COPYRIGHT@GERRYROSE

 The shop in Portland Road really appealed to Jilly. ‘Perfect Interiors’ was a name which really inspired her. She had always desired to be surrounded by perfection. From an early age she knew that she had to be the best. She knew where this had originated from. Knowing the reason and the cause did nothing to ease her obsession with perfection. She had visited the shop several times without speaking to the owner. On her first visit she wasn’t sure who the owner was. She had browsed and looked at a few sample books. A tall dark haired woman had smiled at her. The shorter blonde woman had been busy with another customer who wished to discuss paint. Jilly was aware that paint was a huge area of interest. Paint snobs were in abundance. Carla had told her that the wrong shade of white paint in the wrong place, could reduce the price of a house in London quite dramatically. If you knew you knew and it appeared that those who knew were never going to risk getting it wrong. Jilly was rather glad that she had not known this when she decided to paint every room in her house in Poet’s Corner white. It seems according to Carla that she had made a lucky guess and at least she had not settled for Dulux white emulsion!

 Jilly had the feeling that the tall lady was the owner. She seemed to have more status than the blonde woman. Jilly waited to see if the tall lady would approach her but she didn’t. The second time she entered the shop the blonde woman was on her own. Jilly decided to be bold and speak to the woman about paint. She asked her what white paint she would recommend for a house in Poets’ Corner. The blonde woman seemed to flinch.

‘I wouldn’t recommend white paint at all. I am afraid it is a bit of a cliché around here.’

Jilly felt slightly irritated. She knew this woman was not the owner by the tone of her voice.

‘Don’t you sell a range of white paint?’

‘Yes but Maddy likes us to encourage our customers to try something a little different.’

‘Maddy?’

‘Maddy is the owner.’ Jilly picked up that Maddy wasn’t the easiest of bosses.

‘Oh I see and when is Maddy going to be in the shop?’

‘Maddy only ever visits the shop on Fridays.’ Jilly felt that was both a bone of contention and relief.

‘Ok I think I would like to discuss paint with her. Can I make an appointment?’

‘Maddy doesn’t make appointments until she has met the prospective client I’m afraid.

Jilly reckoned Maddy didn’t like time wasters.

‘Ok I will pop in again on a Friday. I think I have seen her in here, is she the tall lady with the black hair?’

‘Yes that’s right.’

Jilly left the shop and would return on Friday. She had arranged to have lunch with Babs. Jilly’s quest to find friends had not progressed much. She wondered if she should have a house warming as this would be a good way of seeing some of the people that she had met at Babs’ party. However, she did not know enough people to invite and could hardly just invite people Babs knew. She should probably go to a few more Meetups and meet more people. Jilly found the business of making new friends somewhat exhausting. She wondered if this was an age thing. She didn’t want to meet dull people who would drain your energy. She didn’t want to meet people with issues either. She realised that the older you got the more history you had. It was up to you how much you shared. She also knew that no one reached their sixties without having some issues unless they were extremely lucky or were prone to lying. She thought she should be more forgiving and generous.

 Babs had suggested that they met at the Two Boys Café. It was a good choice. Jilly who was always watching what she ate and had a fear of moving into a size 14 chose a salad. Babs chose a sausage sandwich.

‘How are you doing Jilly?’

‘Well my to do list is not progressing as well as I would like it to.’

‘What’s on it then?’

‘Oh the usual things about the house, but I would have liked to have made more friends by now. I am making very slow progress on finding a job.’

‘Ok, but you have only been living here about 4 months.’

‘I know but I don’t like stagnating.’

‘Have you been to anymore Meetups?’

‘No but I think I should.’

‘What about joining a book club?’

‘Is there a Meetup book club?’

‘Yes but I would avoid that.’

‘Ok so how do I find another one?’

‘Sue is a member of one and I happen to know they are looking to recruit new members.’

‘I like Sue, can you forward my number to her Babs?’

‘Certainly. And the job search?’

‘I am going to try and chat to the owner of ‘Perfect Interiors’ on Friday.’

‘Maddy?’

‘Do you know her?’

‘Yes I wouldn’t say that I know her, but I certainly know of her.’

‘And?’

‘She is a very talented interior designer and really knows her stuff. However, she is very canny and doesn’t always treat her employees well.’

Jilly thought about the blonde woman in the shop who flinched when she mentioned white paint.

‘Ok but I need to start somewhere.’

‘Did you enrol in that design course?’

‘Yes I am loving it and feel that I would really enjoy getting my teeth into a clients’ interior design project.’

‘I think it is really right up your street Jilly. Your house and garden is looking fantastic.’

‘Thanks Babs I am pleased with what I have done so far.’

‘I look forward to hearing how you get on with Maddie.’

‘I will let you know.’

Jilly went into Perfect Interiors around 11 am on the following Friday. Maddy was on her own and Jilly picked up a vibe that she was not that happy.

‘Hi are you Maddy?’

‘Yes can I help you with anything?’

‘The lady I saw here on Wednesday suggested I popped back to see you to discuss white paint.’

Jilly could sense that Maddy was less than keen to engage.

‘Oh that was probably Mary and she no longer works here. Did she put you off buying white paint?’

‘She said it was a bit of a cliché in Poets corner.’ Maddy sighed.

‘Mary was a total cliché actually! Sorry that you had to experience her negativity.’

‘Oh don’t worry I just have one more room which I think would benefit from white paint and wanted to know which shade would go best with this blue paint which is what I have painted my corner cupboard and standard lamp. Maddy looked at the sample of painted cardboard that Jilly had brought with her. She told Jilly that she blended her own paints and would have to visit her in order to choose the best match. She charged for home visits and would discount the paint if chosen.’

Jilly felt bold.

‘That sounds fine. I know this is a bit cheeky but are you going to replace Mary?’

‘I would like to find someone far more experienced than Mary.’

‘I am not experienced but am doing a British Academy of Design course at the moment. I have a background in fine art. I used to work in Cork Street advising on frames.’ Jilly could tell that Maddy was interested.

‘Would you be happy to work in a voluntary capacity until you gain a qualification? I cannot guarantee paid employment here. However, I think this would be a great place to cut your teeth. You are also much better turned out than Mary and I think your people skills are better too.’

Jilly felt that this was a good opportunity. She was delighted and shook on the deal with Maddy. Jilly walked the short distance to her house. Life in Hove on her own was looking up.

Jilly messaged Babs to tell her she was in with an unpaid opportunity to learn the ropes.

Babs replied

‘Canny bird that one!’

Jilly checked her list and felt she was making progress. She needed to make more friends.

 Babs texted her Sue’s details and suggested she contacted her about joining the book club. Jilly felt that all in all things were coming together. She was looking forward to a call from her daughter on Saturday. She didn’t know when she last spoke to her son. The old adage your daughter is your daughter etc and son is your son kept playing in her head. Jilly just wanted to be valued by both of them. The older she got the more Jilly wondered about what she would value when looking back on her life.