Competition

Ten

'What are you looking for?' David asked pushing racks of dresses back. 'Long, short? Cocktail, gown?'

'Gown?' I replied nibbling the skin on my thumb. 'Do you have anything that says; I'm going to a Gala Event thingy?'

David looked at me for a moment and laughed. 'Oh please.'

'What?'

'Nothing,' he replied shaking his head laughing. 'Look at you Cilla. So concerned about what you look like.'

I stared at David with my hands on my hips. 'That's not funny. I don't want to stand out.'

'But that's the whole point,' David replied. 'Should I just pull out all the dresses that I have and then give you a call in a few hours?'

'That would be great,' I replied. 'I have to make a visit to the hair salon today, and I also have to see a florist about some plants.'

'Looks like you have a busy day,' David replied walking over to the telephone. He pressed a button then spoke into the receiver. 'Bush? Oh yeah, could you bring me another rack please? Thank you.' David hung up and returned to the dresses. 'When is this event?'

'Tonight at eight,' I replied. 'So I should probably be back here at about four or five- depending on how my day goes.'

'Are you meeting Lauren for lunch?'

'I don't know,' I replied. 'I can't bear to see her today.'

David laughed.

'What are you doing tonight?'

'Working late,' he replied. 'Then I'm getting the ten o'clock train up to Scotland. I've got a busy day tomorrow.'

Bush walked in wheeling a rack and brought it to David. 'Just call me if you want a second one. Hey Priscilla, how are you?'

'I'm good,' I replied. 'You?'

'I'm good too,' Bush replied. 'What are you doing tonight?'

'I've got an event,' I replied.

'That explains the extra racks,' Bush joked. 'Anyways, I've got to get back. It was good seeing you.'

'You too,' I replied. 'See you.'

Bush left and David wheeled the rack closer to him then began loading the empty rack with dresses.

'I'm going to piss off now,' I replied grabbing my navy Lanvin raffia Cabas large tote. 'Give me a call later.'

'I shall,' David replied. 'Have a fun day.'

'You too,' I came to David and kissed his cheek. 'I'll see you later.'

David nodded. 'Looking forward to seeing you.'

I left David's studio and climbed into my Mini Cooper before driving off to Starbucks to begin my day.

'Could I have a hot chocolate with extra whipped cream?' I asked. 'And your biggest slice of carrot cake.'

'Eat in or takeaway?'

'Eat in,' I replied. 'Thank you so much.'

I paid for my drink and snack then found a corner to sit in.

'What are you doing today?'

'Getting myself glammed up for tonight,' I replied. 'But I thought I'd treat myself first. How are you?'

'Fine, you?'

'I'm good,' I nodded. 'My morning will be pretty straight forward, I'm not so sure about my afternoon.'