* Cleavage Open to the Belly (no nudity)
View allAll Photos Tagged Neckline
I am wearing:
Aglaia by Venge, a black mini dress with a sweetheart neckline and separate turtle neck shrug in black. Available in four different designs for Reborn, Kupra, Maitreya and Legacy, I am wearing the neon colored hearts pattern on the torso and skirt. Aglaia is an exclusive in-store release, currently 25% off for VIPs at: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/MERAKI/55/149/46
Hades by Venge, black BOM leggings. Includes tintable versions and two opacities, on BOM tattoo layers.
Heart Nails in black and red by RevArt, available for Legacy, Maitreya, Reborn, Kupra, Belleza, Slink and Kalhene bodies - HUD in five different colors (White, red, purple, pink and teal). Pick up a copy now at:
* The main store: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Luna%20Spia/146/160/1502
* The Marketplace: marketplace.secondlife.com/fr-FR/stores/224722rn
And you can also check out Rev'Art on
* Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086105554111rn
* Flickr: www.flickr.com/groups/14761973@N20/pool/rn
* Blog: revartsl.blogspot.com/
Check out my blog for more posts! kikkitiramisu.wixsite.com/late-night-talking/blog
Picture taken at sunny's Photo Studio.
Pose: All Nighter
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sunny%20Photo%20Studio/101...
[Sexy Princess]
Natasha Shirt & Shorts
Available in Mainstore
AURUS
💅 Nude Bento Nail
Available in Mainstore.
two white and yellow linen tops finished ready to iron, two taupe linen tops on the table with bias binding necklines pinned ready to machine, and yellow and white dress with skirt pinned to bodice, and pleats pinned. one of the taupe tops will eventually have a skirt attached for it to become a dress
the yellow and white dress has much work to be done to it before completion. this is really a mock up to give me an idea of what i'm aiming for. the pockets have also to be fitted
i'm a size 14. these are loose fitting clothes. the fabric is bought from charity shops. the length of yellow and white linen was brand new £8. the taupe linen was new linen curtains £8, not used. thread by gutermann from john lewis
1000m £11 www.johnlewis.com/gutermann-creativ-sew-all-thread-1000m/...
or 500m £8.95 www.johnlewis.com/gutermann-creativ-sew-all-thread-500m/7...
sewing machine JL220 flic.kr/p/2odruLA from john lewis www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-jl220-sewing-machine-pepperm...
you tube tutorials
How to Use your SEWING MACHINE (for Beginners)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmaZBTMzkoY
A Beginners' Guide To Using Your Sewing Machine
www.youtube.com/watch?v=imryOl_LNaw
Beginners Sewing Course - Day 1 - The Basics
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGITrkYdjJs
Detailed Sewing Tutorial For A Beginner : Simple Linen Top, Bias Binding Neckline【Free Pattern】
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cFiT8UcU54
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
LINEN DRESS DIY【Free Pattern +Easy Draft】Step by Step Guide for Beginner /back opening /Skirt Pleats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDFRlF_yEtA&t=0s
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
BASIC SEAM POCKET
www.madebysachi.com/2022/07/09/basic-seam-pocket/
10 SEAM FINISHES Without a Serger || Basic to Couture
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYt7JxC_bIc&t=596s
French Seam Pockets: How to Add Pockets to a Side Seam using French Seams
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aatWJL_aAYY
dressmaking is my new hobby. posting photos of progress to encourage myself to continue. i enjoy it very much but when i started a few months ago it got a bit much with so much to learn and came to a halt. anyway i've had a break, regrouped and i'm up and running again :)
i'm not making any recommendations but thank goodness for you tube
Notting Hill Caribbean Carnival London Costume Girls 28 Aug 2000 Décolleté Low Neckline Beautiful Breasts Cleavage
This chiffon prom dress is also boned and lined in first-class handwork,which succeeds on pleat rouched bodice and dazzling appliqued waistline.You can not only order standard size and picture color ,but also custom size and other color in our color chart you preffer.
www.idealweddinggowns.com/chiffion-sweetheart-neckline-a-...
♥♥ Anglais ♥♥
Little light dress, with a neckline revealing your navel. It releases your back, from top to bottom giving a little sexy side. This little dress is compatible for Maitreya, Slink hourglass/Physique, Belleza Freya/Isis/Venus bodies.
There are 15 textures available, easy to use with its Hud.
To have this pretty little outfit, follow the route of my Blog or my Fb which will give you more information --------->
Facebook: www.facebook.com/leyakine.resident.5
Blog: lemondeleyakine.blogspot.com/
♥♥ Francais ♥♥
Petite robe légère, avec un décolté dévoilant votre nombril. Il dégage votre dos, de haut en bas donnant un petit coté sexy. Cette petite robe est compatible pour les corps Maitreya, Slink hourglass/Physique, Belleza Freya/Isis/Venus.
Il y a 15 textures disponibles, facile d'utilisation avec son Hud.
Pour avoir cette jolie petite tenue, suivez la route de mon Blog ou mon Fb qui vous donnera plus d'informations --------->
blog │ facebook│ become a Patron
Autoportret z kwiecistym dekoltem
(Eng. Self-portrait With a Flowery Neckline)
(March 5th, 2019)
Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
---
PRELUDE: a 52 Week Self-portrait Project
---
After completing CRISIS, my very first 52 week self-portrait project, I realized that showing up in front of my camera on a weekly basis could be of benefit to me as an artist.
First of all, it helps with practice. It doesn't matter how good or bad I am at portrait photography, still I need to make portraits in order to improve. Then, once "at work" shooting, it can develop from a simple portrait into something I didn't plan, and give birth to a new work according to a beautiful thought by Picasso: "I begin with an idea and then it becomes something else."
Thus the name PRELUDE: introduction to something more important.
---
My artwork may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or uploaded in any way without my written permission.
My photographs do not belong to the public domain.
© All rights reserved
Bardot necklines are in all the stores this summer. They never seemed to suit me until I got this longer hairstyle, but now I love them. Bare shoulders look so feminine and I adore the sensuousness of my long hair on bare skin!
The neckline is closer to what I wanted, but the skirt didn't turn out like I'd hoped. Oh well. I think the skirt would go better with a different top. Adorable transfer by Mimi Chocolat.
I finished the neckline detail on these dresses today, this morning, for The Real Inspector Hound, and now I only have to hem them. The girls look great in them, the show is visually funny (which was partly my job), and I am so proud of how they look I took my portrait with them. Next time you see them, they will be in pictures with the actresses, in a week or two.
further practise. removed the tacking from the under collar, back neck facing, front facing and sleeves. then cut out another undercollar, attached it to the back neck facing and machined both to the blazer neckline, continuing on to the front facing
critique
for the photo i should have opened the collar down to where the first button is to be positioned. never mind, next time
the collar, lapel and front are machined but still have to be edge stitched. that's for another day, as are the making of the button holes and covering the buttons in the same fabric.
happier with the collar and lapel though the angles are still not quite symmetrical.
hoping i don't mess up when i edge stitch.
reset and machined the sleeves to lose the puckering on the shoulder.
the hemming of the front, back and sleeves has not been done. i'll only do that on the actual blazer
tomorrow i'll prepare the green linen for the actual blazer
i'm following the classic blazer pattern downloaded from this reference book flic.kr/p/2q55djV
'the dressmaking book' by alison smith mbe publisher dk
alongside the reference book i use you tube tutorials that i search for when more explanation is needed
How to Sew Darts | Beginner & Advanced www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9x-i-txyfo
5 Tips on how sew non-pointy darts! www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8M_TLn_do4
How to Sew an Invisible Zipper
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaza9t-CAiQ
How to Sew an Invisible Zipper - Updated
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG8CSr11kjA
How To Sew Invisible Zipper On Shirt / Dress | Sewing Technique Tutorial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHNrRoCSxaE
Invisible Zipper
www.youtube.com/shorts/npDSSAMzNNc
Super clever invisible zip trick
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UyfKL5G-Bw
how to understitch www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFz4tsplENI
what is understitching?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnRDeKqKgto
ten top stitching tips www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDRXfYgkU4k
Top and Dress
Detailed Sewing Tutorial For A Beginner : Simple Linen Top, Bias Binding Neckline【Free Pattern】
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cFiT8UcU54
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
LINEN DRESS DIY【Free Pattern +Easy Draft】Step by Step Guide for Beginner /back opening /Skirt Pleats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDFRlF_yEtA&t=0s
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
BASIC SEAM POCKET
www.madebysachi.com/2022/07/09/basic-seam-pocket/
How to Sew Pleats | Box Pleat, Knife Pleat, Inverted Box Pleat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRlHcPh38MY
Forming Box Pleats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNXJ_BIsb1E
Inverted Pleat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfdE3DlJdFQ
setting the sleeve www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqo-SIy8MXY&t=178s
coat pattern instructions www.sewmag.co.uk/free-sewing-patterns/serena-wool-coat#lo...
How to properly sew a shawl collar jacket/sewing techniques for beginners www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjeqgIfSt9c
Easy Way To Sewing shawl collar | Coat Collar Tutorial Cutting and Stitching | Sewing Tutorial www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUZjA9JErI
my sewing machine JL220 flic.kr/p/2odruLA from john lewis www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-jl220-sewing-machine-pepperm...
sewing machine maintenance flic.kr/p/2q9GVTh
How to Use your SEWING MACHINE (for Beginners)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmaZBTMzkoY
A Beginners' Guide To Using Your Sewing Machine
www.youtube.com/watch?v=imryOl_LNaw
Beginners Sewing Course - Day 1 - The Basics
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGITrkYdjJs
Seam Finishes
10 SEAM FINISHES Without a Serger || Basic to Couture
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYt7JxC_bIc&t=596s
7 Seam Types and How to Make it- Sewing Lesson for Beginner
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax6JDDP_6O8
French Seam Pockets
How to Add Pockets to a Side Seam using French Seams
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aatWJL_aAYY
Lining
How to add lining to ANY dress pattern | Sewing Tutorial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENKI3fSBQBo
How To Sew a Slip Stitch by Hand
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjky55Cp1_I
Buttonholes
3 Sewing Tips to Make Buttonholes Neatly and Quickly
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oOz28Ybk8I
How to Machine-Sew and Custom-sized Buttonhole
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6P-TKK3tjg&t=135s
Place and Sew Hooks and Eyes Correctly
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d06GhQx_Wg
How to Fix a Low Neckline
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U-W6W5fh-4
Interfacing
How to fuse iron-on interfacing to fabric
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7idVbAkUBTU
reference books
i'm a complete beginner at dressmaking. posting photos of progress to encourage myself to continue www.flickr.com/photos/connect2012/albums/72177720305370633/ i'm not making any recommendations ...
alterations have been made to the neck line, sleeves and skirt. new pattern pieces have been cut out with the alterations
the neckline was too high. it's now slightly deeper for both the long sleeved dress and the short sleeved dress
the long sleeves had to be shortened for the short sleeved dress
the skirt of the short sleeved dress had to be widened at the waist for the gathers and the width increased onwards down to the hem
- the long sleeved dress has no gathers
3 metres floral cotton fabric £5 per metre width 1m 75cm
the first dress to be made will be a classic long sleeved waisted dress for the summer
taken from the dressmaking book by alison smith flic.kr/p/2q55djV
Tutorials on You Tube
Top and Dress
Detailed Sewing Tutorial For A Beginner : Simple Linen Top, Bias Binding Neckline【Free Pattern】
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cFiT8UcU54
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
LINEN DRESS DIY【Free Pattern +Easy Draft】Step by Step Guide for Beginner /back opening /Skirt Pleats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDFRlF_yEtA&t=0s
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
BASIC SEAM POCKET
www.madebysachi.com/2022/07/09/basic-seam-pocket/
How to Sew Pleats | Box Pleat, Knife Pleat, Inverted Box Pleat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRlHcPh38MY
Forming Box Pleats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNXJ_BIsb1E
Inverted Pleat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfdE3DlJdFQ
my sewing machine JL220 flic.kr/p/2odruLA from john lewis www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-jl220-sewing-machine-pepperm...
sewing machine maintenance flic.kr/p/2q9GVTh
How to Use your SEWING MACHINE (for Beginners)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmaZBTMzkoY
A Beginners' Guide To Using Your Sewing Machine
www.youtube.com/watch?v=imryOl_LNaw
Beginners Sewing Course - Day 1 - The Basics
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGITrkYdjJs
Sewing a coat/jacket lining
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ils6xkQu2nI
Adding a Lining to an Unlined Coat Sew Along
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4iNiib0_TA
How to Sew Jacket Lining
www.wikihow.com/Sew-Jacket-Lining
How to Sew Darts | Beginner & Advanced www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9x-i-txyfo
5 Tips on how sew non-pointy darts! www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8M_TLn_do4;
how to understitch www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFz4tsplENI
what is understitching?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnRDeKqKgto
ten top stitching tips www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDRXfYgkU4k
Buttonholes
3 Sewing Tips to Make Buttonholes Neatly and Quickly
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oOz28Ybk8I
How to Machine-Sew and Custom-sized Buttonhole
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6P-TKK3tjg&t=135s
setting the sleeve www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqo-SIy8MXY&t=178s
How to Sew an Invisible Zipper
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaza9t-CAiQ
How to Sew an Invisible Zipper - Updated
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG8CSr11kjA
How To Sew Invisible Zipper On Shirt / Dress | Sewing Technique Tutorial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHNrRoCSxaE
Invisible Zipper
www.youtube.com/shorts/npDSSAMzNNc
Super clever invisible zip trick
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UyfKL5G-Bw
coat pattern instructions www.sewmag.co.uk/free-sewing-patterns/serena-wool-coat#lo...
How to properly sew a shawl collar jacket/sewing techniques for beginners www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjeqgIfSt9c
Easy Way To Sewing shawl collar | Coat Collar Tutorial Cutting and Stitching | Sewing Tutorial www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUZjA9JErI
Seam Finishes
10 SEAM FINISHES Without a Serger || Basic to Couture
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYt7JxC_bIc&t=596s
7 Seam Types and How to Make it- Sewing Lesson for Beginner
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax6JDDP_6O8
French Seam Pockets
How to Add Pockets to a Side Seam using French Seams
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aatWJL_aAYY
Lining
How to add lining to ANY dress pattern | Sewing Tutorial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENKI3fSBQBo
How To Sew a Slip Stitch by Hand
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjky55Cp1_Iwww.youtube.com/watch?v=_d06GhQx_Wg
How to Fix a Low Neckline
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U-W6W5fh-4
Interfacing
How to fuse iron-on interfacing to fabric
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7idVbAkUBTU
reference books
i'm a complete beginner at dressmaking. posting photos of progress to encourage myself to continue www.flickr.com/photos/connect2012/albums/72177720305370633/ i'm not making any recommendations ...
new addition finished today the casual, loose fitting, brown linen dress teamed with the linen jacket. i'm calling it the linen collection as a joke not to be taken seriously :)
hong kong finish to the neckline of the dresses
a strip of the same linen fabric cut on the bias was attached (instructions shown on the dress/top video)
the colours of both the olive green and brown dresses are much deeper than shown in the photo
3 metres brown linen £7 per metre width 1m 50cm (some leftover for another project)
Top and Dress
(i'm using this dress pattern for my spring/summer dress)
Detailed Sewing Tutorial For A Beginner : Simple Linen Top, Bias Binding Neckline【Free Pattern】
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cFiT8UcU54
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
LINEN DRESS DIY【Free Pattern +Easy Draft】Step by Step Guide for Beginner /back opening /Skirt Pleats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDFRlF_yEtA&t=0s
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
BASIC SEAM POCKET
www.madebysachi.com/2022/07/09/basic-seam-pocket/
How to Sew Pleats | Box Pleat, Knife Pleat, Inverted Box Pleat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRlHcPh38MY
Forming Box Pleats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNXJ_BIsb1E
Inverted Pleat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfdE3DlJdFQ
my sewing machine JL220 flic.kr/p/2odruLA from john lewis www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-jl220-sewing-machine-pepperm...
sewing machine maintenance flic.kr/p/2q9GVTh
How to Use your SEWING MACHINE (for Beginners)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmaZBTMzkoY
A Beginners' Guide To Using Your Sewing Machine
www.youtube.com/watch?v=imryOl_LNaw
Beginners Sewing Course - Day 1 - The Basics
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGITrkYdjJs
Sewing a coat/jacket lining
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ils6xkQu2nI
Adding a Lining to an Unlined Coat Sew Along
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4iNiib0_TA
How to Sew Jacket Lining
www.wikihow.com/Sew-Jacket-Lining
How to Sew Darts | Beginner & Advanced www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9x-i-txyfo
5 Tips on how sew non-pointy darts! www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8M_TLn_do4;
how to understitch www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFz4tsplENI
what is understitching?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnRDeKqKgto
ten top stitching tips www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDRXfYgkU4k
Buttonholes
3 Sewing Tips to Make Buttonholes Neatly and Quickly
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oOz28Ybk8I
How to Machine-Sew and Custom-sized Buttonhole
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6P-TKK3tjg&t=135s
setting the sleeve www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqo-SIy8MXY&t=178s
How to Sew an Invisible Zipper
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaza9t-CAiQ
How to Sew an Invisible Zipper - Updated
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG8CSr11kjA
How To Sew Invisible Zipper On Shirt / Dress | Sewing Technique Tutorial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHNrRoCSxaE
Invisible Zipper
www.youtube.com/shorts/npDSSAMzNNc
Super clever invisible zip trick
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UyfKL5G-Bw
coat pattern instructions www.sewmag.co.uk/free-sewing-patterns/serena-wool-coat#lo...
