‘Ouch.’ Eloise sucked air in through her teeth. ‘I know where this is going.’
‘Precisely.’
‘It’s like sponsored by the manor, as in not just a race but the whole shebang.’ Cally flashed the invitation in front of the screen.
Eloise swore. ‘This is huge. Your feet are well and truly under the table. It’ll be wedding bells next.’
Cally made a funny shrieking noise. ‘Ahh, don’t say that!’
‘You need outfit assistance, I assume?’
Cally nodded. ‘Tell me about it. Which is why I’m video calling you.’
Eloise made a wincing face. ‘I’m not sure I can help you with this. I’m not qualified on what to wear to the races.’
‘You have to! I’m desperate, or I will be.’
Eloise chuckled. ‘Okay, okay. First things first, do you have any idea what kind of thing you might like?’ Eloise raised her eyebrows. ‘And not your usual school uniform look.’
Cally shook her head. ‘Ilikemy uniform. It’s nice and safe. Not a clue. Something elegant but not too over the top.’
‘Sheesh.’
‘I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard, but I also don’t want to look like I don’t belong.’
‘Right, balance is key. Colours. Don’t they always wear pastels and suchlike? Princess Kate always nails it. Follow her lead. Google the heck out of her.’
Cally shuddered. ‘Honestly, don’t even go there.’
‘Or something with a floral print?’
‘I’ll look like my grandma’s curtains,’ Cally stated morosely.
‘Trouser suit?’
‘Nope.’
Eloise nodded. ‘As I said, I reckon pastels are always a good choice for the races. Nothing too busy.’
Cally sighed. ‘This is already feeling overwhelming. Why? Why do I have to put myself through this?’
‘Don’t worry, we’ll sort it out. Do you need a hat?’
Cally groaned. ‘Logan mentioned his mum and her hat collection. Little does he know that I had the job of decluttering it a few months ago. Oh, the irony. It’s like Cinderella goes to the ball, but in my case, it’s the races.’
‘Hats are tricky.’
‘I think it’s a given that I’ll be wearing something on my head. I need to google the dress code.’
‘Go subtle.’
‘Subtle, definitely. I don’t want to feel like I have a satellite dish on my head. You see some horrors in the Daily Mail.’
Eloise laughed. ‘Too easy then. Heels?’
‘Probably heels, but nothing too high. I need to be able to walk without wobbling.’
‘Do you have any shoes that might work already?’
