An Official Study of Tailcoats and Blue Scarves

Entry seven

Extra long one this time because I've been gone so long! Enjoy!

Mrs. Hudson spent the entire day hidden away in her hovel of a kitchen preparing for the party that night. Any attempts to help her ended with her shooing them out in a still very dignified manner.

"I am very fine, dear. My hip isn't bothering me anymore; I've taken a herbal soother. Everything will be ready for dinner by eight."

With nothing other than time to kill, Evelyn boldly sat in Sherlock's chair and picked up the latest chapter Hope had polished off the night before. That was the best part of having an author has her best friend, she had input on the character's fates.

An alert from her phone grabbed her attention and she saw that said best friend had texted her.

Hey, need help with tonight! Come to the Dress Emporium on 34th street. Luc is already with me. See if Molly wants to come!

She set the chapter aside and texted Molly where to meet them before leaving the apartment and hailing a taxi.
~O~
Evelyn quickly grew thankful that the dress emporium gifted guests with champagne as they tried on hundreds upon thousands of expensive wear. She'd just drained her third glass when Hope finally decided on which she liked best. Go figure it was one of the first she'd tried on.

It was a shimmering gold with long sleeves and a slightly less than modest sweetheart collar. Whereas the bodice hugged her tightly the skirt fell loosely to her feet, swishing slightly with her movements.

"That's darling!" Molly gasped. "Fits you like a glove."

Lucy leaned further into her chair and rested a hand on her bump. Poor thing didn't get any champagne, "Yep, that's the one. Oh, and by the way you took so long in there that I'm actually now on my third child."

Hope grimaced, "Why does she think she can be the sarcastic one? Stop stealing my thing."

Evelyn set down her empty glass and stood probably a little too eagerly, "Hope, that looks great on you. Jim, whoever he is, will love it. Now let's pay and go."

"Excuse me? I found my dress but what about yours and Molly's?"

"Oh no," Molly protested. "I don't need one. I got something at home I think."

"You know what you don't have at home?" Hope pulled out a green dress from behind her and waved it around on the hanger. "This."

"I don't know—" She started.

"You have been talking about that guy you like forever now," Evelyn pointed out. "Maybe he just needs to see you in the right dress to capture his attention."

"Well maybe just to try it on," Molly took the dress from Hope and shuffled into the dressing room.

"What guy?" Lucy asked, ever in the mood to play cupid.

Evelyn shrugged and got up to go through the rack of dresses the attendant had brought over, "I'm not sure. She hasn't told me his name but evidently she's liked him for awhile and is scared of actually talking to him."

As she slid the clothes over, one red one caught her attention. It was mid thigh which was a bit shorter than she'd prefer but it had dark red off the shoulder lace that caught her attention. It was rather pretty.

"That one will look so good on you," Hope assured, leaning her chin on Evelyn's shoulder like a little devil.

Evelyn pursed her lips and held it out to look at longer. It was Christmas maybe she should treat herself. It was the first one she'd ever celebrate with Sherlock... and John. Why not? She could do with a new dress. She went into the dressing room next to Molly and tried it on.
                                     ~O~
Fairy lights framed the windows and a freshly cut tree was shoved into the corner, draped in gaudy tinsel. Cards were displayed on the mantel piece and tiny reindeer statues in between. Snow drifted down prettily outside and equally captivating flames danced in the fireplace.