How to properly sew a shawl collar jacket/sewing techniques for beginners www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjeqgIfSt9c
Easy Way To Sewing shawl collar | Coat Collar Tutorial Cutting and Stitching | Sewing Tutorial www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUZjA9JErI
Seam Finishes
10 SEAM FINISHES Without a Serger || Basic to Couture
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYt7JxC_bIc&t=596s
7 Seam Types and How to Make it- Sewing Lesson for Beginner
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax6JDDP_6O8
sew and edge www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWaI7YUX8jk
French Seam Pockets
How to Add Pockets to a Side Seam using French Seams
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aatWJL_aAYY
Lining
How to add lining to ANY dress pattern | Sewing Tutorial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENKI3fSBQBo
How To Sew a Slip Stitch by Hand
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjky55Cp1_Iwww.youtube.com/watch?v=_d06GhQx_Wg
How to Fix a Low Neckline
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U-W6W5fh-4
Interfacing
How to fuse iron-on interfacing to fabric
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7idVbAkUBTU
reference books
i'm a complete beginner at dressmaking. posting photos of progress to encourage myself to continue www.flickr.com/photos/connect2012/albums/72177720305370633/ i'm not making any recommendations ...
Neck and stitch pattern detail of the Juliette sweater I designed and knit in December of 2005.
Used a plain single crochet to finish the neckline. Anything else seemed too busy.
FOR MAITREYA-SLINK[P/H]-TONIC[C/F]
MAINSTORE:
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Creative%20Hearts/33/96/3002
MARKETPLACE:
marketplace.secondlife.com/p/IS-Deep-Neckline-Short-Sweat...
Silhouette: Ball Gowns
Neckline: Sheer Neckline
Hemline Train: Ankle Length
Sleeve length: Strapless
Fabric: Tulle
Embellishment: Handmade Beadwork
both sleeves have been inserted and tacked in place. tomorrow i'll concentrate on the neckline interfacing and facing. the masking tape on the fabric is to show it's the wrong side, not removed until the garment is finished to save confusion
i've done another toile fitting. at the moment the only adjustment needed is to the neckline. it's too high, too close to my throat and needs to be slightly lowered
once i've completed the neckline i'll take the toile apart. then pin, tack and machine as i reassemble. after that i'll be ready to make the actual dress :)
2 metres of calico at £3 per metre width 1m 50cm
new techniques to learn for the classic shift dress
alterations to be made to the draft pattern
an invisible zip to be fitted
darts
understitching
collar interfacing
i'm following the pattern in this reference book flic.kr/p/2q55djV
'the dressmaking book' by alison smith mbe publisher dk
the classic shift dress page 168
alongside the reference book i use you tube tutorials that i search for when more explanation is needed
How to Sew Darts | Beginner & Advanced www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9x-i-txyfo
5 Tips on how sew non-pointy darts! www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8M_TLn_do4
How to Sew an Invisible Zipper
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaza9t-CAiQ
How to Sew an Invisible Zipper - Updated
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG8CSr11kjA
How To Sew Invisible Zipper On Shirt / Dress | Sewing Technique Tutorial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHNrRoCSxaE
Invisible Zipper
www.youtube.com/shorts/npDSSAMzNNc
Super clever invisible zip trick
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UyfKL5G-Bw
how to understitch www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFz4tsplENI
what is understitching?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnRDeKqKgto
ten top stitching tips www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDRXfYgkU4k
Top and Dress
Detailed Sewing Tutorial For A Beginner : Simple Linen Top, Bias Binding Neckline【Free Pattern】
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cFiT8UcU54
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
LINEN DRESS DIY【Free Pattern +Easy Draft】Step by Step Guide for Beginner /back opening /Skirt Pleats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDFRlF_yEtA&t=0s
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
BASIC SEAM POCKET
www.madebysachi.com/2022/07/09/basic-seam-pocket/
How to Sew Pleats | Box Pleat, Knife Pleat, Inverted Box Pleat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRlHcPh38MY
Forming Box Pleats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNXJ_BIsb1E
Inverted Pleat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfdE3DlJdFQ
setting the sleeve www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqo-SIy8MXY&t=178s
coat pattern pattern instructions www.sewmag.co.uk/free-sewing-patterns/serena-wool-coat#lo...
How to properly sew a shawl collar jacket/sewing techniques for beginners www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjeqgIfSt9c
Easy Way To Sewing shawl collar | Coat Collar Tutorial Cutting and Stitching | Sewing Tutorial www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUZjA9JErI
my sewing machine JL220 flic.kr/p/2odruLA from john lewis www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-jl220-sewing-machine-pepperm...
sewing machine maintenance flic.kr/p/2q9GVTh
How to Use your SEWING MACHINE (for Beginners)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmaZBTMzkoY
A Beginners' Guide To Using Your Sewing Machine
www.youtube.com/watch?v=imryOl_LNaw
Beginners Sewing Course - Day 1 - The Basics
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGITrkYdjJs
Seam Finishes
10 SEAM FINISHES Without a Serger || Basic to Couture
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYt7JxC_bIc&t=596s
7 Seam Types and How to Make it- Sewing Lesson for Beginner
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax6JDDP_6O8
French Seam Pockets
How to Add Pockets to a Side Seam using French Seams
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aatWJL_aAYY
Lining
How to add lining to ANY dress pattern | Sewing Tutorial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENKI3fSBQBo
How To Sew a Slip Stitch by Hand
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjky55Cp1_I
Buttonholes
3 Sewing Tips to Make Buttonholes Neatly and Quickly
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oOz28Ybk8I
How to Machine-Sew and Custom-sized Buttonhole
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6P-TKK3tjg&t=135s
Place and Sew Hooks and Eyes Correctly
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d06GhQx_Wg
How to Fix a Low Neckline
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U-W6W5fh-4
Interfacing
How to fuse iron-on interfacing to fabric
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7idVbAkUBTU
reference books
i'm a complete beginner at dressmaking. posting photos of progress to encourage myself to continue www.flickr.com/photos/connect2012/albums/72177720305370633/ i'm not making any recommendations ...
fabric for a spring/summer dress bought today from walthamstow
tiny flowered cotton £5 per metre width 1m 75cm
Top and Dress
(i'm using this dress pattern for my spring/summer dress)
Detailed Sewing Tutorial For A Beginner : Simple Linen Top, Bias Binding Neckline【Free Pattern】
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cFiT8UcU54
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
LINEN DRESS DIY【Free Pattern +Easy Draft】Step by Step Guide for Beginner /back opening /Skirt Pleats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDFRlF_yEtA&t=0s
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
BASIC SEAM POCKET
www.madebysachi.com/2022/07/09/basic-seam-pocket/
How to Sew Pleats | Box Pleat, Knife Pleat, Inverted Box Pleat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRlHcPh38MY
Forming Box Pleats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNXJ_BIsb1E
Inverted Pleat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfdE3DlJdFQ
my sewing machine JL220 flic.kr/p/2odruLA from john lewis www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-jl220-sewing-machine-pepperm...
sewing machine maintenance flic.kr/p/2q9GVTh
How to Use your SEWING MACHINE (for Beginners)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmaZBTMzkoY
A Beginners' Guide To Using Your Sewing Machine
www.youtube.com/watch?v=imryOl_LNaw
Beginners Sewing Course - Day 1 - The Basics
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGITrkYdjJs
Sewing a coat/jacket lining
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ils6xkQu2nI
Adding a Lining to an Unlined Coat Sew Along
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4iNiib0_TA
How to Sew Jacket Lining
www.wikihow.com/Sew-Jacket-Lining
How to Sew Darts | Beginner & Advanced www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9x-i-txyfo
5 Tips on how sew non-pointy darts! www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8M_TLn_do4;
how to understitch www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFz4tsplENI
what is understitching?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnRDeKqKgto
ten top stitching tips www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDRXfYgkU4k
Buttonholes
3 Sewing Tips to Make Buttonholes Neatly and Quickly
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oOz28Ybk8I
How to Machine-Sew and Custom-sized Buttonhole
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6P-TKK3tjg&t=135s
setting the sleeve www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqo-SIy8MXY&t=178s
How to Sew an Invisible Zipper
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaza9t-CAiQ
How to Sew an Invisible Zipper - Updated
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG8CSr11kjA
How To Sew Invisible Zipper On Shirt / Dress | Sewing Technique Tutorial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHNrRoCSxaE
Invisible Zipper
www.youtube.com/shorts/npDSSAMzNNc
Super clever invisible zip trick
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UyfKL5G-Bw
coat pattern instructions www.sewmag.co.uk/free-sewing-patterns/serena-wool-coat#lo...
How to properly sew a shawl collar jacket/sewing techniques for beginners www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjeqgIfSt9c
Easy Way To Sewing shawl collar | Coat Collar Tutorial Cutting and Stitching | Sewing Tutorial www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUZjA9JErI
Seam Finishes
10 SEAM FINISHES Without a Serger || Basic to Couture
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYt7JxC_bIc&t=596s
7 Seam Types and How to Make it- Sewing Lesson for Beginner
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax6JDDP_6O8
French Seam Pockets
How to Add Pockets to a Side Seam using French Seams
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aatWJL_aAYY
Lining
How to add lining to ANY dress pattern | Sewing Tutorial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENKI3fSBQBo
How To Sew a Slip Stitch by Hand
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjky55Cp1_Iwww.youtube.com/watch?v=_d06GhQx_Wg
How to Fix a Low Neckline
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U-W6W5fh-4
Interfacing
How to fuse iron-on interfacing to fabric
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7idVbAkUBTU
reference books
i'm a complete beginner at dressmaking. posting photos of progress to encourage myself to continue www.flickr.com/photos/connect2012/albums/72177720305370633/ i'm not making any recommendations ...
Figured I'd continue being my diva girrrrl self and wear what I'm reading at the moment. Alright, truth be told it's not exactly what I'm reading, but I'd like to think if the Countess de La Motte-Valois were alive today then she would certainly ensnare the Cardinal Prince Louis de Rohan in yet another scheme to commission the creation of such a necklace in secret and at supposed behest of the doomed queen, Marie Antoinette. And then it's off with Marie's head having her husband's court in ruin over the sordid scandal, and of course, exiled lives for the remaining lot all whilst throwing France into its revolution.
The book is "The Queen's Necklace," by Frances Mossiker. It's based on a historic footnote in the events leading up to the French Revolution. The infamous necklace comprised 647 diamonds weighing a total of 2,800 carats. Where it and/or its diamonds ended up is clouded in mystery, intrigue, and oodles of speculation. Regardless, the social climbing aspirations, selfish political agendas, theft, slander, and gossip of those by-gone days are a mere microcosm of the greed, party-towing, embezzlement, mud-slinging, TMZ-esque atmosphere of today's tumultuous economic times.
It makes me wonder if perchance a few hundred years down the road such a book will be written about the Wall Street CEOs and Titans et al who ran amuck with the fiscal infrastructure of their corporations and ultimately the world’s financial market. Bernie Madoff would certainly be one of the central players amongst other notable “luminaries” n'est-ce pas?
Fun Fact Du Jour: I got nothing…alright that’s not entirely true. So snapping this pic gave me an opportunity to examine the state of my neckline. Not too shabby considering. Yet, I must profess good fortune in having been a makeup artist for Lancôme at one point in my life. That stint taught me three valuable lessons about skincare: clean face always (morning and night), use proper moisturizer/sunscreen, and never ever forget your neck. And the cherry to that sundae of wisdom was my father’s perspective on life…laugh always, but first and foremost laugh at yourself.
City of London Bus Route #205 Bishopsgate Ladies on their Phones Décolleté Low Neckline Beautiful Breasts Cleavage
Notting Hill Caribbean Carnival London Exotic Colourful Yellow Outfit Girls Aug 27 2018 Stunning Ladies Décolleté Low Neckline Beautiful Braless Breasts Cleavage
2023 Weekly Alphabet Challenge - NECKLINE
No live models here - so a cheeky snap in store.
Going for lines more than neck ;-)
spring/summer, casual, loose fitting, brown linen dress with pockets and a neckline detail. i'm happy wearing it. today i teamed it with grey skinny jeans and a khaki green v neck jumper, fun and all ok
it's a pattern i've made before www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDFRlF_yEtA but with changes
1. the original round neck altered to have a front v neck opening detail
2. each seam has a 'turn and edge' finish www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWaI7YUX8jk
the sides of each seam were folded under and machined rather than leaving edged with zig zag stitching. neater, easier for ironing and washing. ok for a light to medium weight fabric
3. bodice longer
4. skirt length longer
hong kong finish to the neckline
a strip of the same brown linen fabric cut on the bias was attached (instructions shown on the dress/top video)
the colour of the brown dress is much deeper than shown in the photo
3 metres brown linen £7 per metre width 1m 50cm (some leftover for another project)
next dress to be made is a casual loose fitting floral viscose, fabric showing in the centre foreground
Top and Dress
(i'm using this dress pattern for my spring/summer dress)
Detailed Sewing Tutorial For A Beginner : Simple Linen Top, Bias Binding Neckline【Free Pattern】
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cFiT8UcU54
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
LINEN DRESS DIY【Free Pattern +Easy Draft】Step by Step Guide for Beginner /back opening /Skirt Pleats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDFRlF_yEtA&t=0s
Download the Pattern
www.madebysachi.com/2021/09/27/super-simple-top/
BASIC SEAM POCKET
www.madebysachi.com/2022/07/09/basic-seam-pocket/
How to Sew Pleats | Box Pleat, Knife Pleat, Inverted Box Pleat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRlHcPh38MY
Forming Box Pleats
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNXJ_BIsb1E
Inverted Pleat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfdE3DlJdFQ
my sewing machine JL220 flic.kr/p/2odruLA from john lewis www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-jl220-sewing-machine-pepperm...
sewing machine maintenance flic.kr/p/2q9GVTh
How to Use your SEWING MACHINE (for Beginners)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmaZBTMzkoY
A Beginners' Guide To Using Your Sewing Machine
www.youtube.com/watch?v=imryOl_LNaw
Beginners Sewing Course - Day 1 - The Basics
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGITrkYdjJs
Sewing a coat/jacket lining
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ils6xkQu2nI
Adding a Lining to an Unlined Coat Sew Along
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4iNiib0_TA
How to Sew Jacket Lining
www.wikihow.com/Sew-Jacket-Lining
How to Sew Darts | Beginner & Advanced www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9x-i-txyfo
5 Tips on how sew non-pointy darts! www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8M_TLn_do4;
how to understitch www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFz4tsplENI
what is understitching?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnRDeKqKgto
ten top stitching tips www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDRXfYgkU4k
Buttonholes
3 Sewing Tips to Make Buttonholes Neatly and Quickly
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oOz28Ybk8I
How to Machine-Sew and Custom-sized Buttonhole
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6P-TKK3tjg&t=135s
setting the sleeve www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqo-SIy8MXY&t=178s
How to Sew an Invisible Zipper
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaza9t-CAiQ
How to Sew an Invisible Zipper - Updated
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG8CSr11kjA
How To Sew Invisible Zipper On Shirt / Dress | Sewing Technique Tutorial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHNrRoCSxaE
Invisible Zipper
www.youtube.com/shorts/npDSSAMzNNc
Super clever invisible zip trick
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UyfKL5G-Bw
coat pattern instructions www.sewmag.co.uk/free-sewing-patterns/serena-wool-coat#lo...
