You Sent Me a Letter by Lucy Dawson

Author:Lucy Dawson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atlantic Books
Published: 2016-01-24T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

‘There,’ says Imogen triumphantly, as Mum walks back into the room having changed into her evening wear: an elegant, coffee-coloured column gown. ‘I’ve finished. No, you can’t look, not until you’ve got everything else on.’ She puts the make-up box to one side and stands up. ‘OK. Dress time!’

I obediently strip down to my underwear. Imogen looks horrified, opening her mouth, but drawing the line before she can say anything, I hold up a firm hand. ‘They’re non-VPL – don’t worry.’

‘But—’

‘I won’t tell anyone I’m wearing M&S pants if you don’t.’ I unhook my bra and step half-naked into the dress that Imogen and Mum are holding out. The silk lining slips over my skin, and as they zip and hook me in at the back, the metallic material tightens over me, automatically making me stand a little taller.

‘That’s so clever,’ Mum says admiringly. ‘The zip is completely concealed.’

‘And look at how well it’s lifted her,’ says Imogen in amazement. ‘That’s couture for you. I don’t think you’re going to need Spanx after all. No, it’s not too long, you just need the shoes – and where’s the bracelet? Here… oh, wow!’ she steps back admiringly and Mum puffs with pride. ‘You look wonderful, Sophie!’

Even Alice looks impressed. ‘Fair dues, Soph,’ she says after a moment. ‘You’ve got a pretty amazing figure.’

They stand to one side, and I walk uncertainly over to the mirror. Never mind that they’re about 4-inch stilettos, the shoes are also slightly too big.

A tall, armoured woman stares blankly back at me. The surroundings of my bedroom don’t seem to fit any more, either – I feel as if I should be in some vast, white, floaty-curtained hotel suite that smells of gardenias, waiting for my close-up. I look nothing like my normal self, but then I don’t feel anything like me either.

I’m slightly shocked to realize that, if anyone, I resemble Claudine. Not literally, although now I notice it, I suppose our colouring is similar. But I look polished, confident – a woman not to be underestimated.

I take a deep breath. ‘What time is it?’

Mum checks her watch. ‘Six o’clock. We ought to leave here in about an hour, girls.’ She looks at the others, who nod.

We’ll be leaving well before that.

‘I don’t think I should sit around in this for that long. Can one of you unzip me again?’ I am still facing the mirror, looking uncertainly at my reflection. Here goes…

Mum is looking down carefully at the clasp. Imogen has started rummaging around in the make-up box. Only Alice is watching me silently. I meet her gaze for a brief second, and then against every instinct I have, and trying not to break my fall with my hands, I close my eyes, crease at the knees and slump sideways to the floor in an apparent dead faint.

‘Oh God! Sophie!’ Mum exclaims in panic as I let my head loll forward. I feel the hands of my sisters hauling me up onto the bed, lying me back on the pillow.

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