How Not to Shop by Carmen Reid

frowned at the casual cruelty of the remark before answering, 'Well . . . yes, I think we're getting there,' as cheerfully as she could, while she watched Cath turn about in front of the mirror in a totally hopeless dress which really would be put to better use sheltering the homeless or something.
     
'I can't wait to see what you've come up with!' Finn said excitedly. 'OK, we'll meet you in the Starbucks on the lower mall at 3 p.m. for a catch-up and a quick look through the footage.'
     
'I thought we had all day,' Annie said, glancing at her watch and seeing it was already 1.50 p.m.
     
'All day filming ,' Finn told her, 'not all day shopping. There's a bit of a difference, Annie!'
     
As soon as she'd shut her mobile, Annie knew she would have to take action fast. 'OK, Cath, out of that,' she commanded briskly. 'Don't blame yourself, love, blame that sorry sack of a dress. I need to do some research. And quickly.'
     
A moment later and Annie was texting Paula, her ex-assistant. Yes, Paula was six-foot-something and built like a pole vaulter on a diet, but she had a sister, Jamilia. As curvaceous as she was vivacious, Jamilia was also a very fashionable woman on a small budget.
     
It took only a few more minutes for Jamilia herself to text back the reply to Annie's frantic question: 'Where buy hot dresses sz 16 on hi street?'
     
Here on her phone screen were the magical words: 'Coast, Dthy Prkns.'
     
'All right, we're off,' Annie instructed and tucked Cath's arm firmly under hers once again.
     
Cath wasn't allowed to wander round Dorothy Perkins, because time was now seriously limited. Instead, she was planted in the changing room with the curtains pulled firmly shut against the camera lenses.
     
Then Annie scoured the shop floor: every rack and every dress, like the true professional she was.
     
Finally, she pulled out something with serious potential. It was structured and black with three-quarter-length lace sleeves, so Cath wouldn't feel too exposed.
     
Annie didn't personally like black. Black was boring. Black was just so black. But Cath wore so much pastel, wishy-washy and beige, that Annie couldn't help feeling black would be a dramatic change. Plus, black was good with red patent.
     
'OK girl, I think we could have a serious contender here,' Annie said passing the dress into the cubicle. 'Put it on while I go in search of accessories.'
     
'Oh!' was the surprised comment from the other side of the curtain. But Annie didn't stop to listen, just buzzed over to the accessories section.
     
The glitzy, the chunky, the unusual – all the necklaces she could have wanted were out here at just the sort of money she was looking to spend.
     
She headed back to the changing room with a selection of beads, bags and bracelets, eager to see how the dress was working.
     
'C'mon,' she said to Bob, 'fire up! I have a good feeling about this one.'
     
'Are you ready?' Annie asked from outside the changing-room curtain.
     
'Yes . . . I think so,' came the reply.
     
At that Annie pulled aside the curtain with Bob right beside her, already filming.
     
'Oh yes!' she declared immediately. 'Yes, yes, yes!! Put on the shoes, we have to have the full effect.'
     
For a few moments Annie helped to make adjustments. The red patent Mary-Janes went on, then a necklace of silver and black leaves and finally Annie popped a glittery silver clutch into Cath's hand.
     
'Well?' she asked as Cath turned this way and that, coyly looking at her reflection.
     
The dress fitted well; Annie just pulled in the back a little with her hand to show Cath how a minor alteration would make it perfect. Cath herself looked different. Finally they had found a dress that seemed to pull her up, lift and lengthen her. Her shoulders were back for the first time today, her head was up, she already looked inches slimmer. The lace brought all the focus to her soft, white throat and cleavage, her dainty hands and wrists. This was just as Annie had planned.