How to properly sew a shawl collar jacket/sewing techniques for beginners www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjeqgIfSt9c
Easy Way To Sewing shawl collar | Coat Collar Tutorial Cutting and Stitching | Sewing Tutorial www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUZjA9JErI
Seam Finishes
10 SEAM FINISHES Without a Serger || Basic to Couture
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYt7JxC_bIc&t=596s
7 Seam Types and How to Make it- Sewing Lesson for Beginner
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax6JDDP_6O8
sew and edge www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWaI7YUX8jk
French Seam Pockets
How to Add Pockets to a Side Seam using French Seams
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aatWJL_aAYY
Lining
How to add lining to ANY dress pattern | Sewing Tutorial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENKI3fSBQBo
How To Sew a Slip Stitch by Hand
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjky55Cp1_Iwww.youtube.com/watch?v=_d06GhQx_Wg
How to Fix a Low Neckline
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U-W6W5fh-4
Interfacing
How to fuse iron-on interfacing to fabric
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7idVbAkUBTU
reference books
i'm a complete beginner at dressmaking. posting photos of progress to encourage myself to continue www.flickr.com/photos/connect2012/albums/72177720305370633/ i'm not making any recommendations ...
Acolyte
The Prologue:
Julie had come alone. Having missed her ride with a friend to deal with some pressing servant related issues, she had taken her father’s roadster out and had driven the curving, often bumpy road into the city by herself. Parking it, she had made her way to where the festivities were already in full swing.
She now stood at upstairs entrance, allowing herself a minute to unwind from her driving to breathlessly take it all in. As she stood to one side, allowing the swarming mass of guests to pass uninhibited by her as they headed downstairs to the party chambers below, her eyes grew wide with the splendor below.
Julie still possessed some of the awkwardness of youth, and it showed by the way she carried herself. From her constantly gawking eyes, to her nervously moving hands, down to the high heels on her feet that occasionally still tripped her up as she walked. But despite all that, she still managed to present a total picture of elegance and grace, the result of years of etiquette being forced down her pretty throat.
Now, anyone down below who happened looked up at the entrance, would have given Julie a second look, and they did.
With that second look the following would have been taken in; long brown hair hung down in silken masses past her shoulders. The hair framed an oval face, with large, innocently wide, eyes, heavy with the mascara that always gave her face a perpetually surprised look. Resplendent in a long soft gown that seemed to pour down forever over her quite perky youthful figure, a purple satin sheet of flowing liquid, broken only by the black bolero jacket with its shimmering ornament. The hem of her gown almost covered the pointed toes of her coal black high heeled shoes.
A diamond necklace blazed in rippling fire hung from Julie’s throat, its brilliance matched by the long diamond earrings that peeked in and out as they swayed vibrantly, like a twin beacons. A sparkling diamond brooch with swinging sapphire’s that matched the colour of Julies eyes , had been placed high on one side of her black satin bolero styled jacket. She wore no gloves, and her bare fingers were home to a rather lively assortment of gem encrusted rings.
Soon two ladies also broke away from the crowd and joined Julie in her observation, as they commented to one another about the scene below. They then asking Julie if she agreed, as if the strangers and she were old acquaintances, Julie gave them both the once over as she reluctantly agreed with them.
Both Ladies were red heads, although the younger one, with pretty hazel eyes, was more of a ginger ( like Julies maid), Julie finished giving both a swift appraisal before turning her attention back to the crowd, looking for an opening to make her escape. The ginger, a young miss stunning in a gown of deep green brocaded satin with silken emerald frills, apologized for the intrusion, then let out a small squeal, commenting on how adorable Julie’s jacket was, as she lifted it up, of Jules of Paris( Pariee is how she pronounced it), and your gown, it’s of the house of Yevonne, is it not, the young lady asked? No Julie said, starting to shake her head, which made her earrings sparkle even more erratically, as the other lady continued admiring Julie’s satin jacket, momentarily covering the bright brooch from view. At the same time the other lady, a bit older ,becomingly clad in a fine gown of red wine colured Taffeta, placed a hand on Julies other shoulder, asking the now disconcerted girl if she knew how late the orchestra was playing, Julie continued shaking her head, as she looked into the older lady’s deep green eyes, mesmerized as they just oozed kindness , No, sorry ma’am she answered obediently . The younger one finished her admiration of Julie’s s attire by patted Julie’s shoulder, well nice meeting you, and with a cheerful tootles, both women left, melting ahead into the crowd.
Julie watched them for a few seconds as the pair swished downstairs, straightening her jacket as she did. Suddenly all thoughts of the two ladies were pulled from her mind as she realized something was amiss. It took her but a second to realize the brooch her maid had pinned onto her jacket was now absent. Bother she said under her breath as she looked around her on the empty floor, it must have fallen off in the roadster! Under her breath she chastised both the roadster, and the road, remembering the way the vehicle had lurched to and fro on the bumpy roadway in her haste to reach the city. She must have words with that maid of hers for not fastening it properly, that brooch was simply too valuable for her to be so careless... Julie then puts the brooch out of her mind; she decides she will have the maid search the roadster for it in the morning.
And she makes her way out into the stream of guests and begins her descent, carefully as her high heeled feet negotiate the stairs…..
***
The Tale
Dazzling!
This was the word that best described the vision enclosed within the massive chamber that evening. Filled wall to wall with a seemingly endless swarm of guests, presenting an endless sea of colourfully be gowned, be gloved, and bejeweled ladies, escorted by a small army of tuxedoed and top hatted male chaperones. The crème del a crème of the huge cities finest citizens were there, displaying a good portion of what their all the hard cold pounds and guineas could buy.
The guests had entered via a large double stair case that led down into the sub street level chamber. On the east end was a mammoth stage, which stood about 4 feet above the dance floor, easily holding the 30 piece orchestra with room to spare. The music that was played was as diverse as the guests in attendance, appealing to every age group present.
Couples and singles milled about talking merrily, just a low murmur heard just below the music. A jazz number was being played and a number of the “young bright ones” were on the floor dancing earnestly with various random moves.
A stream of fresh guests had entered, making their way downstairs, gaining the attention of a few of those already in attendance. Jewels sparkled radiantly as many a satin gloved hand was raised in greeting, many a female head was turned to point out someone they could spread gossip about, and in the process exposing a multitude of jeweles in various sparkling colours.
One of those newcomers, a raven haired, black eyed woman with a dark features, possessing an almost feline like beauty, came onto the upstairs landing. She was probably aged in her mid-twenties, surprisingly alone and unescorted. She was waved to by no one, pointed out to by many. Looking around she suddenly spied something down below that made her smile, a wide Cheshire cat like grin that quickly spread across her wickedly pretty face. She scurried down the stairs, pushing, not gently, a young miss in in a purple satin gown and black jacket, who had been moving slowly ahead of her, wobbling in her high heels, the poor girl fell against the wall, clutching it for support with well ringed fingers.
The raven haired beauty parted several more pairs of guests as she made her way down, moving too slow for her, without a word of apology. At the middle landing, she shoved her way past a pair of ladies, moving slowly as they regarded the pretty scene being played out below in the well lite chamber. One was red head wearing a tailored wine coloured taffeta gown that made a swishing noise as the lady passed, and her companion, about the same age as the intruder, (a kid sister, or cousin of taffeta gown?) was dressed in gown of deep green brocaded satin with silken emerald frills, her long hair done up in a high bun, held by dangling rows of rhinestone ropes. She looked at the lady who was unexpectedly cutting between them, but said nothing; as the lady paid neither one no never mind. The raven haired lady continues down, and still never uttering a word or wearing even the slightest look of apology, trips up yet another lady, clad in a long pure white satin gown, with emerald bracelets dangling from her white gloved wrists, who actually had started to fall, and would have if the pair of red headed ladies in wine and emerald gowns had not caught and steadied her, and in the process an emerald bracelet is lost to sight.
The raven haired, dark beauty finally landed onto the chamber floor and began snaking through the crowd, licking her vibrant red lips as her eyes darted about searching for any distractions to avoid keeping her from her selected designation, (and prey)! Her long thin figure was sleekly covered by a lengthy body-hugging black satin sheath, her heavy mascara, and long flowing hair matching the dress. She wore opera length satin gloves, red as her lips. Her jewels were all white diamonds, earrings, necklaces bracelets, and a large brooch hanging from the low cut of her gowns neckline. She wore a number of fancy rings, one of which was a large diamond cocktail ring on her left hand, while her right, gripping a red satin clutch purse, was home to 3 smaller versions of the same ring. She slowed down suddenly, and opening the purse pulled out a long telescoping holder, and opening a gold (14k) case extracted a long white cigarette and inserted it.
She than bee lined and circled around, flanking a young miss wearing(limply) a long pretty satin dress of pink coral, white pearls hanging expensively down from her ears and neckline. She wore white wrist length satin gloves, with a diamond merrily glittering from a long slender finger on her left hand. She was talking to a rather handsome youth her own age, dapper in his tails and top hat, a precision trimmed Saxon style beard, and a face with solid Welsh features, and hazel coloured twinkling eyes. A long gold chain and fob held a solid gold engraved pocket watch to his chest (all 14 k) and he wore a ruby pin in his black ascot.
As she stole behind the back of the poor princess in coral, she gave her a venomous gaze, which quickly changed as she touched the young man on the shoulder, as he turned to her, the raven haired beauty, whose name was Lilith, eyes were now brimming with contrived admiration.
Hello darlings Lilith said, in a syrupy low voice, addressing them both, although she did not even glance at the girl. Both hoarsely said hello back, and the boy took the offered hand and kissed it, her large ring shinning, blindingly in his eyes. Would you be a dear then? She asked, waving the cigarette holder in front of his face. He obligingly lit it, and she let out a puff of smoke, aimed directly in the girls face, who started coughing Lilith smirked, panting her on the back, sorry dearie, mind if I borrow him for a bit, and she led the young gentleman away, before the pretty girl in coral and pearls could regain whatever composure she had left. Charles! Be a dear and buy me a drink please Lilith asked him, and he (with proper breeding of the titled) led her off without question, abandoning the young miss who watched them trot off with tears brimming in her blue eyes.
The drinks came, and Lilith sat her cigarette holder down next to them, dance with me Charles, and she took his arm and led him off to the dance floor, just as his fiancé in the coral gown and borrowed pearls had managed to catch up.
Charles held Lilith in his arms, as one might hold a cold blooded serpent. She moved close, appropriately hissing in his ear. Why are you wasting time with that silly Ginny creature, don’t you know her parents are about to lose all their money, and that Ginny’s only interest was in his title, and his parents fortune, silly bean. Charles looked warily at Lilith, than over at the forlorn Ginny, just standing there. He genuinely liked , maybe even loved, Ginny, even had given her a friendship ring, signifying his desire to become closer , But there were the rumors of her father being swindled of his fortune, and if his parents ever found out!. He looked back into his dance partners beady black eyes, they held a seductive fire which played immensely to his vanity. She was smiling winningly at him, she had made her selection, and although it would never show in her eyes, in the back of her devious mind, she was starting to think how the letter would go that his parents would anonymously be soon receiving concerning Ginny, the little pipsqueak, Lilith called her silently in her mind.
***
Meanwhile the pair of red haired ladies who had had the cheekiness to stop on the middle landing of the grand staircase, impeding Lilith’s progress, were now walking the perimeter of the mammoth chamber, meandering, taking in all of the sparkling and shininess of the surroundings, their eyes missing very little as they talked. The young, ginger haired one, pretty in her gown of deep green brocaded satin with silken emerald frills, seemed a little peeved about something, and her companion noticed that her grey eyes had turned a certain shade of green, always a sign of something amiss. She stopped her and asked her to please spill it out.
Oooh how I despise that witch, a seething Lydia said to her companion in the wine coloured taffeta gown, spitting out each word like a hissing cat, even Lydia’s back was arched a little like a feline. Her friend, whose longish flaming red hair was lying over her left shoulder, hanging down in a picturesque manner over her full bosom, was surprised at Lydia’s reaction. Who dear? Asked her friend, Angie. The lady in white satin Angie asked? No, spit out the usually collected Lydia, not her, she was really fuming. Angie continued, I was going to say, if it was, than taking her emerald bracelet should have been revenge enough, Angie stated, then continued. So just who are we talking about Lydia?
That one!, Lydia snarled, nodding her head, the witch in black who rushed through us on the stairs and went that way! Angie stopped, looking off in the direction Lydia had nodded. Oh her, she said, the one in black satin. Lydia just glared, and Angie knew she had gotten it right. She asked Lydia, does this witch have a name? Lilith! Lydia spat it out like a swear word, followed by a gushing tirade. She is a backstabbing creature who can charm any man into submission while making a girl cringe and wince with the merest of glances. She is a gold digger extraordinaire with two ex-grooms who couldn’t see her for her true colours until they had been gutted by her gilded claws!!
Really exclaimed Angie, her green eyes becoming brighter! Two of them? Yes, Lydia went on, both wealthy, both became available when their parents received anonymous poison letters about their then betrothed.
I’d give anything to knock her down a few pegs, Lydia continued through clenched teeth.
Angie mulled it over; realizing anything more she said would just add fuel to Lydia’s fire. She decided to let her simmer down on her own, and then perhaps they could get on to their business. She suggested a drink, and they moved off, passing a forlorn young lady in a limp coral coloured gown, wearing a nice display of pearls, who seemed to be staring off in the distance at something with tear filled eyes.
Skirting the dance floor, they soon attained the lounge and settled in……..
***************************************************
It had now been four years since Angie had taken the charmingly talented young Lydia under her wing.
She had encouraged her blossoming skills, abilities that Lydia herself had self-taught by playing games with her siblings, until she encountered a professional she could learn from. That professional had been Angie. Lydia now possessed the little dog eared ancient pamphlet that had been the secret to Angie’s success as a light fingered lady pickpocket, focusing mainly on the fine jewels worn out and about by rich girls and women in society.
(Please visit our albums section and peruse the various Angie Albums for more background stories on Angie and her “light fingers” the Eds.)
It had cost Angie a necklace to acquire the pamphlet, and it had been worth it. It had cost the younger, ginger haired Lydia her brooch and ring for a chance to do the same. Lydia caught on quickly, mastering certain moves in half the time it had taken Angie, and for which Angie gave her high praise.
But sadly it was now less frequently that they worked as a team, each after a time branching off on their own paths.
Lydia was a different creature than Angie in the respect that coming from a wealthy family she was supported, even though most of the family lands, money and titles would go to the heir, Lydia’s twin brother. For her lifting items from her wealthy friends and relations had started out as an edgy game. Now it had evolved into a challenging pastime, a trophy hunt of sorts where she collected jewels like her father collected animal relics. Some of her lesser trophies were passed onto Angie, who had the connections to dispose of them, turning them into ready pound notes.
Whereas Angie had been born to impoverished English parents who had immigrated to Canada. They made her, their only child, an orphan at age 6 upon their untimely deaths in an epidemic. At the crowded orphanage the nuns taught her a little about manners, how to act properly for a lady, and the rest she had learned on her own, what she needed to say to please them and avoid the “floggings” that they administered to those who refused to “fit” in. She fled the orphanage when she was 14 and forged her own, often lonely path in the years that followed. For her lifting a ladies valuables was a means of lively hood as much as it brought her thrills. And she had accomplished it all without Lydia’s advantages, which had been a pair of a willing accomplices, AKA a sister and brother, to practice on!
But the pair remained in constant touch and it had been at Lydia’s beckoning that Angie had met her in London a few days prior. From London they had travelled by rail to attend this once a year function, and to attend the various balls and other affairs that were the natural outgrowths of the Gala.
It had been an eventful journey, the train ride had proven to be even more profitable than usual for the two light fingered ladies.
Lydia had written Angie a letter (to Angie’s solicitor who she saw at least one a month) telling her about the upcoming gala, and how would she would like Angie to join her in for the hunt. Their plans were to attend the gala and its outgrowths, then spend a few months of the upcoming party season continuing Lydia’s education. They had met at the London station, and after checking their bags found themselves with a little time to kill before boarding. Now outside the station there was a sprawling green where several vendors had set up their wares, a haven for those possess a light fingered touch. The two ladies meandered, catching up on what had been happening in their lives since they last time they had been together.
Now as they walked the green, they also kept their eyes open, and it was the second time they had passed a group of small benches, across a path from where an organ grinder was performing with a pet monkey, which they stopped, giving some serious attention to something they had both glanced at the first time in passing.
