Part 19 (2/2)
”It's OK,” says Sandra, glancing at Jess's face. ”There are plenty of fitting rooms. Take your time walking round . . . and enjoy!”
”I told you this was a nice place!” I say happily to Jess. ”So . . . let's start here!”
I head over to a rack full of delicious-looking tops and start leafing through the hangers. ”Isn't this gorgeous?” I pull out a pink T-s.h.i.+rt with a little b.u.t.terfly motif. ”And this one with the daisy would really suit you!”
”Do you want to try them?” says Sandra. ”I can pop them in the fitting rooms for you.”
”Yes, please!” I hand them over and smile at Jess.
But she doesn't smile back. In fact, she hasn't moved from the spot.
I suppose it can be a bit weird, shopping for the first time with someone new. Sometimes it just clicks straightaway, like when I went shopping for the first time with Suze and we both reached for the same Lulu Guinness makeup bag simultaneously. But sometimes it can be a bit awkward, not knowing what each other's tastes are yet . . . and you keep trying different things and asking ”Do you like this? Or this?”
I think Jess might need a bit of encouragement.
”These skirts are fabulous!” I say, going over to another rack, which is filled with evening wear. ”This black one with the netting would look amazing on you!” I take it down and hold it up against Jess. She reaches for the price tag, looks at it, and goes pale.
”I can't believe these prices,” she murmurs.
”They're pretty reasonable, aren't they?” I murmur back.
”And the skirt?” says Sandra, popping up behind us.
”Yes, please! And I'll try it in the gray . . . ooh, and the pink!” I add, suddenly noticing a rose-colored skirt hiding at the back.
Twenty minutes later we've been round the whole shop and two piles of clothes are waiting for us in the fitting rooms at the back. Jess hasn't spoken much. In fact, she hasn't spoken at all. But I've made up for it, picking out all the clothes I think would look great on her, and adding them to the pile.
”OK!” I say, exhilarated. ”Let's go and try them on! I bet you look fantastic in that pink skirt! You should put it with the off-the-shoulder top, and maybe-”
”I'm not going to try anything on,” says Jess. She shoves her hands in her pockets and leans against a patch of empty wall.
I can't have heard her correctly.
”What did you say?”
”I'm not going to try anything on.” She nods toward the fitting rooms. ”But you go ahead. I'll wait here.”
Did I miss something?
”But . . . why?”
”I don't need any new clothes,” replies Jess.
Now I'm utterly baffled. Across the shop, I'm aware of the a.s.sistants exchanging bewildered glances.
”You must need something!” I say. ”A T-s.h.i.+rt . . . a pair of trousers . . .”
”No. I'm fine.”
”Don't you even want to try on one of those gorgeous tops?” I hold up a fabulous little Juicy T-s.h.i.+rt encouragingly. ”Just to see what they look like on?”
”I'm not going to buy them.” Jess shrugs. ”So what's the point?”
”It's on me!” I say, suddenly realizing. ”You do know this is all my treat?”
”I don't want to waste your money. Don't let me stop you, though,” she adds.
I'm at a complete loss. What should I do?
”Everything's in the fitting room,” Sandra puts in.
”Go on.” Jess nods.
”Well . . . OK,” I say at last. ”I won't be long.”
I try on most of the clothes, but my excitement's evaporated. It's not the same on my own. I wanted us to try things on together. I wanted it to be fun.
I just don't understand it. How can she not try anything on?
She must totally hate my taste, I realize with a plunge of despair. And she hasn't said anything because she wants to be polite.
”Any good?” says Georgina as I finally emerge.
”Er . . . yes!” I say, trying to sound upbeat. ”I'll take two of the tops and the pink skirt. It's really gorgeous on!”
I glance at Jess, but she's staring into s.p.a.ce. Suddenly she comes to, as if she's just noticed me.
”Ready?” she says.
”Er . . . yes. I'll just go and pay.”
We head over to the front desk, where Sandra starts scanning in my purchases. Meanwhile Georgina is surveying Jess.
”If you're not in the mood for clothes,” Georgina says suddenly, ”what about jewelry?” She pulls out a tray from under the cash desk. ”We've got some lovely bracelets in. Only ten pounds. This might suit you.” She lifts up a beautiful bracelet made of plain silver ovals linked together. I hold my breath.
”It's nice.” Jess nods, and I feel a huge pang of relief.
”For Becky's sister . . .” says Georgina, ”three pounds.”
”Wow!” I beam at her. ”That's fantastic! Thank you so much, Georgina!”
”No, thanks,” says Jess. ”I don't need a bracelet.”
What?
My head swivels in shock. Did she not understand?
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