‘I’m Maura, by the way.’ She pointed to her name badge.
‘Lou.’
‘Could you give me a hand here, Lou?’ Maura asked as she wrestled with the life-size plastic doll, struggling to pull the dress off.
‘Sure.’
Together they managed to get the dress off the mannequin and Lou took it to the changing room. It was a perfect fit and asshe’d expected, it suited her – and best of all, it was only twelve euro. She recognised the label and knew it would have cost over a hundred new.
‘How are you getting on?’ Maura called from outside.
‘It’s great!’ Lou peeped around the curtain. ‘Do you want to see?’
‘Yes, please.’
Lou stepped out of the changing room, glad to see she was still the only customer as Maura came over to join her.
‘Oh, it’s lovely on you.’
‘Thanks so much for letting me take it.’
‘No bother. But you might help me get this one dressed again before you go,’ she said, nodding to the naked mannequin propped up against the cash desk. ‘I can’t put her back in the window starkers.’
‘Sure. I’d be happy to.’
After Lou had spent a bit of time helping Maura choose an outfit and manhandle the mannequin into it, she left the shop with a big smile on her face, looking forward to the party more than ever.
On Monday evening, Lou examined her reflection in the bedroom mirror and smiled. She loved her new dress and she looked great. She’d spent time doing her make-up and hair, all the while telling herself she wasn’t getting ready with one person in mind and trying to ignore the fluttering of excitement in her belly that said otherwise.
‘You look great,’ Fiona said when she went down to the living room.
‘Thanks.’ She shrugged into her coat. ‘I won’t be too late, but call me if you need anything, won’t you?’
‘I will, but I’m sure we’ll be fine.’
She bent to kiss Jack goodbye. ‘Have fun. And don’t try and con Fiona into letting you stay up past your bedtime.’
He just gave her a cheeky grin in reply.
Fiona walked to the door with her. ‘Don’t worry about it if he does,’ Lou said to her in an undertone. ‘He can be very persuasive.’
‘Okay, thanks. But I’m tougher than I look. Have fun!’ she called after Lou as she made her way out the door.
The pub was already buzzing when she arrived. She looked around and saw Ingrid waving her over to a table in the corner, where she was seated with Maria and Teresa.
‘You look great,’ Ingrid told her as she took off her coat and sat beside them.
‘Thanks. So do you, both of you – very glamorous.’ She looked at each of them in turn and was glad she’d made an effort and hadn’t misjudged it.
‘Your dress is gorgeous,’ Maria said.
‘Thanks. Charity shop,’ Lou said, feeling very pleased with herself.
‘So, what’s everyone having?’ Ingrid asked, picking up the cocktail menu.
‘I think I’ll stick to wine for the night,’ Lou said.
‘Me too,’ Ingrid agreed. ‘Will we just get a bottle?’
