‘Black shoes, brown belt, that tie? Oh baby, but what you lack in style you make up for in brains,’ she said, chuckling to herself.
‘I’m offended,’ he said, feeling miffed.
‘Don’t be. Style is nothing without substance,’ she said, preening herself in her large floral shirt. ‘See how my crocs match my top?’ she said, holding out her red plastic shoes for him to view. ‘Now that is style.’
Jeff poked his tongue out at her and laughed and turned to see Violetta standing behind him.
‘Oh hi,’ he said, embarrassed. ‘Leticia was giving me a lesson in fashion. Apparently I have no idea,’ he went on, wondering why he was telling her this.
Violetta smiled at them. ‘Men’s fashion is harder to get right than women’s. The rules are tighter.’
Jeff looked down at himself. ‘Yes, the brown belt with black shoes rule is something that I haven’t been exposed to before.’
‘I blame his girlfriend or wife,’ said Violetta playfully to Leticia. ‘Letting him out like that.
Leticia was thrilled her poster girl for style was talking to her and she joined in the banter. ‘Oh honey, those examples should show you that he has no girlfriend or wife. No self-respecting woman would let a fine man like Doctor Carson out like that.’ She finished with a flourish and a snap of her fingers.
‘Hey, I am here!’ Jeff said, rising to his own defence.
‘He is so nice,’ Leticia confided to Violetta. ‘But he needs a makeover. We have tried for three years here but he ain’t biting. Perhaps you should try. You would do us all a huge favour.’
Violetta laughed. ‘Well, you can lead a man to Prada but you can’t make him wear it.’
‘Prada? What’s a Prada?’ asked Jeff, confused.
Leticia snorted at him. ‘Something you can afford but can’t afford not to wear. Please child, take him and make him your own. He wears us down with his poor styling here,’ she laughed as she walked away in the direction of a buzzer ringing.
‘Sorry about that,’ Jeff said, blushing. ‘I am sure you didn’t come here to discuss my sartorial elegance.’
‘I was wondering if you could call me overnight if there is any change. I am on the roster for tomorrow morning.’
‘Absolutely,’ he said, making a note on the chart. ‘It’s good to have a roster.’
‘Yes.’
Violetta waited awkwardly and then turned to walk away.
Jeff turned back to his chart but he seemed flustered. He seemed so unconfident and perplexed that she felt sorry for her and Leticia’s playful roasting.
‘I can take you,’ she said quickly.
‘Sorry?’ Jeff looked up at her in surprise.
‘To Prada.’
Jeff stared at her. He waited and then laughed. ‘No, no. It’s fine. I’m sure I’ll get by.’
Violetta shrugged. ‘Sure, but if you do decide you want some advice, let me know. They know me there, I can get you styled and fabulous in no time at all. It’s the least I could do for helping my mother,’ she added.
Jeff nodded. ‘Thanks. I’ll think about it.’
As Violetta walked away she was sure Dr Carson was watching her walk back to her mother’s room.
*
The next morning, Violetta was woken to buzzing from the doorman downstairs.
‘Ms de Santoval,’ his voice came through the speaker. ‘There is a camera crew here for you.’
