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Part 7

Carol drove on, I was expecting her to head into Mansfield but she swung the car towards Newark where we spent the next hour in what felt like every clothing store and boutique in the town. Eventually I asked.

"Just what are we looking for Auntie?"

"That special dress of course, something that Maddy will look special wearing. We just haven't found it yet, come on let's try here."

Carol marched into the store, heading straight to the formal wear and started inspecting the expensive looking gowns or very posh frocks as Maddy would say.

"Oh this is spectacular." Carol gushed, I wasn't so sure. Maybe a little too spectacular.

"Would your daughter like to try it on madam?" Damn she was quiet, must be the thick carpet I thought.

"Yes she would is there..." I was really annoyed by that, 'daughter' indeed!

"You have got to be kidding Carol" I said rather loudly, I was panicking and hoping that dropping the A word would get her attention, It did."

"Gaby?"

"Carol, you know full well that the only way you'll get Maddy to wear something like that is to give her a pair of scissors to cut it up into a costume." I saw the assistant wince as I said that.

"Gaby what's got into you?"

"For the last two hours you've dragged me around looking at clothes all we've bought are a few T shirts and jeans and now you want me to try on a dress that even you have to admit is totally unsuitable. You have no intention of buying it have you?"

After all this was for Maddy's benefit not Carols.

"I'll wait over here Madam." Lisa (that's what was on her nametag) said.

"But it's beautiful"

"Yes it is, Mad can wear it next week when she has dinner at Buck House with Liz and Phil; get real." I glared at Carol, for as long as I could before my eyes started to tear.

"I need to get out of here." I choked as I headed for the door. Carol had no choice but to hurry after me.

I started to calm down a little in the fresh air, but carried on walking.

Carol caught up with me as I was passing a jewellery shop. Something caught my eye and I stopped to see it.

"Gaby?"

That was just the present for Maddy and I entered the shop with Carol trailing behind me.

"Gaby?"

"Good afternoon Ladies, can I be of assistance?"

"Yes, I'd like to see the gold heart you have in the window please."

"Certainly Miss; the samples in the window are the same as on this tray, can you pick it out?" He placed the tray on the glass top. I had no trouble finding the piece.

"That's the one."

I turned it over in my hand, it was really cleverly designed, the attachment piece (Bail the jeweller called It.) was off centre so the heart hung at an angle. Even better it was actually two hearts that slid together, not like a locket but sliding freely.

"A really nice piece," the jeweller said, " the heart is 14ct. While the 14cm chain is 9ct.

"How much?" I asked.

"Ł85; plus any engraving of course." Ouch I thought.

He must have taken pity on me or maybe he heard my sigh because he said.

"Look it's quiet this afternoon, as long as you promise not to tell anyone and providing you don't want your life story on it I'll throw in the engraving."

Whoosh I let my breath out, I hadn't realised I was holding it.

It was still going to hurt the budget but I nodded my head and he passed me a slip to write my message on. I wrote.

"I'll never get used to you. D." and passed it back with Gaby's debit card.

He read it back to me to make sure.

"It'll take about ten minutes, if you'd like to take a seat, or you could call back."

"We'll wait." Carol spoke for the first time since we entered.

"Well I think I just got a lesson in how to shop." Carol said as we sat down.

"Will Maddy understand the inscription?" I nodded.

"It's a promise; that I won't take her for granted." I added.

"And that puts me in my place doesn't it!"

"Auntie I'm ........"

"No Gaby, don't apologise. I did take you for granted. I was so carried away with the thought of seeing what Maddy would look like, I didn't consider your feelings at all, it was as if you were Maddy in a way."

"That's when it got scary, before when strangers have 'seen Gaby' it was just their mistake, today, with the hair; well it's the first time I've deliberately deceived anyone. Then when you started lying, I was panicking, I had to get out."

"Lying. I didn't....."

"CAROL! Come on, you sounded like a 'Politician'; and there was no way I was going to call you my mother." I hissed. I was getting wound up again so I looked away trying to control my breathing.

Carol put her arm around me as she finally got it.

"Gaby I didn't. The girl in the shop just assumed."

