SWIMSUITS
This was their last day in Brighton, in a big city, therefore they wanted to make the most out of what it had to offer (mainly out of the large number and variety of shops).
The ladies were both very excited by their plan, the men however, moseyed behind, hoping this (for them) dreary spree wouldn't take too long.
After exploring a fair few smaller shops, Elsie and Beryl have chosen to make a visit to Miss Maureen's Fashion Shop which seemed most in style with what they were used to. Moreover, it seemed the shop was selling swimsuits.
Mrs Patmore started rummaging through the clothes, while Mrs Hughes politely spoke to Miss Maureen, trying to explain what she was after. The two men stood right behind her. Mr Carson was half-listening to what his wife and the shop keeper had to say, while Mr Mason was watching his spouse, praying she was not trying to find anything for him other than what they already agreed.
Using different techniques, the two ladies more or less found all the clothes they were after – swimsuits and some other odd bits and pieces for themselves and their husbands.
"What about this dress?" Mrs Patmore pulled out a nice dark blue summer dress off the rack and showed it to her.
"Hmmm." Mr Hughes clearly liked it. "That's very nice, I think it would suit you."
"No, I mean for you." The cook explained, knowing it would never fit herself.
"Oh, I see. Well… I've already got all I need." She lifted the clothes she was already holding under her arm.
"You can try it on, surely!"
Mrs Hughes just shook her head lightly and looked in the direction of where her husband was.
"He won't mind." Mrs Patmore also looked at Mr Carson, who was now studying a price tag on one of the shirts in the shop with a particularly flabbergasted expression.
"I guess trying it on won't do any harm." The housekeeper decided and took the dress from her. After that they both headed towards the changing rooms.
Mrs Patmore, Mrs Hughes and Mr Mason all tried on the swimsuits first. The two ladies disappeared behind the 'dressing room' sign.
Mr Carson was nervously waiting on the other side. For some peculiar reason this situation reminded him of when he was waiting for her on their wedding day – eager to see her in her dress. Except this was a swimsuit - so maybe it was more like that time he was eager to see her in the new night gown she ordered from that catalogue. No! Don't go there, Charles! He scolded himself in his mind.
When she finally came out, he just stared at her, his mouth open.
"What do you think?" She asked shyly as he didn't speak for a while.
"Isn't it a bit short?" He asked after another moment of silence, looking at her thighs.
"I don't think so..." She hesitated. "It's the longest one they had."
"Very well then." The butler nodded idly.. He noticed she had her corset under it and couldn't shake the image of what it would look like if she wasn't wearing one. Actually, he couldn't shake off any of the smutty thoughts that were forming in his head.
"Are you not travelling with them, sir?" Miss Maureen asked Mr Carson and tried to hand him a swimsuit she found in his size.
"Erm..." He put his hands up in the air to indicate refusal. "I am but…"
"You could try it on, Charlie, there is no harm in that." Elsie cheered him and Miss Maureen showed him into the next free changing room.
In the meantime, Elsie also swished the curtains closed again and started putting on the next outfit. The Masons finished changing, happy with their finds, and just stood by waiting.
When Charles walked out of the dressing room, all eyes were on him. His expression was priceless – he looked lost, appalled, and disappointed in himself.
None of the three friends were able to speak, they were so shocked. They couldn't believe their eyes – he actually went through with it.
Miss Maureen - the only unaware party – was the one to break the silence: "You look about ten years younger with those on, sir."
Mr Carson shot her a distrustful look. "I better take it off."
"You should buy it, Mr Carson. It'd be nice if you could join us all at the beach tomorrow." Mrs Patmore tried to persuade him, as he started retreating back behind the curtain.
"You look very handsome." His wife's soft voice stroked his ego and caused him to whip around.
"You said the beach in Dorset is quite private, didn't you?" He looked at the rest of the group.
"We did, indeed." Mr Mason confirmed.
"Well, in that case…" The butler didn't finish his sentence, but everyone knew what he meant.
He changed back into his day clothes and came out, while Miss Maureen took the Masons to the till.
"Are you ready to go, Elsie?" Mr Carson was very tempted to sneak a peek behind the curtain of her dressing room.
"I am just trying on this dress Mrs Patmore found."
"Can I see?"
"You can," she said and stepped out for him. "But there is no need, as I won't be getting it anyway."
"Why not? You look wonderful." He surprised her with his forwardness.
"I-" She smiled timidly. "I don't really need it. I am already getting the swimsuit and the shirt."
"So?" He was confused.
"I have never bought more than one piece of clothing every few years my entire life." Elsie laughed but there was a hint of pity in her voice.
"I can buy it for you." Charles reassured her.
"That's very kind, Mr Carson, but no, thank you." She disappeared behind the curtain again.
"You don't like the dress then?" He kept talking to her.
"I do, very much." She exhaled deeply in frustration as she was buttoning her shirt up.
'Women' thought Mr Carson and grabbed the dress from her as she walked out of the dressing room. He then headed to the till to pay for all the items, including the dress for her and (lo and behold) the swimsuit for himself.
