Darley Street: Episode Six – We're Famous!
by Steve Gray
Previous episode
Chloe called Sally, ‘Things are a bit strange around here at the moment, there’s been a bunch of people walk in and check out our kids books, now that’s a good thing, but more people than usual.’
Sally said ‘Yay! The more customers the better! Do you need a hand? I’ll send down Soren to help out if you want…’ Chloe agreed, Soren headed off to help out.
Sally thought about it for a while, then thought I wonder what’s causing that. It’s 9.30 on a weekday? She took a look online and typed in Two Chapters Bookshop. Yep that’s why, a local influencer, Christie Minns has dropped in, she loves the street but in particular the book shop. She raves about it and Carl’s Collectibles on her socials.
Sally wanders out the front and takes a look up the street towards Carlos’ shop Yep he’s got some customers too, not as many as Chloe, but perhaps it’s early days yet. Sally smiles and wonders about Christie's influence. The podcast says 9k of followers, hmm that’s reasonable for a local influencer she thought.
Sally wrote a nice comment, ‘Thanks for the review.’
Sally left Rex to run the store while she took a wander. Off to Carlos’s shop first. He didn’t realise until Sally pointed it out that he had a positive review from a local influencer.
She then went to the bookstore and helped out as people seemed interested in a few books in particular ‘Janey Mae & Sunday’ seemed to be the key book, then another by a different author, the sort with jumbled up names and strange scenarios.
Sally went out back and opened some boxes to restock the shelves. All good she thought. Chloe asked why things had got busy? Sally told her about Christie's info.
Chloe said she would put her on the mailing list when she gets a chance. Things settled down for a bit and Sally headed back to her shop.
Websites updated with links to this new positivity coming from a local influencer. Sally and Chloe soon signed up as subscribers. The trend continued for a few days and then faded somewhat. Occasionally there would be an influx of extras but much less than at the start.
A few days later Sally spotted a small white Mercedes parking out the front with the initials C/M on the door. She soon realised that Christie had been in the street many times before, a ‘true local’ she took the opportunity to step out and introduced herself. The pair chatted for a short while, Sally full of thanks for the inclusion in her ‘socials’ and the ‘Free PR.’
Christie points out that she doesn’t review businesses that people send in a recommendation for, she has to truly find them and see their potential. Just in case other businesses in the area want to ‘get on the bandwagon.’
Sally simply added that it looked like some new bizzos would be opening soon, so keep an eye out.
Christie mentions that she knows a business guy that would love these shops, another influencer type, Wayne Plum. Sally promptly forgot the name by the time she got back to the front counter, she was somewhat excited to meet Christie, the Influencer.
It wasn’t until about half an hour later that she thought about the name of the other person… Graham Fruit? Winslow Berry? No, nothing's coming to mind.
She got on with her work and did her best to clear her mind, one thing she disliked was getting something ‘stuck’ in her thinking. Like a song that won’t go away at two am.
‘Dear Darley Group Facey Page’ Sally then went on to tell the group of the win for the shops, hers and Carlos’. Delighted, she said.
Two days later a tall blonde very suavely dressed gent arrived in a small BMW. Sally noticed the car go by and thought little of it. About an hour later Mr ‘Tall, suave and charming’. Wandered into the bookshop, he took a scanning look across the space and said ’WOW!’ Smiling from ear to ear, he introduced himself, ‘Wayne Plum, business advisor, and you must be Sally? Everyone in the strip of shops says you are the kingpin around here…’
Sally shook Wayne's hand, then took his business card with the other. His name finally dropped in her head, ‘Ah yes Christie Minns mentioned you a couple of days back. Thanks for dropping by, I’m not sure I’m the ‘king pin’ but I’ll accept that crown for now. So what brings you by our little business precinct?’
Wayne was now trying to take in some more of the shop after making dashing eye contact, Sally thought, this guy is smooth, professional and I bet he knows his stuff, oh wow look at that silk tie!
Wayne said a few things while she was thinking, she missed some of it. But picked up that he liked quirky shops and the way that they survive and or thrive.
Sally was starting to make sense of his talking, his charm in all their guises. Like Christie he liked charming people, talking about business and he was starting to talk about interviewing business people, with a focus on locals doing amazing things.
They chatted some more, before he headed off to introduce himself to others, taking a small bundle of her business cards. He headed off down the street and on the way back waved to Sally through the window with a cheery wave. Sal had checked his website and was impressed by his client list and credentials. She wondered what might come next.
No two days were the same in Darley Street; people come, and people go. Today was loaded with influence and flair.
Stay tuned for the next episode of Darley Street!
More from Steve Gray
Steve writes with passion and intrigue, aiming to inspire and or raise awareness of topics. His poetry can take abstract turns, and his 'Odd Angry Writes' on his website are sure to turn heads with his aggressive approach to topics.
A background in Art and Design, as well as teaching, often gives his written pieces a unique creative perspective.
Like many, he is an ADHD person with some neurodiverse edges. A bunch of E books under his belt and some honourable mentions in the Geelong Writers Group puts his work in good standing.
