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She went into her apartment and grabbed her coat and purse. She turned off the lights, locked the door and then joined Merryweather in the hallway.
When they stepped outside the building, it was snowing. And the cars that Graham had sent were gone. Alina felt bad because she didn’t want Merryweather to miss the ball. He’d worked hard to help pull the event together. It was like his being involved in the planning had brought back his zest for life.
“I’m sorry I caused you to miss your ride to the ball,” Alina said, wondering if she could get a taxi to take him to the ball in time.
“You didn’t cause anything, my dear. Our ride will be along shortly.”
Had he called for a taxi while she was in her apartment? He must have. “Merryweather, I know you want to fix things but I’ll be fine staying home.” She was deeply disappointed, but that was her problem, not his. “But if you could go and make sure there aren’t any problems with the party, I’d be eternally grateful.”
“I’ll make sure the party runs smoothly. But you’re going, right? It’s your night to shine.”
“I don’t think so. Not dressed like this.” She wouldn’t do anything to embarrass Graham.
Just then a Rolls-Royce pulled to the curb. The unblemished white paint and polished chrome gleamed. But what was it doing here?
“Our ride has arrived.” Merryweather gestured to the car.
“What?” Alina was utterly confused. How could Merryweather, with his secondhand furniture and worn clothes, afford to hire a prestigious car like this? “You hired us a car?”
“In a matter of speaking. Now we have to hurry.”
“But I can’t go to the ball like this.” She gazed down at the stain that was beginning to dry.
“I have a plan. Trust me.” He winked at her.
And for a moment, she’d swear his eyes twinkled. What did she have to lose at this point? When he realized the stain was never going to come out of this delicate fabric, she would find her way home.
The driver, in full uniform including a black hat, opened the back door for her. She got in and slid across the seat. Merryweather climbed in next to her. And off they went. She noticed how Merryweather never gave any directions or an address.
The next thing she knew, they were pulling up to the back door of a theater—the same theater where Merryweather had worked.
“What are we doing here?” Alina asked.
“You’ll soon see, my dear. Come. We don’t have time to waste.”
And so she followed him through the back door. Lights were dimmed and voices could be heard. There was a performance going on. As Alina listened to the voices, she recognized the lines to Scrooge: The Musical.
Merryweather stopped outside a dressing room. A woman approached them. She wore a friendly smile. “I’ll definitely have something to fit her. I’ve also asked Heather to do her hair and Veronica volunteered to do her makeup.”
“Perfect,” Merryweather said. “But remember, we have to hurry.”
“Then we best get to work.”
Alina was ushered into the room. And then things moved in a flurry of activity. She tried to tell them that she couldn’t pay them much but they dismissed her. They said they wouldn’t accept a dime from her.
Dresses were held up to her. Brows scrunched up. There were hems and haws. And then one by one each dress was dismissed. It thoroughly confused Alina because each and every dress was absolutely stunning. But for whatever reason, these women didn’t think they were fitting.
“I know,” the older woman said. “I have the perfect dress. But first, we have to get her ready.”
Alina’s hair was brushed out and redone. Her face was cleaned off and repainted. The women talked among themselves and told her not to worry, they knew what they were doing.
With her hair done in barrel rolls held in place with sparkly pins and her face made up in neutral shades that shimmered in the light, she almost didn’t recognize herself. They helped her out of her stained gown. All it was good for now was the garbage bin.
And then the older woman walked back into the room with a gown in a white protective cover. Alina would be lying if she said she wasn’t anxious to see the chosen gown.
Once the dress was hung on a high hook and the zipper was undone, the protective covering was pulled back to reveal the most magnificent light blue gown. Alina’s mouth gaped. Her gaze took in the spaghetti straps that led to a plunging V-neckline, and a fitted bodice, the tiny crystals sewn to the gown twinkling in the light.
The upper back was bare. The lower back was fitted and would hug her body. And the lower portion had a short train of light blue tulle with sparkles. Alina was speechless. They surely didn’t mean for her to wear that. It was much too fancy for her.
