Page 15 of One Perfect Day in Lovely Bay
Molly disappeared into the back room and Cally stood a bit mesmerised by the shop, just as she had the first time she'd been in. An aroma of waxed cotton filled the air, loads of bolts of fabric were stacked neatly on shelves, and everything appeared to be so well organised and in order that it made Cally feel as if she wanted to run home and reshuffle her whole life.
The sound of Molly's footsteps brought Cally's attention back to the present. Molly emerged from the back room, a garment bag draped carefully over her arm. 'Here we are. Come on over to the mirror. It should be just right, but we’ll see.'
They moved to a large, ornate mirror tucked into one corner of the shop. Its gilt frame slightly tarnished with age, the glass spotless, reflecting the shop's lamps. Molly unzipped the bag with a flourish and Cally smiled. 'Ooh, I’m so happy to have this! It's beautiful.'
Molly beamed. 'I love this moment when someone gets one of these. Honestly, it never gets old.'
Cally nodded and shrugged off her cardigan as Molly lifted the coat from its hanger and held it out, helping Cally slip her arms into the sleeves. The moment the coat settled on her shoulders, Cally was happy. As a few people, including some at Lovely Manor, had said to her, there was nothing like getting your first Lovely coat. It just felt right. The weight was solid without being heavy, the fit impeccable without being too tight, and it felt as if it could and would take her through any and all weathers. Nice.
Molly stepped back, her head tilted critically as she examined the fit. 'How does it feel? All good over the shoulders there, or not?'
Cally turned from side to side and watched her reflection in the mirror. She stretched her arms out across her chest. 'It feels just right. Like it was made for me.'
'Well, that’s the aim! It was. That's the beauty of a bespoke coat.’ Molly patted the back of the coat over Cally’s shoulders and narrowed her eyes. ‘Yep, just how we like it. You can get a jumper on if you need to.’
Cally cocked her head to the side. ‘Gosh. It really is nice to have my own one. The fit is perfect. Honestly, you’re really good at this.’
‘It’s Lovely.’ Molly joked. ‘Let me check all the details at the side here.’ Molly ran her hands along the seams and checked the fall of the fabric. 'The length is good,' she noted, more to herself than to Cally. 'And the shoulders sit just right. Yeah, nice.'
Cally watched in the mirror as Molly fussed with the coat, making minute adjustments here and there.
'Let me check the sleeves and storm cuffs. Hold out your arms. You want these to be right.’
Cally held out her hands and Molly nodded approvingly. 'Perfect. Long enough to protect your wrists from the wind, but not so long they'll get in the way. You don’t want them too long.' She stepped back again, gesturing for Cally to move. 'Have a little walk around. Get a feel for how it moves with you. We can alter it if it's not right.'
Cally did as instructed, paced the length of the shop, put her hands in the pockets and flicked the hood up and down a few times. She stretched her arms out, twisted from side to side, and even did a little twirl that made Molly laugh.
'Well?' Molly asked. ‘Happy with it? You need to be happy from the word go.’
'Yep. I've never had anything fit as well.'
Molly's smile widened. 'That's what we like to hear. Now, let me show you all the features.'
Molly pointed out a few details as she spoke. ‘We've reinforced the elbows and shoulders for durability and the pockets are lined with flannel to keep your hands warm.' Mollyflipped the coat open to the inside. 'There's a hidden pocket just inside. Perfect for keeping your keys safe and dry and this one on this side will perfectly fit a phone.’ She pointed to another small pocket. ‘This is for a battery pack. It’ll stay dry if you’re out getting wet on a boat…’
‘Oh, wow, I haven’t seen that before on any of the coats I’ve borrowed.’
Molly shook her head. ‘No, you wouldn’t have. The battery pack thing is only on our newest coats.’
As Molly continued to point out the coat's features – a storm flap at the back, adjustable cuffs, and a two-way zipper hidden beneath the button placket, Cally marvelled at the thought and care that had gone into every detail.
'It's fully waterproof. You could stand in a downpour and stay dry as a bone underneath.'
Cally grinned. 'Knowing Lovely Bay's weather, I'm sure I'll be putting that to the test soon enough.'
Molly laughed. 'I've no doubt.' She reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a small brass tag. 'This is for you to engrave if you'd like. Most folks put their initials or the date they got their coat. It's a bit of a tradition.'
Cally took the tag and turned it over. It was a simple rectangle with a hole at one end for attaching to the coat. 'Where would it go?'
'Usually just inside, near the label,' Molly explained. 'But it's up to you. Some people like to keep it in that hidden pocket I showed you as a sort of secret talisman.'
Cally nodded. ‘Nice.’
'You don't have to decide now. Take it home, think about it. You can bring it back any time to have it engraved and attached.'
'Thank you,' Cally said, slipping the tag into her pocket. 'I'll give it some thought.'
'Good. A Lovely coat is for life, after all. You want to make sure it's just right.'
