‘Forgive me for saying this,’ said Eleana slowly, ‘I sometimes see things about people.’
Savannah looked up rapidly. ‘What?’
‘I see things and I see the pain in every part of you. I see the way you stand, as if you’re afraid. The way you move. The way you jumped when the bin lorry was outside the shop and clanged. You’re scared and I hate to see that. I’d just like to give you my number, if you ever want to talk.’
She reached out with a small card, with both the shop name and her phone number on it. ‘Now you can go, you don’t have to buy anything, there is no pressure. And I’m sorry if I upset you by saying that, I just felt I needed to say it to you.’
Eleana’s eyes, which were a lovely warm brown, the deep mellow of chestnuts, were on Savannah’s face gentle, assessing.
Savannah took a deep breath and said, ‘No, no, I’m fine, I’m fine.’
‘You’re not fine,’ said Eleana kindly. ‘But we can do the “I’m fine” thing if you want to.’
‘No, really, I am. I think I’ll take the trousers, the skirt, these two tops and the jacket,’ Savannah said.
Nothing was as expensive as she’d thought. The shop was cheaper than its predecessor with the floaty dresses that did not make a woman look business-like. Something which annoyed Savannah, who’d like to look business-like. Susy, the stylist Calum employed for her, went into frenzies of delight at all the flowing garments. Susy herself was very feminine – that was probably why Calum had picked her. She dressed the wife of a friend of his and he’d seen Susy’s look and decided that was what he wanted for Savannah.
‘Thank you,’ Savannah said to Eleana, hoping to shut down the conversation.
‘No problem,’ said Eleana. ‘I’ll pack these up, then.’
‘Will I put the stuff back?’ said Savannah, looking around the dressing room, which appeared to have everything in the shop hanging in it.
‘No, that’s fine, I’ll do that; I’m sure you have somewhere you need to be.’
‘I do,’ said Savannah out loud. She looked at her watch anxiously; she’d been enjoying herself and she needed to get home and get dinner ready.
Eleana put one hand on Savannah’s arm.
‘Whoever he is, he’s not worth this,’ she said. ‘I don’t know exactly what you’re going through but nobody should make you feel this way.’
‘I don’t feel any way,’ said Savannah. And then she thought of all the times she wanted somebody to see and now somebody had seen and she was lying, backing away frantically.
‘You’re right,’ she said, suddenly, surprising herself with the blast of honesty. ‘I just don’t know how to escape and I’m terrified all the time.’
‘Please ring me,’ said Eleana. ‘I can help you. You’re so thin, your eyes are haunted. Does nobody else see this?’
Savannah could feel her eyes brimming over with tears. But she put on her public smile.
‘I’m fine,’ she said. A tear fell on one side of her face. ‘That’s what people see,’ she said, ‘me smiling, and they see him being charming and lovely.’
‘Charming and lovely in public and not at home?’ said Eleana.
‘How did you know?’
‘I recognised the signs,’ Eleana said. ‘I’ve been through it myself. I think that’s how I recognised it in you. I’ve seen you in magazines.’
‘Oh God.’ Savannah took a step backwards. ‘Please, please don’t tell anyone.’ She thought of it getting out, that she’d spoken about Calum like this, and he would kill her, he would kill her.
‘I’m not going to tell anyone or do anything,’ Eleana said gently. ‘Only you can get away from it, but if you need help, please talk to me.’
Savannah sat on the stool in the dressing room. She felt winded.
‘I’ll add everything up,’ said Eleana. ‘Would you like to come back another day and decide if you’d like to buy these things or not? You’re emotional and I’ll not take advantage of you.’
‘No, I want them, they make me feel strong,’ said Savannah.
‘Clothes can do that. Clothes, make-up, they’re our armour,’ said Eleana.
