“Ah Concetta Collini my dear, how lovely to see you.” Sophia said warmly as she was followed further into the room by the two girls that looked so similar they could have been clones. In fact, I don’t think they were people at all but really fashion robots in sharp cut black wigs.
“Miss Draven, it is a pleasure as always. I spoke to the head of your house, Mr Draven and he approves of my designs for his lady friend.” She said and I wanted to giggle at being called his lady friend.
“Fidanzata.” (‘Fiancee’ in Italian.) Sophia said this one Italian word like she was informing her of something very important and if the designer’s look was to go by then it was also shocking.
“Capisco” (‘I see’ in Italian.) She said nodding her head and then walking over to me.
“I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Signorina.” She said leaning into me and kissing me on both cheeks.
“Uh…It’s nice to meet you too.” I replied wondering what it was exactly that Sophia had said to her. She then gave me a single head nod and I knew this was her way of accepting me…I just wish I knew exactly to what she was accepting me.
“Ok enough of the smushy whushy let’s see the dresses!” Pip shouted making Concetta Collini turn a scowl Pip’s way I didn’t care for. She scanned her from head to foot and frowned.
“Why you insist on wearing such things Winifred I have no idea.” She said turning her nose up at her and I quickly began not to like Concetta Collini. So I took a side step next to Pip and said,
“Actually, I really like Pip’s sense of unique style. Come to think of it, I think Pip is so special a person that every day, conventional clothes just aren’t good enough for her because she is such a beautiful colourful painting, she needs an equally colourful frame to show off such beauty.” I said folding my arms and adding,
“Don’t you agree, Sophia?” without needing to look at her to know she had my back, which was proven when she said without hesitation,
“Yes, I completely agree.”
“Well…I guess so…but…” Concetta Collini started to say but was completely ignored when Pip shouted,
“OMG! Oh my giddy! You…that…you! Aww you guys! You really think so, that’s like the nicest thing anyone but hubby pants has ever said to me! I love you guys! Come ‘ere!” She said flinging her arms around me for a huge and bone jarring hug that was surprising considering how tiny she was. I laughed until I had no air left and then Sophia had to come and place a warning hand on her shoulder before saying,
“Let go Squeak, she can’t breathe.”
“Oops, my bad Toots!” She said letting me go and I coughed once, dragging in much needed air.
“Ahem.” Concetta Collini made a noise of impatience in front of us and then said,
“Would you like to see your gowns now ladies?” To which all three of us burst out laughing but nodded our heads all the same…however it was only Pip that said,
“Do donkeys eat cherries?!”
“I can’t wear this.” I whispered to Sophia in panic making her smile in a way that wasn’t taking a blind bit of notice in how serious I sounded.
“Why ever not, it’s stunning on you and my brother will of course think so too.” She said circling me as I stood in front of the massive mirror and butchered my lip in worry.
“But it’s as big as a wedding dress!” Sophia laughed and responded,
“It’s a masked ball Keira, what did you think people wore?”
“Ok, ok so I get that it’s a big deal, but this dress…it’s not me.” I said looking down trying to hide the vulnerability in my voice.
“Yes it is and do you know why?” She said lifting my head up with her gloved hand. She didn’t wait for my response before she continued,
“Because it is only a dress but when someone as beautiful as you wears it, it then becomes what it was always made to be, spectacular! Now wear it how it was always meant to be worn.”
“And how’s that?” I asked and she turned me back round to face the mirror and whispered fiercely,
“With the same pride my brother will feel having you on his arm.”
“Oh Sophia.” I said touching her arm and then pulling her in for a hug, or at least as much as I could do in this tight, corseted dress.
“I will give you a minute.” She said after pulling away and seeing the tears in my eyes. I nodded knowing that I needed it, so as not to disturb my carefully applied makeup that Sophia and Pip had spent an age fussing over. They had made my eyes sparkling white with the black mascara making my eyes look huge and what they thought was Angelic. But it wasn’t my makeup that was making me try and swallow down the nervous lump that seemed lodged in my throat.