There was a trio of young ladies by one of the benches. Later they learned the trio were three sisters awaiting for the arrival of their parents and older brother. All three wore eye catching outfits, the younger 2 siblings in silk dresses of canary yellow and butterscotch, the elder sister was in a long flowing black skirt with a glistening silver coloured ruffled satin blouse. The jewels the three were innocently wearing in public were also worth a second look. The youngest (12) wore a pretty selection of silver, the middle (14) wore gleaming pearls, their older sister and chaperone (19) was wearing gold bracelets, a fine collection of rings and (probably unwisely) an expensive sapphire brooch at her throat.
Now the first time they had passed the oldest was seated at a bench reading a magazine, while her siblings played on the lawn. They had stopped to watch the sisters, under the pretense of watching the crowd around the organ grinder and his monkey. They watched both groups with some interest, but were distracted when Lydia pointed out a pickpocket working the crowd across the way. Angie spotted him immediately, he was chatting to a pair of ladies wearing fashionable day gowns of shiny damask. It looked to be a wealthy mother and her younger sister. As the grey top hated gentleman thief engaged the mother in conversation, he was reaching around and gingerly lifting the silver watch of the younger sister, her attention being paid out to her two young nephews. They watched until he had pocketed the watch, his skill level about average for the type, before Lydia and Angie headed off for the far side of the green.
The second time around they saw that the oldest had fallen asleep, sitting on the bench and the younger two were sitting on the grass, watching the monkey from across the way. The grey top hated man who had relieved the lady of her watch, was now lurking on the scene, eyeing the two sisters sitting on the grass, their dresses splayed out, making the small glistening pools that had probably been what first caught his attention, before noticing their jewels, which were ripe for the picking now that their chaperone eyes were closed.
Lydia and Angie, without a word between them, moved in for the kill. Lydia went straight to the younger sisters, while Angie made a wide circle, cutting in front of the top hatted gentleman, who nodded to the pretty, clever faced, red head. Angie than seated herself on the far end of the bench, primarily to keep the grey top hated man and any other opportunist who may also have designs on the sound asleep older sister’s jewelry, at bay.
Lydia meanwhile had come up behind the younger pair of sisters, laying a hand on the older ones shoulder as she chirped a happy hello to them. Asking them if they would give some coins to the monkey for her, they got up and allowed Lydia to lead them across the path.
The girls called to the little monkey and handed him their coins, while they all laughed at the tricks he performed for them. The younger one was looking up at Lydia who handed her another coin; she scrunched down, and gave it to him, as they waited for him to perform again. Lydia placed her hand on thy older sister’s silken covered shoulder, than her fingers quickly slid up to the necklace of pearl, and with two fingers, flicked open the hook and eye clasp, and pulled away the pearls in one motion. She then moved back, leaving the younger siblings to play with the monkey and melted back into the crowd,
Watching all this, Angie made a noise after Lydia had vanished from sight, waking the sleeping lass, who immediately looked around for her wayward sisters. Spying the pretty red head sitting at the end of the bench, she smiled (girls always felt more at ease around other women), Angie smiled back, and looked towards the monkey, and the sister also looks, and spies her siblings. She calls out to them, and as they come back Angie sees with satisfaction that Lydia had been busy. The sister also notices something amiss; the middle one is missing her pearls.
They begin to look, with the concerned red head kindly offering her” a hand” in their search. After a fruitless 15 minutes spent searching through the crowd of huddled people watching the organ grinder and his monkey, the nice red headed lady gave her apologies’, saying she must leave to make her train. The pretty lady takes her leave, holding the girls hand as she earnestly expresses her hopes that the pearls are found. She holds out her arms, and is given a hug for helping by the grateful older sister. Angie places a hand on her shoulder, looking her in the eyes, as her other hand reaches up and unhooks the sapphire brooch from the sisters satin blouse, palming it effortlessly.
As Angie disappears in the crowd the search goes on in earnest, It is not much after the red headed lady had swished her way through her crowd towards the train, that the older sister discovers she is wearing on less ring! As she in bewilderment places a hand to her silk covered chest, her fingers feel nothing, and start to feel around fruitlessly for her brooch, her sapphire brooch, its gone, not even so much as a tear on her satin blouse where it had been pinned by her maid that morning. The older sister feels a hand placed on her shoulder, she looks up into the smiling eyes of a dapper gentleman in a grey top hat, I something wrong my dear? He asks her, showing genuine concern in his smiling eyes.
As the gentleman in the grey top hat was giving his upmost attention to the young lady Angie had been “helping”, Angie entered the train, and walking to the end of the last passenger car, settled into the seat next to Lydia.
Lydia Turned towards Angie, and speaking in French, Commented:
La levée de suite les bijoux d'une jeune femme est comme une plume prise !
Dear, Angie said in an almost motherly tone of voice, I really wish you would not go about quoting that Arsène Lupin wretch, as a pickpocket the man is a butcher.
Angelica, Lydia teasingly chided, you say that about all men with light fingers, like our gray hatted friend back there.
Honey, Angie smiled, most men like that are serpents, and Lupin is still a butcher.
Lydia watched Angie settle back in her seat with a secret smile. She did not know too much about Angie’s past, but there was something there about Monsieur Lupin, (whose exploits had been made into print, tickling her young girls fancy, as she poured over them), that seemed to get at Angie’s goat. A lot about Angie’s past life was a secret to Lydia, but she knew well enough when to let sleeping dogs lie..
Lydia than settled in as the train lurched forward, taking them safely away from the London park, along with the sister’s “trinkets “the pair had obtained.
A little later, it became Lydia’s turn to show her mettle.
An hour after leaving London Station, the train stopped at a fashionable suburb. Lydia watched with half opened eyes, the disembarking passengers, and the new arrivals now walking to and fro along the wooden platform. Suddenly her eyes opened wide, and she made a small noise. Angie looked up from her book with interest, immediately spotting it too.
A young couple was walking past their window. He was wearing a 3 piece suit, walking stick, a silver timepiece, and a small brown derby. It was his wife, though, upon which the ladies interest lay. She was sporting a slinking satin frock, pretty in itself as it lay along her voluptuous figure, but it was her necklace that stole the show, and as she walked it was noticed by more than a few of the people she passed. It was a buoyantly bright gold drop necklace that encircled her neck, with a large stone ruby in the center of the drop that lay along her bare throat. The necklace really vexed Lydia’s interest and she watched it, and the lady who wore it for as long as she could before finally losing sight and settling back in the seat with a long sigh.
Only a few short minutes later she her heart leapt in her throat. The couple had entered their car, probably heading for one of the private cars at the end of the train she reasoned, as her eyes took in every detail. But no, the couple stopped at the empty seat just before the one Angie and Fiona occupied.
Now Lydia and Angie had the end seats in the car, their back was to the cars wall, and directly across from them was a small storage room, , so the seating across the aisle started up about three rows, which meant that basically no one could see them unless they were walking past. Lydia continues to watch with interest as the couple settled in, the wife taking the window seat, in front of Lydia a. Angie just kept her nose buried in the book she was holding; this was all Lydia’s show. Lydia watched the lady as she sat back, her and her necklace reflected in the windows, The ladies shoulders were just above the seat, and after she had settled in, she made a show of doing up her long hair in a bun, giving Lydia ample time to study the valuable necklaces gold box clasp, and plan her way to it.
After listening to the few sharp words the lady gave her husband, Lydia decides this elegantly coiffured lady was somewhat a prima donna. Her husband tries to place his arm around her, but is chased off. They both finally fall off to sleep, and as the twilight outside takes over, Lydia sees her chance and seizes it. Lydia reaches over, and after licking her fingers, plays with the man’s ears. He groggily wakens, still aroused now that he thinks his wife is also now amorous, he reaches over and pets her affectionately. She wakens, angry and pushes the husband away. But Lydia is prepared, as the wife leans towards her husband, and away from the window, Lydia’s fingers have already flicked open the box clasp and whisked of the gold necklace from the opposite direction, towards the window, where she catches its reflection as slips over the back of the ladies seat and curls up in Lydia’s open palm.
Lydia and Angie now had private, “front” row seats for when the wife’s loss was discovered. It was always a performance that Angie never tired of watching when she could chance it. And Lydia? Sticking around and watching her victim’s reaction at being pickpocketed was one of the reasons she started lifting jewelry in the first place. Neither of them was disappointed on this occasion.
Now wide awake, the wife settled back down to read her book, playing with a strand of her hair that had fallen while she was chastising her husband. As she did her fingers brushed her neck, she stopped reading, and carefully felt around her throat, before letting out a yelp that woke her husband, and several of the other passengers ahead of her. She cried out (in a heavy Italian accent) my jewels, La mia collana , è svanito, it is gone? In panic she rose and started to look around, her hand to her throat, giving everyone watching a nice display of her pretty figure in its shiny dress and of her remaining jewelry. Angie, Lydia, a Stewart and the couple two seats ahead got up and helped in the fruitless search. Her necklace had somehow mysteriously vanished.
After things finally settled down Angie and Lydia made friends with the husband, but his wife remained angry and distant….
The rest of the trip had been uneventful, mainly because Angie and Lydia had had their fill of their appealingly pretty little games for the time being.
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Angie suddenly perked up, letting go of her thoughts. She looked over at Lydia who was nursing her drink, her eyes looking a little less peeved. Did you see her, she asked? Who? Answered Lydia, Lilith? No answered Angie patiently. Not the Girl in the coral gown and pretty pearls, that one looked miserable enough without our help, stated Lydia? No, not her, but Angie reflected, Her pearls were nice, I almost suggested a go at them, but glad we didn’t, your right she did seem sad enough as it is. No, I mean that one over there, and she threw her eyes over to the entrance of the lounge.
Oh, Lydia exclaimed, I see what you mean. In the corner just outside the enclosed lounge area stood a lady in teal velvet, carrying a purse, her silver satin gloved wrist and fingers, home to a rather nice set of blazing emeralds and diamonds, matching those around her throat and hanging from her ears. Lydia looked over the situation.
The new mark wearing the teal velvet, was idling looking around, obviously trying to spot someone. Lydia looked at Angie, her Hazel eyes turning green with anticipation. Who gets her, she asked sweetly. Angie nodded,( wanting something to take Lydia mind off …..) she is all yours princess ( a nickname that Angie sometimes used on Lydia, and about the only person in the world Lydia could tolerate calling her that).
And watch her movements, added Angie in an instructing tone, See how she jumps up to peer over the crowd? Try and use it to your advantage. Lydia smiled and watched, licking her lips in anticipation.
Now Lydia’s forte was lifting necklaces, so that whenever it was Angie’s turn to be the spotter, she would always be on the lookout for Ladies wearing necklaces that would be within easy reach of Lydia’s talented fingers. Likewise Lydia, when spotting for Angie, kept an eye out for brooches. So, when Angie told Lydia the mark was hers, it was her emerald necklace that received close study first.
Lydia waited until the lady had her back to them, and she rose and carefully threaded herself through the maze of tables to the entrance of the lounge, her gown rustling against any object it touched. She came up on the lady in teal. Violet she cried out, as she raised one arm, wrapping around it around the girl’s back, while the other gripped the girl’s arm as Lydia drew the lady up against her figure in an embrace..
The girl tried to turn, squirming in Lydia s clasp, and as she did so, Lydia’s hand had already snaked up to the studied necklaces clasp, popping it open. I’m not Vio…. the startled girl tried to say, but as she turned around, Lydia exclaimed, you’re not Violet, oh I ‘m so sorry she said, asking for forgiveness sweetly,( undoing the clasp of the necklace and lifting up one end) I thought you were my cousin violet, Lydia apologized profusely, while her one hand squeezed the girls arm, finger bails digging in, as the other one holding the end of the necklace on her shoulder, moved down behind teal velvets back, slipping away the fiery necklace with it.. As Lydia balled up the necklace in her hand, she begged her leave, expressing regrets that she did not have time to chat with her new friend, have to find where Violet wandered off to she explained, squeezing the girl’s arm.
The mark was only too glad to accept the pretty stranger’s apology at not being able to stay and chat. The lady watched Lydia swish off into the swarming crowds. Her eyes slightly puzzled, before she remembered that she was also looking for someone, and went off, soon forgetting the entire incident ( and later, when the loss of her necklace was discovered, her brief encounter with Violet’s confused cousin was not even thought of)!
As Lydia sauntered off she stowed away the emerald necklace, and then meandered about the chamber, taking her turn to spot fresh victims, whose jewels were doomed to disappear under Angie’s talented fingers.
Meanwhile across the Ballroom another scene was being played out…..
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Lilith was now holding court at the edge of the dance floor; her second straight dance had ended with the young gentleman she was leading to believe fascinated her. She was busy continuing chatting him up, expressing her utter delight at the wonderful dancer he was, when Ginny timidly approached. She drew near her erstwhile boyfriend, asking him for their dance, as she desperately tried to keep her lips from trembling. Lilith’s eyes lit up in false apology (Ginny could see that all too well), darling! Lilith exclaimed, could I borrow your young man for a bit more, he promised me a drink. She placed her arm around him, isn’t that right darling? The overly polite boy, choked up a bit, unsure of what to do, his breeding not letting him wanting to hurt either Ginny, or Lilith, despite what his true desires actually were, and that was to be alone with Ginny! Although the seeds of doubt that had been planted in his mind by Lilith were beginning to take root and he was starting to have worries about what if future with Ginny would become an actuality.
Ginny, Charles started, faltered, than tried again, Ginny, the band is going to play The Charleston, you know how you like to dance to it, why don’t you go and I’ll catch up with you soon, promise. Yes darling, Lilith chirped maternally at poor Ginny, It will be just a quick one darling, and taking Charles by the arm, led him off, leaving Ginny standing there, wilting away as the Lilith’s words and actions burned through to her very soul. The music stared, and she reluctantly, if not a little obediently, did as Charles wished. Three dances later, he still had not shown up as promised, and Ginny danced on, a burning hole opening ever wider in her heart.
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Meanwhile, as poor Ginny started dancing to her second of three solo dances, we visit another end of the chamber, where Lydia is found talking merrily with three girls around her own age that she had collected around her. She had lured them into her web by engaging the considerable charm, elegance and sophistication that had been bred into her by her parents pretty much since birth.
Three pretty maids all in a row, overloaded with a multitude of dripping jewels, and Lydia was waiting for Angie to make an appearance and lighten their load! A blond haired lady in shiny red satin, a brown haired maiden in bright blue, and a tow headed damsel in silky gold. As Lydia was chatting up the three girls, her eyes, discreetly and unobtrusively, take an account of their jewels, their placement and their value.
Amongst the jewels the lady in red is wearing the most valuable is a necklace of small diamonds and a ring around her right hand’s pinky that is a large diamond cluster that shimmers spectacularly as she plays with a locket of her lion’s mane like blond hair.
The pretty maiden in blue was displaying a nice collection of gold jewelry, braided chains with small flecks of silver woven in. But above her left breast, was her only jeweled piece, pinned with a simple c-clasp, a gold brooch with a center stone of blue topaz surrounded by dazzling ½ caret diamonds.
Then there was the damsel in the pretty gold coloured gown, woven of some type of exotic, overly expensive, material that just shimmered in the massive chandelier’s light. She was also wearing opera length gold satin gloves, from which were dangling a pair impressive jeweled bracelets, their stones a multitude of rainbow coloured gems. She also wore a long pair of dangling diamond earrings, held loosely by rather ancient hinge clasps. Although her many other jeweled pieces were pretty valuable, these two twin sets were by far the most valuable pieces that anyone in the group was wearing.
Lydia feasted on the show her three marks jewels were displaying as she won them all over, soon bringing them into fits of giggling and laughter as they started to talk about the things most groups of women by themselves talk about, men! Out of the corner of her eye Lydia spied Angie coming up and around to see what’s up. She circled past each of the girls, slowly, nonchalantly, attracting no notice from the others in Lydia’s little group.
As Angie passed behind the blond in red satin, Lydia adjusted one of her rings, like it was bothering her, the motion caught Angie’s eye. Then Angie passed behind the gold gowned miss, and her eyes darted to Lydia, who lifted up her hair, exposing her ears, than absentmindedly started playing with a bracelet. Then Angie went behind the little blue gowned miss, and saw Lydia suppressing a cough, patting her chest to stifle it, her fingers splayed just above her left breast. Nodding, as much to herself as Lydia, Angie melted back into the crowd, and made a wide circle before approaching Lydia’s side.
