Lonely This Christmas by Krissie LaBaye Read Free Book Online Page B

shock.
    “Go on then, how much is it?” asked Judy in eager anticipation.
    “You don’t want to know, honey. Anyway, this is an investment in our happiness, so you can’t really put a price tag on it. You know that old expression ‘live now, pay later’? Well I say, ‘buy now, pay for the dress later’, laughed Elaine, reaching into her purse and pulling out her credit card. Judy had become a lot more cautious with her spending in recent years; whereas Elaine would use a spending spree as a form of medicine, a pick me up, or just plain old revenge when Danny had pushed his luck too far.
    The vision of beauty that stood before the two grinning women, was a knee length ‘illusion dress’, with a sweetheart neckline, and long lace sleeves. The brilliant 21 st century invention of the illusion dress allowed women who weren’t blessed with the perfect figure to look amazing. In this instance, it was a deep red body with black panels to the sides, and ornately designed black lace sleeves. It was feminine enough to look classy, but not so revealing that it would make them look cheap. Discovering that there were two color options was just the icing on the cake.
    “How would you feel if I tried the cobalt blue, Judy?” Elaine asked as she held up the cobalt blue and black option. “Just say no if you don’t like the idea. I won’t mind; I’m sure I’ll find some other dress that’s nowhere near as nice as this one,” she whined whilst sticking out her lower lip like a child, in a transparent attempt to feign unhappiness.
    Elaine wasn’t fooling anyone at all, least of all Judy, but there was no need. Judy wasn’t the type to worry about being dressed alike. Indeed, she found it quite reassuring that someone with Elaine’s impeccable taste loved the dress as much as she did. It was settled, and soon the two fifty two year old women were taking it in turn to do a ‘catwalk’ stroll along the full length of the women’s changing rooms.
    With the dresses bought and paid for Judy knew exactly where they would find the perfect new shoes to match their new outfits. She didn’t generally like spending her leisure time in the place where she worked, but she had already seen the perfect shoes and she could take advantage of her staff discount to bring the price down a bit.
    “Oh pinch me, Judy, I think I’ve died and gone to shoe heaven,” Elaine called out, while she wobbled her way past the Christmas shoppers, clutching multiple shopping bags in both of her hands. She let out a loud gasp as she reached the display of glistening party shoes. Dropping her bulging shopping bags at her feet she grabbed a shoe and held it to her face.
    “Oh, I love you,” Elaine murmured gently; clutching the cobalt blue satin platform stiletto to her lips and feigning a kiss.
    “You’re mad, you are,” laughed Judy.
    “I know, but who cares?” Elaine responded; now realizing that most of the nearby customers were watching her antics.
    The shoes were a perfect match for Elaine’s new dress, and as soon as she tried on the correct size it was clear that she would not be parted from her beloved stilettos, ever.
    “Now your turn, Judy, do you think you’ll find something you like?”
    “I should hope so, seeing as it was me who put them all out on the shelves in the first place. Anyway, I know exactly which ones I want. I fell in love with them the other day, but I didn’t think I’d get a chance to wear them, so I stopped myself wasting my money.”
    “Show me, show me,” Elaine babbled, in the same excited tone she’d used since being a teenager.
    When Judy held up the black velvety suede thin platform stiletto shoe, the tiny diamante encrusted heels glistened in the multiple ceiling recessed down lights. Elaine’s jaw dropped, her eyes widened, and just for a second she was uncharacteristically speechless.
    “Oh Judy, they’re amazing; just amazing. You have to get them, you just have to.”
    Five minutes later the