Page 92 of Until the Sea Runs Dry

Clare matched her grin with one of her own. “Anytime.”

The rest of their time at the store passed in a flurry of activity.

Dresses were tried on and discarded. Champagne was drunk, strawberries devoured, all as the two talked and laughed, thoroughly enjoying their time together until Jane finally saw the one dress that left her breathless.

As luck would have it, it was last on the rack.

An off-the-shoulder mermaid gown the color of blush, with a jewel-encrusted waist that sparkled when it caught the light, it slipped on like a second-skin, cascading into a pool of misty material by her feet.

The dress whispered when she moved, swishing like liquid-silk. Wearing it, Jane felt as if she was an ethereal being sent from the heavens, but it was when she saw herself that she knew this was the one.

The color of the dress emphasized the creaminess of her skin, giving it a glow that would have put the moon to shame. The dress felt right: it lent her a beauty and grace that she did not feel. Even she had to admit what difference a good dress could make.

“You’re making me think I could bat for the other side,” Clare pretended to leer at her. “If you don’t choose this dress, you are a mad, mad woman.”

“I have to agree,” Fiona stepped forward. Taking hold of Jane’s long hair, she twisted it expertly, holding it high on her head. “You must wear your hair up, like so. See how this shows off the delicateness of your neckline?”

Staring at her reflection, Jane could barely recognize herself. This was why people paid for the best — so that they could work miracles like this.

She stared at her face, at her eyes that seemed more blue than usual. Was it the lighting, or had she always had those dark flecks in her irises?

Suddenly, her reflection changed, morphing into that of another Jane.

This other Jane looked like her, but for the terrified expression she wore. Her ghost-white face stared back at her, her mouth opened in a silent scream that only she could hear.

When Jane blinked, the vision had vanished. There was only her current reflection in the mirror, but the shock of whatever she had seen left her trembling.

“Jane? Are you alright? What is it?”

“Is the dress too tight?” Fiona fussed. “Can you breathe?”

Catching herself, Jane took a deep breath in. “I’m… I’m fine. The dress is fine, too. I’ll take this one.”

“But what happened? You look white as a sheet.” Clare hovered over her. “Come,” she took her hand, leading her to the changing room. “Let me help you out of the dress.”

When Jane was back in her own clothing, Clare patted her hand reassuringly.

“It could have been a memory, or maybe your mind playing tricks on you. You’ve had to deal with so much in such a short space of time. Did the doctor warn you that something like this would happen?”

Jane tucked a strand of hair behind an ear as she hung the dress onto a hanger.

“No. I guess this must be normal. The shock of the old mixing with the new.”

“If it happens again, you should call the doctor.”

Jane chewed on the end of a nail. “I don’t think it’s worth bothering him about it.”

“You suffered a head trauma. Those things are worth worrying about. Promise me you’ll see a doctor if it happens again, and you have another reaction like that. I’ll even come with you.”

Jane hugged her, overcome with feeling. “You are a wonderful person, Clare. Has anyone ever told you that?”

Clare snorted, though her eyes grew brighter. “Only every man who has ever wanted to get me in the sack.” She elbowed her. “You do realize my comment earlier was just that, right? I don’t really want to jump your bones, no matter how hot you look.”

Laughing, Jane picked up the dress. “Let me get this wrapped up. We’ve probably spent far too long in here. I’m sure Adele is having a fit. The woman is like a tiny drill sergeant on speed.”

The dress was carefully packed into a box filled with tissue paper, then into a smart Armani bag, but as they went to leave, Clare was also presented with a box by Fiona.

“Oh no, like I said, I can’t afford anything in here. Probably not even that bowl of strawberries we demolished.” She laughed, but there was embarrassment in her eyes that she couldn’t quite hide.

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