Despite the Angels - By Madeline A Stringer Page 0,152
get Lucy to the next tea dance. They have a few through the summer and David usually goes. Carmel will help get them together, I reckon, she’s almost adopted him!”
Lucy was looking in her wardrobe in despair. In a moment of madness she had promised Jen that she would go to a tea-dance with her and Peter on Saturday, but she had nothing that vaguely resembled a dancing outfit. I’ve only jeans, tracksuits and tee-shirts. And work clothes, but I’m not going to a dance in navy slacks and a white tunic. No skirts to speak of, just that one mini that I bought in a sale in another mad moment. I’m not wearing that anywhere, it might have even worse results than the time I wore it to go out with Martin, that time he put his hand up it and refused to take it down and everyone noticed. She pulled the miniskirt off the hanger and threw it in the waste basket.
“Shame, David would have liked that skirt.” Lucy stood and looked down into the basket, at the skirt lying crumpled among used tissues. She thought of retrieving it, but resisted and looked again at her cupboard.
“Okay, so I can’t convince you. In that case let’s go shopping.”
I’ll have to buy something. And I’ll have to bring the kids, we’ll have to go now, I only have the one free afternoon between now and the weekend. Though I could go on Saturday morning after Martin collects them. But that’s cutting it fine. Suppose Dunnes’ has nothing and I have to go into town?
“Aisling, Robbie, into the car please, we’re going to Cornelscourt.”
“Oh no, why?” There was a chorus of groans.
“Because I’m going out with Jen on Saturday and I have nothing to wear.”
“I need some things too, Mum,” Aisling stopped groaning and was winsome.
“Is there a toyshop?” Robbie also switched on the charm.
“No. We are just going to get something for me, so I don’t make a show of myself at a dance. I can’t afford to buy something for everybody.”
The children grumbled a bit more, but got into the car and put on their seatbelts. They chugged carefully to the shopping centre. This car had been hers for less than a year, but it had been old long before she got it and needed careful handling. Its huge advantage was that it was so tiny, so she could fit in the smallest parking space.
The clothes shop was almost deserted. Everyone with sense is out in the sunshine, thought Lucy, not trying to buy a skirt to go to a dance that probably only geriatrics will be at. Jen thinks it’ll be ‘a laugh’. But she has Peter, to save her from the wheezing fat old men who’ll want to dance with us. I see enough of those at work, I don’t want to have to be charming to them socially as well. The only reason I’m going, is because I like dancing and haven’t done it for years. Can only waltz, really and then only if my partner is really good. Must learn the other dances sometime.
“Yes, learn to dance. Soon. Oh look, here are some great blouses, see, all flowers? Buy one of these, we need flowers.”
“No, Mum, they look like wallpaper. Yuck.” Aisling was dismissive. “You need something elegant.” She was off, rummaging along the racks. Why did I think I should come on my own, thought Lucy, she’s more interested in this than I am, as Aisling pulled out one thing after another, passing judgement on each. The pile deemed suitable to try on grew slowly. Robbie grew bored and began to whine.
“Okay, Ash, that’s enough. I’ll try these on and something will have to do.”
They went into the changing rooms and Aisling was put in charge of Robbie while Lucy struggled into and out of clothes. At last she reluctantly chose an ankle length skirt and a short sleeved blouse with a lowish neckline. They’ll do, she thought and I could wear them for other occasions too.
“They’ll be fine. But we still need a flower.” Trynor wondered what to do and talked to Aisling and Robbie’s guides.
Lucy led the way across the shop to the sign saying ‘Pay Here’, paying no further attention to the racks of clothes. They walked through the children’s section to get to the till and as they queued up, Robbie delved into a sale bin and came out with a tee-shirt, which he thrust at Lucy.