“I saw Emily pawing your boyfriend on the dance floor last night. He looked like he was in pain. I know she’s your cousin, but holy crap, that woman is a nightmare.”
“You’re not a friend of hers?” I ask, not knowing whether to trust her.
“No. Not really. I have no idea why I was invited to this circus. You probably don’t remember me. We lived across the road from Emily and her parents. We went to school together. Louise Baker.”
“Oh, that’s right. I remember now.” I vaguely remember a shy kid with braces being around when we visited. “The braces did a good job,” I blurt. My cheeks burn, but Louise just laughs.
“Thank God. Anyway, I think you should try that on.” Her eyes scan the rack beside us. “And maybe this, too.”
I don’t have a lot of friends. And those I do have are just as busy and career focused as me. I rarely go shopping, and I’ve always low-key disliked it. But before I know it, Louise has me in a fitting room with a growing pile of outfits. I think I’ve tried on everything in the shop. I’m just unbuttoning the last blouse when her face appears between the curtains.
“Oh. My. God. The assistant just unpacked this from a new delivery. Youhaveto try it on. Your boyfriend would lose hismindwith you in this.”
It’s short. It’s sheer. There’s colourful embroidery in all the right places. And it’s gorgeous. It’s also way sexier than anything I’ve ever worn in my life. The look on Ant’s face when I shed my dress beside the pool last night flashes through my mind, and my entire body reacts with a shudder.
“Open up. Show me,” demands Louise when I confirm I have it on.
I draw back the curtains, a little shy.
“Argh!” she squeals. “You are …” She makes jazz hands.
“Spectacular,” a woman on her way to the change room next to me says when it’s clear Louise is beyond words.
“Yes. That.” Louise nods and does a little happy dance. “You could wear it tonight on the cruise. Eeek! Emily will be green. Please, please, please buy it.” Louise slaps her hands together in a begging pose; her green eyes glitter with excitement.
I don’t know about Emily being green, but I do know my mother and grandmother would hate it. And Ant would love it. A thought that gives me something akin to a hot flush. And a burst of confidence.
“I don’t know …” I start. And then my phone buzzes.
It’s my mother.
Mum:Where did you get to? I’ve found you some lovely dresses in a little boutique on the corner of level 2. We’re meeting for lunch in 45 minutes, so you’d better hurry
I’m still deciding how to respond when Ant texts a picture of himself looking all kinds of sexy in golf wear, of all things, sitting in a cart next to Warren, towering palm trees and emerald grass stretching out behind them.
Ant:How’s the headache?
My heart does a little pirouette. He’s set me up for my alibi. Bless.
Me:It was alright for a while, but I feel like it’s coming back. I’m so sad, but I don’t think I’ll be able to manage a whole day shopping
Ant:You need to take care of your health. Stay hydrated and head back to the room for a nap. You don’t want to miss the cruise this evening
Me:Good point. Will let you know when I’m on my way back
To my mother I send:
Me:Sorry. I got a bit lost. I’ll meet you at the restaurant. Text me the name
“Well?” says Louise. “Are you going to buy it?”
I look down at myself. Then at the pile of clothes on the chair in the corner.
“I’m going to buy all of it,” I declare, in a move so unlike me I hardly recognise myself.
In the end, I spend so much money that the assistant gifts me a gorgeous pair of earrings to go with the dress.
I pay and ask her to hold the bags. I don’t need my mother going through them and telling me how inappropriate everything is, or insisting I return them.
