Serena tried to swallow her irritation as Elinor dragged her into a dress shop that was entirely too young for her. It had been a mistake to ask her daughter for her help on finding a new dress for the gala, since she had sold her previous evening gown a few months ago, thinking she wouldn't need it again. That was just typical for her, though, getting rid of something right before she needed it.

"I don't think we're going to find anything appropriate in here, poppet. After all, this shop is clearly meant for people your age rather than mine."

"You never know, Mum! Just, give it a go, okay? And if we really don't find anything here, I'll let you pick the next store!" Her daughter gave her a brilliant smile as she clasped her hand and dragged her deeper into the store. Serena shook her head, allowing the manhandling as it meant that they would be that much closer to getting the dress and going home.

There was a nice selection of dresses, she had to admit, but nothing that really caught her eye. She had a black dress in mind, something severe and yet classy, that would give her an aura of respect and authority. The colors on most of these dresses were garish to her aesthetic, and so she thumbed through them to make Elinor happy.

"We're going to end up at Debenhams, aren't we?"

Serena looked up at her daughter, giving her a sheepish smile as she nodded. "I'm afraid so, Ellie. There is just nothing that suits me here. Though I think this purple number would look good on you." She pulled out the gown and held it against her daughter's body, nodding a little as she looked her up and down. "Seriously, go try this on, and I might consider getting it for you as a present for accompanying me today."

Elinor gave her a happy grin as she took the hanger from Serena's hands and made her way over to the dressing rooms. This gave Serena a moment to sit down and rest, her mind going over the other shops they had already visited. Bernie wouldn't have put up with this nonsense, she knew, and would have ordered her to just pick something. That, or chosen for her. And Serena would have let her get away with that, since she trusted the woman enough to know what would look good on her.

Elinor came out wearing the purple dress, and Serena let out a gasp of pleasure as her daughter did a little spin for her. "You were right, this dress is perfect for me! Now I just need to find somewhere to wear it."

"I'm certain you'll make do, Elinor. Go, change, and we'll check out."

Elinor nodded and scurried back into the changing rooms while Serena stood and stretched a little. She honestly hoped that Debenhams would have something for her, since she didn't relish trying to find another shop that might have something appropriate for a woman of her age.

It was only a short walk from the store Elinor had favored and the department store, so she felt comfortable with not putting her jacket back on, instead slinging it over her arm as they strolled to Debenhams's. Elinor chatted away animatedly, no doubt pleased as punch at getting a new dress from this outing. She listened with half an ear as her mind ran through everything else that she would need to get. Of course, there were some things that she could glean from her wardrobe, but still, at the very least, she would need hosiery and maybe new foundation wear.

"Mum! Are you even hearing me?"

She turned to look at her daughter as she opened the door, and sheepishly shook her head. "I'm sorry, you know how much these events throw me off. Not that I don't like schmoozing with bigwigs and trying to butter them up so I can get more money for my ward."

Elinor giggled as she shook her head. "You are entirely incorrigible. Though I can see you wrapping everyone around your little finger and charming them into giving you exactly what you want." She leaned over and kissed Serena's cheek lightly before tripping over to the escalator. Serena followed after her, a bemused smile on her lips as they went up to where the evening wear was.

Immediately, her eyes were drawn to a beautiful black dress, floor length, and with just the right amount of sparkle as to catch the light as she danced. Reaching out, she caressed the silky fabric lovingly, imagining Bernie and her dancing together, the other woman in a tuxedo and holding her close as they swayed around in their own little world. "I think I'm going to try this one on, Ellie," she said as she turned to her daughter, holding the dress up.

"Absolutely not. Mum, that is a dress meant for a woman twenty years your age! If you truly want to turn heads and make money, you're going to need something that will stand out amongst the crowd, and I think that I have it!"

Those were never good words to hear from her daughter's lips, and she focused her gaze on the dress that was in her hands. It was red, bright red, and Serena knew that it would definitely turn heads. "There is no way that I could wear that, Elinor. It's not me."

"I'm going to have to disagree, Mum. Please, just try it on, along with the black one, and you'll see. I'm going to be right."

Sighing, she snatched the dress from Elinor's hands and disappeared into the fitting rooms. Thankfully, there was an open one, and she closed herself in before stripping down to her skivvies and critically assessing her body. There was decidedly more softness to her middle these days, and she automatically went with the black dress, knowing that it would cover a multitude of sins. Shimmying into it, she zipped it and smoothed the fabric over her stomach, gazing in the mirror. There wasn't anything particularly earth shattering to the look, but it would do.

Still, she knew that Elinor would raise hell if she didn't at least try on the red dress, so she reluctantly changed out of the black dress and put on the red one. It felt heavenly from the moment it touched her skin, and as she ran the zipper up her side, she felt herself falling in love with it. A soft knocking on her door caught Serena's attention, and she opened it, looking into Elinor's smiling face.

"It looks like you were right, poppet. This is the dress."

"I knew it!" Elinor squealed with pleasure as she hugged Serena tightly, swaying them back and forth. "This is too, too, amazing! Oh, and now we need to get you new shoes, and some jewelry, and of course, new lingerie. There is no way you can wear that bra with that dress. The strap shows!"

Serena shook her head, wondering just how much this little shopping trip was going to end up costing her. After all, she loved a bargain, but the way that Elinor's face was lit up told her that this was going to be very expensive. "I might agree to the lingerie, and perhaps a new pair of shoes, but I think that I have some jewelry that will work."

"Fine, I suppose. Though I will have final say on what you wear with it, okay?"

Serena gave her daughter an indulgent smile as she unzipped the dress and handed it over to her to hang up as she put on her street clothes. And then she was struck by the thought that this particular dress would be loved by Bernie, and that put her in a better mood for the event ahead of her.