5: The End of Days.
That most wonderful of weekends faded into a memory as Monday morning ticked around to signal the beginning of another College week. As usual, I was up and about getting ready and sorting out all the things I needed for the day ahead. Well, sort of. What I mean is, um, not exactly.
I was sat on the end of my bed sending Sally a text when my mother appeared in the doorway. She waited until I was done then came into the bedroom to sit on the corner of my dresser. I clicked off the phone and slipped it into the pocket of my jeans.
"Thought we could talk," she sighed with a small smile, "Seeing as we've both been really busy these past few days and with your dad being home all weekend and everything."
I nodded as I tugged my black boots on. "Sure, mom," I had been waiting for this to happen, "Anything wrong?"
She shook her head. "No, no," she reassured me, "I was just, you know, wondering how the other day went. The day after we talked and you told me about the thing. Are you alright?"
I reached across and took both her hands in mine. She could be such a worry wart at times. "Everything is absolutely fine, mom. You were right. We had a really good talk. Sorted some things out between us, and now we're where we need to be. I couldn't be happier."
Mom smiled, looking relieved and gave my hands a firm squeeze. "That's good. I'm glad you got what you wanted. Even if it was a little unusual," she laughed, "So when do I get a proper introduction?"
Oh, now there's a question. "Soon mom, soon," I promised.
There was a sudden knock on the door. "Oh, that will be Betty. I said I would give her a lift into town and go shopping with her," She got to her feet and pointed at me, "You need to get a move on. Do you want a lift?"
I shook my head. "No, mom. The bus is fine. You go have a fun day."
She ran out of the room giving me a quick wave. "See you later, sweetie. Say hi to your boyfriend for me."
And with that, she was gone as she grabbed her things and slammed the front door behind her.
A minute later my mobile beeped and I took it out and looked at the message on the screen. It was a reply from Sally. I smiled and jumped up to get ready for our little adventure. It looked like there would be no Shakespeare for us this day.
*
Monday morning found the big city a cauldron of noise and friction with the rush hour beginning to subside as the metro bus pulled into its stop inside the huge terminal. The place was packed with people traveling here and there, getting on and off buses, and generally going on about their daily business.
The ride into the big city had pretty much been like every other trip. I had sat on the upper deck and tried to keep myself to myself by huddling behind my bag and staring out of the window wearing my black baseball cap. But it was no use. It was like I had a sign over my head telling everyone to look over here!
The bus filled up pretty quickly with people trying to find a spare seat. But as usual, no one sat next to me unless they absolutely had to. Some of them were about to take the seat but then they'd notice me as I'd glance up at them and they'd give this weird little twitch of surprise and go find somewhere else to sit instead or they'd simply stand in the aisle until the bus reached its destination.
It was like I had the plague or something. If anyone did sit beside me it was usually little old ladies going shopping for the day. Some even tried talking to me and we'd end up having a conversation about anything and everything.
All the while, the other passengers would glance in my general direction whenever they got the chance. So it was a relief to finally disembark and be able to stretch my legs.
It was then I heard a whistle and looked up to find Sally waving at me from behind the glass partition. Not only Sally but also Debbie who had stuffed her crinkly shoulder-length black hair under a rainbow colored woolen hat and wore a green parka with a short black skirt and black tights.
"Hey, ho!" I grinned, giving both of my friends a hug. I looked at Sally. Um. Hello?
Sally grabbed Debbie. "She's with me," she said with a grin, "Besides, I texted her after I replied to you and she threatened to blab if she couldn't come with us."
Oh. I looked at the shorter girl and raised my eyebrows at her.
"The big fibber!" she frowned, sticking her hands in her coat pockets and stamping her foot, "I would not blab!"
I gave her a hug. "Okay, okay. No harm was done. Though God knows how we're going to explain all three of us missing class at once."
"Did you tell your boyfriend?" asked Sally.
I shook my head. "He is the last person that needs to know what we're up to."
