by Bethan Lewis
Early the next morning, as the sun was poking its head up, Erin stood at the front door waving goodbye to her children. As Lily and Marcus disappeared from view, a slight breeze blew lifting the edge of her dressing up, and she wrapped it tighter around her body. A yawn escaped her and for a brief moment Erin contemplated going back to bed. She closed the door and decided against it. There was a lot to sort out before her trip. First though, she needed coffee.
No sooner had she sat down and taken her first sip of the hot liquid, then the doorbell rang.
‘Who on earth is calling at this early hour?’ She thought as she went to answer the impatient ringing. The door swung open, and she was surprised to find Megan standing on the doorstep.
‘Good morning. I bring breakfast, hot from the oven.’ Megan greeted her, waving a bag of freshly baked croissants under Erin’s nose. The sweet-smelling aroma wafted into the air making Erin’s mouth water.
Erin grinned, ‘Morning. Come on in, there is coffee in the pot.’
Megan followed her into the kitchen, and pulled up a chair. Erin placed two plates on the table and grabbed the bag off her friend as her stomach growled in response. She hadn’t realised how hungry she was until then.
‘So, why are you here so early?’ Erin asked, stuffing the croissant into her mouth.
‘You said you needed my help with your holiday clothes. I anticipated the process would take a couple of hours.’
‘Cheeky. My clothes aren’t that bad.’
‘Right, come on, we have work to do.’ Megan snatched the croissants away from Erin as she reached out to take another one.
An hour later Erin’s whole wardrobe was scattered over the bed. Megan shook her head and squealed with laughter as Erin sauntered around the room in an outdated outfit which didn’t quite fit her anymore.
‘Oh my goodness, where did these clothes come from?’ Megan said. ‘None of them are suitable. They should be recycled, and we need to go shopping.’
Erin sighed and nodded. Her friend was right, she needed a new wardrobe.
Half an hour later they arrived at the enormous shopping centre. Filled with three floors of fashion shops Erin wasn’t sure where to start, but she needn’t have worried, as Megan strode off knowing exactly where to go and what to look for.
Erin followed her into the first shop, and Megan began pulling items off the rails at random. With her arms full, she ushered Erin to the changing room.
‘Come and show me when you have them on.’ Megan said.
Erin disappeared into the cubicle. She detested shopping, and hated undressing in public. The curtains never closed properly, and she was always afraid someone was going to pop their head around and see her in her underwear, or whip the curtain aside to reveal her naked body to the whole world.
Wriggling into the first outfit she frowned at the unflattering image reflected in the mirror, this didn’t suit her at all. The blouse was patterned and frilly, and she was more of a plain clothes person. On the other hand, maybe she needed a change of image to go with her new lifestyle. Opening the curtain she twirled before Megan, who screwed up her face and gave a thumbs down. No, her first thought had been right, the blouse was a definite no.
She tried on each item of clothing and paraded in front of Megan, strutting to the end of the changing area with one hand on her hip, and twirling in dramatic style like a catwalk model before walking back. Megan doubled over and gripped her stomach tight. Tears rolled down her face as she struggled to control her mirth.
Soon Erin had amassed a pile of possible purchases. The last item was a black, silk, knee-length, evening dress, and she took it off the hanger wondering when she would ever wear such a thing. She had protested when Megan handed it to her, but Megan insisted that every woman should own a little black dress.
The dress was tight and as she reached behind her to do up the zip she heard the rip of fabric. Oh no! Please god, don’t let the dress be broken! Looking in the mirror she saw a small tear in the silk fabric. Panicked, she attempted to pull the zipper back down, but it was stuck fast. She was trapped in the dress.
She poked her head around the curtain and called out, ‘Megan!’
Erin scanned the changing area, but there was no sign of her friend. Where had she gone? Closing the curtain, Erin tried again to wriggle out of the dress, but to no avail. In desperation, she sunk down on the stool, pulled out her mobile phone and dialled.
‘Come on, come on. Pick up.’ Erin said out loud as the phone rang nonstop on the other end. Finally, there was a click as the call connected.
