Chapter Twenty-One

Now You're Talking

Ghastly followed Tanith, having come shopping with her as well, but she was looking for a wedding dress. They were currently in a very fancy dressmaker's.

"Wow." Tanith had stepped out of her changing cubicle and Ghastly's eyes grew wide. The dress was nearly as beautiful as the woman filling it was. It was all white satin and stark lace, with a halter neck, low-cut. It clung to Tanith's body perfectly, flattered her with precision.

"I like it." Tanith admired the dress in the mirror. "What do you reckon?"

Ghastly let his expression do the talking.

"OK, I take it you like it as well. I kind of think it's the one we should be getting." Tanith smiled as the serving lady bustled over. Ghastly rolled his eyes slightly as the lady clucked over Tanith. Any chance of a sale and they magnetise, he thought.

"Yes, this is the one I want," Tanith repeated for the seventeenth time. "Yes, I'm sure."

Ghastly inhaled and exhaled slightly. The heat of Italy was getting to him, and he wanted to get back to the hotel so that he could swim again and battle the heat of the day.

Well, the heat of the evening, Ghastly thought to himself, as he saw the darkening sky outside. He stood as Tanith disappeared into the cubicle again. He pored over the diamond rings in a glass cabinet for a while, thinking. One in particular caught his eye, and, in hushed tones, Ghastly asked the storekeeper to get it out of the display cabinet. He motioned to the changing area, signalling that he didn't need what he was doing announced to the whole town.

"OK," the woman whispered, smiling a little. Ghastly swiped his card and tucked the small box into his coat. The lady who had served him let her eyes drift over his scars, but said nothing.

"Right then." Tanith opened the door, oblivious to what had just occurred. She discussed purchase with the storekeeper and the lady responded with obvious enthusiasm. Tanith paid for her wedding dress, winked at Ghastly, and asked if she could have it delivered to the hotel.

With that, Tanith and Ghastly left, bank accounts depleted a little, but both extremely happy.

"Glad that's over," Tanith muttered.

"Now you're talking," Ghastly replied, and looked up to find the sky had darkened.

They rang for a taxi, kissed each other, and waited.