The One Addicted(87)

“You and me both, babe - but it doesn’t hurt to look and then maybe we can head off to the markets and see what we can rustle up. This place is vintage though so you may grab a designer bargain? Aren’t we lucky being privy to all this…”

I look up as she strokes a sheer black Marchesa dress like it’s a magical lamp. “Ooh, this is delicious.”

I agree it’s stunning and would suit her perfectly - very J-Lo. I leave her browsing and wander deeper into the boutique, it appears that price becomes no object the further into the mouth of luxury you delve; some of these prices make my breath hitch. I reach a row of dresses in the several shades of gold’s all hanging, waiting their turn to be touched and am instantly taken with one design in particular which hangs from it’s satin padded hanger to the floor with such elegance, but the second I hold it up to me I know there is no point in even trying it - it is designed for someone at least 6ft tall and I know that this place is sold as seen, there would not be any alteration facilities on offer.

“Abs, are you going to try the black dress?”

“I’m tempted.” She admits, chewing her bottom lip in thought.

“You should. Come on. Let’s get you in that fitting room now, no arguments.”

I shove her in the direction of the small curtained area to the rear of the store and carry the dress in question like it is precious cargo. Placing myself on the stool outside, I hear her muttering to herself and smile, if it fits and she likes it, there is no way she is not buying this dress. Nathan had already given me his Visa and carte blanche to spend whatever she wanted - no budget. So, if it was the one, I’d be buying it for her or Nathan would be, albeit incognito.

“I’ve totally got the wrong bra and panties on.”

I pull the curtain back slightly to speak to her and offer to zip the dress up before sliding the curtain back fully so she can see herself in the large full-length mirror to the seated corner of the dressing area. Her eyes shine with joy as she tries and fails miserably to contain her excitement. “Oh. My. God, Lu, it fits!”

“Like it was made for you babe. You look absolutely beautiful.” The black glittering lace, complimented her skin tone and brown eyes perfectly and the one-shouldered template with nipped in waist and full skirt was perfection on her athletic body. The addition of the thigh high split was pure genius and brought the

Hollywood glamour dress into the 21st Century. I watch, as Abby turns and twists to assess her appearance from every angle and smile. She is so in love and I can tell that this means everything to her.

“How much is it?” Her bottom lip trembles as she poses the question in the mirror to me, her big liquid eyes threatening to spill if the news is as she expects. “I daren’t look but it’s bad isn’t it? Is it bad?”

“Hang on and stay still, the tag is still inside the back of the dress. Right here it is… it’s…” Bloody extortionate but she’s having it and I think quickly on my feet, mentally converting the dirhams to English pounds. “I think it works out around £275, when you convert it?” More like £2750!

“Oh that’s not too bad for such a special occasion and its a staple that will be in my wardrobe for ever. Who’d have thought I’d ever own a Marchesa dress? I usually only see them worn on the stars in Hello and Ok magazine.”

Women are so funny - we are all the same, trying to justify our spending but she was right and the dress was perfect for her. “Take the dress off and I’ll re-hang it and take it to the till, then get dressed and we’ll continue on - we’re on a roll.”

“OK.”

“You sure this is the one. It’s the first shop we’ve been in. We can look at some other shops and come back?”

“No this is the one, babe - sometimes you just know don’t you. I suppose a bit like with men. You can shop around, keep going back to the same one, keep trying it on, unzipping it, it never really being right and then all of a sudden you walk into a place, see one and know that they will fit you perfectly, without even getting naked.”

I smile at her fairytale analogy. “And that they’ll be a staple in your wardrobe for ever and a day- like some Misery serial killer.”

“Oh bugger off - you know what I mean.”

I know exactly what she means. I take the dress and pay for it using Nathan’s Visa, then explain to Abby as she exits the changing room that the tab has been settled by a secret admirer. I practically have to drag her out of the store before she manages to stop me and demands to know who?

“Lucia Amelia, tell me who bought me this dress - right this second!” her foot hits the ground with a childlike stromp, which makes me grin and give in immediately.