And he most definitely was. For what we were up to was everything to do with him.
*
We had walked away from the main shopping center into the more independent and diverse streets of the city where smaller retailers hawked their wares down back alleys and inside indoor markets.
I stopped and looked around trying to find my bearings. I had a slip of paper in my hand with an address and directions scribbled on it. Okay, go down here, then across there where there should be the entrance to a covered market with individual shops inside.
Here we go, Bakers Street. I skipped across the road with Sally and a mumbling Debbie in tow.
"Where are we going?" asked Sally, "Don't think I've ever been this way before."
I glanced over my shoulder. "You'll see, not far now, I promise."
And it wasn't. There it was. Smithfield Road and Smithfield Market.
*
"CAVALIER COSTUMERS & FITTINGS" turned out to be a small shop situated at the rear of the market. In its windows, there were various novelty and more traditional outfits and costumes on display that could often be seen at hen parties, stag nights, cosplay or dressing up events. But I had no interest in those types of costumes. I was looking for something more specific. Something a little out of the ordinary.
Both my friends gave me the same look as we stood outside the shop. What are we doing here? Why had I dragged them all the way to this place? When are we going to eat?
I took a deep breath. "Don't say a word, okay?"
They both nodded comically.
My mouth felt dry and I rubbed my lips together wondering how to explain all this. "The other day," I explained hesitantly, "When we were at the beach. I asked him what he um," I felt myself blushing, "Liked."
"Ohhhh," said Debbie, "What HE likes. Uh huh." She nudged Sally who had a stupid grin on her face. Oh, good grief. It was no big deal. Really.
We stood looking at each other for what felt an age.
"Well, who goes first?" asked Sally.
Debbie skipped forward and grabbed the door handle. "That would be me, I reckon." She gave it a firm shove with her shoulder and went inside as the bell above the door rang merrily.
*
Miss Willcox was a tall, thin, refined looking lady of about fifty oddish years. She was dressed in a long-sleeved white blouse partially hidden under a black tailors waistcoat and a mottled gray knee-length skirt. Warm in nature and pleasant of manner, she listened to my blushing request and nodded as she danced around me taking down the details of my measurements with her well-worn tape measure.
Once done, she raised her finger dramatically. "Ladies, I shall be but a moment!" She then disappeared behind her counter to the room where her stock was kept.
The shop was quiet apart from the slow tick tock of an antique clock sat atop a tall drawer and it was then I noticed Sally and Debbie staring at me.
Uh. Okay. Yeah. Well, there you go. I cleared my throat and rocked back and forth in my boots. I gave them an embarrassed shrug of my shoulders as I pretended to ignore them.
"What?!" mouthed Sally as we waited for the shopkeeper to return.
A moment later, she came back holding a long plastic covered outfit across her arm. "I think," she beamed, "I have exactly the kind of thing you're looking for, Miss," She laid it across the counter and all three of us stepped up to look at it with our mouths wide open, "Would you like to try it on?"
I raised my head and simply nodded at her.
She picked up the outfit. "If I may," she smiled, "The changing rooms are right through here."
I followed her as we disappeared behind a large red curtain.
*
A moment later, I stood silently looking at myself in a long mirror as the older woman fussed around me making sure everything was perfect.
And it was. I felt myself beginning to tear up as the emotions began to flow through me, leaving me shaking slightly. I could barely think let alone speak.
Miss Willcox stood by my side and we both looked at my reflection. She looked slightly stunned herself and gave me a beaming smile.
"Oh, my goodness," she exclaimed, "I have to say, young lady, you look absolutely remarkable. I don't think I've ever seen anyone who was born to wear such a thing as you are right now. Stunning. Do you want to show your friends?"
I nodded slightly. Wow, I looked amazing. But it was more than that. I looked like a distant memory brought back to life.
She lifted the curtain and I walked out into the bright lights of the shop to where Sally and Debbie were waiting. I was blushing like a rose and was nervously biting my lip when they turned and saw me standing there.
