Page 29 of So, I Met This Guy . . .

Maggie’s heart sank. There was a time, when she was younger, when she loved nothing more than shopping for clothes. But now it filled her with dread.

‘Yes,’ Flick nodded. ‘It says men have to wear a blazer and smart shoes, but it doesn’t say what women have to wear. But I think we’ll be OK in a dress and heels. You know, something suitably glitzy.’

‘The patriarchal society at work again?’ Maggie raised an eyebrow and Flick made a face.

‘Unless you brought a dress and heels?’

Maggie gave Flick a look that needed no words.

‘OK, well, neither did I. In that case, we don’t have anything to wear.’

Maggie’s face clouded. ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t afford to buy any new clothes. Especially not here, it seems to be all expensive designer shops.’

‘No need to apologize! And I’m sure we can find something cheaper.’

‘Can you expense it on the newspaper? Will they cover the costs?’ Maggie realized she was already feeling guilty. Flick was right.

‘Um . . . yes, I’m sure that’s fine.’

‘OK, then let’s go find some sequins.’

And now it was Flick’s turn to look horrified.

Thankfully, nestled amongst the designer shops with their designer price tags were several high-street chains selling outfits that wouldn’t break the bank of Monte Carlo. However, finding something suitably dressy was more of a challenge.

‘Isn’t it a bit shiny?’

‘It’s satin; it’s supposed to be shiny.’

‘I can’t wear a minidress; it’s too revealing.’

‘So why are you giving it to me?’

Flick and Maggie were having a stand-off in the middle of the store.

‘Because you’re twenty-six. You can wear anything at twenty-six.’

‘You can wear anything at forty-nine if you want to.’

Actually, Flick liked the minidress. It would look good with her trainers. Then she remembered the strict dress code. Shit.

‘Technically,’ agreed Maggie. ‘But just because you can wear it, doesn’t mean you should.’

‘What exactly does that mean?’

Maggie paused from pulling clothes off racks. ‘Actually, I’ve got no idea. I read it somewhere.’

‘OK, I’m getting this one.’ Switching the satin dress for a full-length version, Flick decided she was going to try and hide her trainers underneath.

‘What about this for me?’ suggested Maggie, holding up a long, navy-blue linen shirt dress. ‘It’s even on the sales rack.’

Flick wrinkled her nose. ‘It’s a bit boring.’

‘It’s not boring, it’s classic.’

Unconvinced, Flick turned back to the sale racks. ‘Ooh, look, sequins!’

‘I was only joking about the sequins.’