Sinful Nights(79)

They lunched in what had once been the Victorian conservatory, now beautifully restored and replanted.

The menu, although not vegetarian, featured recipes chosen with healthy  eating in mind. Claire and Jay both chose a vegetable mosaic in broccoli  mousse to start with, while the two girls opted for a fresh fruit  platter.

What would you like for your main course?' Jay asked her.

I think I'll have the chicken in cheese sauce with vegetables, and the same for the girls.'

Mmm. I'm going to have the poached fillet of steak.'

The food, when it came, was deliciously light, leaving Claire feeling virtuous enough to opt for crème caramel for her sweet.

Jay had ordered wine with their meal, and over coffee Claire found  herself slowly relaxing as the alcohol spread through her body.

It's just gone two now,' said Jay, glancing at his watch. It will take  us about twenty minutes to get into Bath, so-if you're ready?'

At half past two exactly, he was skilfully parking the car in the centre of Bath.

It was only a short walk from where they had parked to the main shopping  area, but Jay directed them instead to what Claire soon realised was a  far more exclusive area.

I'm told by my secretary that we're far more likely to find what we  want here,' was the only explanation he gave Claire, as he shepherded  them all into one of the exclusive boutiques.

The woman who came forward to serve them was wearing the most elegant  casual clothes Claire had ever seen, and her heart sank. It would cost a  small fortune to buy anything here. Jay probably didn't realise. But  Jay was already explaining to her that she, Claire, needed a complete  winter wardrobe, including evening wear.

There's a couple of toy shops further along here,' he added to Claire.  I'll take the girls there and they can start thinking about what they'd  like Father Christmas to bring them. We'll come back in, say, an hour.'

Whereas when he had calmly announced what he thought she needed to buy  she had felt almost resentful, now, conversely, she felt as though he  were deserting her, and wanted to beg him to stay, but he and the girls  were gone before she could raise any protest.    

 



 

What a sensible man your husband is,' remarked the saleswoman when they  had gone. Choosing clothes is difficult enough, isn't it, without the  added distraction of an impatient family?'

He isn't my husband,' Claire said weakly. At least, not yet. We're getting married tomorrow.'

Now what on earth had made her say that? The woman's semi-formal manner relaxed immediately.

Oh, how exciting! Have you already chosen something to wear? Of course, I suppose you must  … '

When Claire shook her head, she positively beamed.

Well, you couldn't have chosen a better time to look, because we've  just taken delivery of our winter stock. Let's get the basics out of the  way first, shall we, and then we can concentrate on the "fancies". What  does your own taste run to? Any particular make?'

Claire shook her head, unable to tell her that it was so long since she  had bought herself anything that hadn't come from a chain store that she  had no idea what to ask for.

I like the outfit you're wearing,' she managed at last. But I'm afraid  … '

This is an Escada, and they do a lovely range. It's one of my  favourites. I'll take you into our separates section and you can have a  look. I'd say you were only a size 10, if that, so you won't be hard to  fit.'

Half an hour later, Claire had chosen a slim-fitting grey skirt with a  beautifully detailed silk satin blouse in cream, with padded shoulders  that gave her a silhouette that she privately thought was almost  film-star-ish. To go with it, the saleswoman suggested a sweater with a  bird motif on it, in toning greys and creams, with a touch of blue to go  with the very county' tweed jacket in the same range of colours.

Clare loved them all.

It really is a "go anywhere" outfit,' the saleswoman told her, and Claire knew that she was right.

Having settled on them, the woman produced half a dozen day dresses in a  variety of styles and colours, and Claire allowed herself to be  persuaded into one in bright red, with a diamanté-speckled bow at the  throat and rows of demure pintucking down to a dropped waist and  slightly flared skirt. It would be a lovely Christmas day dress, and  luckily it was the kind of red that she could wear. As this, too, was  added to the growing pile, she tried to stifle her growing feeling of  guilt. Surely Jay had never meant her to spend so much money, but it  seemed that he had, because now the saleswoman was directing her towards  the evening clothes section of the shop, which stretched a long way  back from its small shop window.

