‘And I could see myself in this at the retail park on a weekend,’ said Kelsey, now under the wide brim and drooping feather of an Edwardian lady’s hat.
‘All our stock is available to rent but this table is for sale pieces. That hat could be yours for only eighteen pounds, Kelsey.’
‘A princely sum,’ Mirren mugged, now wrapped dramatically in a deep purple velvet and faux ermine cloak, waggling her eyebrows for effect. Myrtle laughed loudly while Valeria added a rope of fake pearls to Mirren’s get-up.
‘You know, Kelsey, you ought to bring Jonathan and his director to meet us when they fly in this Christmas,’ Myrtle said in hushed tones even though the store was empty but for them. ‘Maybe we can talk them into hiring their stage costumes for the Stratford run ofLove’s Labour’s Lostfrom us?’
‘Ah, I think they already have their costumes. In fact, I’m sure of it, but I’ll definitely point them in your direction anyway.’
‘If I still had an income I’d definitely be getting this,’ Mirren butted in from further along the rummage table where she was now resplendent in a gold crown. ‘What time do you open officially?’ she added, and everyone looked at her.
‘Weareopen,’ said Valeria, ominously. ‘We opened half an hour ago.’
‘I knew we should have invited the mayor to cut a ribbon or something,’ Myrtle said. ‘Created more of a buzz.’
‘I’m sure it’ll pick up, it’s still early,’ Kelsey soothed.
‘The guy from the newspaper isn’t here either,’ said Valeria. ‘He promised he’d be here for ten. It’s your friend from theExaminer, Kelsey.’
‘Not Mr Ferdinand? That doesn’t surprise me. He doesn’t pay and now he doesn’t even turn up. He’s ignored my emails chasing my money and there’s been no new commissions. He really is the most useless…’
‘Morning!’
Everyone turned to face the door where the voice had come from.
Against the glare from the street stood a man, silhouetted in the frame, tall and smart in black trousers and a black high-necked sweater. As he stepped into the artificial light of the shop Kelsey felt a spark of recognition, but she couldn’t place him.
‘Adrian Armadale, from theExaminer. Sorry I’m late. Iuh, wasn’t aware I had a job this morning, not until I got a call half an hour ago from the boss. I was on my way to a day out with my brother and his family and I… well, I’m here now. So, what’s the story?’ He drew out a notebook and pen.
Myrtle welcomed him in and whisked him into a corner at the back of the room. Valeria followed, wielding the cupcakes.
‘Aren’t you going to say anything?’ Kelsey asked, turning to Mirren.
‘About what?’
‘About him.’
‘Who? The reporter? Why would I?’
‘Well, because he’s gorgeous and you never let a hot guy pass within a two-mile radius without rating him or…’
‘Shush, he’ll hear you.’ Mirren’s stern hissing was rendered comical by the fact that she was wearing a droopy moustache and curly red wig.
‘What do you look like? But, seriously, you saw him, right?’
‘I thought you only had eyes for Jonathan?’
‘Obviously, but… Mirren, are you feeling all right? He’s a clear ten and I thought you’d be wrestling him to the ground for his phone number by now.’
‘That’s not very nice.’
‘Did I lie though?’
‘Maybe I’ve changed. Maybe I couldn’t give a toss about blokes anymore, no matter how good-looking they are.’
Kelsey blinked. ‘Is this one of those out of character things you’re supposed to say when you’re being held hostage to let your mates know something’s up? Are the kidnappers watching us now? Blink once for yes.’
‘People can change, Kelsey.’ Mirren cast her eyes towards the reporter who was beset by the shop owners loudly repeating the details of their new venture so he didn’t miss anything. ‘Adrian, or whatever his name is, could be a millionaire K-pop idol, heroically working for Médecins Sans Frontières on the weekend, with a Beverly Hills mansion full of puppy dogs and chocolate bars and I’dstillnot give him a second look.’
