We navigate the sea of people with little trouble, grateful for the cover they provided.
Lizzie guided me through the revolving doors of a historic department store.
A young lady with a blonde bob in a white silk blouse and a black pencil skirt cut through the mass of people to greet us as we stepped out of the door.
"Good afternoon Miss Carter, I trust you are well?" She took our shopping bags from us as she spoke through a wide smile, "How may I assist you today?"
"Hello Sophie. We're each looking for a formal dress, could you please arrange a variety for us to try on?"
"It would be my pleasure. If you'd like to follow me through to your usual consultation suite, I'll get you situated." Sophie used her staff ID card to unlock a concealed door, holding it open to enable us to enter the empty hallway lined with extravagant artwork.
Lizzie walked on until she reached a frosted glass door on the far left, which Sophie swiftly unlocked after catching up.
I followed Lizzie into the spacious room with three white sofas arranged in a semicircle facing three cubicles built into the far wall. Flower arrangements of greens, nudes and white where dotted around the room in expensive-looking vases.
Sophie walked back into my field of vision holding two champagne flutes filled with bubbles. I accept the one offered to me, too overwhelmed to do anything but offer my thanks.
"I'll leave you to get comfortable whilst I prepare the clothes. Please use the call buzzer if you need anything." Sophie explained with a faultless smile before taking her leave.
The sofa was built for beauty over comfort, with shallow, unyielding cushions and a bolt upright back. But, it was nice to rest my feet after all of the running.
I carefully place my glass on the ornate coffee table before glancing around the room once more. Every wooden item, from the skirting boards to the cubicle doors, boasts intricate carvings. Even the charcoal plush carpet appears to have been carefully chosen to counteract the gleaming white.
"So, why do we need formal dresses?" I asked Lizzie with intrigue once she was seated next to me.
"Are you working on Saturday?"
"No…" But I'm sure I'm about to be filled in on what I'm doing instead.
"Perfect!" Lizzie sung, collecting my hands in hers, "We're going to a charity ball. It's one of those stuffy opportunities for people to network and show off under the guise of a good cause. I normally die from boredom, so it'll be a great relief to have you at my side."
I've only ever seen such events from a first aid room or in a work of fiction, it's not a world I'm part of.
"I'm not sure Lizzie, I don't think I'll fit in." I drop my gaze to my enveloped hands.
"Don't be silly! Most of these people are imposters with fake facades anyway." She gives my hands a slight squeeze before continuing more softly, "Besides, I'll be by your side to help with anything you need."
"Okay." This could be exciting. "Thank you Lizzie."
"My pleasure." The door clicks open and I turn to find Sophie and a couple of her colleagues wheeling in four full rails of dresses, prompting Lizzie to continue, "Let's find you a dress!"
We spent the afternoon trying on dress after dress whilst Lizzie took it upon herself to drink my champagne - including refills - in addition to her own. But the ache in my sides from laughing was undeniable evidence of the fun we were having.
I stepped out of the changing room cubicle in the last dress, a black slip dress with a low back, giving Lizzie the routine twirl as I walked.
"Gorgeous once more!" Lizzie exclaimed excitedly, leaning forward to rest her hands on her knees, "Which one's your favourite?"
There's the loaded question. All of the dresses made me feel like a princess, but I was too scared to look at the price tags, well aware they'd be worth months to a year of my salary.
"Sadly, they're all stunning and stunningly out of my budget. I'll order something online, but thank you for a lovely afternoon." I choose the honest and slightly embarrassing route over lying to Lizzie without good reason. Differing financial circumstances are just a part of life after all.
"Sorry, I wasn't clear earlier. You're my guest and saviour, so the dress is a gift to say thank you." Lizzie walks over to reclaim my hands and her sincerity melts my heart.
"That's really kind but too much. You've already given me so much."
"Not at all, I like finally having another girl to shop for. Besides, I've never seen my brother as happy as he's been since meeting you." She leans in closer to continue in a whisper, "It makes him a lot more tolerable!"
I looked over her deadpan expression as a smirk broke out across my face before transforming into a fit of giggles.
"Only if you're sure, if not I can buy myself a dress." I panted after moderately regaining my composure.
"I'm certain. Why don't you try the silver one on again?"
"Yes Sir!" I give Lizzie a mock salute before collecting the dress and marching back to the changing room.
The silver dress is a form-fitting halter dress with a plunging neckline and a slit that runs up my thigh from the floor.
I finish adjusting it to sit in the correct position before evaluating my reflection. Lizzie has once again proven her skills, the dress fits like a glove in extraordinarily flattering way.
I've never felt so sexy and elegant before.
"Come on! Let me in on the action!" Lizzie calls from outside and I can't help but comply. "Oh yes, that settles it! You look incredible."
"Thank you." The warmth in my chest threatened to spill into tears.
Sensing my change, Lizzie guided me into her arms, just silently holding me against her until I calmed. The act of kindness almost had me blubbering like a baby, but I managed to only let one drop escape.
"You have my number now, you can call me day or night." She reassured me gently as she released me from her embrace before her usual smile fell back into place, "Even if you just want to eat ice cream together at two am."
I laughed with her at that, grateful to Lizzie for returning us to our prior lighthearted state.
We both got changed back into our incognito outfits before Lizzie arranged to have the chosen dresses delivered to her apartment as we'd be getting ready together there.
"Thank you for looking after us Sophie, have a lovely evening." Lizzie sung as we collected our bags from earlier.
"It was a pleasure as always. Have a good evening ladies." Sophie waved us off as we left the shop with our arms looped together.
My next question of where to now was interrupted before it even formed.
"Here's my favourite trouble makers!" A rich voice yanked my attention upwards, finding Ade's gaze immediately. "I knew you two would be a dangerous combination."
Ade was leaning against one of his cars, that he had somehow managed to park directly outside the shop doors.
"Adrian, Leon! Careful boys, I'll have to call an exorcist if you keep haunting me like this." Lizzie warned with a mock sweetness.
Ignoring her attitude, Leon stepped forward to take her bags, looking over her new appearance as he approached. His gaze lingered a fraction too long on Lizzie's hair and she began to pull at a hair band.
"No! It looks cute." Leon caught her hand before it had the chance to distort her hairstyle.
"Okay." Lizzie whispered a barely audible reply as a blush swept across her cheeks.
I bit my bottom lip to suppress laughter.
"What has you in giggles?" Ade made me jump as he wrapped his arms around me from behind.
"I don't think they really hate each other. In fact, it might be quite the opposite." I lean into his embrace and Ade rests his head atop of mine. "Anyhow, what are you doing here?"
"Leon called when you ditched, so I thought I'd restore order and take you home."
"How did you find us?" We were overly cautious and I haven't seen Leon since the cafe. Besides, why did they wait outside?
"A magician never reveals their tricks."
I roll my eyes, ready to push further, but Ade walks over to Lizzie, removing my opportunity.
I stroll over to join Ade in saying goodbye to the others. Lizzie squeezes the life out of me with a hug before giving Ade a cold glare.
The image has me randomly giggling for the entire journey home to the accompaniment of Ade's sighs.