"I can't believe it. All these different stores. How do you know where to start?" Julie swirled on the spot as she entered through the main doors of the Highcross shopping centre.

Judith grabbed her hand and held it firmly. "Please don't be weird. This is not how humans act while shopping."

"I'm sorry, I'm just so excited," Julie exclaimed as she fell into Judith's arm.

Judith could not help but chuckle, she tried to imagine what shopping was like in the sixties but could only come up with, "It couldn't have been that bad." Of course high street shopping was not bad, probably better than what we have now, but anyone stepping foot into a mall for the first time is always going to be overwhelmed with excitement like Julie was.

Judith showed Julie around the various clothes stores and show shops first.

"Fashion could do with a few more flared jeans," was Julie's biggest take from the experience.

As they had past through a few stores Julie was starting to get bored. "Watch this," she said to Judith and picked out a gown she liked. Julie immediately disappeared and so did the gown.

"What are you doing? Don't try anything stupid," Judith warned. However, before she could see where Julie was the store's security system came to life and the gown reappeared midair by the exit and dropped to the floor.

"Christ what were you thinking?" Judith demanded as she left the store and caught up to the now visible Julie.

The spirit held a hand to her chest acting shocked. "What the hell was that high pitched screech?" She demanded back.

"Stores have alarms these days. You can't just take things." Judith stressed but she was only met by a playful laugh from her ghost girlfriend. "Come on, I could do with a hot chocolate."

They sat at a table outside Costa and Judith watched with keen interest the expressions on Julie's face as she watched the many shoppers going about their bust lives.

"Everyone here seems to be glued to their phones, just like you are much of the time," Julie mused. She liked down at the table, "Why did you buy two cups? You know I can't drink."

"To look normal. Believe me, I'm not happy with buying two of everything when we're to go out together," Judith replied with little sarcasm.

"Well then, it is appreciated, my love. I sure hope you are thirsty though," Julie laughed.

"You are so lucky y'know," Judith said after a little pause.

Julie furrowed a brow, "For being dead?"

Judith scrunched her nose, "For whatever it is you've become since I met you. Being visible to everyone now, touching anything you want in our material world. You're basically human without the affects of aging."

"I'm seventy-nine you know?" Julie replied playfully.

"Yes, but will forever look like a hot twenty year old. I'm envious," Judith said shyly. "I'm two and a half years away from thirty."

Julie grabbed Judith's hands and held them tightly, "If you're worried about an age gap between us that others may question, don't be. I will love you forever. No matter what age you reach in life and forevermore beyond that." She raised the living woman's hands and placed kisses down her fingers.

"I do love you, Jersey," Judith replied.

Julie smiled, "Obviously, I'm difficult to not love," she joked. "Now come on, drink up. I want to show you something I've discovered." Julie sneakily swapped the cups over to make it look like hers had been drunk.

"I'm not sure this was the best idea after all," replied Judith as she stared grimly down at the second full cup.

Two cups in and one pee break down and Judith was ready to let Julie lead for the next part. "What is it you want to show me?"

"Follow me," Julie beamed.

Julie led Judith to a blank white wall. She smiled at Judith before turning to face no one. "Excuse me, sir... Yes, I can see you but the blank look on my girlfriend's face means she cannot... What is your name?"

Judith pulled Julie back towards her, "Who are you talking to, honey?"

Julie glanced back towards the blank wall for reassurance before answering. "Bill... Really, Bill?" She threw another quick glance to the wall. "Bill here, is a spirit."

"I don't see anybody..." Judith replied sceptically.

"Of course you don't. There are a few ghosts in here you can't see, and I bet a few you probably could see if you looked properly."

"There are spirits wandering the mall? Is there anything we can do to help them?" Judith asked with hope. She noticed Julie stare at the wall as if listening to Bill.

"Thank you, Bill, I hope you find her," Julie said before linking arms with Judith and guiding her away. "Help them? How can you help what you won't see?"

Judith fell silent, it certainly was interesting to learn of more spirits wandering the earth with their own reasons for not crossing over. This definitely gave her more to think about regarding what she had been planning.

Before Judith could give Julie a real answer she was interrupted by Julie's excited squeal.

"A record store!" Julie cried excitedly and she ran through the doorway below the bright pink HMV sign.

"Wait!" Judith called but she did not run. By the time she found her, Julie was already by the rock CDs.

"These are small records," Julie said as she held up the plastic disc of an album.

"Did you break the seal?" Judith reached for the case out of her other hand. "Hmm, The Rolling Stones?"

Julie nodded but still inspected the disc. "There's no groove for the needle."

Judith took the CD out of her hand. "This is a technology that has come and gone since your time. The vinyl is at the back that you may be familiar with." Julie immediately ran past Judith to the vinyl area. "You know I'm gonna have to pay for this now!" Judith called as she held up the CD.

***