Mini Shopaholic

It was me who insisted it should be an individual, bespoke party that would be more meaningful to Luke than to anybody else there. And it was me who came up with the actual idea. But to be truthful, it was Elinor who made all this happen. Elinor and her multi-million-dollar clout and her multimillion-dollar cheque book and her complete refusal to take ‘no’ for an answer.

‘But how on earth …’ Mum is leafing through the pages, looking stunned.

‘I’ve had help,’ I say vaguely. ‘Lots of help.’

The only people who know about EIinor’s involvement are Suze, Jess, Bonnie and Danny. Somehow Elinor’s managed to orchestrate everything from the background. As far as all the caterers and serving staff are concerned, I’m in charge and I’m paying for everything and I’m the boss. Even Janice has no idea.

Which is making me feel more and more uncomfortable as time goes on. I mean, Elinor has done so much. She should get the credit. But what can I do about it?

‘So what have you done with Luke?’ Mum looks around, as though I might have stuffed him in a cupboard.

‘He’s fine. He’s on a film set with this new client of his.’

‘Film set?’ Mum goggles.

‘Sssh! I’m not supposed to know about it! He’s being taken care of for another three hours.’ I glance at my watch. ‘Then he’s coming here and … surprise!’

‘And what are you going to wear, Becky love?’ Mum interrupts my thoughts, her eyes suddenly bright and inquisitive. ‘Have you bought something new?’

For a while I pretend I didn’t hear the question. I’ve been avoiding thinking about this.

‘Becky? Have you bought something?’

‘No,’ I say finally. ‘I haven’t. I’m going to pick something out of my wardrobe.’

‘Darling!’ Mum sounds astonished. ‘That’s not like you!’

‘I know.’ I sink down into a chair and pick at my nails, my spirits deflating a little. ‘But I couldn’t go shopping, could I? Not after I’d promised Luke.’

‘He didn’t mean for a party, surely. I mean, surely he’d make an exception—’

‘I didn’t want to risk it. You don’t understand, Mum, he’s taking it all really seriously. Nanny Sue said I’m a shopaholic,’ I add gloomily. ‘She said I need to go to boot camp or Minnie will turn into one too.’

‘What?’ Mum looks satisfactorily outraged. ‘What nonsense! Don’t listen to a word of it. Money-making charlatans, all of them. Boot camp sounds like “rip-off” to me. You’re not going to go, are you, love?’

I love Mum. She always says the right thing.

‘Dunno. Maybe. The point is, Luke totally believed her.’ I sigh. ‘And after all, it’s his birthday. It’s his day. How would I be making it his day by buying myself a new dress?’

I don’t want to admit to the scenario I’m secretly afraid of –which is that I organize a brilliant surprise party but then ruin it when he asks me how much my new shoes cost and we end up having a row.

‘So I’ve decided, Mum.’ I raise my head. ‘It’s something out of my wardrobe. I’m adamant.’

‘Well … good for you, love.’ She gives me an encouraging smile. ‘Tell you what, let’s go and look in your wardrobe right now. See what we can find. Chop, chop!’

As I follow her up the stairs, my feet are heavy. This is why I’ve been putting off the whole outfit moment. Everyone else will have a new dress tonight, even Minnie.

Anyway. Never mind. I made a promise and I have to make the best of it. It’s not like I don’t have any clothes.

‘So, did you have any ideas?’ says Mum as we enter the room. ‘What’s already in your wardrobe?’

‘Maybe my black lace dress?’ I’m trying to sound upbeat. ‘Or that blue dress I wore before Christmas? Or maybe—’ I open the wardrobe door and stop mid-stream. What’s that?

What’s that brand-new posh garment carrier from The Look, hanging right in the middle of my wardrobe? And why has it got a big red bow on it?

‘Open it!’ Mum says excitedly. ‘Go on!’

Shooting her looks of suspicion, I pull it open. I see a glimpse of sumptuous dark-green silk and inhale sharply. No. That can’t be—

I drag the zip all the way down, just to be sure … And it flows out of the garment carrier, like a deep-green glimmering river.

It’s the Valentino.

It’s the Valentino dress with the single jewelled shoulder which came into The Look a month ago. I must have tried it on about twenty times, but there’s no way I could ever afford it and—