"But you didn't put her right did you, It's all right for you, you just call me Gaby, but what about me? Sooner or later...I'd have been the one to lie. Would you want Maddy to call someone else mother."

"Oh..."

"I've been shitting myself all day and you wanted me to wear something that would make me stand out like a sore thumb."

There was a cough, the jeweller was standing behind the counter, and he looked embarrassed.

I don't know whether he had heard anything or was embarrassed because we were obviously arguing. It was too late now.

"Would you like to check your purchase miss?"

I was blushing furiously as I looked at the pendant.

"Oh wow, it's perfect, thank you." The copperplate was immaculate and I was grinning as he arranged the heart and chain in a presentation box.

"All done?" asked Carol

"Yes I think so; Bye" I called to the jeweller as we left.

We walked in silence for a bit

"I suppose we still have to get Maddy a dress." I sighed, as we stood outside the dress shop.

"Only if you feel up to it Gaby." I didn't frankly. But I shrugged my shoulders.

"This place looks a bit expensive. Is that why you put on the lah-de-dah accent."

"I didn't, did I? I'm not sure what brought that on, maybe just reacting to the assistant calling me madam." Carol chuckled.

"You sounded like 'Hyacinth Bucket'."

"You haven't seen the name of the shop yet have you?" she added.

I looked up, and saw.

I must have looked blank, so Carol gave me a hint.

"You didn't see her but she saw you yesterday evening"

"Mrs. Clements from across the street?"

"She didn't loan me a magazine last night, she gave me a discount card."

"So why didn't we come straight here?"

"I still needed to get every day items Gaby, the jeans and T's were for John, didn't you notice they were man's cut?"

"Why would I? I was busy trying to be invisible."

"Ha; yes, why would you."

Once again we entered the shop, my stomach seemed to be offering lodgings to every passing butterfly. But Carol assured me that it was Ok.

Again Carol inspected the racks while I looked around the display area nearby.

My eyes kept being drawn to one particular gown a sort of sky blue but it seemed to change colour as you moved around it.

"What about this one Gaby?" Carol held a pink sheath style dress with a frilled hem.

"I'm not sure about the colour Auntie."

Carol sighed, it might have been relief that I'd used the 'A' word.

"After all that trouble I still can't see anything, I'd like Maddy to 'Want' to wear it, if you see what I mean."

"What about that?" I said pointing to the sky blue dress.

"I think Maddy's a little young for that amount of cleavage."

"Exactly, she'll love it." I chuckled and I'd like to see her wear it too, I thought.

Carol pulled a face but did turn back to the racks to find the gown in Maddy's size.

"The changing rooms are this way ladies." Lisa led the way toward the rear of the store, a large area clear of racks, plush chairs arranged in an arc to one side.

"Through here Madam. Would you care for some refreshment? Tea Coffee?"

"That would be very nice tea please." She silently disappeared, like a ghost; I began to wonder if I was dreaming.

Carol proved I wasn't.

"Come on Gaby we haven't got all day," I slipped out of the tracksuit, and was about to reach for the dress.

"Not yet, the bra needs to go as well as the top."

"What?"

"This dress needs a different bra or the straps will show."

"Try this." Lisa was back again; she handed me what looked like a loop with cups attached. She must be clairvoyant as well.

"It's our 'Modesty Saver' a T-shirt bra, it will preserve your modesty yet still looks as though you're 'Flying' without a safety net." She giggled

Carol helped me get the 'Bandage' on. I kept wanting to pull it up until Carol slapped my hand away.

"Leave it alone Gaby, it's fine, a couple of strips of Sellotape will help when you go out, but it's fine for now."

I eased my way into the dress while Carol delved into her cavernous bag and came out with a pair of Maddy's dress shoes, like a magician pulling scarves from a hat.

"Oh, it looks wonderful madam, if you come through you can see how it moves." She held the curtain back. Carol was enjoying herself as she stepped into the viewing area.

I had trouble keeping a straight face as I saw the tea service laid out on a low table. The assistant was pulling out all the stops as she stroked Carol's ego.

