People don’t take trips, trips take people - Antoine 11

The next morning, Antoine was in a foul mood as he struggled to force his feet into a pair of high heeled sandals as his ponytail, not for the first time, annoying fell in front of his face. Frustrated he reached up and removed the strands of hair stuck to his tacky pink lips and tossed the ponytail back over his shoulder.

Having finally managing to close the zips on the back of his frightening looking shoes, Antoine stood up and waddled over to the mirror, where he sighed loudly, seeing his image reflected back wearing a loose white blouse, and a tight pink miniskirt, which matched his eye makeup, all sparkly and pink, making the long fake eyelashes he was wearing stand out even more.

Hearing the handle of the bedroom door move, Antoine looked up as Lily entered the room, “Ok, are you ready to go”? she asked a little flustered, “if we don’t leave now, I won’t be able to walk with you to the centre before work, otherwise, I’ll be late to work again”.

“I don’t want to do this Lily, how can you expect me to stand around all day in this outfit, selling women's clothes on a market stall”? Antoine moaned.

Lily walked towards him, “I know, baby, and I’m sorry you've been pushed into doing this, Mama can be so impulsive at times, but you know she was just trying to help, right"? she said calmly, "I mean, what could we say without it sounding suspicious”? she asked with an innocent look on her face.

“I know, I get it”, Antoine stared bluntly, “she thought, she was helping an out of work girl, get a little extra money, but I’m not a girl, Lil, I don’t feel comfortable dressed like this, and I have no idea how to be a salesgirl”.

“You’ll be fine”, Lily said, wrapping her arms around him and giving him a comforting hug, “it is easy, just do what Brie tells you, smile at the customers and remember to give them the space they need to make a decision, sales is like the easiest job in the world, you'll see”.

Antoine nodded, agreeing once more to do something he really didn’t want to do, all for the risk of losing the beautiful girl in front of him, who he loved to death, “Are you coming to collect me when I'm done tonight”? He asked hopefully but already knowing the answer.

“No, sorry, baby, you know I’ll be working late, just take a taxi back, ok”? She said stepping back and smiling at him, “remember it's only for one day, the pop-up shop was only a short-term thing, Brie’s done after today. Now come on let’s pretty girl, Mama’s in the shower, so if we leave now, we can sneak out without you having to speak to her”.

After an awkward train ride into the city and a painful 20-minute walk to the building, as they entered the centre, Antoine's frustration from that morning was threatening to boil over, but with nothing to be done, on they went, down the maze of corridors as Lily powered ahead with Antoine struggling to keep pace as the bottom of his tall sandals slipped and slid on the polished marble floor beneath.

Clicking along, clutching his oversized purse, Antoine felt the dull ache in his ankles and the uncomfortable rubbing by the staps of his sandals on his bare feet. Not able to take it any longer, he stopped, bent down, and readjusted the straps easing the pressure on his arched feet and finding a relatively more comfortable position,

Hauling himself back to his feet, Antoine turned to see Lily, 20 meters up the corridor glaring at him with an annoyed look on her face, “Zara, please. I’m going to be late; can you try to move a little faster”, She announced loudly.

Antoine placed one hand on his hip and stared at her in disbelief, “move a little faster! Are you kidding me”? He angrily spat, “how the hell am I supposed to do that when you've forced me into this tight skirt and these ridiculous shoes? I’ve had enough of this”. He said in a serious tone holding her gaze.

(See image 18)

“Here we go again”, Lily muttered under her breath, “Ok, listen, I’m sorry, ok, I just can't be late again this week, I've already been warned", she stated before softening her expression. "I was insensitive, sorry, baby, I know you are still adjusting to those clothes, now please, come here, I’ll slow down, I promise”, She replied smiling and reaching out with her hand.

Antoine tried to stay angry, but once again as he looked at his angel smiling at him, his anger dissipated as he was powerless to resist her commands, “Ok, but please go a little slower, I’m trying my best here”, he replied, before mincing over loudly and taking her hand.

“Who knew being a salesgirl was such hard work”, Antoine thought to himself as he was about to help Brie start packing up for the day. After an awkward start that morning, feeling awkward and self-conscious by his appearance, especially after Brie persuaded him to put on one of her dresses and a pair of wedge heels, to promote her designs, Antoine had settled into the role, too busy to think about how he was dressed.

It had been nonstop all day, talking to customers, trying his best to sound enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the styles, and walking back and forward to the backroom to replace the items as they sold. The result left Antoine feeling utterly exhausted, aching in places that he didn't even know he had muscles, with surprised him as first as he considered himself to be quite fit with his regular morning jogs, but after a full day force to balance on his tiptoes, he now realised that walking around on tall heels all day requires using a whole different set of muscle groups.

“Thank you so much for today, Zara”, Brie announced looking over they takings for the day, “you’ve been such a massive help, I think this is the most I’ve ever made in a single day, you’re a natural”.

Antoine smiled, “no problem, Brie" he replied cheerfully". to be honest it was quite fun, but I can’t wait to get home, my legs are killing me”, 

“Yeah, I bet, people don’t realise how fit you have to be to stand on your feet all day", she replied, "here this is for you, and as a thank you, you can keep the outfit, after all, it looks amazing on you”, Brie said handing him a wad of Euro notes.

“Thanks, Brie”, he replied, looking down and quickly counting the money, happy to receive some decent compensation for his embarrassing day’s work but not overly thrilled about being given the outfit to keep.

“Oh, looks like you have a visitor”, Brie announced lifting her hand and pointing over his shoulder.

“Antoine looked puzzled before turning around as his pulse quickened, “what now”? He thought, “I can’t be doing with this, I just want to go home”.

(See image 19)

“Hello, girls, how are you? Has your new assistant been pulling her weight Brie”? Monique cheerfully stated as she strode up.

“Hi Monique”, Brie replied walking forward from behind the stall to greet her, “oh, yes, she’s been a god sent, thank you so much for suggesting she help me out today”, she added as the two embraced.

“Hi, Monique”, Antoine said trying to sound as though he was pleased to see her, “what brings you here”? he asked as she kissed him on both cheeks and gave him a light hug.

“Well, I was bored at home all alone and thought I’d come to meet you after your day of work, are you two finished for the day”?

“Yes, we’ve just closed up for the day”, Brie answered before turning to Antoine, “you can head out with Monique if you’d like, Zara? I can pack up the rest of the stuff”.

“Are you sure, Brie? I can't leave you to do all the heavy lifting by yourself, “Antoine replied, hoping to avoid another trip out enfemme with Lily’s mother.

“I’ll be fine, it was the last day, and thanks to you, we’ve almost sold through all of my stock, there’s only a small box to carry, you go and have fun, you deserve it”, Brie said smiling back.

“Wonderful, that’s settled then, “Monique cheerfully announced, “how about we go and grab a coffee? I’ve got a favour to ask you”, she said looking over at Antoine, who once again had a nervous feeling in the pit of his stomach, knowing that he wasn't going to like what she had to say.