The Gown(67)

“I did think of that, but even if I’d started right away there wouldn’t have been time. Do you think I might ask Carmen? I don’t know her terribly well, but she’s always dressed so nicely. Perhaps she might have some ideas.”

Carmen, as it turned out, was full of ideas.

“Good old Quag’s. One of my boyfriends used to take me there. You’re right about needing to make an effort.” The model stepped back and assessed Ann’s figure with a practiced eye. “You’re about the same size as my sister. She has a frock that might do. I had it made up from one of Mr. Hartnell’s patterns as a birthday gift for her, but she hardly ever wears it. Says it scratches.”

“Scratches?” Ann asked.

“It’s made from this gorgeous brocade—pale pink with bits of gold here and there. Meant for upholstery, but still light enough for a frock. I suppose it might be the slightest bit itchy. At any rate, I don’t think she’ll mind very much if you borrow it. What about shoes?”

“I have the ones my sister-in-law sent me from Canada. They’re beige with closed toes.”

“They’ll do. Make sure your stockings aren’t too dark. You’ll need gloves, white ones, to your elbows at least. If they’re any shorter you’ll look like your granny. And you absolutely have to do something about your hair.”

“But I don’t—”

“I don’t mean a permanent wave or anything like that. But you should have it washed and set. I’ll ask Reggie if he can fit you in. He has a little place on New Bond Street. Such a dear and he’ll make your hair look divine.”

“How much?” Ann asked, wearily resigning herself to the expense.

“Usually he charges fifteen shillings but he’ll do it for ten if I ask nicely.”

“Fifteen bob to wash and curl my hair?”

“Not fifteen—ten. And the man’s a miracle worker. You can even get your nails and makeup done if you like.”

Ann had no difficulty in rejecting that proposal. “No. I can’t put varnish on my nails, not when I’m working on the princess’s gown. Miss Duley would just make me take it off. And I would feel strange with a full face of makeup. I’ll stick with powder and lipstick. I’m sure that will be fine.”

On Wednesday she changed into her borrowed frock after work, and despite being lined it was just as scratchy as she’d feared. But it was a very pretty garment, with neat cap sleeves and a full skirt that ended well below her knees. Carmen walked her over to the hairdresser’s and introduced her to Reggie.

“Gorgeous hair, my love,” he pronounced, and proceeded to set it in a cascade of soft waves. Carmen sat in the next chair and gossiped with Reggie while he worked, which saved Ann from the ordeal of small talk with a complete stranger, and when he was done she took over the job of applying Ann’s lipstick and powder.

“And a coat of mascara, too. No, don’t fuss. Your eyelashes are completely invisible without it.”

Even Ann’s coat didn’t pass muster. “You’re not going to wear that ratty old thing, are you? Take mine.”

“I can’t. You’ve already been so nice.”

“Yes, but you deserve a bit of nice. Just don’t lose it. Now, do you have enough for a cab?”

“I was thinking I’d walk there. It’s only about ten minutes away.”

Carmen rolled her eyes heavenward. “No, no, no. You can’t just walk in off the street. You must take a cab. And be late—at least ten minutes. Fifteen to be safe. He needs to feel a little nervous.”

“But I—”

“When you arrive, just say ‘so sorry I was late’ and change the subject. That’s a good time to pull off your gloves. Loosen the fingertips one by one, like this, then pull the glove off in one long sweep, like so, and set it on your lap.”

Although Carmen made it all look wonderfully elegant, Ann had the uncomfortable feeling that she would look like a burlesque dancer if she tried to do the same. Better, though, to simply nod and agree.

“What should I order?” she asked.

“Hmm. The menu is in French—too bad Miriam isn’t here to walk you through the basics. You should just say everything looks lovely and that you can’t possibly make up your mind and you’d rather he just decided for you.”

“What if he orders something awful?”

“Like frog’s legs? I doubt it. The strangest thing on the menu there is the oysters, but they’re quite nice.”

“All right,” Ann said doubtfully.

“Don’t worry. It will be wonderful.” Carmen glanced at the clock on the wall and jumped up. “I have to run—I’m having supper with a sweet old fellow. It’s a quarter to eight now. If you walk to the corner you can get a cab outside the hotel there. Take your time, though. You want to be fashionably late.”

Ann arrived exactly ten minutes late, the most she could bear to delay, and was greeted by a smoothly smiling ma?tre d’h?tel. “Good evening, madam, and welcome to Quaglino’s.”

“Good evening. I’m meeting—”

“Captain Thickett-Milne, yes. He did say he was expecting you. May we take your coat? Wonderful. If you will allow me to show you the way?”