“Bit much for a curry and a pint.” Laughed one.
“No offence, but I wouldn’t say no,” offered another.
Tasha laughed and looked at Jim who was looking at the others, irritated by them.
“I think my girlfriend was actually talking to me.” He turned to her now. “Turn around, baby.”
She gave him a full twirl and swooshed the fabric of the skirt.
“It’s very nice. I like it. And the shoes,” he added.
“How much is it?” she asked the assistant only to be interrupted by Jim.
“It doesn’t matter how much it is. We’ll take it and the shoes. Is there a clutch, a purse or something?”
The assistant nodded. “A clutch and a chain bag, purse,” she said, embracing his American English. “I’ll fetch both for you to try.”
Tasha stood smiling at Jim as she waited for the assistant to return. She was joined by several other women who were modelling their possible purchases for their own partners.
One of the ladies looked across at Tasha and did a double take. “Tasha Winters?”
Tasha nodded.
“Oh my life. Dave, look, it’s Tasha Winters off the telly,” she said to the man next to Jim. The one who’d said,bit much for a curry and a pint.
“Can I have an autograph and a photo?” she asked.
Tasha nodded. “Of course, could you just give me a minute to get changed first?”
“Leave the poor girl alone, ‘Chelle, she’s trying to do her shopping,” said Dave.
“Sorry,” said ‘Chelle. “But I’m a big fan and I have four of your dresses, sorry,” she repeated.
“It’s not a problem.” Tasha smiled as the assistant returned with a clutch and a chain bag and offered them to Tasha in turn.
‘Chelle then turned to Dave, “What do you think?” referring to the cocktail dress she was trying on.
“It’s okay, but a bit tight. Do you want to try the bigger size?”
Jim looked at him bemused as Tasha tried to hide a smile at ‘Chelle who said, “No, I bloody don’t. I am a size fourteen, have been since I was seventeen, they must be coming up small.”
“Clutch?” she asked Jim having already decided that for herself, but thinking a distraction from the size debate may be warranted.
“Whatever you want honey, have both.”
She shook her head at the assistant. “No, just the clutch, the dress and shoes please.”
She followed Tasha back into the cubicle and undid the concealed zip. Tasha stepped out of it and the assistant left with her items.
Redressed, Tasha emerged from the changing room to find Dave and ‘Chelle waiting for her with Jim. While Dave had his phone ready to take a photo, ‘Chelle thrust a piece of paper and a pen at her. Tasha signed the piece of paper and after chatting with ‘Chelle for a few minutes she made her way to the cash desk with Jim.
“Did he really ask her out loud if she wanted the bigger size?” He laughed.
“He really did. I thought she was going to hit him.” She laughed back.
The assistant scanned and packed the items for them before she revealed the total with a smile. No wonder the woman was smiling, Tasha was fairly certain they worked on some kind of commission system here. She stared at the assistant, still slightly stunned at the cost then remembered that Jim hadn’t batted an eyelid at over seven hundred dollars for a bikini, so nearly three and a half grand for an outfit would be positively cheap.
She reached into her bag which earned her a steely stare so removed her hand and left her purse in her bag as Jim handed over his own credit card.
