‘We don’t want you to bloat.’
Once again, my pouting lower lip is out and Amanda snorts.
‘You too, missy,’ Lucas says, taking away her side order as well.
Now it’s my turn to laugh.
Lucas is quick to get me back on my feet after dinner. Genevieve and Julia begin searching the racks again.
‘Is it all right if I look too?’ I ask.
‘Of course,’ Julia replies.
Searching through a number of black dresses, I pull out one: a satin halterneck fastened with three buttons at the nape and a cut-out back. It’s fitted to the waist then A-line in shape, with a short train, an inch or two. Then I see a sheath-cut, black dress, subtly embroidered with small, black crystals. It’s strapless with a sweetheart neckline.
‘Can I try these?’
Lucas scrutinises the two dresses then says, ‘Not bad, not bad. Let’s try them.’
This time, Julia helps me dress and Lucas picks the shoes again. First, I put on the black halterneck and step out from behind the changing curtain.
‘That’s my favourite so far,’ Amanda says.
This time, it’s Genevieve who disapproves. ‘I just don’t feel wowed by it.’
I’m beginning to lose the will to live. What started as fun is now laborious and tiresome. I traipse back behind the curtain and Julia helps me slip out of the halterneck and into the crystal-laced dress.
‘These will be perfect,’ Lucas says, handing Julia a pair of jewelled sandals.
Julia straps me into the sandals and gives me a hand to stand up. The dress feels amazing; it fits my waist perfectly and the silk slip kisses my legs as I walk but I don’t bother to look in the mirror. Instead, I step straight out to the lion pack from behind the curtain.
Lucas gasps and puts his hands together, touching the tip of his nose as if in prayer. ‘That’s it. That’s the one!’
‘He won’t be able to take his eyes off you,’ Genevieve adds.
Julia claps excitedly. ‘Accessories!’
‘This one!’ Lucas says, taking a thick, diamond choker from a blue, velvet box and handing it to Julia.
‘Hair up, definitely up,’ Genevieve says.
Julia places the choker around my neck and turns me to face the mirror. ‘Go on, take a look.’
In the mirror, I see Amanda grin and slowly nod her head. It’s still the same me, but even I must admit it’s a better version of me. I look a million dollars… but that’s also the problem.
‘There’s no way I can let Gregory pay for all this. I’m sorry, I do love it but it must be a fortune.’
‘Hunny, do you have any idea how much his clothes cost? Anyway, the necklace would be on loan; people rarely buy these things,’ Lucas points out.
‘But what about the shoes and dress?’
Julia rests a hand on my shoulder. ‘To Mr Ryans? Buttons.’
‘You could always soften the blow,’ Amanda offers, dangling lace French knickers from one finger.
By the time we’re back in the Mercedes with Jackson, I have a dress, a new pair of shoes and a bag, a diamond necklace on loan and a black, satin corset with matching stockings and suspenders – the ‘Mercy Corset,’ so I’m told. Amanda has an entirely new outfit as well, minus the underwear, and Julia was more than happy to put it on Gregory’s tab and take her commission.
Stepping out into the crisp air has made me realise how much the champagne has gone to my head.
