Not Just Any Royal Pain

Chapter Six:
A Day Out

During brunch, Bailey and I found out that we would be going out to London for an appointment that her grandmother had made to have Bailey measured for a dress. We were to leave immediately afterwards and then after her fitting, and apparently mine, we were going to make some other stops.

We got in the black SUV that was waiting for us and Nigel was already standing outside for us, with the door opened. He helped Mrs. Marshall into the back seat before helping Bailey in as well. He then informed me that I would be sitting up front, because Mrs. Marshall did not like it when it was cramped in the back. I nodded my head, not asking any further questions.

“Of course.” I said, as he closed the back door and opened the passenger seat for me. I climbed in and made myself comfortable, after making sure that I was sitting up straight.

“Alright ladies, here’s the plan.” Mrs. Marshall told us when Nigel pulled out of the gate and had gotten on the main road. “We are to get both of you measurements for dresses, then we will sit down and look at a book of dresses that I have told them to prepare for us. Afterwards we will have a light lunch and we are off to take care of some more business. I have arranged a reservation at The Wolseley for one in the afternoon. We must arrive promptly at that time, no later and no earlier.”

Both Bailey and I told her that we understood and when we reached the little store, or what appeared to be a little store, Nigel opened the doors for all of us and we followed Mrs. Marshall into the shop. When we stepped in, I couldn’t help but stare around the room in awe. The inside was much bigger than what the outside lead you to believe. There was a crystal chandelier hanging in the middle of the room overtop what appeared to be almost a small stage with a three-way mirror in front of it. The walls were a light cream colour which matched perfectly with the pearl coloured accents.

“This place is gorgeous.” I told Bailey.

“Isn’t it, its grandma’s most favorite place to go to get fitted. Now come on, this will take a lot longer than you think.” Bailey told me, as she continued to follow her grandmother into the back of the store.

I looked over to the right side of the shop before following Bailey to see a receptionist desk. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion when I saw a young blonde sitting in her chair, simply talking on the phone. She made eye contact with me and she must have noticed my sense of hesitation because she ushered me to follow my party into the back.

I quickly caught up and saw that they were already undressing Bailey so that they could get her measurements down to the nine. There were three ladies working with her, each one with their own measuring tape. I watched as one of the middle aged women quickly put the piece of tape behind her back and then brought it into the front. The woman then made sure that it was tight against her stomach before telling a fourth member the measurement.

“Don’t worry darling, it only takes but a second. The real pain is deciding on a dress style, material and whatever else you may need.” Mrs. Marshall told me, as she took a seat on the nice, fluffy white sofa.

I followed her example. “I thought you might have had a style and color in mind.”

“Oh, I do.” She smiled at me. “But I want Bailey to have a say in her dress. She can be quite respectable and I want it to show her style- not mine.”

“It’s your turn.” Bailey told me, as she took a seat on the matching chair.

I got up and walked up two steps before I was being tugged out of my clothing and then measured. Hands were moving my arms up or down, they were slightly pulling on my stomach and it made me feel quite self conscious.

“Darling, you have such a tiny frame, you should do some modeling. I’m sure models are going to be needed at this time of the year.” One of the ladies told me.

Before I could answer, there was someone shoving a card into my hand which I had to accept with a slight smile. In a matter of minutes, my clothes were back on and I was sitting back down with Bailey and her grandmother looking through books, trying to figure out a cute style, dress and what kind of material the dress should be made out of.

“Remember, I don’t want anything super frilly.” Mrs. Marshall told our consultant before we left to get our lunch. “I don’t want any oversized bows, ruffles placed everywhere- nothing of that sort.”

“Of course not.” The lady told her, as she took more notes down on a pad.

“Very well then.” Mrs. Marshall said, as she nodded her head. “It’s been a pleasure working with you again.”

“The pleasure is all ours, believe me when I say so.” The lady smiled as we walked out the store and back into the SUV.

“I’m glad that is out of the way. We shall have something small to eat before dinner this evening, our same guests will be coming back, but this time I expect one more shall join us.” Mrs. Marshall told Bailey and I as we sat down at a table near the back.

We all ordered a nice salad, something that would fill us up just enough, but not enough that we wouldn’t be hungry long before dinner came.

“So Skye, how are you liking London so far?” Mrs. Marshall asked me.

“I haven’t seen much of it, to be honest, but simply looking out the car window I can tell that I can’t wait to do some more exploring of the city.” I smiled, as I took a drink of my water.

“How wonderful!” she exclaimed. “I’m sure once Bailey’s party is a little more set in stone, you will both be free to do a little wandering. We should be going soon by the way.”

“Oh, of course. If you don’t mind though I’d like to use the restroom before we go.”

“Hurry up child.”

“I’ll be as quick as I can.” I told her before I stood up from my seat and made my way to the bathrooms, after asking a waitress where they were located. There was a small line and by the time I got back, I saw that Bailey and her grandmother had already left. I sighed in frustration as I made my way outside thinking that maybe they were just waiting in the vehicle.

I happened to be wrong and I simply stood next to the road, hoping that there would be a taxi I could get in.

“Excuse me miss, do you need help?” I heard a male ask me in a familiar British accent.

I turned around to see the redhead from the night before. He seemed quite stunned to see me, but soon smiled.

“Ah, lost on your first day here, eh?” he asked. “Can’t believe Bailey left you to explore alone.”

“Oh she didn’t really.” I told him, blushing at my lack of luck.

“Sounds like there’s a story behind that,” He told me, as he watched me. “Especially as you seem dressed up for a day of sightseeing.”

“Bailey and I want out with her grandmother today to get measured and we stopped for a quick lunch. I had to use the restroom before we left and when I came back, they had already gone.” I told him.

The redhead laughed at my misfortune and I couldn’t help but frown at him.

“Sorry ‘bout that. Well, how would you like to join me today Skye? That is correct right?” he quickly asked, making sure he got my name correct.

“I don’t know. I feel like maybe I should get back to the-”

“Oh come on, not every day you get left behind and run into someone you know in this great big city.”

“True…” I paused. “Alright, I guess it can’t hurt.” I said.

“Good.” He smiled. “Follow me.”

I took his arm as he led me down the sidewalk. “I’m sorry, but I never got your name.” I finally told him, after walking in silence for awhile.

“Oh really, I thought you would have known me.” He told me. “But no worries, the name’s Harry and this is your ride for the rest of the day.” He told me once we had arrived in front of a motorcycle.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I said, as I looked up at him. “I’m wearing a skirt.”

“There’s nothing to worry about- you’ll be perfectly safe with me.” He told me as he handed me a helmet.