Angie touched Lydia on her shoulder and she swirled, delighted that her “new friend” had shown up. (for whatever the reason, it always makes the mark(s) more comfortable when a pair of newcomers are related or are friends, Gaston Monescu, page 15 paragraph 2), Lydia excitedly introduced Angie to her three new chums, explaining to them how Angie and her had met on the train and had bonded, and how nice Angie was, and how very interesting a life she had led, along with other bits of flummery.
Angie’s first formal introduction was to red satin, Jessica. Whom Angie took by the hand, then reached around and hugged her, receiving a warm embrace in return. After the embrace, Angie clasped Jessica’s right hand in both of hers, praising Jessica on her pretty gown. As Jessica looked down, lifting a portion of the gown’s skirt with her left hand to show it off better, all eyes looked down. As everyone’s attention was diverted for that fraction of a second, Angie released Jessica’s right hand, slipping off from Jessica’s satin clad pinky, the large diamond clustered ring. Angie discreetly passed off the ring to Lydia, who was standing close to one side.
Then Lydia introduced Angie to the elegantly gold gowned young lady, Abby. Angie raised one arm, wrapping it around Abby’s back, while the other gripped her wrist, flicking open the jeweled bracelet‘s safety chain, as she drew the gold gown wearing Abbey up against her figure. The girl tried to turn, squirming in Angie’s embraces. Angie’s hand patted the girl on the back as the girl halfheartedly did the same, feeling Angie’s face bury itself in her shoulder. Effectively blocking from view the hand the held her wrist, which was picking open the bracelets clasp. Angie pulled away, looking the young miss in the eyes, everyone else eyes were also on Angie, which is what she was aiming for. And as she told the sweet young thing that it was her pleasure, she patted the ladies wrist, squeezing open the bracelet, slipping it off and into the slightly open purse at her side. As she does, her other hand goes up to the lady in gold’s dangling earring,( all eyes follow this movement) admiring the earring openly, taking its clasp into consideration for possibly an attempt later if they meet somewhere outside after hours. One never knows.
The last one to be introduced was the pretty Miss wearing the blue gown, Meria. Lydia, laughingly teasing her about being last, led her by the elbow and pulled the Meria towards Angie, and while she was turning, Angie took a small step forward and made sure her left side would bump against her. As Angie drew her in for an embrace, her right hand right hand was on the brooch while Angie’s left was grasping Meria’s left shoulder. Performing a move so familiar and well-practiced it was almost second nature, her middle finger pushed the c clasp out of its hook releasing the brooch into Angie’s palm. Pulling her hand down, she deposited the brooch into her purse, as she enveloped the girl in a hug. Then she stepped back, and began chatting with all three, soon winning them over like Lydia had done, keeping them distracted from themselves and their missing fine trinkets. Angie told them a quick, funny story about a man she had met on the train recently, which soon had them all giggling.
Angie took her leave after about 5 minutes, making an excuse that she needed to freshen up, she again took each ladies hand in goodbye, including Lydia’s, whom Angie slipped off a ring from her finger, so if things got sticky, she would be one of the victims also.
Lydia stayed behind to keep the three darling ladies occupied. She noticed one by one the missing jewels of each girl. The three shimmering silken lambs had been most professionally sheared, the most expensive of their jewels disappearing in such a manner that requires a ladies touch, no mere male, not even the talented Arsène Lupin, could have done better in the same scenario. As she looked them over, Lydia mused that with the mass quantities of jewelry each of the three were wearing, it would be some time before any of them realized some were missing.
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Meanwhile across the ballroom, as Angie had been introduced to her last of the three ladies and their jewels that Lydia had lined up; another scene had started being played out…..
Lilith had just finished her second drink with Charles, while the third song of a five song set had just started, fast and one meant for singles (favored mainly by the ladies, one of who was the wretched Ginny). Lilith looked at Charles, and suggested he should join the gentlemen up in the smoke room (she had seen him watching them mass exodus of gentlemen heading that way when the current set of songs had started). Charles hesitated, I should really see about Ginny, he cautiously stated, not sure of Lilith’s reaction. Lilith smiled, licking her re lips, don’t you worry yourself over the poor dear, I will go and keep her company until you return, she promised happily.
Defeated, Charles wearily accepts her suggestion, and Lilith watches him depart, then smugly looks in the direction of the dance floor, and exultantly plucking the fag from the gold holder, squashes it down quite hard in an ash container. She snaps closed the telescoping holder, and with a positively wicked grin, leaves her seat with a pounce and heads onto the dance floor, her hips swinging her black satin gown with a fluid motion, not unlike like a black cat making a move against a frightened mouse, or perhaps a snake slithering towards its victim.
It is a known fact that in the wild herding animals will avoid any member who is ill or dying. This may explain that, with Ginny’s 3rd dance of the 5 song set, she was still alone. It was like her wretchedness was felt by others and so kept their distance, leaving poor Ginny alone in her own empty circle, dancing at a far end of the chamber. This is also why she was not hard to spot by one who was now specifically seeking her out.
Ginny jumped as a hand grasped, not softly, her shoulder, and a voice said her name, with an evil hiss into her ear…
Ginny turned to face Lilith, whose look of utter hatred made that she gave the poor girl, made Ginny cringe as she backed away, dancing was now the last thing on the poor girls mind.
Darling, Lilith said spitting out the word as she looked around to make sure no one else was listening in, I have some very bad news….
Lilith launched into a tirade filled litany of reasons of why “Her” dear Charles would simply never be able to have anything more to do with her. Starting with her jewelry( really dear, you had to borrow them?) jumping to her moneyless parents( penniless in-laws, really darling it just isn’t done ), her now lowered position in society, (not to worry though , after she(Lilith) and Charles were marred she would find Ginny a maids position somewhere). And finally, that Charles was leaving because he was angry with the jealous way the sniveling Ginny had been acting.
With each sentence that was thrown in poor Ginny’s face she stepped back, the hateful words (some of which she knew had truth in them) slicing like a knife into the already tormented girls soul.
Finally she could take it no longer, and openly weeping she turned and tried to flee, looking fruitlessly around for Charles, but Lilith was quick, and grasped the poor girl before she could make good her escape..
Oh, you poor darling, I haven’t hurt your feelings have I spat Lilith in mocking tones, her , and she drew Ginny to her in a tight embrace, feeling the girl squirming in her arms, much like a mouse would squirm under a cat’s clawed paw, or perhaps wrapped in a serpents coils( both scenarios fit Lilith). Lilith finally released the poor thing, who fled recklessly away.
Lilith stayed and watched Ginny bolt, an indulgent smile creeping upon her face. She started to move in rhythm with the music, extremely pleased with herself, her sleek, slinky black gown and gloves flowing down along her devastatingly pretty figure making her appear like some slithering serpent rising up from the bowels of some glittering hell….
It was no more than 2 minutes later that a hand was placed from behind on Lilith’s shoulder.
********
As Charles headed off to relish his cigar, and Lilith headed off to relish tormenting Ginny; Lydia was continuing to entertain the three young ladies, while biding her time until the next conquest of the evening.
Suddenly Angie appeared from the crowd, again behind the three unsuspecting girls still under Lydia’s spell. Angie gave her a subtle signal, indicating that she has spotted fresh prey in dire need of being shed of her jewels, and needed Lydia’s help with the shearing. Lydia encourages the three ladies to meet her a little later, she sees a gentlemen (winking) whom she had promised a dance. They let their friend go, thinking she should wait for a slow dance, the music being played now was no way to dance close and personal, but they unknowingly were quite wrong.
After leaving the 3 young ladies, Lydia soon reached Angie’s side by the edge of the dance floor. Angie turned and nodded her head indicated one side of the floor, is that Lilith? She asked Lydia’s eyes followed Angie’s nod, soon eyeing the solitary lady in black standing at one end talking with the girl in coral and pearls.
Yes it is she answered, why? Attend, said Angie, and Lydia listened as Angie laid out her plans before her, as Lydia watched her witch, and the diamonds she wore that flickered around her black encased figure like so many evil tongued serpents. Suddenly she saw the girl in coral whose pearls the ladies had admired earlier, suddenly turn and flee, crying. Still up to your dirty tricks, are you Lilith!, Lydia thought spitefully.
Ready, the pair of scheming red heads than made their move.
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Lilith turned to see whose hand it was, half expecting to see Ginny, she checked herself quite nicely when turning, when she saw Lydia’s beaming face.
The two ladies dance in step for a few seconds, than Lilith gushes, why Lydia dearest, I hadn’t noticed you were here. Perfectly lovely darling, then Lilith added, but who brought you this evening? She asked, appearing very casual.
Lydia stayed silent on the subject; she wouldn’t give Lilith the satisfaction of knowing that she had not found anyone since Lilith had stolen Lord St. Claire, her longtime Beau, from under her nose.
Instead, Lydia praised Lilith, her lovely figure and gown, false praise, and Lilith knew it. They both continue dancing, almost sparing like a pair of fencers, with sharp eyes, and tongues rather the swords.
***********
Having been pre-warned by Lydia that the situation would become volatile very fast, Angie had come up behind Lilith very quickly, and started to dance behind her, coming ever closer, unnoticed by Lilith whose guard was totally centered on Lydia.
Angie saw her chance and tripped on Lilith’s Gown, sending her into Lydia’s waiting arms. Angie’s hands at the same moment had flew up to clasp of Lilith’s diamond necklace, unsnapping it, and sending the necklace falling into Lydia’s hands as she pushed away Lilith, who was in the process of turning and rounding on the person who dared ruin her expensive gown. As she spat at Angie, reprimanding her for her careless ness, Lydia moved in between, flicking the clasp of Lilith’s diamond broach in the process. Pushing the pair apart, Lydia apologies, as her right hand neatly slipped of the opened broach from Lilith’s satin gown, saying it was her fault for dancing so close to Lilith that she had backed poor Lilith into the lady.
Lydia took Angie’s hand, apologizing, slipping her the necklace and broach into Angie’s half open purse in the process. And with that, Angie turned and went on her way, never looking back, Hearing Lilith saying something to Lydia about the clumsy bitch, as she left.
************
Later that evening found Angie walking through the lounge of an upscale hotel, having joined in with the spillover from the fancy dress ball that had gathered there. She had stashed in her hotel room the shimmering collection of purloined jewels that Lydia and her had lifted while attending the Ball proper.
For the past half an hour she had been having an enjoyable conversation with the sparkling (both in personality, and attire) tow headed lady in silky gold that Lydia had introduced her to at the ball, and who still had not noticed she was shorn of a one of her bracelets from her gloved wrist,. Angie had come across the damsel sitting alone by the bar, her friend (The pretty maiden in blue who had been displaying the nice collection of gold jewelry- less one brooch) had left her to party on with a male friend of hers.
Angie had just left the pretty ladies side, also leaving her without the bother of placing her earrings and one of her twin bracelet in the hotel safe that evening. She as of yet failed noticed that now her dangling diamond earrings that had been loosely held by their ancient old fashioned clasps, had gone the same route as her Bracelet. Angie had slipped off the earrings while giving her a generous hug of greeting after watching and waiting for her to be alone.
*******************************
Lighting a cigarette Angie left through the lobby and headed into a late night pub. As she nursed her first scotch, neat over ice, a familiar figure approached and slid onto the empty stool next to her. Thought I’d find you here, chirped a much happier Lydia. Just wanted to pop to give you an update, She waited and made small talk until after the bartender had taken and served her drink (a whiskey Soda) then began to fill in Angie.
So what was her reaction when you pointed out her jewels were missing, Angie asked Lydia with great expectations of what had happened? Well when I pointed them out, instead of thinking you (Angie) had been the culprit, Lilith assumed they had been taken by” Ginny” (the sad one wearing the coral gown and pearls) when Lilith had been hugging her. That little toad, Lilith had spat out to Lydia, and turned to hunt Ginny down.
Poor dear, said Angie, felling a small pang of sorrow for the little Ginny creature. No, answered Lydia, not really, and she continued…
Lydia had followed, realizing that Lilith was out of control, worried that someone innocent may be hurt.
And she was correct, because Lilith approached Ginny and lit into her something fearsome.
Lilith literally grabbed Ginny and started shaking her, demanding that she give them back. The girl was petrified, and Lilith started calling her some pretty nasty names.
A crowd started gathering.
Then all of a sudden this bloke wearing a gold pocket watch, cuts through the crowd and rescues the poor girl from Lilith’s clutches. Like a white knight Angie commented. Well he was in black tails, and boy was he angry with Lilith, he held the girl in coral tight as he looked at Lilith lividly, his face the reddest I have ever seen on an angry young man.
Lilith finally, collected herself, and I saw all fire drain from her face, and she turned around and stormed out of the chamber. I don’ know, nor care what became of her, stated Lydia.
Feel better now, princess? Angie asked Lydia.
Lydia smiled perking up, actually for the small bit of solace it may have been worth, it had made her feel better now that she had thought about it.
She smiled at Angie, producing a necklace of pearls, it seemed easier to do when she was so happy, Lydia confessed. So you do feel better Princess, Angie stated happily.
Lydia smiled, and the pair finished their drinks in thoughtful silence.
Lydia was the first to leave, smiling she bade Angie a good night, and began walking away.
Lydia had only gone a few feet, when she turned, and looked at Angie who had been watching her.
Lydia, a sly smile brightening her face and eyes, happily quoted “Assistez à un oeil de demoiselles dans vos s , chatouiller les dames de fantaisie avec une main”
Angie finished Lupin’s quote quote with a faraway look in her eyes
“tout en soulevant ses bijoux avec l'autre”
Till the morrow, Princess, Angie said in parting.
Till Tomorrow answers Lydia, turning with a skip, her gown flowing out behind her as she, now in very good humor, leaves into the smoke swirled darkness of the city to walk the few blocks to her hotel.
*****
The Epilogue:
Late afternoon of the next day, after attending an early afternoon Garden Soiree, Lydia and Angie are strolling through a park, both still dressed in their party dresses, both still wearing their fancy day jewels, (worn so they would fit in with the well to do female attendees), and both with secret pockets holding jewels lifted from some of said female attendees.
Lydia looks back at Angie, Lifting that silver dragon brooch with the ruby eyes and diamond scales was a nice move on your part Angie, she praises.
It was a lot easier with your help Lydia, Angie responded.
Lydia turned her head back onto the path, her pony tail whipping around, the pearls she had woven into it shining a bright white.
Angie said to Lydia’s back, that girl in the crème satin dress, you know I was going to go for her gold braided necklace, then you came out of nowhere and beat me to it.
Lydia just smiled satisfied to herself, I know she responded,, I wanted it to be my coup, she did not turn back to look at Angie’s reaction., but continued.. you laid down the gauntlet ,(or in this case satin glove) Angie when, as you commented on how pretty the necklace looked as it slithered along the front of her crème satin dress, you said it would take extremely deft fingers to slip it off her throat. Although I though her sisters pearls were a better score.
Angie, still walking behind her now had a secret smile on her face, and her eyes had glazed over as if her mind was drifting a million miles away from that quite park in the English countryside where the pair were now walking.
The two pretty red heads continue to walk on a bit, both in the silence of their thoughts.
Angie, Lydia asks, plopping down on a bench.
Yes dear, Angie says, her train of thought broken.
Lydia pulled out a long her gold braided necklace and was admiring it. The lady in the Crème satin dress who wore this lovely thing,; her sister, the one wearing the emerald silk gown and the pearls I fancied, you said she reminded you of a story you promised would tell me sometime? Could you tell me it now?
Angie smiled, Princess, you certainly are an inquisitive one! Let me think a minute…
Angie settled down next to her, and after mulling it over a bit, finally began…
It was during my first time in Monte Carlo, I had left the states soon after I had scored a major haul, and decided to ply my trade in new waters. It was during the fall of…
Lydia interjected, It was because of your haul at that politicians daughter’s wedding, (see album Angie being receptive)
Yes princess, that and a few other functions helped fund that trip. Angie confirmed, then went on…
I had met this pretty young like in an emerald silk gown, positively dripping in gold jewellery with rubies and emeralds…
Lydia cut in again, please start at the beginning; we have the rest of the day all to ourselves.
Angie smile, very well, I will start at the beginning: …….
( We will post in the album’ Angie “holidays” in Monte Carlo’ the rest of the tale stated in the epilogue. Once the story we recently unearthed in previously unknown chronicles of Angie’s life have been modified …The eds)
The lifting away a young lady’s jewelry is as a feather taken
La levée de suite les bijoux d'une jeune femme est comme une plume prise
Editor’s Notes:
Our Thanks to Mr. J. Gardner for pointing out the existence of Mr. Monescu’s 1826 guide
If you enjoyed our little story, please like and leave a comment.
