My sisterinlaw walked off with my wifes new dress without asking, and I ended up in the middle of a fullblown scandal.
Emily, look at how it sits! Shes a queen, isnt she? That seawave blue is perfect for your eyes, and the fabricjust gorgeous, it flows like music! the shop assistant in the little boutique on Oxford Street exclaimed, her enthusiasm genuine rather than perfunctory.
Emily turned to the mirror, taking the dress in from every angle. It truly was a dream: pure silk, a sophisticated cut that hid every flaw and highlighted every asset, a long slit that added a hint of spice without crossing into indecency. Shed been saving for half a year, skimping on payday coffees and tiny pleasures, all for the companys Christmas party where she worked as senior accountant. This year the firm was celebrating its anniversary with a lavish restaurant, live music and a strict blacktie dress code.
Lets get it, Emily breathed, feeling her heart flutter with sweet anticipation. Its worth it.
Of course we will! the assistant replied, already slipping the designers box off the rack. You cant let a piece like that slip away. James will drop dead when he sees it!
James, of course, wasnt a fashion man; to him a robe was the same as a cocktail dressjust as long as it was clean. Yet Emily wanted to feel like a woman, not a workhorse lugging around the mortgage and the bills.
Back home, Emily tucked the prized box deep into the wardrobe, away from dust and the cats fur. A week remained until the party. Shed booked a salon appointment, bought sparkling heels, even eyed a pair of earrings. Everything had to be perfect.
The week sped by in a blur of annual reports. Emily came home late, collapsed onto the sofa, and the only thing that kept her going was the thought of Friday.
On Thursday evening, returning from work, Emily found a visitor in the kitchen. Sitting comfortably on a stool, swinging her foot, was LucyJamess younger sister. A halffilled mug of tea and a plate of biscuits, the ones Emily always bought for her morning coffee, sat before her.
Oh, Emily, youre here! Lucy and I were just nibbling on treats. Why so glum? Still wrestling with debits and credits? Lucy chirped, not even bothering to stand.
Emily gave a restrained smile. Lucy was a perpetual partyanimal, always living off someone elses generosity. At thirty she drifted between one odd job and her parents house, constantly looking for a rich husband and convinced the world owed her everythingespecially her older brother James, who adored his little sister and forgave any misstep.
Hey, Lucy. Im just exhausted from the reports, Emily replied, setting her bag on the side table. James, do we have anything for dinner?
Emily, youre a legend, Lucy laughed. The bloke from work showed up, and you asked him about dinner. Id have whipped up dumplings myself. Ive been starving, survived on sandwiches. By the way, youre running low on sausagejust so you know.
Emily inhaled deeply, counting to ten. She didnt want a fight on the eve of the party.
Ill change and think of something, she said, heading to the bedroom.
James gave her a guilty look but stayed silent. He always wavered between his wife and his sister, preferring the ostrich tactichead in the sand, hoping the storm would pass.
Dinner was a nonstop monologue from Lucy. She bragged about a new suitor who turned out to be a cheapskate, complained about needing new boots, and hinted that James should help his dear sister any way he could. Emily chewed her dumplings in silence, longing only for Lucy to leave.
By the way, Emily, Lucy said, sipping her third cup of tea, James mentioned youre going to the corporate party tomorrow at The Imperial, right? Fancy venue, invitationonly, the elites playground.
Yes, the firms anniversary, Emily nodded. Its serious business.
What will you wear? Lucys eyes glinted mischievously. Again that black thing from my friend Lenkas wedding? How dull.
No, not the black thing. I bought a new dress, Emily replied.
Youre kidding! Show me! Im curiousmaybe I can suggest something if you picked the wrong one, Lucy pressed, already nudging James.
James added, Come on, Emily, dont be shy. Show us what youve got.
Reluctantly, Emily fetched the box, unzipped it, and let the silk cascade in the chandeliers light, shimmering a deep navy.
Lucys mouth fell open. Envy and awe danced in her gaze.
Wow how much did that cost? James, look at your wife splurging! That must be half a salary! she exclaimed.
I saved for half a year, Emily snapped, pushing the dress back into the box. Those were my bonuses.
Alright, calm down, Lucy cooed. Its beautiful, really. The cut is daring, that slitimagine the rich lads lining up for you. What size? Small? Medium? Im a blonde; that colour would suit me better.
This isnt a costume for a night out, Emily cut her off. I wont let you try it on. Its pressed and ready for tomorrow.
