Page 64 of You Only Live Once
‘Like what?’ Poppy’s face was a mask of innocence. I, however, knew better.
‘Like that,’ I said, pointing at her face.
‘I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.’
‘I’m sure you do.’
‘Oh, all right, but come on, it’s not like it would be the worst thing in the world to happen, would it?’
‘It wouldn’t be the best thing either,’ I said. ‘Besides, Jack’s definitely not interested in me like that. We’re friends – most of the time – and that’s plenty for both of us.’
‘If you say so.’
‘I do say so. Now can you help get out of this dress so that I don’t rip it?’
‘Are you going to keep it?’
I turned and looked once more in the mirror. The full-length midnight blue satin dress with its bias cut and soft folds of cowl neck looked demure and elegant from the front. The back, however, was another story, with two thin crossover straps securing the fabric as it dipped in a low enough position to be decent but a heck of a lot lower than I’d ever worn before. Added to that were the thigh-high splits each side of the flowing skirt. So long as I stood still, you couldn’t see anything, but the moment I walked, there was a distinctive and unmistakable flash of leg. But I had to agree with Poppy. I loved the dress. It had been such a long time since I’d put on anything this beautiful or glamorous. I had got so used to relaxed, comfy fit clothing that it felt like a different person staring back at me in the mirror. The party at Jack’s parents’ place had been a smart-casual thing, but this really was a whole other level.
I looked down at where Poppy was perched on a gold-coloured chair in the corner of the lavish dressing room.
‘Poppy!’ I bent down and took her hands in mine. ‘Whatever is the matter?’ I dived into my bag with one hand and passed her a tissue for her eyes, which were shining with tears.
‘Nothing. Nothing at all. It’s all perfect. It’s just that… it sort of feels like I’m seeing you again for the first time in such a long time. The real you.’
I squeezed her hand and then we both caught a glimpse of the expanse of thigh I was now showing in my current position.
‘Well, you’re certainly seeing quite a lot of me. That’s for sure.’
‘You look amazing. Now, come on, let’s get you dressed. We need shoes and a bag yet.’
‘I’m pretty sure I have shoes at home somewhere that will do.’
‘Nope, no good. For your first proper social occasion in years, especially a glamorous one like this, you need all new things.’
I let out a sigh. ‘Then, first of all, I need a huge pot of tea and an even bigger slice of cake.’
20
By the end of the day, I’d spent more money on one outfit than I had in about a decade on everyday clothes.
‘Manage to find something?’ Felix asked when Poppy and I walked through the door later that evening.
‘I went shopping with your wife. What do you think?’
Felix pulled a face. ‘Fair point. I did marry a shopping demon.’
‘I prefer the term shopping genius,’ Poppy replied, placing a couple of bags down with her own purchases inside.
‘I stand corrected. I married a beautiful shopping genius.’
‘Thank you,’ she said, walking over and giving him a kiss. ‘Did you boys have a good day? How are the kids?’
‘Watching a film in the other room, although it’s remarkably quiet.’ Felix pushed himself up. ‘I think I’ll go and check on them. We took them out for a long walk earlier, so I think that tired them out.’ He went off and Poppy followed him.
‘I know how they feel,’ I said, plopping down on the sofa that Felix had just vacated.
‘Hard day?’ Jack asked from the seat next to me.
