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I sigh “Look, Sadie-”

“He’s my man! It’s my date!” she cries passionately “Mine! With my rules! This is my last chance to have so sohtful dreary outfit-”

“I don’t want to spoil it-”

“You pros my way! You promised!”

“Stop shouting atmy ear “Jesus!”

“Is everything all right back here?” Norah appears again and eyes me suspiciously

“Yes!” I try to compose myself “I was just… er… on the phone”

“Ah” Her face clears She nods toward the bronze silk flapper dress, still in my arms “You want to try that on? Wonderful piece Made in Paris Have you seen the mother-of-pearl buttons? They’re exquisite”

“I… um…”

“You promised!” Sadie’s about three inches from me, her chin set, her eyes fiery “You promised! It’s my date! Mine! Mine!”

She’s like a relentless fire-engine siren I jerk ht as best I can There’s no way I can cope with a whole evening of Sadie yelling at me My head will explode

And let’s face it Ed Harrison thinks I’m a nutter anyway What difference does it make if I turn up in a flapper dress?

Sadie’s right It’s her evening I ht as well do it her way

“All right!” I say at last, cutting across Sadie’s insistent voice “You’ve talked me around I’ll try on the dress”

TEN

If anyone I know sees me, I will die I will die