Page 24 of Dancing Fools and All That Jazz
My mobile rings and Annabelle’s name flashes up. A groan escapes my mouth before I reluctantly answer.
Annabelle doesn’t give me a chance to speak and I know I’m not going to like what she says as she’s using her best BBC voice, ‘Monica, thank goodness I have caught you. We have a last-minute alteration, my dear.’
I know what’s coming, so I say nothing.
‘A wedding that is only a week away. The bride has been given a cancellation, so she needs her dress altering this weekend.’
I shake my head, glaring at the phone.
‘Monica, are you there?’
‘Yes.’
‘Super. So when can you come in?’
‘Annabelle, I can’t do it. Remember? I’m off to Paris for three nights.’
‘Monica, we cannot let a bride down…’
‘Someone else will have to do it.’
‘But, Monica, you are my best seamstress…’
Seamstress – Ha. How about dress designer? I count to ten.
‘… So, I’m afraid you will have to cancel your trip.’
‘Sorry. Try Stitch in Time, the place on the high street.’
‘But… but they charge a fortune. And we pride ourselves on doing all our own alterations at A-Belle-Bride…’
‘No can-do, Annabelle.’
‘Really, Monica. After all I have done for you, I had hoped you would prioritise your job over this Paris jaunt.’
I slow my speech to make myself absolutely clear, ‘Annabelle, I have had this trip arranged for over four months. It is not a jaunt, but a dance competition and I have not taken any holiday in two years.’
‘My dear girl, barely any of the staff have had a holiday since the wedding business finally picked up. We’re still making up for our huge loss of sales during the pandemic. And on that point, you must remember I did pay you throughout the crisis when no one was ordering gowns.’
Annabelle waited for me to back down and thank her for everything she had done, but that was the old Monica. Today I wasn’t backing down for anyone.
‘Annabelle, can I remind you I worked throughout the pandemic not taking a day off. I worked from homewhen we had to close. I designed three new dresses for the business, sourced the materials, did the mock-ups and all three designs are now in high demand. The profits on a couple of these alone would cover my paltry salary.’
Silence.
‘Can I also remind you I have only been paid as a seamstress not a designer and for only half of the hours I have worked. Your name is on every one of my creations and my name has never been mentioned, not even in the awards article.’
‘Well, I cannot help what others write…’
‘No? I saw your interview inWedding Cutsmagazine. You were quoted as saying, “the whole idea for the floaty, festival Freedom dress came to me when I took a trip to the Peak District… ” Ring any bells?’
‘Well yes, but—’
‘It wasmyFreedom dress that won Bridal Dress of the Year.Mytrip to the Peak District.Myinspiration. Annabelle, it is crystal clear you are passing offmydesigns as your own.’
‘My dear girl, the credit goes to the business.’
‘No, it goes to you.’
