Page 30 of Pelvic Flaws

“Well, have another. You’re bound to have sweated through nerves. Make sure you put on a lot of deodorant too.”

“Okay,” I replied and then she was gone.

* * *

“Do you think we should go shopping?” I asked Mandy, whose head was stuck in my wardrobe.

“No time,” she replied. “There’ll be something in here.”

“I’ve got a few dresses from those bloody awful sales dinners that Carl used to take me on,” I offered.

As North West Sales Manager for an electronics company, Carl often had to wine and dine his clients and always took me along for support. I actually think it was more to do with me being able to drive him home so he could drink, but at least I got a few outfits out of it.

“Nope,” Mandy said, hauling an armful of clothes on to my bed. “Dex doesn’t strike me as an uptight, pompous restaurant type of man. I’d say he’s more wine bars, or street food, so I’m thinking this will work.”

Picking through the clothes, she held up a pair of dark, indigo blue, skinny jeans, a loose, white vest top with spaghetti straps, and a pink, single-breasted jacket with push up sleeves.

“What do you think?”

I heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“You know, you’re perfectly capable of putting this outfit together yourself,” she said, giving me a soft smile.

“I know, I just panicked.”

“Ooh shoes. Do you have any that will go?”

I nodded. “My navy wedges.”

“Perfect. Now, take a deep breath and calm down. You’re starting to sweat again.”

I felt under my arms and was indeed a little sticky. Then something dawned on me. “What if I have a hot sweat? Oh God, it’ll be so embarrassing.”

“Drink lots of water and take your jacket off, and if you feel one starting just go to the loo and stay there until it passes.”

I nodded, hoping that if I did have one, it was my usual two or three minutes and not a long fifteen minute one, which I got occasionally. As I contemplated that nightmare, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Annie appeared, looking a little concerned. “What’s going on Mum? First you run up here like your knickers are on fire, then Mandy turns up and runs up here without even saying hello.”

“Oh sorry, love,” Mandy said, looking apologetic. “I didn’t mean to push past you at the door, it’s just I’d had the emergency call.”

“So what’s the emergency? Mum, you’re not ill are you?”

“God no,” I cried, rushing to take Annie’s hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. “I freaked out because Dex asked me out on a date.”

“No way! How did I miss that?”

“I think you were too busy wetting yourself at Isaac sprawled on the floor.”

“That’s amazing, Mum. He’s pretty hot for an old man.”

“He’s not old,” I protested.

“How old is he?” Mandy asked.

“I’ve no idea. I guess I’ll find out tonight.”

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