Ah, how delicate we are! Lucy rolled her eyes. Fine, James, can you get me to the tube? Its getting late.
When they left, Emily sighed with relief, replaced the dress in the wardrobe, checked everything, and went to bed, already picturing the next day.
Friday arrived in a whirlwind. Morning meeting, lunchbreak salon visit. Emily got home by five, ready to get dressed. A taxi was booked for sixthirty. James would arrive a bit later; he hated long preparations and planned to change in five minutes.
Emily showered, applied makeup, felt radiant in the mirror. The final touch was the dress.
She opened the wardrobe, reached for the cherished boxonly to find empty space.
Her hand met nothing.
She blinked. Had she moved it? She pushed aside Jamess shirts on the hanging rack. Nothing. She checked another compartment. Nothing.
Cold sweat ran down her back. She rummaged through coats, jackets, old dressesno sign of the blue silk. The box was gone too.
This cant be, she whispered. I just put it there yesterday.
She searched the bedroom, looked under the bed, even in the laundry basket. The dress had vanished.
The lock clicked. James entered.
James! Emily bolted into the hallway in a thin robe, panic raw on her face. Wheres my dress?
James looked bewildered, eyes darting.
What dress? he asked. Whats the rush?
The blue one! The new one I showed you! Its gone! Did you take it? Where did you put it?
James stammered, slipping his shoe slowly.
Uh Lucy dropped by earlier today.
Lucy? Emilys vision darkened. Why would she be here? She doesnt have a key!
She called, said shed forgotten her gloves. I was on my lunch break, grabbed the documents, let her in.
And then? Emilys voice trembled with rising fury.
She saw the wardrobe ajar she said, Let me try it on, just for fun. Shes a girl, you know, likes to dress up.
James, wheres the dress? Emily hissed through clenched teeth.
She asked to borrow it for one evening. Said she had an important date with some businessman, cried that she had nothing to wear, that it was her chance. I thought youre generous, youd understand. You have plenty of clothes, she could wear something else.
Emily felt the world collapse. Her husband had handed over her dressher dreamto his sister without asking, on the very night of the big party.
You gave her my dress? she asked, voice barely a whisper. Are you mad? Im supposed to be at the corporate party in an hour! What am I supposed to wear? My bathrobe?
Emily, dont start, James pleaded. Just wear the black one, itll suit you. Lucy will return it tomorrow, wash it, all good. Were family, we help each other, right?
This isnt a piece of cloth! Its my purchase, my money! Emily snapped. Call her now. Bring it back.
Shes already gone to a club. I wont ruin her night, James muttered. She said you wouldnt mind.
I wont mind? Emily laughed, a cold, terrifying laugh. Where is she? Which club?
The Jara, I think but you shouldnt go there. Dont be foolish!
Emily turned on her heel, walked to the bedroom, pulled on jeans, a sweater, grabbed the car keys.
Where are you going? The party? James stammered, trying to follow.
To hell with the party. Im going for my dress.
Emily, dont disgrace me! Let her have her fun! James pleaded.
If you dont shut up, Ill file for divorce, Emily said calmly, slipping into her shoes. Im not joking.
She bolted out, got into the car, and sped toward the Jara. The drive took about twenty minutes; all she could think about was retrieving what was rightfully hers. It had become about principle, about not being trampled in her own home.
At the club, the door guard tried to stop herdress code violationbut she gave him a look that sent him stepping aside.
Inside, Lucy lounged in the VIP area, a glass of red wine in hand, surrounded by a few lads. She was wearing the blue dress, though it was a bit tight around the bust, gathered at the waist, and the hem dragged on the dirty floor because she was shorter and hadnt worn heels.
Emily stormed to the table, music pounding in her ears.
Lucy! she shouted, cutting through the bass.
Lucy turned, eyes widening at the sight of Emily in jeans and a coat amidst the glitz.
Oh, Emily! What are you doing here? Checking up on my fun? Did James tell you? she sneered.
Take the dress off, Emily demanded.
The men at the table fell silent, watching.
What? Youre insane! Take it off now? Ill be fine tomorrow, Ill return it, Lucy replied, laughing.
This is my dress. You stole it. You have three minutes to change in the restroom or Ill call the police and press theft charges. The receipt is saved. The dress is worth £600. Thats a criminal offence, Lucy.
Youre joking! Wholl call the police? Were family! Lucy shrieked. Guys, help her!