Carol took residence in the plushest looking chair and proceeded to direct me to walk this way and that.

"Slow down Gabrielle, there's no hurry."

Carol was giving no hints as she asked.

"What do you think Gabrielle I was concentrating on walking with my head up and the question threw me for a second. I turned quickly toward Carol.

"Lovely." Said Lisa, she was back again. (Must have trained with the SAS I thought.)

"Gaby?"

"Well, it's certainly comfortable, and it sort of hangs very well." It did too, it was showing curves I knew I didn't have.

"But do you think Maddy will like it?"

"Maddy?" asked Lisa.

"Gabrielle's cousin, we're buying Madeline's Christmas present today. I'll bring Maddy out another time to get Gaby's. They're so alike you would swear they were twins."

"Oh I see. Will you be wanting a similar item for her"

"Oh no, they rarely dress alike, when they do it usually means they're planning some mischief."

"I'm just happy if one of them wears a dress. In fact Gaby here is the Tomboy of the two, I'd like to see her in dresses more often."

Shit that was a bit much. First daughter now twin and tomboy at that.

I turned quickly and stomped back to the changing room. I was feeling really nervous now. Carol must have sensed it.

"Gaby you know I'm only teasing" she whispered as she followed me.

"Relax Gaby, you looked as though you were forgetting to walk properly, taking too big a stride. I needed to pull you back a bit."

"How can I relax with you saying things like that, pack it in or I'm leaving, I think we should go now."

"No, No you're doing fine, I'm sorry it was just camouflage you looked wonderful, as I said, a few nerves help the image. Now lets see the other gown."

"That's Pants and you know it Carol, I'm shitting myself and all you can do is make fun of Me. pack it in. I'll get the train if I have to." I'm not sure I would have gone that far but I was wound up.

Carol helped me remove one dress then helped me on with the other. I was still smoothing it down when Carol returned to her cuppa (Must be cold by now.)

I looked at my reflection.

Oh Wow. I really needed to see Maddy wearing this. I tried to imagine that my reflection was really Maddy.

"Come on stop daydreaming." Carols voice came through the curtain.

'Geez', I hope she doesn't keep me walking about too long or I'm going to need a clean pair of knickers.

Lisa actually clapped as I made my second entrance; causing several more heads to turn in my direction.

I felt the heat rise in my face.

Carol was smiling as she again directed me back and forth.

"Do you think Drew will like it Gaby?" Shit if I get any warmer I'll catch fire, I thought as I looked away.

"I. I...."

"I think we can take that as a yes." Laughed Carol, she turned to Lisa, While I fled back to the changing room.

I was severely pissed off now

I carefully removed the dress but my hands were shaking, I quickly pulled the tracksuit back on.

Lisa smiled as I left the changing room, Carol was still in the viewing area.

"All set Gaby?"

"Yes the sooner the better, Can we go now?"

"Well I'm just waiting for the receipts then we can go. Are you Ok?"

"No I'm not, I need to get out of here." Carol put her arm around me.

"Drew you were wonderful." Carol whispered.

"Maybe. But I still want to go home."

"Just a couple of places..."

"Noo.. Please, you promised"

"But I thought you were enjoying it"

"You're joking, why would you think that?" I was shaking as Lisa brought two large carriers emblazoned with "Clements Couturiere Newark".

"Thank you for shopping at Clements, I've put the copy of.."

"Oh the catalogue, thank you, yes I'm look forward to seeing that."

"Please call again." Lisa smiled and floated off to attend other customers.

I stood and headed for the door, it was lucky someone was entering, I might have walked straight into it, but he held the door for me and I headed for the car.

"Gaby wait!" I had no intention of waiting I just wanted to get home.

Carol caught up with me.

"Drew please.

"Drew I.. "

"Are we going home or shall I get the train?"

"Alright alright. We'll go home

"You lied to me"

"What?"

"You promised me we'd leave if I was uncomfortable, I told you FOUR times I needed to get out."

"I'm sorry Drew I missed it, I was caught up in the moment I really am sorry."

I didn't think that was worth an answer, I felt totally let down

"Can we go home please or do you want to embarrass me some more first."