‘Okay. Thanks, Gok Wan!’ she called back and she heard the fitting room attendant giggle.
By about the fifth outfit she was losing the will to live. She strode out in an orange dress with a heavy, swooshy skirt. ‘That’s the one!’ said Cameron, throwing his hands up in a hallelujah gesture.
She had to admit it fitted her well and felt good on but there was one overwhelming issue. ‘But bright orange?’
‘I love it,’ said Cameron.
She scratched her head. ‘I’ll put it in the maybe pile. I can’t try on much more.’
‘Okay.’ Cameron held up a hand. ‘There is one you need to try. I think it’s a good compromise.’ He went off to sweet-talk the assistant and root through the large pile of stuff they had left with her.
Ros tried not to get huffy as she got changed once again, but even she had to admit that the woman looking back at her from the mirror did look rather stylish. The dress was navy and cream, in a similar style to the orange one, but it went in and out in all the right places. It did make her feel a little special as she swished from side to side. She walked out of the fitting area and a few heads turned. She cleared her throat and Cameron spun around. He pointed at her. ‘Now you look stunning –thatis stunning. Do you agree?’ He looked tentative.
‘I think I do,’ she said, feeling a little shy.
‘We have a winner! Get in!’ He made the same gestures he did when he was watching the football. She couldn’t help but feel a little special at his reaction. ‘Get that and then we do it all again but for my outfit.’ He grinned at her and she groaned. ‘Only joking, I ordered mine online while you were browsing in the first shop.’ She went to give him a playful whack and he ducked, so she chased him a little across the store.
‘Madam!’ called the alarmed fitting room assistant who appeared moments away from calling security.
‘Sorry,’ said Ros sheepishly as she skulked back into the changing room feeling as light as air. She’d never imagined that she would have such a good time shopping. Had she been missing out all these years or was it yet again simply the Cameron factor? That whatever she did with him she enjoyed disproportionally more than she would have done with anyone else or, as was frequently the case, on her own?
Chapter Thirty-Seven
On the day of Barry’s party there were too many things to co-ordinate so Ros had agreed to go from her dad’s house and meet Cameron at the docks. Barry was uncharacteristically jittery as he seemed to have visions of everyone being late and the boat going without them.
‘Dad, it’ll be fine. There’s only a dozen of us and everyone knows what time they need to be ready. I have messaged in the group chat with a reminder that they need to be there at least twenty minutes before departure time or we will leave them behind.’
‘See, that’s exactly what I’m worried about.’ He began pacing with a concerned-looking Gazza at his heels. It was a little like the obedience trials at Crufts although most of those canines wouldn’t have been as easily distracted by the sound of a cupboard door opening.
‘Stop fretting,’ said Ros. ‘We won’t leave anyone behind.’
‘And what about the caterers? Are you sure we’ve ordered enough? It’s not like they can pop to the cash and carry if we get low on something.’
‘Goodness,’ said Amanda, appearing in the doorway wearing a long dark green dress and looking very elegant. ‘I hope it’s not coming from the cash and carry given what you’re paying them.’
They both looked at Ros. ‘I’m sure it’s all top quality. Now please can we trust that everything is in hand and try and enjoy the evening?’
‘I take it you’re not wearing that.’ Her mother nodded disapprovingly at her white shirt and black trouser combination.
‘No... I’m getting changed now.’
‘Where’s Cameron?’ Amanda pressed her lips into a hard line. ‘Or should I not ask?’
‘Cameron is meeting us atChuckles,’ said Ros.
‘Chuckles? Please don’t tell me there’s a clown?’ Amanda appeared horrified.
‘It’s the name of the superyacht.’
‘I see.’ Amanda’s face told a different story. ‘Let’s hope Cameron turns up,’ she added.
Ros wasn’t someone who put their hands on their hips but she was sorely tempted. ‘And why wouldn’t he be there?’
‘No reason.’ She sipped her coffee. ‘He doesn’t seem like the dressing-up sort. More dishevelled and casual. No offence.’
‘He is a man of many talents,’ said Ros. ‘And whatever he wears he’ll look perfect to me.’ She meant it and the thought made her feel a little sad. She’d overcome her own prejudice about how he looked and dressed. ‘It’s the man inside that matters. And Cameron is someone special.’
‘Hmm,’ said her mother.