Family dont steal from each others wardrobes, Emily said, pulling out her phone. Timer starts now. One two
Lucy lunged, flinging her wine glass. Red liquid splashed across the blue silk.
Careful! Emily shouted, but the damage was done. A dark stain spread across the dress.
Lucy stared at the blot, then at Emily. Oh, great! My fault! Youre the one who ruined it!
Emilys anger melted into icy resolve.
Take it off right now, she repeated. Lucy, seeing the attention of the other patrons, grabbed her bag and fled to the restroom. Emily followed.
In the cramped toilet, Lucy wrestled the dress off, barely covering herself. The seams strainedshe was clearly larger than Emily.
Take it! Lucy shouted, hurling the ruined silk at Emilys face. Youve ruined my life! What will James think? That Im a thief!
Emily lifted the tattered piece with disdain. Hell think youre a thief. Now listen: I never want to see you again. Not at our house, not at the cottage, nowhere. Delete my number.
She left the club, clutching the shredded dream.
Back home, James sat at the kitchen table, head in his hands, a halfempty bottle of whisky beside him. When he saw Emily walk in holding the ruined fabric, he leapt up.
Emily, you okay? Did you get it back? Thank God. He muttered, flustered. Mom called, shouting about you humiliating Lucy in the loo
Emily placed the dress on the table, unfolded it, exposing the wine stain and a split seam under the arm.
Look, James. Feast your eyes on my sisters work, she said. What do you think?
James turned pale.
The dry cleaners can fix it? he asked weakly.
Its silk, wine its trash now, Emily replied. Ill buy a new one.
James scrambled, Ill get a new one, I swear! I didnt knowshes a fool, but were family, we cant treat relatives like this He stammered.
Family means respect, asking permission, not letting strangers rummage through your closet! Emily roared. You handed my dress over like a rag. Ive saved for months, and you treated it like junk!
Emily, calm down, the neighbours
I dont care about the neighbours! You owe me £600 right now. Transfer it to my account. She demanded.
I dont have it were still paying off the car loan James protested.
Borrow from Mom, from Lucy, from the bank. If the money isnt in my account in an hour, Ill pack your things and send you back to your beloved sisters sofa.
Are you kicking me out because of a dress? James asked.
Because of disrespect! Emily snapped. That was the last straw. Years of tolerating her raids, your spinelessness, your endless Emily, just be patient. Enough! Im fed up!
The phone rang. It was his mother, Gwendoline.
Pick up, Emily, and put it on speaker, James said, shaking.
Emily pressed speaker and answered, Good evening, MrsPeterson. She spoke coldly, Your son will get a slap if he doesnt return my money for the ruined dress. Tell Lucy that if she ever steps near my flat again, Ill report her to the police and sue you for incitement. Call ends.
She hung up, looked at James.
Done, she said. Now, youre sleeping on the sofa. And for a long time.
Emily didnt go to the corporate party. She stayed home, poured a glass of wine, ordered a pizza, and let the disappointment settle into a calm resolve. The pentup frustration finally burst.
The next day Lucy texted, Bastard! I hate you! Emily blocked the number. She also blacklisted Gwendoline.
James moved around the house like a mouse, washing dishes, vacuuming, even attempting to cook a simple pasta dish. He realized hed overreached. Emily gave him only curt answers for a week, answering household questions in monosyllables.
A month later Emily bought a new dressnot as extravagant as the blue silk, but a lovely emerald piece. She wore it when they went to the theatrea peace offering from James.
Before leaving, James doublechecked the locks.
Ive taken the keys from Mom, and from Lucy, if she ever had them, he whispered into the taxi. I told them not to come over without an invitation.
Emily glanced at him, seeing remorse and fear of losing her.
Alright, she said simply. I hope youve learned your lesson.
Yes, he nodded. A costly lesson indeed.
Their relationship with Lucy was permanently broken. At family gatherings Emily now attended only for Jamess sake; she never exchanged a word with Lucy, who pretended indifference but kept her distance. The tale of the police call and the naked incident turned into a legend, with Lucy playing the victim of tyrannysomething Emily never risked confronting again.
Emily kept the ruined blue dress. She cut off the stained hem, restitched the top, and turned it into a chic blouse she now wears to important meetings. It reminds her to value herself and to guard her boundaries, even if it means causing a grand scandal, because if you dont stand up for yourself, no one will.