I think this would suit you,' she told Claire, producing a pretty blue  knitted dress with a design on it in sequins and bugle beads. This  Frank Usher is dressier-great for parties, and then we've a range of  cocktail suits.'

In the end Claire found she had added three more outfits to the growing pile.

Now, all that's left is your wedding outfit. Had you anything in mind?'

When Claire shook her head, she smiled. Well, I have! I'll show it to you.'

She came back with an outfit which she showed to Claire. It was pure  silk, with a pleated skirt and a blouson top, and a ribbed waistline and  cuffs. On the white background was printed a design in soft blue and  terracotta, and Claire fell instantly in love with it.

Try it on,' the woman urged. It really is lovely.'

It was. The pleated skirt swayed and clung with every step; the buttons  up one side finished mid-thigh so that every movement gave an enticing  glimpse of leg. The knitted cuff on the waistband of the top ensured  that it fitted snugly, and bloused properly, and Claire knew that if she  searched for a month she could never find anything as attractive. But  the price  …

She was just about to refuse it when Jay and the girls walked in. She  saw Jay in the mirror and noticed the way he came to an abrupt halt and  just stared at her.

His stillness worried her, and she turned quickly to the saleswoman. It's lovely, but I'm afraid it's too expensive. I  … '

No. She's having it,' contradicted Jay flatly. I don't care how  expensive it is,' he told Claire when she started to object. You're  having it.'

You looked very pretty in it, Mummy,' Lucy informed her when she re-emerged from the changing room. Didn't she, Heather?'

Yes.'

We've been in a toy shop, Mummy, and they had a doll's house, and teddies  …  and everything  … '

I seem to have spent an awful lot of money, Jay!' confessed Claire.    

 



 

I should hope so. That's why I brought you here. Dressing well will be  part of your new role, Claire. If I couldn't afford it, you wouldn't be  here. You'll need to get shoes, now, won't you and  … '

If I might recommend somewhere,' the saleswoman suggested, overhearing.  There's a very good shop not very far away, and for good underwear, if  I could suggest "Understudy"-it's only four doors away. They specialise  in couture underwear.'

Claire could feel the heat crawling up under her skin. It was ridiculous to feel so embarrassed, but she did.

Right, them,' said Jay when everything had been packed and the bill paid. First underwear and then shoes.'

Jay, you've spent so much already; I don't need  … '

What is it? Are you frightened that I might demand some sort of payment?'

She felt the blood leave her skin as Jay muttered the angry words in her ear.

No  …  no, of course not. It's just  … '

Look, I've already tried to explain to you once, Claire: once you're my  wife, you'll be expected to look the part. Susie always wore designer  fashion; she  … '

I'm not Susie!'

Claire wasn't sure which of them was most surprised by her vehemence. Jay's mouth compressed slightly, his eyes flinty.

No,' he agreed in a hard voice. You're not. And I wasn't making comparisons, if that's what you thought.'

Her small spurt of temper died as quickly as it had been born and Claire  shook her head tiredly. No, I'm sorry. It's just that I feel so  …   overwhelmed  … '

Try and think of it as buying a uniform for a new job,' he told her  wryly. That might help.' They were outside the underwear shop already,  and he pulled out his wallet and gave her a sum of money that made her  eyes widen in shock.

I think I can manage to keep the kids occupied for another half an hour. That should be long enough, shouldn't it?'

It was and when she re-emerged with several parcels, Claire marvelled at  how quickly she had disposed of such a large sum of money.

Shoes, and then somewhere to have a cup of tea before we start on the  girls' things,' Jay pronounced as he took the packages from her. Don't  worry, I'm not going to look,' he added drily, correctly interpreting  her anxious look. It made her feel gauche and silly.

No doubt Susie had enjoyed not just buying but wearing wisps of lingerie  for him. But their marriage wasn't going to be like that, she reminded  herself, forcing down the panic that built up inside her every time she  compared herself to his ex-wife. There was no need for her to worry. He  didn't want another Susie  …  that was why he was marrying her.