Page 39 of A Second Chance Summer in Dublin
‘A few dashes across the River Liffey to literally sew them in.’ I drink my hot coffee.
‘Belinda had to leave school early, along with my brother. Not sure if she told you?’ Kathleen folds one leg over one knee, bends it, presses on it gently. I’m transfixed at her rubber-like flexibility.
‘She told me all about setting up her after-school businesses, and she did say that you guys had a very tough upbringing, lived on pasta and sauce,’ I say gently, glancing up at my clock knowing the rest of the Kearney sisters will all be here soon to collect their dresses, too.
‘Right? I was the youngest. They still call me Baby Spice, so I don’t recall a whole lot, although my therapist says I’ve blocked it out. My brother basically gave up his life to take care of us and Belinda swept floors in Hairpiezes, then trained as a beautician in the little salon Aveen Fitzgerald ran out the back. Used to use me as her gofer. Girl, I had some weird eyebrows for a few years, I can tell you, but my siblings are amazing. I owe them everything.’
I’m momentarily hypnotised by her perfect skin. ‘Speaking of, we better get you into this dress before they storm the kitchen.’ I take another few sips, empty my cup under the tap, rinse it and leave it to drip-dry on the draining board.
‘I’m so stoked! I only saw my brother, Amanda and my aunt in The Oarsman last night. I had a quick drink, but I was shattered. Can’t wait to see Belinda and Denise!’
Kathleen watches me remove her dress from the rail. Thecreases have fallen away perfectly in the steam of my shower and the brooch is stuck firmly. I’d sent Kathleen various looks on email when we were designing the dress, and it was apparent early on that she wanted a very simple dress. No fuss, no frills, unlike her siblings, but I had to be careful she didn’t look like the odd one out in comparison to the other designs. So we’d compromised on my concerns and she’d agreed to go for a gold material. I’d been inspired by one of my favourite old movies, Marilyn Monroe’s gold dress inGentlemen Prefer Blondes. It was simple but with a very low dip in the front that Kathleen could rock perfectly with her smaller chest. I loved it and I prayed Kathleen would, too.
‘You can change behind there.’ I point her to the partitioned area and she slides in behind.
‘It’s so light!’ she calls out from behind it.
‘Isn’t it?’ I say.
‘Fits like a dream!’ she sing-songs a few minutes later.
‘I think you’ll have to let me be the judge of that,’ I laugh, but as she steps out I know immediately she’s right. I wouldn’t have to alter a single thing. She’s like a goddess in it, without it being too in your face.
‘It’s so beautiful.’ I zip her in, gently coax the large hot-glued gold brooch that gathers over her flat stomach and centre it. ‘Perfection. What shoes?’ I ask, more out of interest, because the dress is three-quarter length – it didn’t matter to me what type of shoes she went for.
‘Oh, I’ve gorge Chanel kitten heels, to die for.’ She slaps a hand over her heart, makes small, pulsating moves with it.
‘In what colour?’ I ask. Can’t take my eyes off her, she’s effortless. The most toned, golden-tanned person I’ve ever set eyes on. Sculpted. Stunning.
‘Gold and black,’ she tells me.
‘Black bag?’ I question.
‘A 1950s Chanel clutch. A gift from my partner.’ She shuts her eyes. ‘I’m waiting for the slagging to start as soon as they see it. They think I’m all LA woke. They don’t let me get any ideas above my station or airs and graces about my famous clients.’ But there is that laugh again that seems too deep for her tiny body. ‘I’m not sure about my hair, need to think that out. Wedding’s in a few days, I may need to book a—’
The buzzer to my flat sounds and cuts her off.
‘The rest of the Spice Sisters have arrived.’ I stand up to let them in.
‘Should I stay in the dress?’ She turns to face me.
‘God, yeah – they’re gonna want to seeyou!’ I tweak the material on her right shoulder, then leave her as I take the rickety stairs down two at a time to welcome the troops. In the back of my mind, I’m still wondering how Donal and his date got on. I hope it works out for him, he deserves to find love. I shake Donal from my mind as I reach the door, because tomorrow night I come face-to-face with Logan Hunter again. Maybe both Donal and I will have something to celebrate?
*
‘Is she here?’ Belinda, hair in a slick-back, wearing a hot-pink Juicy Couture tracksuit and high foam-heeled white runners.
‘Is Kathleen here yet?’ Denise echoes, close behind, in her blue scrubs.
‘Where is she?’ Amanda, carrying a load of bulky files under her arm, literally pushes past me in her charcoal pencil skirt, men’s white shirt and Birkenstocks, nearly knocking Belinda over.
‘Calm down, hun!’ Belinda yells, elbows her sister rather roughly.
Amanda snaps, ‘Keep yer knickers on!’ She shifts her weighty-looking files back into position under her arm, grips down tightly.
‘I don’t wear knickers, I wear thongs!’ Belinda snaps back.
‘Urgh! Floss for yer hole!’ Amanda gags.
