As I make my way through the Covent Garden crowds I see you waiting for me. So like you to arrive early. You might think that your average looks make you blend into the scenery, but just the sight of you is making me shiver already. The goose bumps are probably visible on my arms and bare legs below my soft blue cotton dress, if you look close enough. Which you do.
You take my hand, give me a cordial kiss on the cheek and, with little chit-chat, lead me off towards the Seven Dials. No chance of me pulling out of this, then.
You set a relaxed pace through the busy streets, apparently in no hurry, but we still reach our destination sooner than I might have liked. You hold open the door for me (naturally) and I step into the small, dark store.
My eyes adjust to the light, and I start to look around. There are only one or two other customers - perfectly normal-looking, middle-aged women who look as comfortable surrounded by these clothes (a generous word) and toys as they would buying avocados in Waitrose. You also seem perfectly at ease browsing, and with an encouraging push on the small of my back, leave me to explore in my own time.
The store may be small, but they have an impressive breadth of choice, ranging from sweet, pastel coloured satin bras and knickers, to bewildering leather and metal affairs which I wouldn't even know how to put on.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see you leafing through some books, an amused look on your face, then I find the items we had in mind. They are even more beautiful and revealing than I had imagined from the pictures online, and I start to doubt that I will do them justice. The fine, embroidered material is almost completely transparent; the black silk straps and boning doing little to afford any modesty. Trying to look less out of my depth, I start picking out my size when the sales assistant comes to join me.
In contrast to the customers, the assistant stands out by a mile. Frankly, she would stand out in any setting. A little shorter and more petite than me, she's dressed demurely in a crisp white shirt, tight pencil skirt and shiny black heels. Only the line up the back of her stockings and glimpse of a calligraphied tattoo under her collar suggest anything other than a particularly attractive librarian or receptionist. Her skin is pale, her dark hair is piled up in a loose chignon. I'm trying hard not to imagine pulling the pin out of that chignon and releasing her hair to her shoulders when I realise she's asked me a question and that you are walking over to join us.
"I think she's a size 12" you reply, helping me out, as always. Your hand returns to my lower back, and the light contact is enough to make me a little unsteady on my feet. Good job you're here to keep me upright.
"The sizing on these designs are a bit more complicated - they have to be a close fit." She is smiling charmingly as she runs her hands through the hangers. "Do you know your measurements?"
She looks straight at me, smiling, and I'm sure there is a hint of amusement at my blushes. I don't have to reply for her to know my answer.
"Not a problem, I can measure you myself." Directing a playful smile at you, she continues, "So long as you don't mind?"
You smile back, with definite amusement. "By all means, be my guest." You give my back one last pat, then a gentle shove in the direction of the changing room, and make yourself comfortable on the velvet banquette opposite.
She draws the curtain, and places her tape measure over her neck while she helps me undress. She chatters away, probably to try and help me relax, complimenting me on the dress that she is busy unbuttoning. I step out of my shoes and sweep my hair over one shoulder to keep it out of her way, wondering what effect this is having on you outside. You can probably only see my bare feet and her stockinged legs, and I hope you're not disappointed.
Buttons undone, she brushes the blue straps over my shoulders and the dress drops to the ground. Unusually for me, I'm wearing simple white underwear, which I imagine looks very prim in her eyes. My face is bright crimson by now, and I'm only grateful to have my back turned to her so she can't see.