THE DRESS

Katie was starting to regret moving to the city. She’d left behind all her friends, family and home comforts for a dream, a hope even, that life could be better for her in a larger city, but after only a week she was starting to doubt herself, and her future.

She’d managed to get a small flat at the top of an old house in the city with what little money she’d be able to save up, it was at least dry, and the old lady who owned it was nice and she’d welcomed Katie in as though she was her own blood.

The problem wasn’t the flat though, but the competition she faced in getting employed. She’d wanted to be an actress since a child, watching some of the classics from 2012 with her mum, and it was way back then that the glamour had taken her and never let her go. She’d taken acting classes back home, spending all her free time practicing her words and acting, but it seemed to count for nothing. Not in the City. Her first interview had called her quaint, and she hated that. Other had called her yokel, or just too country, too 2010.

She’d walked around town in the rain, knocking on every door she could find that looked like it could be a studio, or an agent, but to no avail. Now, her feet ached and she felt so depressed she wanted to just cry. She eased her shoe carefully off her feet, trying to avoid the fresh blisters that had appeared, but failed, cursing her luck she screamed, and threw her shoe at the far wall.

Tears of rejection and self pity ran down her cheek and it was a moment or two before she realised her shoe had embedded itself into the wall in the corner. More worried about being charged for the damage than anything, she stood and hobbled over to it, pulling it free from the wall before she pushed her finger into the hole.

There was something behind the wall, something solid, something hidden and as her finger touched it, her world filled with flashing lights and the sound of laughter. She pulled her hand away quickly as she tried to figure out what had just happened. Curiosity got the better of her and she pushed her finger inside again, feeling the slight fizzy of excitement as the lights and noise returned.

She started to pull a little at the hole, making it slowly larger and larger until chunks began to fall away, revealing behind it an old chest. The closer she got to it the more her heart seemed to beat faster. With shaking hands she turned the key and pushed the lid open. Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, she moved the carefully placed tissues out of the way before pulling the items free from inside. Whoever had locked this away had really cared for the contents, and after what must have been years of storage, everything still looked fresh and new.

She removed a picture frame first; the photo inside showing a wedding scene and she half recognised the bride. Further down she found an old photo album and a pile of letters, all neatly wrapped in a red ribbon, which she placed carefully to the side. Finally her fingers touched something and the lights and noise jumped into her mind.

The dress had gold and silver sequins and soft, almost see though material in its design and the moth balls and scent pouches fell to the floor as she pulled it free. It was a stunning dress, almost lighting the room on its own accord. Holding it up to herself she looked at the label, hoping beyond hope that it would be her size.

The dress was, by some twist of fate, her actual size and she wondered who `Pinderella` was, and why she’d put this dress away, hiding it from the world.

“That was mine, and it’s called Cheryl.” A soft and sad voice spoke from the doorway, and Katie span round, embarrassed to be caught in the act but saddened by the look in her landlady’s face.

“I am so very sorry.” Katie began, “I didn’t mean to do this but…”

“Don’t apologise.” She smiled. “I wore that dress when I met my husband.” She sighed happily as she walked in and picked up the wedding photo. “But when he passed away, those memories just seemed too real, to painful. But I guess something as beautiful as that dress needs someone to wear it. After the parties we went to, the things that dress has seen…”

She touched the image of her husband on the photo before putting it carefully back down and picking up the letters. “It’s been almost twenty years now and it still shines.”

“What about the photographers, and laughter?”

“Oh, yes. Those.” She smiled. “They were very special days when the press came out. How did you know about them?”

“The dress, I can.” Katie paused as she thought about the right words to use. “I feel them when I touch it.”

“Then try it on. Go on. It’s wrong to keep it trapped like that. You put it on and take it out for the night. Let it live a little.”

“Thank you.” She ran over and kissed her on the cheek. The pains of the day dropping away from her as she quickly changed, even her shoes felt like silk as she slipped them on and moments later she stepped out into the room.

“Beautiful.” Her landlady whispered between the tears. “You look stunning, now you go back out there and find your dream.”

As Katie stepped out onto the street, the clouds parted a little letting the sun shine down onto her, causing her shadow to dance as the sequins reflected the light, and Katie realised that sometimes all it takes for a dream to come true was a change, and maybe the right dress.