"Thank-you again Brian, the room is so beautiful and the concierge was beyond helpful" Louise leaned forward to stare at the rue stretching in front of their car, the Arc De Triomphe was in the distance and she was excited to see such a majestic monument.

Brian nodded accepting her thanks, then pondered "How is everything with young Eve? She certainly looks healthy and very much the jolly cherub she usually is"

Louise smiled. "She's been just perfect... the operation of course went splendidly and the past two weeks she has healed so quickly it's amazing really. It must be because a baby's skin is so soft and grows so rapidly"

"She is getting big, she was standing against furniture wasn't she... before the surgery"

"Yes, she's not back to that just yet but any day now, I believe. I can't hold her back, she has such energy!"

The Instruments

"Ahhh look, here we are. Come on Louise let's meet the talented Countess Sabine"

"A countess?!" Louise near on cringed in trepidation "Brian, I only needed a clothes shop"

"This is a fashion house Louise, we're in France! They make fashions for the upcoming seasons, and sell their designs all over the world. I've been led to believe she will have everything you need"

Louise looked out the car window at the building nervously. It was one thing to find a dress in a retail shop but a fashion house with a countess. "Brian, perhaps we should just go into the main part of town, find a boutique, I'm sure that would do"

"Louise trust me, let me indulge you just this once, hmmm?" Brian patted Lou's hand and stepped out into the sunlight, the day was perfectly  brilliant with a clear azure sky "I'll make introductions and leave you in Sabine's capable hands. I'll take coffee at the that café over there, not too far.... See, the one with red and white striped awning" Brian took Lou's elbow and guided her into the large entrance hall decorated with massive murals of dancers, beautiful models and handsome men.

Starting off slowly Louise drift somewhat dazed through room upon room filled to the ceiling with bolts of material. Hardworking seamstresses and tailors with measuring tape and chalk hunkered over templates as Lou gazed about; She was out of her depth, just a common Liverpudlian girl dropped in a treasure trove of fabric and creation all swirling around in vibrant colours and patterns.

Once absconded to the main office, a large room with mannequins stood swathed in bright designs, the countess gave Louise the once over. Running a critical eye over Lou's curves or lack thereof. Making Lou feel even more inadequate and dowdy in her simple clothes.

But it was all show Lou was to discover. The raised eyebrow that had seemed unimpressed at the sight before her finally relaxed and a smile graced the countess's face.Turning her from dour to stunning.

"Missusss Lennon, it is a pleasurrre to meet with you" A manicured hand laid soft in Louise's and they shook politely. Sabine then kissed both of Lou's cheeks, such a French thing to do!! Well I am in France, aren't I!

"Lou please, or Louise"

"Louise, a beautiful name. Now please tell me your devious plans for your husband's downfall!!" Sabine laughed joyously. Brian had already informed the woman that Louise wanted to wow John with a splendid gown. As they strolled arm in arm Lou explained, they took tea on a small balcony crammed with lush greenery overlooking the river Seine. People watching as they sat chatting about London and the weather. Delicious petit fours eaten as they sipped the tea and gazed over the scene. 

Louise explained what she wanted Who she wanted to channel. Sabine, at first, tried to sway Lou into being more of her natural self but even with all her French persuasion she lost the battle. Lou was adamant, her surprise entrance needed to be a stunning revelation. Something capable of making even John's 'I've seen it all... and a whole lot more..' jaw drop.....

A room, full of beautiful dresses, skirts and blouses, greeted Louise next. Rack upon rack of gorgeous gowns, Sabine had an excellent eye for detail it was quite plain to see.. even to Lou the Liverpudlian.

As models changed outfits and had photographs taken Lou was allowed to roam through the room alone. Touching different material, feeling the weight and looking through dreamy creations to see if anything stood out. Like a kid in a candy shop Louise ogled the many, both slender and curvy, women so effortless and stunning as they stood poised, posing for the photographers lens.

Then she saw it.

It was so perfect on the model in front of the camera, Lou could only imagine the frumpy way she herself would fill the beautiful garment.

The countess watched Lou surreptitiously from across the busy room, she stood with a sketch artist, one eye on the thick drawing paper, and the other on Louise. Sabine soon stepped towards Louise offering her the dress to try on.

"How did you know my size?" Lou grinned at the woman's assertion and the way she directly picked out the size for her.

"I 'ave been in this game a long, long time Louise. You are much the same as the girl wearing it, it will be perfect, I assure you of that"

Louise frowned, she couldn't hold a candle to the waif being photographed, she took the proffered garment anyway. She would take a chance, believe the Countess. Lou was then led behind a half wall to change, a fitter stepped up off her stool and assisted with the neckline but other than that Louise had the design on in minutes.

"It fits!!"

"Like it was made for you my dear. You 'ave a great body, don't hide it in those god awful trousers and things"

"Petre!.... Come Louisa. Petre will take some photographs of you. I will mail them to that darling Mister Epstein for you!" The countess clapped her hands and everything happened in a flash. A dusting of powder. A brush through her hair. A clip to hold her mane high. Picture upon picture taken. The countess was indeed a beautiful bulldozer and everything she wanted, was given.

Lou had many photos taken that day, in many different dresses, but the first was still her dream and she left the countess's fashion house with the garment bound carefully in tissue paper and boxed and secured with ribbon. Her dress was chosen, and it was now one o'clock in the afternoon.

"I'll have the dress delivered to your suite. Now, Tristao is waiting to do your hairstyle any way you wish and he has surprise from me to you for when he is finished your hair" Brian slipped into the seat and shut the car door, rolling the window down half way to continue "....Call concierge with the password when you are ready to return to the hotel and a car will be sent for you dear"

"Thank-you so much Brian... for everything"

"No problem at all Louise, it's been lovely to have some time with you. Now go, have fun and I'll see you tonight"

The car pulled away with Brian waving and smiling a pleasant goodbye. Louise turned and walked to the reception area of the high end coiffeur.

"You cannot! Please mademoiselle, your locks are too lovely. A travesty! Non"

The hairdresser tried, but again, Louise Lennon, much like her husband would not be swayed from her decision, she was adamant in what she wanted.

She dreamed to create fireworks and a spectacular splash and the way she was going she certainly would do just that.

Hour upon hour Louise watched her hair slowly transform. 

And throughout it was like a washing machine in her tummy. The jumble of emotions all colliding and butting inside of her: wonderful, scary, amazing and a little nauseating even.

Everything jumbling around in Lou's mind too .....Was this the right thing to do? Should she stop? Maybe he won't like me anymore. Maybe I'm just being a fool. 

Maybe, maybe, maybe!

Before she could straighten her head she was fin!

Her new style now teased and lifted to create an image she hadn't been sure she could pull off. So different she looked, she covered her eyes and pecked again. Tristao, grinned and lifted a mirror and Lou saw the rest of the styling it revealed.

Brian's gift arrived and suddenly her face was a work of art.

A makeup session with a make artist from the modelling agency!

Blemish free with the smoothest lightest foundation she had ever felt and her eyes... Smokey, sexy with eye-shadow, mascara and eyeliner. A sixties bombshell was birthed and by the end of the treat Lou was beaming and confident.

Yes, this was certainly a thrilling diversion to her usual countenance.

By four p.m. she was totally transformed.

The dress and high heels on.

Hair and makeup just perfect.

Audrey Hepburn Breakfast At Tiffany's sunglasses to hide most of her face.

By four thirty she was in a spot that could not be missed by anyone entering the lifts or, in fact, entering the entire hotel.

And yes, Louise would be noticed....