And if you wish, describe what intrigued you the most about it…
Thank You
And last, but not least,
Kudos to the Light Fingered Lady who planted the seed of the flower that became Lydia
Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives
#266: As of 1/16/23, of my 3300+ pics, this is listed as #266 in most # of faves.
#579: As of 11/26/22, under Flickr's popularity rankings of my 3300+ pics, this is listed as #579 in "interestingness."
#915: As of 11/26/22, of my 3300+ pics, this is listed as #915 in most # of comments.
Yay, I've got something more NEW from 2022!
As described a little more in a recent (4/22/22) Update posted in my Flickr profile (at flickr.com/people/99244229@N04/), I had my first opportunity to be fully en femme since before the pandemic. I'm now rolling out pics from this day, March 7, 2022, when I tried out a couple ensembles never before modeled. It was so great to finally re-engage myself as Grace again!
As usual, I really enjoy coordinating attractive/sexy/cute outfits, and this one features:
* an Orsuncer "ombre platinum blonde" 26"-long wavy wig with bangs and black roots, from amazon;
* Steve Madden black "Quinne" quilted-leather zip-up platform ultra-high-heel ankle booties, from DSW (an old purchase, but I'd never taken pics in them til now);
* a Forever 21 black/multicolor floral-print-mesh bodycon cami-strap minidress, with black-slip lining, a straight-cut neckline, a shirred bodice, and lettuce-hem;
* a Mangopop black square-neck long-sleeve snap-closure tanga-bottom cotton bodysuit, from amazon;
* a Taffeta Alley black PU-leather 2.76"-wide waist belt with double-prong buckle, and 8-row silver eyelets, from amazon;
* WeLoveColors black fishnet tights;
* a black neck scarf;
* a Betseyville black quilted-leather silver-hardware handbag, from JC Penney;
* Kiss imPRESS press-on french-tip fingernails, from Walmart;
* a silver/clear rhinestone-embellished lariat-design layered necklace with Y-front chain, from Forever 21; and
* silver/black bracelets, watch, rings, necklace, and hoop earrings.
More about this and other 2017-22 pics has been written up in my profile or "About" page here on Flickr. It details some choices made for these 2017-22 pics.
Let me know your thoughts... :-)
Hugger Mugger
Apologies in advance to anyone who peruses this and comes away with thinking that it reads like the plot of yet another badly directed flick. Real life can appear to be played out that way in the sometimes!
That bit being said...
Unescapable Boredom has always been a trigger for some of my most peevish muses, and sometimes that has landed me in quite hot water !
And whilst dwelling in my Unescapable boredom on this particular evening….
I had noticed the youth, a typical 13 year old male, with typical, shall we say yearnings, scampering happily about at the reception hall which was our lot to be in on that late night.
And this particular lad’s activities were quite interesting from my admittedly cynical standing point of observation...
But first, please allow me to explain one’s self and reason for being in that posh venu .
I was one of several fellow professors at the university whom had been invited to the son of a female colleague’s nuptials ( in other wards, no close relationship to the groom, whom I only had bloody met, once... can anyone say free gift for the gits?!).
He was marrying a rather affluent young Lass he had hitched up with from Wrexham way, and it was in that city, several hours away, that the couple decided to tie the knot, dragging his family, and us I might add, all along with him to travel there.
Now Wrexham is a nice enough place to visit, but preferring not to waste the whole weekend away from the stone cottage ,its quiet gardens, me pipe, and a snifter of fine old brandy, I had only booked in for an overnighter...
So it twas, that on an early, misting Saturday Morn, our entourage left for the long trog to make it in time for the noon wedding.
We arrived in the city of Wrexham with twenty minutes to spare, and began our pleasant wind along the old Girl’s nostalgic neighborhoods.
There are quite a few fine old churches in Wrexham, and the one where the nuptual ceremonies was to be held was, in my personal opinion, the finest.
The wedding was upscale smashing, starting with the rather gothic Blackstone church decorated like it was a set up for some fancy magazine photo shoot for an even more posh magazine.
The bride, once she made her appearance, continued on with the opulence, wearing a high priced designers rhinestone decked, white satin number, while the girls in her bridal wore matching rhinestoned inlayed gowns by the same designer, all formed fit in flowy blood red satin, ‘cept the maid of honour, a stunning red head whose matching gown was of a bewitching midnight black! The groomsmen wore jet black tuxes, the groom wore a white tux and tails, looking like Fred Astaire complete with top hat and cane( but sans rhinestones ) … and indeed there was a bit of a movie like ambiance hanging over the whole affaire!
The reception venue was held at a fancy hall that had been repurposed from an old eel tinning factory. A most interesting venue, with no taint of its former occupant. And with all its most opulent trappings, looked like a stark continuation of the posh photo shoot from the church , set up in an alleyway like ambiance!
So I guess the affair overall was a nice enough bit of eye candy for those of us “privileged” enough to be invited. I must add, I personally did not feel privileged, but judging by the openly blurted remarks of a gaggling trio of someone’s elderly maiden aunties( not mine thank Lord) we all were supposed to feel that way for being there!
Privileged was not a verb I was going to choose!
Especially seeing that only 4 of us from the group invited from the university made the trip ( the others successfully coming up with valid excuses, the lucky prigs!) I was feeling more of being on an isolated island in the stream of gaily dressed guests!
So outside us four, and the bride’s parents, we were complete strangers to everyone else. Including the son of my colleague, the groom, whom I had only met once on a golf outing some few years back. And pretty much the four of us found ourselves alone and ignored… !!
Then as the evening wore on, there was no pretty much about it,being stranded alone I dare say!
For I found myself completely alone! Due to two of our group taking early leave ( The devils decided not to spend the night) and the fourth had taken up with a young man she had met ( I would say cougar if I was not a proper gentleman and actually rather fond of the lass meself!) ….
So I was sitting there, at an empty table, and soon the boredom began it’s subtle creeping..
I had not been guiling enough to plan a quick excuse to exit, nor so lucky to find someone dance with , so I made my way off the island and waded over to the bar and took up a solitary vigil on a padded stool. The watered down drinks were free, so after about 5 old fashions I was feeling pretty good actually, but even though I was enjoying meself in that aspect, I was still a wee bit bored, and therefore started peevishly musing…
And it was during my boredom tinged thoughts when I again caught sight of the lad…
I of course had seen him earlier when we first arrived and was busy getting drinks for my group from the bar. His mother was the satin gowned maid of honour to her bride sister, and he had been latched onto her at the waist of her midnight black bridesmaid’s attire , hanging on joyfully as she was in conversation with the best man.
I soon found out that the lad’s Maid of Honour mother was single. But though very pretty, she was no older than some of my students !
But at that time my attention was pulled away anyways’ by a plate of Hors d'oeuvre’s being passed around and as I ate and mingled with my colleagues, I continued to watch the lad and his antics from the corner of my eye.
Then dinner was announced, and as We made way to our seating, the lad totally escaped my mind… till now..
And now, here I was, observing the lad’s promiscuous antics again
Taking sips of my current old fashion, I had been watching with mesmerized interest, the Bride’s Mother. She was a rather attractive lady, young for her age, who was wearing a rather fetching gown of sleek blue ruffling satin that flowed jauntily along her figure, swishing and swaying in a most delightful manner.
She was wearing a rather pricey ensemble of fine jewelery, including a short gold herringbone necklace set with a large fiery diamond at its’ centre, flanked by four glittery smaller stones. I found the whole package enticing enough that I was pondering over the dos or don’ts of asking for a dance...for she appeared not to be attached to any male courtesan.
It was as I was watching that I again saw the thirteen year old lad, sneaking up from behind a table and hug his grandmother, who leaned down to reciprocate...( the lady was petitely short, so she didn’t have far to bend) the diamonds in her swaying necklace rippling with pinpricks of expensive fire!
So he was still at it I thought…
Now, when I had seen him darting about earlier, while hor d'oeuvres were being served after finally being shaken loose by his mother, he had preformed this hugging antic on his and his grandmother several times, and once each on his Bride Aunt and Maid of Honour Mother!
Now this lad was also obviously across the threshold of young puberty: as was witnessed by his actions, in the way he was sneaking up and giving those graspy hugs of his, the fingers digging into the shiny satiny gown of his targeted female.
They all though it cute enough, especially the gullible Grandmother, who thought it was “precious” and just laughed, and squealed happily, “look another drive by hugging”, or “thanks for the hug honey, it was needed”, encouraging to no end the youth to keep his voyeuristic advances up, for he attempted this several more times as I stood watching from the sidelines … Though his Grandmother was the only female not to fend off repeated attempts!
But, and damn me own eyes, I had noticed that far more was going on than just a bit of runaway hugging !! The little miscreant was also Copping a feel!
The Lads arms, as he hugged his grandmother’s warm figure before running off, were noticeably brushing just under her perk breasts, molded nicely by the tight fitted ‘mother of the bride” gown she was attired in.
I also knew that , along with copping a feel, he was had also enjoying the tingling sensation from the slick satin material of the long, swishing gown the rather youngish ,stylish grandmother was wearing…
Perhaps I was jealous ?
It was as I watched him repeat this performance again and again , that my mind was taken off asking anyone to dance, and my attention started to follow the lad to see what he was all on about, to confirm my hypothesis if you will.
I soon saw that he was now turning his attentions upon a different source for his promiscuous behavior.
The youngest of the bridesmaids by far was the 15 year old sister of the bride. A rather immature teenager at that. Looking like some Disney princess in her red satin gown and rhinestone necklace and earrings that matched that of the rest of her fellow, though much older, lady bridesmaids. But she certainly was not acting like a proper princess as she now whisked about playing at cops and robbers with my 13 year old mischievous lad.
Said Lad, whose fingers were doing more touching than just tagging the fancy dress of his fetchingly attired playmate.
So, ordering yet a another old fashion( my seventh for those keeping tabs), I watched the pair, Not really being a voyeur in my defense, for my professional interest does lay in the realm of the study of human nature, though as a criminologist this was a thin argument at best for applying it to the situation today..
Soon the girl was pulled away to join the bridal party whom had started swishing about on the dance floor, and the lad, looking glumly on, and with all his “victims” out of reach on said dance floor, eventually headed off, and the direction he took was going to lead him straight past me I perkily noticed
I looked up over the top of his head to the dance floor, rather envious that I was not able to participate!
I spied the young 15 year old bridesmaid dancing, she seemed to be enjoying herself. I also caught site of her necklace as it was caught up in the lights, it glittered , sparkling madly in the dim lights, as were the rhinestones on her dress. I looked around, all the bridesmaids opulent rhinestones were sparkling. The Grandmother was also sparkling about on the floor, dancing with some spiff in a tailored suit!
Despite of my misery at being there, I felt something stirring up inside of me.
Not surprisingly ( to me) a rather mischievous thought came into my head propelled by a combination of the resplendent bridesmaids dancing on the floor, the attractive glittering of rhinestones, the approaching lad, and the fact that I was really quite blasé about the whole affair ,being stuck there and all! Of course, I was probably a wee bit more drunk than sober by that period in time...
My thought was in the direction of doing a quick, possibly amusing study, on channeling this approaching Lads spirited passions by broadening his horizons! In simple terms, Tune the lad in on expanding his conquests through an adults apparent permission, then turn him loose to give “drive by hugging’s” amongst the flock of dressed up bridesmaids may be most amusing... Like an amorous puppy scurrying in amongst a group of shiny feathered clucking chickens!
So while I eyed the approaching lad, I nonchalantly put my hand into a jacket pocket fumbling for a selection of ever present coins.
Now my Grandfather had been a magician of sorts, and I had been weaned on watching his slight of hand tricks with coins. As a young man I had leaned a few of them meself, ( as a way to meet the fairer sex of course) as well as a slew of card tricks, and always had a few props with me.
So as the lad sauntered by me, I caught his attention by dropping a penny. He obligingly retrieved it for me, and as he handed it back, I turned down my wrist, then took my hand to his ear appearing to change the penny into a twenty pee piece… Which I handed the coin to the amazed lad for keeps. Thereby also gaining his full and undivided attention.
“Want to see another?” I asked, and he shook his head eagerly. I pulled out a deck of cards, and had him ruffle them up a bit. Talking it up him as I did.
The simple card trick would allow me to banter and stoke the id of his sexually driven impulses whilst the ego thoughts in the lad’s head where following the cards. With my intents to stocking up the super.
The first trick was an easy one that had him picking his own card from a group laid out on the bar. It was as I went through the motions, and watching his focus on the cards, I mentioned his Grandmother asking if he thought she looked pretty. I knew I was firing up the lad, and after I set him loose, planned on watching him take off like an exploding rocket to give her another hug before he started branching out.
I than showed him a second trick. Talking about hugging and how all girls liked to received them...like his grandmother,……. like the girls in the red gowns I added after a dramatic pause for effect. I saw his eyes quickly dart over to the dance floor, than quickly back at the cards as I finished up my trick
By then the bridal party , blissfully unawares that they were being primed for a series of hugs, was leaving the floor and I saw that the young brides maid was standing off to the side watching the departing dancers…..
And that gave my inspiration a new course totally...
I knew I lit a fire in the back of his mind about dancing, hugging, and such! So I went a step further, mentioning how wonderful it was dancing, almost like a long continuous hug. I could tell by the way he stiffened that my words were quite well received by this promiscuous lad.
He quite obviously was “rising” to the bait, and appeared more than eager to listen to me. I turned him around and pointed out the young brides maid, suggesting he should dance with the lass…
Like a puppet on my string , he obediently went off and I watched as he approached the lass, and talking to her, she took control and led him off to the dance floor.
The pair did make a cute couple and it was rather entertaining to watch the two of them acting like young adults. She was by far more graceful at it, but in her partners boyish fumbling’s, I noticed a rather strategic placing of his hands and chest that could not have been mere accidental. At one point she reached around and moved his latched hand from around her waist to a less compressing spot on her upper back.
All in all it was a quite satisfying observation of young hormones in action, and I was quite satisfied thus far with the results of my “experiment” when the dance ended. I fully expected him to toddle off to find his Grandmother, or Mother to do a bit of “Drive by Hugging” and having quite enough of that to fill my day, rose to bid my adieu and congratulations to the happy couple before heading out into the wilderness outside to find a friendly pub.
So I was both rather shocked, and a little bemused, when as the dance ended the lad came back towards me, dragging along his pretty partner like some panting puppy with a bone. ( and yes, there was a very good reason for thinking up that analogy, but please get your mind from that gutter)!
He wanted me to show her a trick…. And how could I resist, as they both looked up at me all wide eyed and expecting me to work some miracles !
I smiled at her, her eyes large with excitement, glittery like her long earrings swaying freely from her ears, bouncing off her cherubs cheeks.
I reached again into my pockets, and pulled out a penny. I took up the lass’s gloved hand and appeared to place the penny onto her palm, curling her fingers over it before she could have a proper look. I told her to hold it tight now. And as she did, she looked down upon it, her free hand plying with the shimmering rhinestones of her necklace. As all sets of eyes were glued on the clenched hand,except my own, I was idly looking the necklace over, and noticed that chain of her necklace was clasped around her throat by a simple hook in eye, but at the time did not think it of any significance to it.
I said something about needing a wand, and reaching back, pulled the straw from my drink. They both giggled at my impromptu choice, as I took the straw and tapped it on the back of her hand holding the “Penny” I told her to open her hand and she did, both gasping that the “penny” had turned into a shiny fifty pence piece. I told her to keep it, her face beaming .
“Here miss,” I said, “let me see that hand again?” She gave it to me and as I pulled two more pennies from my pocket.
I Laid the penny on the backside of her hand and had the lad hold open his palm under neath, after apparently placing a penny into it also. I than brushed my hand along the young Miss’s making the penny vanish.
I told them to look in the boys hand ,had him open his fingers and there was not a penny, but another fifty pence coin, which I let the lad keep as they both gasped over the magical transformation!
The pair were quite keen for more after that, so I began to show them some tricks with playing cards, keeping them both spellbound. It was passing the dreary time by I will admit, having a chance to amaze the young urchin and the princess with my simple tricks!
But the opportunity to be excited by my tricks led to other things, and the girl took her leave shyly and headed off hurriedly to the loo in a swishing of her long gown.
As I watched her scamper off, I again eyed the lad, who also seemed keen on also scampering off after her.
