Kelly shrieked with laughter when she read Jilly's effort, and they had spent the rest of the afternoon inspecting the lingerie department, just to see what was available. "See what I mean?" Jilly said. “Most of the nice things only go to a size fourteen. What hope have I got?"
The trip to Wales had proved disastrous, because she'd gone to meet a man she'd befriended on the Internet, hoping there would be a budding relationship. However, he was late meeting her at the coach station. She'd stood for over an hour in the merciless rain and when he did arrive, he said with his Welsh lilt, "Ay... you're a big girl, inn you? I'll take you to a hotel and ring you tomorrow. I've got to meet the boys down the pub now." He dropped her at the hotel entrance, and waving cheerily, drove off.
"Well, thanks a lump," Jilly mumbled and went inside to book a room. She signed in, accepted the keys to her room, went up in the lift, and as soon as she got in, she made arrangements to return home the next day. "Of all the nerve," she muttered, towelling her hair with more vigour than really needed. "What's happened to chivalry and romance these days?” Then his words, 'big girl, inn you?' rang through her memory and she gave a resigned sigh. "O'course," she told her reflection in the mirror, "he only saw your face online, didn't he?"
"Jilly! Are you still there, Jilly? Answer me,. Aren't you excited?" Kelly's voice brought her back to earth, and she said, "How about you pop round, Kelly? We can talk about it."
"Talk about it? Aren't you even a little bit excited? By the way, how did the big meet go?"
"I wish you hadn't put it that way, Kel, but come around to my place and well talk about everything."
"Okay! I'm on my way."
Jilly sighed, put her phone on the hallway table and picked up her case to take into her bedroom. She smiled at the big white bear on her bed and said, "You love me, don't you, Boris?” The jet black eyes seemed to twinkle, and as Jilly plonked the case on the bed to empty, he slid graciously sideways staring at her. "Don't look at me like that, Boris, I know when I'm beaten."
An hour later, she let Kelly in and the sisters hugged. "Come on, put the kettle on, I want to hear all about everything. I thought you'd be away for a few days?"
Before Jilly had a chance to tell Kelly all about the Welsh disaster, the only conversation was about the competition. "How come the result was in the newspaper?" Jilly queried. "They should have sent me a letter or something."
"They did," bounced Kelly, "only remember? You said you'd put my address in case the result came through when you were away. Here's the letter."
Jilly remembered and nodded as she took the daintily edged letter from Kelly. It had come from "Helena's Lingerie", a section within the department store.
'You are invited to choose any underwear set from our store with our compliments, and to
congratulate you on your winning entry which appealed immensely to the judges. We are here to
prove that you can get a pretty bra and panties in your size, although we cannot guarantee the
colour you chose. Please make an appointment before you come so we can afford you special
attention.'
"I'm not going on parade just so they can get publicity," Jilly declared.
"But you won the prize," Kelly said in dismay
"Okay, you be me then, and next time I want something, you can pay for it!"
"What about my size? Surely they'll query my entry?"
"Probably won't even refer to it." Kelly brushed away that thought, but Jilly wasn't convinced. After a lot of argument, it was agreed that Kelly would make the appointment and pretend to be Jilly which worked perfectly. Kelly was treated and feted, had her photograph taken by the department store, and said all the right things in the right places. She ended up with a gorgeous set of apricot coloured underwear and was even persuaded to model 'her' prize.
Jilly sat on the satin boudoir chair provided, looking and feeling most uncomfortable. However, she was so pleased to see her little sister getting all the attention and watched everything keenly. She didn't notice the tall and well-dressed Manager approach her. He bent low and whispered, "I'm betting you wish you had won the prize?"
Jilly smiled nervously and rambled on about all the beautiful stock her sister had to choose from. The Manager said quietly, "I happen to think that big is beautiful. Would you like to come with me, please? I have something to show you."
'Yeah, right!' Jilly thought, but when she looked up at him, something in his eyes made her get up and follow him.
He walked behind the displays, and spoke with another lingerie assistant. "Would you like to take this young lady and confirm her correct size, please?"
"Yes, of course, Mr Hanlon. Come this way, Miss, please."
Some time later, Jilly and Kelly were back at the cottage, sipping tea and chattering about their experience at the department store earlier. The table was littered with bags, labels and lace. "Wasn't that nice of Mr Hanlon to organise that for you," said Kelly, nodding towards a very large size bra and pants set. It was a beautiful sky blue and lacy.
"Guess so," said Jilly, slightly embarrassed.
"I wonder what made him do that?"
Jilly smiled secretly and said, "Drink your tea, you minx. We've both won the competition." She didn't add that Mr Hanlon, "call me Ray," had not only arranged for her to have a set of lacy lingerie as well, he had asked her to join him for dinner at the weekend.
****
"Yesterday is History; Tomorrow is a Mystery, Today is the present you should open and enjoy.” MM
****
Author Note I wrote this poem after consoling a lovely friend who did not deserve to suffer this way. No mother does.
CONFUSED
I can't understand you
I don't know what to do
My heart and pure devotion
were claimed by you.
I held you and soothed you
When pain took its hold
Supported, encouraged
'til you became bold
I watched and listened
and gave you advice
You seem to take notice
of directions precise
No false excitement
or miserable wrath
Nothing could hinder
or block your path
your future was crystal
your journey was safe
Until the long rope
contorted your face
You had all to live for
Your sky was clear blue
Now I’m heartbroken
I can't understand you
****
DEDICATION
Thank you for reading!
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