‘Hello?’ Megan said.
‘Where are you?’ Erin hissed.
‘We forgot bathing suits, I went to find one. What’s the matter?’
‘I don’t need a bathing suit. What I need is for you to get back here. Now! I have a major dilemma.’
‘On my way.’
The call disconnected and Erin sat twiddling her thumbs. Seconds later a voice called out her name.
‘Erin, are you there?’ Megan said impatiently.
‘Yes I am here, where else would I be?’ Erin snapped as she popped her head around the curtain. ‘I have a small problem and I need your help. Get in here.’
Megan squeezed into the tiny room, ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I broke the dress, and now I can’t get out of it. The zipper is stuck and won’t budge at all.’
Megan stared in disbelief at the torn dress. ‘Honestly, I leave you alone for five minutes. How did this happen?’
‘I don’t know.’ Erin wailed, covering her face with her hands. ‘I guess this is what happens when you try to squeeze into something which is obviously a size too small.’
‘Do you want me to grab a bigger size off the rails?’ Megan asked.
‘No, just help me out.’
‘Turn around.’ Megan yanked at the zip, but it didn’t shift. ‘It’s stuck.’
‘I know!’
Erin started to panic again. What if she couldn’t get it off? Would she have to call the shop assistant to cut her out of the dress? This whole experience was turning out to be an embarrassment, and she was regretting listening to her friend. She should have stuck with the clothes already hanging in her wardrobe.
‘Keep still and stop wriggling. I almost have it.’ Megan said, and with a final tug the zip dislodged itself. Rip! The fabric tore again. ‘Oh god it’s worse now. Take the dress off, hang it back on the rail and walk away like nothing happened. Hurry.’
Erin got dressed as fast as she could, pulled back the curtain and came face to face with the assistant. With her arms folded across her chest and her forehead furrowed in a deep frown, it was clear she was not impressed.
‘Ladies. I was cleaning the next stall. I overheard everything. I am afraid you are going to have to pay for the dress.’
‘What are you talking about?’ Megan asked innocently.
‘Don’t take me for a fool. Like I said, I heard everything, including the tearing of the dress. Now, are we going to have a problem, or shall I call my manager?’
‘No problem.’ Erin said.
She grabbed Megan’s arm and steered her towards the checkout. A little deflated Erin paid for her purchases, she was now lumbered with a dress she couldn’t wear.
‘Don’t worry. We can mend the dress, and put it up for sale on one of the online auction sites. We will make your money back.’ Megan said. ‘Where to next?’
‘Home. I don’t think I can go through any more humiliation.’ Erin said, eager to terminate the disastrous shopping trip.
‘You can’t give up now. We have only just started.’
‘I have a few new items, and I can make do with what I already have.’ Erin said, swinging the shopping bag. ‘Don’t forget, I am jobless at the moment, I need to rein in the spending for now.’
Her pleas fell on deaf ears as Megan bounded across the shopping centre toward the escalator.
‘Come on.’ Meg turned around on the stairs and waved Erin
over. ‘One more shop, I promise. Then you can go home.’
Erin sighed and dragged her feet towards the escalator. Why did their shopping trips always turn into marathon sessions? This was the reason why she tried to keep their excursions to a minimum.
‘Excuse me,’ Erin said as she attempted to squeeze past an elderly lady.
The lady glared at Erin, but moved to the side and Erin took the stairs two at a time until she was level with Megan. They reached the second floor, and without a word Megan zoomed off and disappeared into a boutique brimming with end of season bargains. Erin hurried to catch up, and by the time she entered the shop her friend was already standing there with a bundle of clothes draped over her arm.
Megan held up a daring purple swimsuit which was pieced together with tiny strips of string and silver hoops. ‘This would look fantastic on you.’
Erin gawped at it, the suit was indeed lovely and would have flattered her figure twenty years ago, but she was forty now, there was no way she would wear anything so skimpy in public. The scant piece of material wouldn’t even hold her ample chest, she would be popping out every time she moved. No, it was definitely not for her.
