And we have to go into a department store, and try on lots of evening dresses. One of my best times ever was when I spent a whole afternoon trying on posh dresses in Harrods with Suze. We kept putting on more and more outrageous million-pound frocks, and swooshing around, and all the snooty assistants got really annoyed and kept asking had we made our choice yet?
At last Suze said she thought she had… but she wanted to see it with a Cartier diamond tiara just to make sure, and could Jewelry possibly send one up?
I think that’s when they asked us to leave.
God, Suze and I used to have fun together. She is just the best person in the world for saying “Go on! Buy it!” Even when I was stone broke, she’d say “Buy it! I’ll pay! You can always pay me back.” And then she’d buy one too, and we’d go and have a cappuccino.
But anyway. There’s no point getting all nostalgic.
“So!” I turn to Jess. “What do you feel like doing first? There are loads of shops here: two department stores…”
“I hate department stores,” says Jess. “They make me feel ill.”
“Oh, right.” That’s fair enough. Loads of people hate department stores.
“Well, there are lots of boutiques too. In fact, I’ve just thought of the perfect place!”
I lead her off the main high street, away from the pedestrianized shopping precinct, and turn left down a cobbled side road. As we walk, I hitch my Angel bag higher on my shoulder, admiring its reflection in a shop window across the street. That bag was worth every single penny.
I’m slightly surprised Jess hasn’t said anything about it, actually. If my sister had an Angel bag, it would be the first thing I’d mention. But then, maybe she’s trying to be all cool and blasé.
“So… where do you normally shop?” I ask.
“Wherever’s cheapest,” replies Jess.
“Me too! I got the most fab Ralph Lauren top at this designer outlet in Utah. Ninety percent off!”
“I tend to do a lot of bulk buying,” says Jess with a little frown. “If you buy large enough quantities, you can get pretty good savings.”
Oh my God. We are totally on the same wavelength. I knew we would be!
“You are so right!” I exclaim in delight. “That’s what I keep trying to explain to Luke! But he just can’t see the logic.”
“So, do you belong to a warehouse club?” Jess looks at me with interest. “Or a food co-op?”
A food co-op?
“Er… no. But on my honeymoon, I did loads of excellent bulk buying! I bought forty mugs and twenty silk dressing gowns!”
“Silk dressing gowns?” echoes Jess, looking taken aback.
“They were such an investment! I told Luke it made financial sense, but he just wouldn’t listen… OK! Here we are! This is it.”
We’ve arrived at the glass doors of Georgina’s. It’s a big, light boutique selling clothes, jewelry, and the most gorgeous bags. I’ve been coming here since I was twelve, and it’s one of my favorite shops in the world.
“You are going to love this shop,” I say to Jess happily, and push the door open. Sandra, one of the assistants, is arranging a collection of beaded purses on a pedestal, and she looks up as the door pings. Her face lights up immediately.
“Becky! Long time no see! How was the honeymoon?”
“Great, thanks!”
“And how’s married life treating you?” She grins. “Had your first big bust-up yet?”
“Ha-ha,” I say, grinning back. I’m about to introduce Jess, when Sandra shrieks.
“Oh my God! Is that an Angel bag? Is it real?”
“Yes,” I glow. Owning an Angel bag is just total bliss.
“I don’t believe it. She’s got an Angel bag!” Sandra calls out to the other two assistants. They rush to the front of the shop, gasping, “Can I touch it? Where did you get it?”
“Milan.”
“Only Becky Bloomwood.” Sandra’s shaking her head. “Only Becky Bloomwood would walk in here with an Angel bag. So how much did that cost you?”
“Er… enough!”
“Wow.” She strokes it gingerly. “It’s absolutely… amazing.”
“What’s so special?” Jess asks blankly. “I mean… it’s just a bag.”
There’s a stunned pause, then we all burst out laughing. God, Jess is quite witty!
“Sandra, I want to introduce you to someone.” I pull Jess forward. “This is my sister!”
“Your sister?” Sandra looks at Jess in shock. “I didn’t know you had a sister.”