Barbara's back -- a neighborhood affair

Valerie, who sells hand painted T-shirts through Barbara’s shop, shows up to hang some of the higher things, although she is occupied with Isabelle, her sister-in-law and best friend, who has had a hard time delivering her son, Goran. Isabelle has been put back in the hospital and Valerie does what she can to help out running back and forth between the needy women.

Valerie’s father, an osteopath, has come to check her out as a courtesy, not as a fee-paid trip, although doctors do make house calls here for approximately $40.

Chris, the London set-designer, who has his second home (he thinks it is his first) is fixing her mattress with a board under it. He is also there to lift what she can’t or hang things when Valerie can’t show up. Chris is down here on a painting commission.

I have watched the store until boredom has driven Barbara downstairs from where she lives over the shop.

Rosella, the potter, also has offered to help where she can.

Dani, the fishmonger, provides humour. Almost as wide as she is tall, she was convinced that Barbara came back to Argelès late because of a fiancé. She asked if Barbara had been too sexually active with the fiancé that must be hidden away.

Hopefully Barbara's back will be better soon. Meanwhile everyone in the neighborhood is here to do what they can. Afterall we are coming up to the end of the tourist season, and no one can afford to close down.