‘I don’t think so,’ Erin grabbed a plain navy swimsuit which was dangling on a nearby rail. ‘This is more me, subtle and covering the essentials.’
Megan rolled her eyes, ‘Your taste in clothes is terrible. Be more adventurous. Pick something with a bit more colour and appeal.’ She pulled a multi-coloured, stripy one-piece off the rack. ‘Like this one.’
Once again, Erin shook her head, ‘Horizontal stripes always make me appear frumpy. I prefer the plain one. Sorry, but I am the one who is going to be wearing it.’
‘I will let you purchase it, on one condition, you try on this dress and these shorts.’ Megan handed over a black shift dress with a red belt, and a pair of blue denim shorts.
‘Fine. If I try them on, will you stop pestering me and let me go home?’
Meg nodded and Erin disappeared behind the curtain. She tugged on the dress, and as she twirled in front of the floor length mirror the soft material brushed against her skin. She hated to admit it, but Meg was spot on, the dress was casual yet elegant and fitted like a glove; she had to buy it.
They joined the queue by the till and Erin’s mind wandered, envisioning scenarios where she could wear her dress. Perhaps the hotel would have a posh dining area. She could picture herself sitting at the table, legs crossed like a lady, sipping a cocktail.
‘Okay, let’s go back to your place, and I will help you pack. Are you getting excited about tomorrow?’ Meg’s voice penetrated through her daydreaming.
‘Part of me is, but the other half is absolutely terrified,’ Erin said. ‘I can’t wait though, the vacation is going to be such fun.’
They went back to Erin’s flat and for the remainder of the afternoon they packed, unpacked and re-packed her suitcase. Every time Erin put an item in, Megan would whip it back out, deeming it unsuitable.
Erin sighed in frustration, as grateful as she was for Megan’s help, she felt the process would go much quicker and smoother if she was left to pack on her own. She was relieved when Megan’s mobile phone rang.
‘Sorry to leave you like this, but I have to go. Peter wants me to run a few errands. I won’t see you again before you go away, so have a safe journey and a wonderful holiday. Don’t forget, if you need me, I am only a phone call away.’
She grabbed Erin in a bear hug, and clung to her as if it was the last time she would ever see her. Erin gave her a reassuring hug back, then twisted free of the embrace.
‘Thanks for everything Meg, and don’t worry, I will be fine. The two weeks will fly by, and I promise to bring you back a lovely souvenir.’
Megan’s eyes widened and she grinned. ‘You better, so leave plenty of space in your luggage.’
Erin was still laughing as she closed the door. Hurrying back into the bedroom she finished packing, then poured herself a glass of wine and settled down to enjoy her last evening before her big adventure.
Chapter 7
Erin wheeled the heavy suitcase to the bedroom door and cast a critical glance around the room, checking to see if she had forgotten anything. Her gaze landed on a photo frame standing pride of place in the centre of her chest of drawers. A smile spread across her face as she walked over and reached out, tenderly running her finger over the faces smiling back at her. Her babies. Well they weren’t babies anymore, they were grown up, spreading their wings and making their own way in the big wide world.
Her eyes misted over as nostalgia hit. She missed the old days when the children were small, holding her hand and snuggling up to her. Times had been tough as a single mum, but they had muddled along and the kids were always happy. Erin had played the role of both mother and father to them, and as Lily and Marcus matured into well-rounded individuals, she was certain she had done a terrific job. She was proud of them and herself; if she could raise two children all by herself there wasn’t anything she couldn’t do.
The doorbell chimed, drawing her out of her musings, and she hurried to answer it. She flung open the door and was pleased to find her daughter standing on the other side.
‘Hi Mum,’ Lily said stepping over the threshold. ‘Are you ready? Your taxi awaits.’
‘Hi darling. Yes I am all set. Let me grab my coat, and check everything is turned off.’
‘Have you got your passport?’ Lily called out.
