The atmosphere in Mrs Miggins' pieshop was nothing short of electric. The storm had been brewing for some days when it became known that Madame Galaxy had headed South for the Summer, destination and travelling companion unknown. There was much inclining of elegant headgear atop fashionable hairdos accompanied by the busy fluttering of fans as this morsel of possible scandal was discussed, digested and improved upon.

The effect when the absentee swept serenely up to the counter and asked for an Eccles cake and a pot of Earl Gray was akin to the introduction of a fox into a hen-coop. Feathers on immediately readjusted boas waved. Feathers on fans were bent flat in the wind of their new and more urgent passage to move air across outraged cheeks. Those feathers on hats swept back and forth like peacock trains as sharp eye-signals were exchanged between the startled members of the flock.

Without so much as a sideways glance, Madame Galaxy glided to an empty table and seated herself, her mouth set in a mischievous smile which was both calculated and guaranteed to raise the suspense even further.

Women's hour continues directly :-)

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Answers

Madamme Galaxy sat down to enjoy her Eccles cake and Earl Gray (sp?) and dream of her mysterious holiday companion. How hard it hard been (sneaking off without letting anyone know). Not a mention to her friends and timed to perfection while Yelli was away in the sun. Years of cunning (don't even think about it!!) had paid off and she'd enjoyed one of the most thrilling times of her life......................

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Proposing positively ponderous proliferations perchance prying public predictions purporting propaganda prizes... puffy pink profiteroles.

Purely plucky picking....punters?

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Softie, you are wasted.......and I don`t mean p@ssed!(;o)

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

I do - you should have seen him on Saturday evening ;-))

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

With a quiet rustling of taffeta, Madame Galaxy elegantly adjusted her skirts and settled in a picture of perfect deportment and composure. Raising her regal chin to a point just short of arrogance she swept her steady, inscrutable gaze over the occupants of Mrs. Miggins pie shop. As her eyes alighted on each small tableaux of refined indulgence the quiet whispering conversation paused with the briefest and barely audible intake of breath, captured under Madam Galaxy`s scrutiny, and released, accompanied by a violent fluttering of fans and a rush of excitable chatter, as her attention moved elsewhere.

Madam Galaxy was aware that such a display of contemptuous disregard, albeit discreet, would be interpreted as truly audacious by some and a disgraceful act of insolence by others. It would, however, keep the gossip mongers occupied for a short while, while Madam Galaxy wrestled with the problem of what reason she should give for her prolonged absence. What lie would be sufficiently interesting to entertain the shallow minded, yet worthy enough to appease the most staid and obdurate Grand Dammes. Perhaps, Madam Galaxy thought as she battled with her conscience for a graceful escape from her predicament, she should tell no lies of any design, throwing herself at their mercy with a simple truthful confession. Madame Galaxy shivered imperceptibly at the possible repercussions..........(:o)

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Perfection :-)

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

NNN N E E E X X X T T TTTTTTTTT!!

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Next........the washing and ironing! (:o(

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

Madam Galxy's thoughts drifted to the real reason for her absence. There had been no enchanting break in Italy with a mysterious man No sojourn in Greece walking around ancient monuments by day and enchanting evenings on jasmine-scented verandhas at night. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The oh so fashionable address and exquisite house front was a facade in more ways than one. Who could have imagined that behind the rich drapery, empty rooms echoed and draughts blew unimpeded along uncluttered corridors marked only by the faint impressions left in polished wood by recently removed furniture?

No, the healthy glow on Madam Galaxy's cheeks was not born of sumptuous food and love in a warm climate, but the drudgery of 18 hour days in the cloying atmosphere of the Chinese laundary where she toiled to pay for the excursions to Mrs Miggin's to hide the terrible truth from her peers...

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001