The little hugger mugger I thought as he made to dart away. But in that second , with those words in me head, I had a most epiphany like flash of brilliance( at least to me) inspired by that thought as it travelled down an avenue of my mind that had caused me to take note of how loosely a rhinestone necklace was being held up around the departing young lass’s neck and at the same instant I saw the girls prying the lad’s hand from her waist and placing it just under….. said necklace’s clasp !
It all put me in mind of a trick I had once heard of performed by magician Harry Kellar....!
I quickly grasped the lad by the shoulder before he took flight.
“Ere now, how would you like to play a magic trick on the lass yonder?” I asked as I directed his attention to the girl who was just at that second disappearing down the hallway leading to the girls’ loo?
He nodded exuberantly!
I than conspiratorially explained a slight of hand trick he could help me pull off on his very own.
He had rather caught onto the idea as I explained to him in simple terms, making is sound far easier than it would/should be.
I gave him a gentle push ..” Go get em tiger!” I said with unbridled encouragement.
And so, with a rather lustfully smouldering fuse lit, making any additional need of persuasion moot, off he scurried!
I watched with growing anticipation as the lad approached the hall way, waiting and eagerly watching.
The young bridesmaid ,reappeared, and upon her approach, the laddie moved in behind her, placing a hand on the young bridesmaid’s sleek back, grabbing at her attention, and started talking with a pointed affably.
In a few minutes the pair of them were on the wooden dance floor, once again looking exceptionally cute as a couple, as they danced to a rather preferable romantic slow tune whose name has slipped my mind, so focused was I on my mischievous endeavor being carried out !
The young darlings mimicked the adults around them, and embraced closely against one another.
I looked around, Nor were any of the said adults paying the pair any heed..
I had directed him to try and slip off the girl’s necklace as the first part of a trick to play on her. But I was really figuring that he would bumble it and get caught out, which would be an amusing thing to witness...
He pulled her in closer, an she fell all in for it… maybe she was experiencing the same female feelings as his partner, for her eyes were also tightly closed. With his partner so engrossed, my lad easily reached over a satin clad shoulder, then moved his fingers to the back of her neck, where he gently pulled at her rhinestone necklaces silver chain and it’s quite easy opening clasp.
He fumbled a bit with said clasp, but I saw him peeking over her shoulder for a better look, and he managed to studiously slip out the hook on his second attempt.
He then carefully began to pull it up along the front of his dance partners blood red satin gown, then over her shoulders’ sleeve and down her back where it dangled for a few precious seconds
As they sparkled away down her back I began to feel a prickling myself as I perked up, this may actually bloody work!!
I watch as he then, quite unnoticed, secreted the necklace into a side pocket of his suits’ jacket pocket as I had instructed him to do.
I released my breath not realizing I had been holding it.. He had gotten away with it, and his prettily dressed partner hadn’t a bloody clue as to what had just transpired with her departing necklace, and no one else had either.
They finished the dance, it seemed like an eternity, but it was thrilling to try and catch glimpses of the cousins’ now bare neckline He had pulled off the first part of the trick without being caught out.
I had figured he would get his hands caught in the till, which is the show I had been expecting to watch play out on the hapless lad.
It would have been amusing in and of itself if he had been caught red handed, but this new game would be almost as fun.
Finally they broke apart and he walked off with her. I held my breath again, but he seemed to inherently realize that as part of the “trick”, he didn’t want her suspicions raised by being quick to leave. God bless his natural budding adult male like deviousness!
He had done it, but I wasn’t through with him yet. The game, and watching it being played out, had been all far too exciting for me also, and there was the encore to pull off !
He brought his innocent victim over , grinning ear to ear.
Well done I said to him, as the girl looked at me, a bit confused as to what well done was on about.
“Another Trick my lass?”, I asked, and she shook her head happily.
I lifted up the girls gloved hand, palm up, and placed a penny onto it, keeping my hand on her palm..
I then told the lass to close her eyes, and winked at the lad, who smiled back knowingly, as she obediently did so.
I motioned him to hand me the necklace, and he did so. With the quickness of a dip, I lifted the penny and replaced it with her necklace.
I took the straw and tapped it along her throat , she giggled at that, than tapped it on her palm, telling her to open her eyes.
She did so and the went wide with astonishment as she saw a rhinestone necklace dangling there. Her hand went to her throat, discovering the “cupboard was now bare!”, she gasped as she realized the necklace was her own!
I had her hold up the necklace and had the lad reclasp it for her, her eyes wide with the belief of an innocent who thought she was witnessing real magic. She gave me a hug, and I shook the lads hand with a wink before sending them off…a pub somewhere was still calling, and I wanted to go and follow its enticing voice.
I thoughtfully watched the young couple whisk of weaving amongst the crowd till they were lost from my sight, my mind half taking in once again the swishing of a most delightful gown as I mulled it all over while watching.
That had been easy enough trick, quite well played I thought, like in a movie.
My mind drifted onto various movies I had seen, and one in particular jumped out. ( read on and see if at the end you can guess which movie?)
As the movie flashed across my mind I looked in the direction the lass had gone, lucky for the young lady her necklace had not been real, for if I was a rogue of that thieving nature like the actor from that movie, well I could have easily rearranged the sequence of things and have walked off pretty as you please with diamonds in me pocket.
I chuckled at the thought as it popped itself in me mind , for I had not been thinking anything of the sort as I had orchestrated the trick, and would not have if I hadn’t thought about the movie! Besides, ladies that young never wear the real thing anyways, not unlike actress’s, and .....stylish grandmother’s !
For said Grandmother was once again in my line of vision, her back to me, as she merrily was chatting away with one of the prune face spinster Aunties! I tipped my head in her direction, for it was time to finally, happily , vacate the premises.
Then as I rose to leave, my last remaining ( cougar) chum from the original group, joined up with me. her “friend” had deserted her for his school mates. I regained my seat as she took the vacant one next to me, ordered her a drink, and a refill for me..
I decided to stay and hold the fort with the lass for a bit before shoving off.
We sat and drank for about 15 minutes, and as my chum was chatting away merrily about her conquest that evening. I found my eyes lazily drifting over the dancers out on the floor. It was still quite a show,, a mixture of flowing, colourful evening gowns and flickering jewels contrasted by formal suits and severe black tuxes.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw the Brides mother, the young Grandmother, who had managed to squirm her way from the severe Auntie. Her blue gown shimmery under the lights, rings on her fingers dancing with glittery flickers. Amusingly enough she was now dancing with her grandson, the same huggy lad who I had done a bit of magic for, and who had been my most willing accomplice for a trick played out upon the young bride’s maid.
I had been watching the pair with causal awareness when “Blimey!” suddenly something I observed forced me to snap out of my reverie and sat straight up in my seat..
“What’s up? “my friend asked me with curiosity.
“Nothing really” I said, as my eyes confirmed what I had seen was real.
Better “eeflay ethay emisespray” was what I was in fact thinking, and the sooner the better my mind added...
I turned towards my mate, “you know, I really feel like a proper drink and not this watered down tosh. Lets say we take a stroll towards our hotel and try to find a nice friendly pub on the way?”
“Capital “ she said jumping at the chance to leave squeezing my arm,” Ive had it with this scene too lad!”, and as I looked in her eyes I saw her look towards a table off to the side where the young man who had caught and discarded her fancy, was perched with another, younger, lady- one of the bridesmaids.
We went to the exit, and as I helped her on with her faux mink wrap I looked over her shoulder for the grandmother and my touchy lad. They were still dancing. And the thorny issue that had me fleeing into the night, was still , well, an issue !! It looked like I was going to just make it out before....
My mind was a mass of whirling thoughts as we walked out of the venue an onto the smoggy street. I suggested we continue to walk, I needed the time to clear my head for a proper think...
We strolled off, arm in arm ( her idea). I was vaguely aware of my friends fancy party dress whipping along my leg as it fell swaying in the light breeze from beneath her Faux mink. But my churning mind was not properly appreciating the experience, for it twas entirely back at the reception.........
And here we have reached the end of Part one ( of two)
A Tea for the Tillerman
Acte 4
A Most Curious Conclusion
A slow sinking feeling came over me as I saw the distraughtly gutted look in Ginny’s eyes as she realized the fancy necklace she had been wearing had somehow fallen away and had been lost.
We both immediately began to look down around her feet.
Finding nothing Ginny looks up at me with worried eyes, her fingers still stroking her sheath dress’s high neckline. I tell her soothingly…
“Need to retrace your steps luv, since the last time you knew it was still there. That’s probably the best course of action.”
“I don’t remember…” she said panic-stricken.
I thought hard, not an easy thing to do with the after-effects of a bit too much alcoholic drink. Then my eyes lit up as I hit upon it.
You still had it on when I left you at the pagoda to visit the loo.
“I left there when I started looking for you, Cade. Cor Blimey, been back to the house, and everywhere in between since haven’t I?” She told me this with a miserably unhappy sigh. “I would really hate to have lost that .”
Taking her arm we then began retracing her steps in backorder, searching the ground in vain until we finally, now quite dejected, made it back to the still deserted pagoda.
We began to search the area in a now desperate manner. But nothing sparkled that would have given away the lost
necklaces hiding spot.
Ginny came over to me.
I watched, her black satin Qipao sheath dress with the green lining flowing elegantly along her figure, the rhinestone dragon with the emerald eyes shimmering. It was a shame that someone looking that pretty should be so sad I thought with pity.
“Would Cleo have gone off with it?” I pondered aloud as I squatted, peering under the steps.
“That Estella scared him off,” Ginny said from the other side of the pagoda.
“Estella?” I asked
“ She was with Claire, and that odd lady who I told you was taking to Cassie.”
“Estella had intentionally scared away poor Cleo and then went chasing after the poor thing.
What about” Wood Bead Lady? I asked
Ginny half-heartedly snickered. “ I like that name.”
Then went on…
“She sat down, literally right next to me. Claire reached over wanting me to hold her. Which I did. We chatted for a bit. Estella came back alone, and stood behind me teasing Claire.”
“It was then I decided to head off to find you. Leaving your “Wood Bead Lady, whom I handed Claire back to, and Estella there.
“That lady sure is an odd one, Dontcha think?” Ginny commented.
I arose, agreeing with her, my mind racing. Something was nagging at it, but for the life of me, I couldn’t think of what it was. All I could focus on really was trying to help my friend find that errant necklace of hers.
“It’s not here, is it?” Ginny said with a miserable tone of voice.
I went over and reassuringly hugged her.
“ Let’s go find my mum. Maybe someone found it and turned it over to her. Wouldn’t it be funny if we spent all this time looking and she had it all the while?”
This cheered her up, and we began to walk back, a bit more happy and hopeful.
==========================
We passed the lady in purple silk who was drinking wine as she chatted away with several other ladies.
Gone was the “Wood Bead Lady” and her gang of followers.
The ladies turned to us as we passed.
I stared with an open mouth…
Gone also was the lady in purple silk’s diamond and sapphire necklace!
The other two were surprisingly not wearing necklaces either, and one, wearing an old satin and lace wedding dress, I could have sworn had been wearing a rather handsome pearl choker!?
“Cheers, “ they said to us
“Cheers” Ginny answered back half-heartedly
But I didn't answer. My attention had been pulled away, as the several things I had observed recently tried to click together in my mind, but it was like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.
We were almost at the table when Cassie caught up with us and greeted Ginny. I was looking away, watching mum straighten a few things at the tables. Her necklace sparkled as she bent over.
Then I spotted Estella carrying Claire over to mum.
Claire reached out her arms to be picked up. Mum stopped what she was doing, reached down, and lifted her. Then she was hugged and patted by my mum as she spoke to the caterer. While sneaky Estella watched from alongside them.
Claire’s mother Clarice had just then come up to join them.
I gasped upon seeing that little Clair had that quickly unclasped and was now holding the ends of mum’s diamond necklace in one hand.
As her mother pulled her away, Claire let go and I saw the necklace fall inside the front of my Mum’s dress. She was wearing a full silk slip which must have prevented her from feeling it siding down.
I saw it plop out and fall to the ground between her shimmery silver sandals.
With relief, I saw Estella bend down to the ground behind mum to retrieve it.
Relief turned to horror as I then saw Estella, instead of handing the diamond necklace over, quickly walking off with it, unnoticed by the others.
I gasped, hand to my throat, too frozen in disbelief to act.
Estella disappeared behind a tall hedge that blocked the portable toilets the guests were using, from sight.
It was then I saw the “Wood Bead Lady” coming from around the side corner of our house. And also disappeared behind the same hedge.
Then, that quickly the Wood Bead Lady appeared from the hedge on the side Estella had entered.
Remembering the game, I assumed that Estella had handed the diamond necklace off to her. The lady’s actions appeared to confirm that.
She had stopped, and I could see her looking at Mum, who was still chatting away, clueless as to what was going on.
Then the “Wood Bead Lady” saw me gaping at her.
With a start, she held up her skirt turned, and moved off across the green towards the gardens. I knew then she was heading for the thicker ring of woods that borders our property on the other side.
No one except me has been paying any attention to what was happening.
Wood Bead Lady” had almost entered the gardens before I finally was able to give a warning voice to Ginny over the situation.
“Hurry, she may be getting away with them” I snapped, grabbing a puzzled Ginny by the arm.
I started to apologize to Cassie that we had to go when suddenly I was gobsmacked. Cassie no longer was wearing a necklace either!
From behind me, I heard a bewildered Ginny ask...
“Who is getting away with what?”
I turned and nodded in the direction of the fleeing lady.
“Wood Bead Lady, No time to explain” I yelled behind me as I pulled Ginny away.
We began weaving in and out of quests, leaving bewildered ladies in our wake.
I saw Mrs. Shannon directly ahead and gently moved her away.
“Hello Cade, what's up?”
“Explain later” I called out over my shoulder
I looked back at her and gulped, Mrs. Shannon was no longer wearing what had been her rather expensive ruby necklace. Nor was Gabriella wearing hers…
I swore under my breath as I remembered what I had seen by the wrought iron bench in my secret garden. I pictured the lady we were pursuing, Estella, and little Claire playing what I had thought was a game of keep away using their necklaces...
“Bloody hell am I a twit, it had not been a game played merely to amuse a young child.” Claire had been a pawn, groomed to be the necklace-lifting “Finger Smith” to use an old pickpocketing term. I was now swearing to myself not to have caught on sooner.
“Perfect gambit. If wee Claire was caught removing your necklace, the assumption was merely a young child playing and accidentally undoing my necklace. . The victim would twitter to the tyke teasing her as you silly dickens, while the necklace was retrieved and the young miss Claire would be hugged for being so precious.
Buggers, if I haven’t seen them play acting in the secret garden, I’d have thought the same if it had been me. But I probably would not have been one to catch on, and have lost my necklace as a result, as Ginny had.“
I thought all this as Ginny and I was scurrying our way through the garden as fast as our heels would let us.
We reached the outer edge of the garden, a green space of about 28 meters, only to see the thief had run into the woods ahead. I caught a glimpse of her using the well-worn dirt path that led through them. The path would eventually be ending up in an old cemetery with the road(Abbots Chase Lane)on its outskirts.
When we finally reached that path and entered the cool woods, all was quiet. No sound or sign of the lady thief. We removed our heels and slowed to an uncomfortable walk...
I warned Ginny as she walked beside me.
“Keep your eyes open”
“So could you at least tell me now what's going on? She asked
“I think that Wood Bead Lady has mum's necklace, and I strongly suspect she has yours also. Along with the Shannons and who knows how many other necklaces she got that Mum’s guests were wearing. I told her in between gasps of now quite labored breaths.
Ginny stopped me with a gasp, a hand to her breast...asking...
“Cadence, are you saying my necklace was not lost but nicked?”
I nodded, “ By the Wood Bead Lady I repeated.”
“ How did she manage all that?” Ginny asked, her turn to be gobsmacked.
“She had a helper. “
I moved Ginny on, continuing the pursuit, slow as it was. I explained in a hushed voice what all I had observed, as we walked on.
================
After what felt like an hour, but only had really been ten minutes, we finally reach the cemetery. Looking around we see nothing moving. All is eerily still and silent.
We had just begun moving in along the path when suddenly Ginny swore very loudly and grabbed my shoulder. “Bloody well twisted an ankle!” She wailed quite loudly.
I led her off to the side of the path. “Here sit on this bench,” I instructed her as I helped her down.
“Go on..” she screeched aloud, wincing In pain massaging her ankle.
I went on alone, cautiously, leaving my whimpering friend behind.
I felt a bit more vulnerable now that some of the excitement of the chase appeared gone, and I was now alone. Though my adrenaline was still making my heart beat fast.
I passed by a mausoleum, catching my reflection in the mirror.