‘Yes, it is in my handbag, I double-checked.’ Erin dashed around the flat making sure all the appliances were off. ‘Can you see my keys anywhere? Never mind, I found them.’
‘Where did you find them this time?’
‘In the fruit bowl,’ Erin laughed. ‘Don’t know why I put them in there.’
In the hallway Lily rolled her eyes, her mother was so absentminded these days.
Erin reappeared dragging her suitcase behind her. Lily took one look and burst out laughing.
‘How much stuff are you taking? You are only going for two weeks. Are you sure you aren’t over the baggage allowance?’
‘I weighed it and its still under the recommended weight.’ Erin said, indignantly.
‘I believe you. Let’s go, you don’t want to miss your flight.’
A smirk still lingered on Lily’s face as she helped her mother carry the suitcase down the steps to the waiting taxi.
The airport was a short drive away, and in a brief space of time they arrived. Erin had only ever left the country once before, and that was almost twenty years ago. Reality struck her like a ton of bricks, butterflies began to circle inside her stomach and her hands started to shake. Was she doing the right thing?
‘Mum? Are you alright?’ Lily asked, her voice etched with concern. ‘You are very pale. Your flight isn’t until midday there is plenty of time, let’s check your bag in and then go get a cup of tea.’
‘I am fine. Nerves are getting the better of me that’s all,’ Erin said.
Giving Lily a wobbly smile, Erin walked over to the check in desk where a stewardess, immaculately dressed in the airlines purple and yellow uniform sat waiting to greet her.
‘Hello. Please put the case on the scales, and have your passport ready.’ The stewardess said, giving her a beaming smile. Was she paid extra to smile all day?
Erin struggled to lift the suitcase, perhaps she had packed too much after all. The stewardess sat patiently, without offering any help. ‘Probably doesn’t want to break her perfectly manicured nails,’ Erin thought. Finally, the case was on the belt and Erin was panting from the exertion. She handed over her passport and waited whilst her boarding pass was processed.
The stewardess glanced at the passport, and then at Erin and back again, hardly believing she was the same woman in the photo. A rosy hue flooded Erin’s cheeks, she had aged since the photograph was taken, but she didn’t look that different.
‘All done. Have a good flight.’ The stewardess said, handing her documents back to her.
Erin walked back to where Lily was waiting. ‘I think I need a cup of tea now.’
‘There is a café over there.’ Lily said, pointing to a small, but busy corner filled with tables.
Erin ordered their drinks, opting for a chamomile tea herself, to try to calm her nerves. As time went by she was getting more anxious, and before long it was time to say farewell to her daughter.
‘Right, I think I better go, otherwise I am going to sit here and talk myself out of going.’ Erin pulled Lily toward her for a hug. ‘When I arrive in Jersey I will call you, so you know I am safe.’
Lily’s arms tightened around her. ‘Bye mum. Be careful, and don’t talk to strangers.’
Erin climbed the stairs to the security section, and at the top she turned to give Lily a final wave.
Red arrows were painted on the wall, and she followed them round the corner and joined a small queue of people who were waiting to go through the security check zone. The staff scanned her boarding pass and directed her to the x-ray area. This was it, no turning back now. Placing her bag and coat on the conveyor belt, she watched as they disappeared into the x-ray machine.
‘Please step into the scanner, turn sideways and raise your arms.’ The security guard instructed.
Her whole body quivered with nerves, but Erin did as she was told. Procedure had certainly changed since the last time she was in the airport.
‘Don’t look so scared,’ the security man said, smiling at her. ‘If you’re not hiding anything you have nothing to worry about.’
Erin smiled back. ‘This is my first time travelling on my own. I am a bit nervous.’
‘All clear. Collect your bag from over there.’
Erin picked up her bag, and noticed straight away that it was lighter than when she had placed it on the belt. She unzipped it and realised her laptop was missing. Where was it? Her gaze roved accusingly around the room, had someone taken it when she was in the scanner?
‘Is there a problem?’ the security guard asked.
‘My laptop has gone. It was in my bag, and now it’s not.’ She opened the bag to show him.