Chapter Twenty Two
It’s been a rough week.
I’ve barely left the studio and had to refuse any new appointments so that I could devote every moment to my current project. But it was worth it.
Zoe’s wedding dress sits atop a mannequin, elegant and splendid in the centre of the shop floor. It’s almost as magnificent as the Garden Gown, with its heavily beaded bodice and froth of champagne lace along the sweetheart neckline, not to mention the delicate yet dramatic silk chiffon skirt, complete with a ten-inch train. There’s still a ways to go, of course, the sleeves have yet to be added and the fastenings need to be decided upon, but I’m making speedy progress. It’s just as well, considering the wedding is under three months away and it took so long to get past the pencil and paper stage.
When Tanya arrives for the double appointment, she audibly gasps when she sets her eyes upon it.
‘Is that Zoe’s dress?’ She stands back reverently, as if in the presence of an ancient artefact that ought not to be gazed upon.
I nod proudly.
‘Oh wow, Lottie!’ With her mouth open wide, she stares at the mannequin, at a loss for words. ‘Wow, wow, wow!’
I chuckle at her giddy exaltation, and gently steer her toward the changing room. ‘Come on, let’s get you into your dress, shall we? ’
After I fasten the corset for her, Tanya gingerly steps out of the changing room and into the light.
‘You look stunning!’ I clasp my hands to my chest. ‘Really beautiful.’
She glances at herself in the mirror, then pauses to take a long hard stare, as if she can’t quite believe her eyes.
‘So, what do you think?’ I press, tense with anticipation. ‘How do you feel?’
‘I feel … great. Amazing , even!’ She grabs my hands and jumps up and down in, her grin stretching from ear to ear. ‘Oh, Lottie, it’s everything I could have hoped for.’
‘I’m so pleased, you’ll look incredible on your brother’s special day.’
Our excitement is interrupted by the door swinging open and the tap-tappy echo of stiletto heels on the floorboards.
‘Sorry I’m late.’ Zoe doesn’t look in the least bit sorry as she saunters across the shop floor, designer bag swinging on her arm. ‘Is that the dress, then?’
Though her tone is flat, her attempt to seem indifferent fails, and she can’t resist coming close to inspect the gown.
‘It is.’ I tell her. ‘Well, the start of it, there’s still much to do, but you can try it on and see what you think so far.’
In silence, Zoe examines every inch of the gown, from the embellished bodice to the tiniest hem stitch, and miraculously, finds nothing to complain about. I even spot the whisper of a smile on her lips.
‘It’s good work. Though I suppose I should expect nothing less, after all, I’ve seen your designs on the runaway.’
She flashes an evil smirk, but I dig deep for strength and ignore it, much to her irritation.
‘And doesn’t your bridesmaid look gorgeous?’ I beam at Tanya. ‘What do you think of the colour? It complements her complexion perfectly, don’t you think?’
Tanya glows pink as she toys with her skirt.
As a predator might to its prey, Zoe circles Tanya, scrutinising her from every angle.
‘Hm, it’s a nice colour. Definitely what I had in mind, good job, Lottie. But I think it’s a little too … clingy . Particularly around the stomach.’
Tanya’s face drops. ‘You … you think so?’
‘Respectfully, I disagree.’ I wrestle to keep a lid on it, but my blood is boiling below the surface and I fear I might explode if she doesn’t shut up sharpish. ‘I believe it’s very flattering, and the fit is wonderful.’ Reassuringly, I turn to Tanya. ‘She looks gorgeous.’
She manages a feeble smile, but Zoe shakes her head.
‘You could shift a couple of pounds before the wedding, right?’
A foul silence falls over the boutique. Tanya’s lip quivers and tears spill from her stricken eyes. Finally, she breaks down and sobs bitterly into her hands, her shoulders quaking.
I can’t take it anymore.
‘Right, that’s it.’ Though Zoe towers over me in her five-inch heels, I square up before her, refusing to be intimidated. ‘I want you to leave, please.’
Slack-jawed, Zoe scoffs. ‘Excuse me?’
‘You heard. Get out of my boutique.’
‘But my - my dress -’
‘I don’t care. I’m not going to stand here and listen to you say such awful, damaging things to Tanya. You’re a horrible person, Zoe.’
‘How dare you speak to me like that!’ She bellows, her face turning a furious shade of red. ‘Who do you think you are?’
‘I’m Lottie Bell, and I own this establishment. Now get out.’
For one fearful moment, I truly think she might slap me. Her eyes bulge and her nostrils flare, steam practically shooting out of her ears like in an old cartoon. The urge to cower and flinch from her wrath is strong, but I hold my own, if not for me, then for Tanya.
Finally, Zoe snaps out of her stunned stupor and barks, ‘Oh, you think just because you run a poxy little shop that you’re a big shot? Nope, you were a big shot, and you messed it all up. Did you really think someone like me would ever want to be friends with someone like you? God, you were gullible.’ She laughs cruelly. ‘Let me tell you exactly what you are. You, Lottie Bell, are a loser . And you’ll always be one.’
Her face contorted by a triumphant sneer, Zoe grasps Tanya’s arm. ‘Come on, Tanya.’
‘I’m not going anywhere with you.’ Tanya pulls away from Zoe so forcefully, she staggers backwards, but I’m there to steady her. ‘I’m staying right here with Lottie.’
It shouldn’t be surprising, given the revolting things she just spouted, yet Zoe seems utterly dumbstruck by the refusal of her bridesmaid and sister-in-law-to-be. I guess she’s not used to being told no.
‘Fine.’ She stomps toward the door, only stopping to scowl back as she clutches the doorknob. ‘The sooner me and Kit leave this crappy place, the better.’
And then - with a very loud bang - she’s gone. Left reeling, Tanya and I glimpse at each other, then away, then back again.
‘Are you alright?’ Muttering curses under my breath, I shake my head. ‘Sorry, that’s a stupid question, Of course you’re not alright.’
Sniffling, Tanya wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. ‘She’s right, though. I’m fat and I’m disgusting .’
Firmly, I plant my palms on her shoulders, forcing her to face me. ‘Now, you listen to me, Tanya Brooks. Don’t take any notice of that witch, alright? She’s a mean, bitter person who’s jealous that you’re the most important person in the world to Kit. She’s just trying to hurt you, and you can’t let her.’
She nods in agreement, and yet, the spark in her eyes is well and truly extinguished.
‘I’d like to get out of the dress now, please.’
In sombre silence, I bring her back to the changing room and unlace the corset. While I’m crushed by what just happened, I know poor Tanya must be completely devastated. She doesn’t say a word as I remove the gown and carefully store it away, and once she’s ready to leave, all she offers is a cursory wave before the door clicks shut.
With a quivering breath, I turn away to face the dress in the centre of the boutique. I’ve really messed up now. All that time and effort, money spent on materials, late nights last week trying to get something put together - it all means nothing.
And the worst part I won’t be getting paid for any of it. At least I have the deposit, that’s something, but knowing Zoe, she’ll demand it back, and she won’t take no for an answer.
What the hell am I going to do with the dress? What will Kit think? And more importantly, will Tanya be okay? She’s been struggling with her self-image enough without Zoe spouting her gross diet rhetoric.
I clench my hands into determined fists. I did the right thing, I’m sure of it.
It’s just I think I might come to regret ‘the right thing’ down the line …