Page 212 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

‘I was so beautiful that night...my voice soared.’

Mimi stretched her arms up like a ballerina and held the position as she recalled it, then gave a contented sigh as her hand came down. Susie wished she had a tenth of Mimi’s fizz and confidence.

‘I was singing for Eric,’ she said, and smiled. ‘He had asked me to the ball.’

‘Are you hoping Gio will ask you?’ Susie said, perhaps angling to know what was happening.

Apart from the little Dante had told her, it would seem he and Mimi were still living apart, although Mimi seemed a lot happier. In fact, she laughed now at Susie’s question.

‘Oh, no. The ball is very traditional. You only ever take one woman. It is different these days, but for some of us the tradition remains. Gio proposed to his beautiful wife there. It was where I met Eric...’ She looked at Susie. ‘You should go—Gio can get you invited!’

‘I can’t. My parents are visiting that weekend,’ Susie said. ‘As well as that, I don’t have anyone to go with.’

She thought how dismissive Dante had been, even at the thought of inviting her. And although her thoughts darkened, she tried to lighten her tone.

‘Anyway, I wouldn’t have a clue what to wear. Let alone be able afford it.’

‘I have a thousand gowns.’ Mimi waved her excuses away. ‘And I have been many sizes. Come.’

She took Susie upstairs to a gorgeous high-ceilinged room, with many full-length mirrors and an ornate dressing table with angled side mirrors.

‘This is where I sing now, but it was once my dressing room,’ Mimi said as she opened up what looked like an entire wall of wardrobes.

‘Oh, Mimi...’

Susie stared at the array of beautiful gowns as Mimi pointed out some of the costumes she’d worn. Enchanted, Susie went through the dresses. Silks, velvets, frothy tulle of many shades and moods, vivid crimsons and sensual violets, as well as a dazzling russet. They were all labelled with the venues they’d been worn at, as well as the dates.

‘Rosina,’ Mimi sighed, taking out a black velvet dress. And perhaps she saw Susie’s frown. ‘I sang Rosina inThe Barber of Seville.’

For a tiny second Susie had thought Mimi was talking about Rosa... Gosh, that last conversation...her last time with Dante. No matter how Susie filled her days, he was never more than a thought away.

Then came a brief diversion as her hand paused over a dusky gown. Susie wasn’t sure if it was a pastel grey or pink, but the fabric was as soft as feathers to the touch.

‘Oh!’ Mimi gave a cry of delight, replacing her Rosina costume and coming over. ‘What was I thinking? I actually hated that poor gown.’

‘Why?’

‘I usually prefer block colours. But this designer was famous for his achromatic designs and I wanted to own one. By the time it came to the final fitting I’d decided it was too subtle for me.’ She put on her glasses and read her meticulous notes, then separated the layers of the skirt. ‘The slip is Paris-pink, the chiffon a dove-grey.’ She took it out and held it against Susie. ‘I was very precious then—I believe I ended up wearing saffron.’ She peered at the label again. ‘It’s never been worn. Try it.’

Susie couldn’t resist, and slipped behind the curtains and undressed. Then she peered at the frothy gown wondering how to get it on. ‘Do I...?’

‘Step into it,’ Mimi said from outside.

It felt like stepping into heaven. It was glorious, even allowing for the straps of her bra, and she stared at her image, a little pale and washed out, as Mimi chatted away.

‘In Milan, I had four people helping me into it.’

Dante was in Milan...

That was all it took and he was back at the forefront of her mind. Gosh, no matter how Susie tried she could not keep thoughts of him at bay.

The curtain was swept back and Mimi stepped in. ‘It’s heavenly,’ Susie said. ‘Although even done up I think it’ll be a bit too big...’

‘It’s corseted,’ Mimi said. She instructed Susie to take off her bra, then took a little implement like a crochet hook to do up the back buttons. ‘Arthritis,’ she explained, and then, with not a jot of awkwardness, she stared at Susie in the mirror and jostled her breasts.

‘Ow!’ Susie said. ‘That hurt!’

‘I barely touched them!’ Mimi laughed as she arranged the skirt and then looked at Susie’s reflection. ‘Oh, Susie...’ She gave her verdict. ‘It’s perfect.’