Happily Ever After_ - Benison Anne O'Reilly [98]
Afterwards I found myself near the Double Bay shops and decided to look for something to wear to the dinner dance. It probably wasn’t the smartest idea to go shopping in the suburb ironically nicknamed ‘Double Pay’, but if anyone was in need of some retail therapy at this time it was me.
In one of the shops I spied a white and blue patterned backless dress in a floaty fabric. It was beautifully draped and when I tried it on I found it fell flatteringly over my curves - or at least what was left of them - to just below the knee. And once I’d tried it on I felt compelled to buy it. It cost way more than what I would usually have spent, but I reminded myself that Tony would soon be getting a big pay rise. The boutique owner informed me I had very good taste, as the dress was by a bright young designer who’d been singled out for particular attention at Australian Fashion Week. I nodded sagely, even though I’d never heard of said designer before.
Then, in a neighbouring shoe boutique, I had what will probably be the only Sex and the City moment of my entire life. I spied some outrageously priced Jimmy Choo silver-jewelled sandals which glittered and sparkled in the sun. They had only one pair left, as it happened in my size. I tried them on, half-hoping that they would pinch or flop around way too loose, but they fitted perfectly. Still I hummed and hahed for a while - to drop close to four figures on a work suit seemed reasonable, but on a pair of party shoes? It’s not like I could have worn them to Woolies to do the grocery shopping. Well I could have, I suppose, but I might have got a few funny looks.
As I agonised about the purchase the shop assistant eyed me with barely discernible impatience - obviously I wasn’t up to her normal class of customer, the type who think it’s reasonable to pay as much for a pair of shoes as most families would pay for a medium-sized white good. ‘They look great,’ she said, ‘and are really quite a bargain.’ Her interpretation of a bargain was an interesting one, but she secured the sale in the end. I guiltily handed over my credit card.
When I got back to Mum’s, I decided to parade my new purchases in front of her, Isabel, and Emma, who’d just got home from work.
‘You look very pretty Mummy,’ said Isabel.
Mum’s brow furrowed. ‘But don’t you lose any more weight Eleanor. You’re far too thin these days.’
My sister, ever tactful, said, ‘Jeez you are skinny at the moment. You look great except your skin looks a bit pasty in the white dress.’
‘Thanks.’
‘No, what I’m saying is I’ll book you in for a spray tan at the salon next Friday night. It’s best to get it done the day before so you don’t stink.’
‘I don’t want to look all orange,’ I said in alarm.
‘Relax…I’m the mistress of the fake tan. You can pay me back by letting me wear your shoes. And if you say no I’ll tell Tony how much they cost.’
‘Well you won’t be wearing them to a bikie pub.’
It was a bit annoying having a sister with the same shoe size. At least when I was living in Hong Kong she wouldn’t be able to borrow my things.
***
Tony arrived back early the following Friday and agreed to pick Isabel up for me.
I dropped by Emma’s salon on the way home from work for my fake tan. As she launched at me with the spray gun she said, ‘Mum’s right, Elle. You’d better not lose any more weight otherwise you’ll have no tits left. Tony will have nothing to latch on to.’
I snorted. ‘Well she’s right about one thing. The younger generation is so crude.’
‘Would you like me to come over and blow dry your hair tomorrow night, granny? Daniel and I aren’t going out until late. Hey, keep still will you otherwise it’ll be all patchy…’
‘No, it’s okay, I am having highlights done tomorrow afternoon.’
‘You seem to be going to a lot of trouble for this work do,’ she said, screwing up her nose a little. ‘If I didn’t know any better I’d think you were trying to pull.’
‘Of course not. My hair needed doing anyway so I just scheduled my appointment to coincide. Anyway, it’s my last big night before we head overseas