let's do lunch." said Opal, still full of enthusiasm.
"Sure we can talk more about furniture design." said Reese finally putting down her pencil.
"Perfect!" said Opal, grabbing her purse, "Krystal's is just around the corner! My treat! We can talk about your wedding plans as well." Opal added, her attention returning to Bianca. "Have you got yourself a hairstylist yet?"
Bianca smile was rather fixed, she knew she should be resting after her long morning at the hospital but she also didn't want to break up this obviously successful meeting. So without any outward signs of reluctance Bianca rolled herself towards the door.
Reese however stepped in front of her.
"Whoa, wait a sec!" she said, turning back to Opal. "Could we have a rain check on lunch? Bianca's had a long morning at the hospital." She turned back to Bianca. "You look tired and I don't want Marissa stringing me up for wearing her fiancé out. I should get her home."
Bianca looked up and gave her ex-wife a grateful smile.
"Is that okay?" she asked.
"Of course." said Opal, answering for her. "We can meet tomorrow." Her face was suddenly a mask of concern over Bianca's wellbeing.
Then Reese said something Bianca thought she would ever hear.
"It's just work. It can wait…"
It would seem that Reese really had turned over a new leaf, just a shame it had taken her so long to learn to put family and friends before business. Well then Bianca could offer an olive branch as well.
"Why don't you come back and use the office at the house instead." Bianca offered. She smiled at Opal. "Then I can rustle us up some lunch and you can talk Glamorama. The sooner you talk, the sooner you can get started right?"
…
Bianca provided sandwiches while Opal and Reese retired to the office to talk business.
Reese came looking for her later, with a big smile on her face.
"Thank you for today." she said, finding Bianca reading in the parlour.
"Opal all set?" Bianca asked, setting aside her book.
"Yeah, we are going for a retro 1950's feel, even using some of the poodle motif already in place."
Bianca looked sceptical at the thought.
"It will work I promise." said Reese responding to Bianca's expression.
"I don't doubt it." said Bianca kindly.
The two exes shared a long look. There was still an unspoken gulf of distance between them. It would never be the same, too much had been done and said before the divorce but they had a new balance now. They were now capable of seeing the past from the others point of view.
Reese nodded gratefully at the compliment.
"Thank you," she said again, "For everything."
"You're welcome."
Then with a shy shuffle of her feet, Reese left Bianca once more alone with her book.
…