“The neckline is so . . . low?” I looked at the plunging V-neck; it seemed to plunge down forever.

“You have such great boobs, though, it’s going to make them look amazing.”

“And it looks really tight in the middle.”

“Yes. Cinched and ruched waist, it’s going to give you an hourglass figure. And of course, to accentuate that even more, I did this beadwork under the bust, to draw your eye in, not that it needs much drawing. Capped lace sleeves, I know you said you didn’t like your shoulders, so I thought this would be flattering but not make the dress feel too old and claustrophobic.”

I stared at it. It was utterly beautiful, the way the light glinted off the swirl of green beads that curled around themselves and disappeared into the green fabric as if they were part of it. It reminded me of van Gogh’s Green Wheat Field; the energetic, green brushstrokes combining together to create a sense of movement, as if the painting was alive, but . . . I could never wear something like this.

“You don’t like it?” Thembi asked, sounding deflated.

“No. It’s not that, I . . .” Tears worked their way up my throat. “I’ve never worn anything like it before. I’ve never thought I could wear anything like this, I—I’m not sure it will look good on me.” I couldn’t fight the avalanche of emotions rushing over and out of me right now.

“Babe.” I felt a hand on my arm. “Do not insult me. Trust me, I know what looks good on people and what doesn’t. You think I would put you in something that didn’t look good?”

“No.” I turned and looked at her.

“You’re going to look amazing in this, especially after I’ve done your makeup for the photo shoot. And don’t worry, I did a makeup and hair course too. I thought I would probably need to know those things while I was starting out as a junior designer, but when I get more established, I’m sure I’ll have hair and makeup people flocking to work with me.”

“Sorry, photo shoot?”

“For my portfolio. I have to send them the sketches of the dress, a mood board, and then also shoot the dress.”

“Me? You want me to be in a photo shoot?”

She looked at me for a moment or two, then her face dropped. “No one will ever see the pics, I promise. Just me and the lecturer.”