When the Bus Stopped

Chapter 13

He gazed at her outfit, "I have to admit I'm a little intrigued about your appearance. You must be freezing to pieces. The snow up there on the mountains is sending down some icy blasts."

"I'm trying to dress for success. You aren't looking too warm yourself."

"I'm actually in disguise, as I'm trailing the rapist now; we should have him by the evening."

"Oh! Great stuff! Where is he?"

"God, Here he comes. Don't look at him! Just keep walking this way, talk to me... talk normally, otherwise my cover will be blown."

"Oh. Err. I don't have much to say."

"Have you seen the mechanic this morning?" He cast a fugitive look over his shoulder.

"It is going to be more than I expected. He is waiting on a few parts to be sent to him. But the price he quoted – it is a lot."

"How much is a lot, in your opinion? Because when we had dinner together you told me eighty dollars profit was a lot of money."

"A lot. Just over five grand."

"I'm surprised you are not drowning in a bottle of whiskey! Where are you going to make that money?"

"I should be making that and a little more as I stand here," Lucy exaggerated. "I've set up a stall over the road selling my upcycled pieces."

"What are you doing in here then? Get out there and take money off the hordes."

"There are no hordes. I haven't even sold a single bracelet."

"Well, you've got to give it ten minutes at least."

"My stall has been set up for three hours. Loads of people have looked at it but mainly they've just laughed and commented about how atrocious it could make them look. I have to bite my tongue not to mention to some of them that it can't make them look any worse. The kind of clothes I make would sell well around Beaches with lots of young people around. But the only young people here are searching for coats lined with fake fur."

"Give it another seven hours."

"I will. I don't give up easily."

"I've noticed."

"Anyway, where is this man you are tailing?"

"He's gone," Daniello sighed in relief. "Your dreadlocks are like a veil of invisibility... they shield me from being noticed too."

"Is that a good thing?"

"Yeah. Because then I know that he is on his way out of town. My colleague will follow him from here. So-" Daniello stood awkwardly. "You are sorted then. As soon as you've sold your wares you will be gone. I think - despite everything - I'll miss you."

"Well I'm going to have to come up with more ideas for making money anyway... because at this rate I'm going to be stuck in Arrowtown for so long that I will decide to go and buy nail polish to put in my fridge for my new nine to five job whacking away at a typewriter somewhere..."

"So you are saying that if you stay here long enough you'll be shot back to the 1980's in a time capsule?"

"I'm sorry... I don't get that whole physics sense of humour." She stopped, "Oh look a child's flute! Perfect!" She smiled at Daniello's confusion.

As they approached the counter Lucy gasped happily. "Look Daniello! That woman across the road is buying my entire collection!" They watched in glee as a gray haired lady piled all of the clothes into the brown paper bags that Lucy had left on the table and into her BMW. She began to fiddle around with her wallet pulling a fistful of notes out.

"I've hit the jackpot!" Lucy grabbed Daniello's arm in glee, "Look at that wad of notes she is stuffing into my loyalty box".

"I'm not sure," Daniello said with an Australian accent. "I almost thought I saw her put some of that wad of notes back into her wallet."

"What is wrong with your voice?"

"What this?" He sent a startled look about. "I always talk like this."

"Well... Dubious Daniello," Lucy laughed. "But that lady can't have taken anything. There was only a small handful of coins and notes in there already for if I had to give anyone change. And she bought so much I guess she needed change."

"I just have a bad feeling about this."

"HAH!" Lucy scoffed. "Now you are getting all Psychic Sue on the situation! Stick to your day job." She could feel the butterflies in her stomach. "It is a funny thing, Daniello. I had such a good feeling about that collection of clothes. I just knew that it might be the thing that keeps me financially secure all year." She looked over both shoulders before crossing the road. "But, I didn't realize that it would sell like hot cakes."

They watched as the green BMW pulled out and drove down the street at a steady pace. Lucy gave the driver a bright wave. She could almost imagine where it was heading. To a tall window clad building in Dunedin or Auckland full to the brim of creative types ready to be inspired by her work. The tall models would strut their stuff down every catwalk in the world. And while they were all inspired by Lucy Falkwell's creative genius she would be in her little bus off about the country in ignorant bliss.

"Oh, God," Daniello gasped.

Lucy's heart raced in excitement. "How much did she leave?"

"There is so much in here!" He struggled for some time and finally said, "She emptied your jar out and replaced it with a wad of receipts."