“All dressed up and alone.” I thought fearfully to myself. “What a wicked turn of events.”
Reaching an open gate on the other side I go out onto a small parking lot.
Which lets out on the paved road that intersects the road our house is on. I hear a car's tyres screech off in the distance.
Miserably I admit to myself
“I think we lost her”
And with her had gone mums diamonds Ginny's pendent, Mrs. Shannon's and her daughter rubies, that innocent lady's sapphire necklace, Cassie’s diamond garnet necklace, and who knew what other guests had lost their expensive necklaces to Claire's seemingly innocent hugs...
If only I had been quicker on the uptake I sighed as with my mind's eye I pictured little Claire hugging mum and the terribly unsettling aftermath.
Now totally feeling both dejected and depressed, I turn and make out way back to Ginny waiting alone in the cemetery.
>>>>>>>>
I made it back to the stone bench, only to find it empty
I hear a familiar voice whimper close by…
It was Ginny!
I move off and from behind a tree saw down into a small gully
There I see the “Wood Bead lady” holding a knife to Ginny's chest as her free hand was eagerly removing my friend's remaining emeralds.
She had already taken Ginny's emerald earrings and was now gleefully stuffing her emerald bracelet, down inside her purse. As I saw them. She then began working off Ginny's pretty ring, saying wickedly to her victim in the process.
“ Find the catered private parties, I always say, they have nice stuff with easy pickings, like this one, wouldn't you agree dearie?
Heard about this one from two school girls flapping their whiney lips on a city double-decker about having to work here as caterers.
Then I found that simply precious little one and her gullible sneaky friend, who I was able to use in acquiring several of these rich twits necklaces. Yours was the first my sweet. Didn’t feel a thing did you? Well, none of ‘em did, so engrossed in playing with the young ‘un weren’t they now. When I finished that game by playing it on that Shannon broad, I left the tyke in the hands of Estella. Then I paid a “visit” inside the house to find the ladies' bedrooms. That’s where the good stuff usually can be found. Pity the Hostess was wearing the good diamonds, but I found enough in her jewel case to compensate, and in her cheeky daughters also. Cleaned them both out., did it I ” she cackled with delight.
I gasped inwardly, heart sinking, remembering I had left my case open. All my jewellery, including the rings and bracelet I had taken off, had been stolen. And all of my mum’s pretties also….
The “Wood Bead Lady“ continues as she finished working off the emerald ring from Ginny’s finger and plopped it into her purse. She began to methodically paw a shaking Ginny over checking that nothing had been missed as she happily smirked to herself…
“Was quite hard to pass up the opportunity of acquiring that far too lovely diamond necklace the Hostess was so alluringly wearing, just begging to be plucked off. Funny, when I was going through her bedroom, I was fantasizing that she would have to come into the house for something so I could…but she didn’t. So I had to have one more look at the pretty things before leaving…Didn’t I?… Wait now….What was that?”
As I listened in, with a deep sinking feeling, I move back, my expression shows that I’m desperately thinking of a way out of this.
I end up stepping on a twig in the process, the sharp crack it makes giving me away.
The Wood Bead Lady” stopped talking and immediately looked towards the source of the sound she had heard.
Seeing me, “Wood Bead Lady” grabs Ginny. Pulling my struggling friend tightly up against her, now holding the knife to Ginny’s throat.
“Wood Bead Lady” snarls at me, her lip raising like a bulldog. Her words dripping with a coveting wickedness
“Welcome here my pretty one. Should have let me go. Come down now and join your friend my sweet and let me have
another close peek of your pretty party dress.”
She beckons me to come down with the knife.
“Then I'll make you a bit more comfortable. It must be hot walking around weighed down with all those lovely jewels your a wearin! “
I took a step back, Ginny smirks, giving me a wink as the “Wood Bead Lady” continues.
“Don't run away love. I have your friend, and if you don’t want any harm to befall her…”
She left her sentence dangling, her focus now entirely on me, and off from her now still captive.
A bit encumbered by the tight-fitting Qipao dress, Ginny had slowly positioned her legs. I saw her take a deep breath, and in a fluid motion grabbed the lady's arm and with a yell that resounded loudly through the cemetery, neatly backflipped her, In a perfectly executed jit Jitsu move.
The knife had flown from the thief's hand clattering against the side of a gravestone.
Not at all surprised, I had kept my wits, As I quickly moved down into the gully and quickly snatched it up.
Walking over to her prone, dazed figure, I spit out my words with a great deal of relief and satisfaction as I pick up her weighty purse...
“Wood Bead Lady’s” eyes were opened wide, watching me while she lay sprawled out on the ground. as I spoke.
“If you hadn't been such a greedy bitch, luv, you would have gotten clean away with your little scheme. You went “a bridge too far” as the saying goes by having Estella going for me Mum’s diamonds. That’s when My cheeky ass finally caught on, otherwise, you would have got away scot-free with the jewels!”
Ginny comes over and hugs me. I opened the “Wood Bead Lady’s” purse and hearing the lady thief moan, I continued…
And really ‘DEARIE’ was it worth it being unscrupulous enough to take the jewellery from innocent children like Claire and Gabriella! Ginny figured you would hide like the coward you are, and came up with the idea to fake the hurt ankle. Figuring she would present an easy-looking victim, the kind you obviously prefer, whose shiny emeralds would be a far too tempting lure to bring you out of hiding. Ginny is a pretty damn good actress wouldn't you say!?”
The lady just moans more. I open the purse so Ginny and I can have a look.
Our eyes bulged as we take in the not small pile of expensively glistening jewelry inside.
At that moment We all hear the tyres of a car crunching in the parking lot. Soon I hear the welcome voices of papa and my brother calling out.
It must have been his car I head heard the screeching of it’s tyres off in the distance.
It was a happy reunion, and a relief to see the “Wood Bead Lady” being led off wearing papa’s cuffs.
As an addendum, I have to admit I had it wrong.
It was discovered that the weaselly Estella, had indeed been helping the “Wood Bead Lady” with her scheme by standing behind a lady holding Claire, waiting to snatch up the dropped necklace.
But, when the “Wood Bead Lady” had disappeared after taking Mrs. Shannon’s rubies ( to break in and pilfer our bedrooms) Estella then started to use Claire’s game to her own advantage. First to acquire Gabrielle’s ruby necklace, then apparently boldly upping her game by going for Mum’s diamonds.
This became clear after it was discovered that Mum’s Diamond necklace was not inside the “Wood Bead Lady’s “ handbag.
Estella was questioned, caught in a lie, and eventually admitted she had sold both necklaces in a pawn shop for £25. They were both recovered.
So it was just a coincidence that the two passed by each other behind the Hedge.
A coincidence that I happened to have seen, and was probably the only reason the “Wood Bead Lady” was caught red-handed with the jewels.
Fini
Notting Hill Caribbean Carnival London Exotic Colourful Yellow Outfit Girls Aug 27 2018 Stunning Ladies Décolleté Low Neckline Beautiful Braless Breasts Cleavage
A Tea for the Tillerman
Acte 4
A Most Curious Conclusion
A slow sinking feeling came over me as I saw the distraughtly gutted look in Ginny’s eyes as she realized the fancy necklace she had been wearing had somehow fallen away and had been lost.
We both immediately began to look down around her feet.
Finding nothing Ginny looks up at me with worried eyes, her fingers still stroking her sheath dress’s high neckline. I tell her soothingly…
“Need to retrace your steps luv, since the last time you knew it was still there. That’s probably the best course of action.”
“I don’t remember…” she said panic-stricken.
I thought hard, not an easy thing to do with the after-effects of a bit too much alcoholic drink. Then my eyes lit up as I hit upon it.
You still had it on when I left you at the pagoda to visit the loo.
“I left there when I started looking for you, Cade. Cor Blimey, been back to the house, and everywhere in between since haven’t I?” She told me this with a miserably unhappy sigh. “I would really hate to have lost that .”
Taking her arm we then began retracing her steps in backorder, searching the ground in vain until we finally, now quite dejected, made it back to the still deserted pagoda.
We began to search the area in a now desperate manner. But nothing sparkled that would have given away the lost
necklaces hiding spot.
Ginny came over to me.
I watched, her black satin Qipao sheath dress with the green lining flowing elegantly along her figure, the rhinestone dragon with the emerald eyes shimmering. It was a shame that someone looking that pretty should be so sad I thought with pity.
“Would Cleo have gone off with it?” I pondered aloud as I squatted, peering under the steps.
“That Estella scared him off,” Ginny said from the other side of the pagoda.
“Estella?” I asked
“ She was with Claire, and that odd lady who I told you was taking to Cassie.”
“Estella had intentionally scared away poor Cleo and then went chasing after the poor thing.
What about” Wood Bead Lady? I asked
Ginny half-heartedly snickered. “ I like that name.”
Then went on…
“She sat down, literally right next to me. Claire reached over wanting me to hold her. Which I did. We chatted for a bit. Estella came back alone, and stood behind me teasing Claire.”
“It was then I decided to head off to find you. Leaving your “Wood Bead Lady, whom I handed Claire back to, and Estella there.
“That lady sure is an odd one, Dontcha think?” Ginny commented.
I arose, agreeing with her, my mind racing. Something was nagging at it, but for the life of me, I couldn’t think of what it was. All I could focus on really was trying to help my friend find that errant necklace of hers.
“It’s not here, is it?” Ginny said with a miserable tone of voice.
I went over and reassuringly hugged her.
“ Let’s go find my mum. Maybe someone found it and turned it over to her. Wouldn’t it be funny if we spent all this time looking and she had it all the while?”
This cheered her up, and we began to walk back, a bit more happy and hopeful.
==========================
We passed the lady in purple silk who was drinking wine as she chatted away with several other ladies.
Gone was the “Wood Bead Lady” and her gang of followers.
The ladies turned to us as we passed.
I stared with an open mouth…
Gone also was the lady in purple silk’s diamond and sapphire necklace!
The other two were surprisingly not wearing necklaces either, and one, wearing an old satin and lace wedding dress, I could have sworn had been wearing a rather handsome pearl choker!?
“Cheers, “ they said to us
“Cheers” Ginny answered back half-heartedly
But I didn't answer. My attention had been pulled away, as the several things I had observed recently tried to click together in my mind, but it was like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.
We were almost at the table when Cassie caught up with us and greeted Ginny. I was looking away, watching mum straighten a few things at the tables. Her necklace sparkled as she bent over.
Then I spotted Estella carrying Claire over to mum.
Claire reached out her arms to be picked up. Mum stopped what she was doing, reached down, and lifted her. Then she was hugged and patted by my mum as she spoke to the caterer. While sneaky Estella watched from alongside them.
Claire’s mother Clarice had just then come up to join them.
I gasped upon seeing that little Clair had that quickly unclasped and was now holding the ends of mum’s diamond necklace in one hand.
As her mother pulled her away, Claire let go and I saw the necklace fall inside the front of my Mum’s dress. She was wearing a full silk slip which must have prevented her from feeling it siding down.
I saw it plop out and fall to the ground between her shimmery silver sandals.
With relief, I saw Estella bend down to the ground behind mum to retrieve it.
Relief turned to horror as I then saw Estella, instead of handing the diamond necklace over, quickly walking off with it, unnoticed by the others.
I gasped, hand to my throat, too frozen in disbelief to act.
Estella disappeared behind a tall hedge that blocked the portable toilets the guests were using, from sight.
It was then I saw the “Wood Bead Lady” coming from around the side corner of our house. And also disappeared behind the same hedge.
Then, that quickly the Wood Bead Lady appeared from the hedge on the side Estella had entered.
Remembering the game, I assumed that Estella had handed the diamond necklace off to her. The lady’s actions appeared to confirm that.
She had stopped, and I could see her looking at Mum, who was still chatting away, clueless as to what was going on.
Then the “Wood Bead Lady” saw me gaping at her.
With a start, she held up her skirt turned, and moved off across the green towards the gardens. I knew then she was heading for the thicker ring of woods that borders our property on the other side.
No one except me has been paying any attention to what was happening.
Wood Bead Lady” had almost entered the gardens before I finally was able to give a warning voice to Ginny over the situation.
“Hurry, she may be getting away with them” I snapped, grabbing a puzzled Ginny by the arm.
I started to apologize to Cassie that we had to go when suddenly I was gobsmacked. Cassie no longer was wearing a necklace either!
From behind me, I heard a bewildered Ginny ask...
“Who is getting away with what?”
I turned and nodded in the direction of the fleeing lady.
“Wood Bead Lady, No time to explain” I yelled behind me as I pulled Ginny away.
We began weaving in and out of quests, leaving bewildered ladies in our wake.
I saw Mrs. Shannon directly ahead and gently moved her away.
“Hello Cade, what's up?”
“Explain later” I called out over my shoulder
I looked back at her and gulped, Mrs. Shannon was no longer wearing what had been her rather expensive ruby necklace. Nor was Gabriella wearing hers…
I swore under my breath as I remembered what I had seen by the wrought iron bench in my secret garden. I pictured the lady we were pursuing, Estella, and little Claire playing what I had thought was a game of keep away using their necklaces...
“Bloody hell am I a twit, it had not been a game played merely to amuse a young child.” Claire had been a pawn, groomed to be the necklace-lifting “Finger Smith” to use an old pickpocketing term. I was now swearing to myself not to have caught on sooner.
“Perfect gambit. If wee Claire was caught removing your necklace, the assumption was merely a young child playing and accidentally undoing my necklace. . The victim would twitter to the tyke teasing her as you silly dickens, while the necklace was retrieved and the young miss Claire would be hugged for being so precious.
Buggers, if I haven’t seen them play acting in the secret garden, I’d have thought the same if it had been me. But I probably would not have been one to catch on, and have lost my necklace as a result, as Ginny had.“
I thought all this as Ginny and I was scurrying our way through the garden as fast as our heels would let us.
We reached the outer edge of the garden, a green space of about 28 meters, only to see the thief had run into the woods ahead. I caught a glimpse of her using the well-worn dirt path that led through them. The path would eventually be ending up in an old cemetery with the road(Abbots Chase Lane)on its outskirts.
When we finally reached that path and entered the cool woods, all was quiet. No sound or sign of the lady thief. We removed our heels and slowed to an uncomfortable walk...
I warned Ginny as she walked beside me.
“Keep your eyes open”
“So could you at least tell me now what's going on? She asked
“I think that Wood Bead Lady has mum's necklace, and I strongly suspect she has yours also. Along with the Shannons and who knows how many other necklaces she got that Mum’s guests were wearing. I told her in between gasps of now quite labored breaths.
Ginny stopped me with a gasp, a hand to her breast...asking...
“Cadence, are you saying my necklace was not lost but nicked?”
I nodded, “ By the Wood Bead Lady I repeated.”
“ How did she manage all that?” Ginny asked, her turn to be gobsmacked.
“She had a helper. “
I moved Ginny on, continuing the pursuit, slow as it was. I explained in a hushed voice what all I had observed, as we walked on.
================
After what felt like an hour, but only had really been ten minutes, we finally reach the cemetery. Looking around we see nothing moving. All is eerily still and silent.
We had just begun moving in along the path when suddenly Ginny swore very loudly and grabbed my shoulder. “Bloody well twisted an ankle!” She wailed quite loudly.
I led her off to the side of the path. “Here sit on this bench,” I instructed her as I helped her down.
“Go on..” she screeched aloud, wincing In pain massaging her ankle.
I went on alone, cautiously, leaving my whimpering friend behind.
I felt a bit more vulnerable now that some of the excitement of the chase appeared gone, and I was now alone. Though my adrenaline was still making my heart beat fast.
I passed by a mausoleum, catching my reflection in the mirror.
“All dressed up and alone.” I thought fearfully to myself. “What a wicked turn of events.”
Reaching an open gate on the other side I go out onto a small parking lot.
Which lets out on the paved road that intersects the road our house is on. I hear a car's tyres screech off in the distance.
Miserably I admit to myself
“I think we lost her”
And with her had gone mums diamonds Ginny's pendent, Mrs. Shannon's and her daughter rubies, that innocent lady's sapphire necklace, Cassie’s diamond garnet necklace, and who knew what other guests had lost their expensive necklaces to Claire's seemingly innocent hugs...
If only I had been quicker on the uptake I sighed as with my mind's eye I pictured little Claire hugging mum and the terribly unsettling aftermath.
Now totally feeling both dejected and depressed, I turn and make out way back to Ginny waiting alone in the cemetery.
>>>>>>>>
I made it back to the stone bench, only to find it empty
I hear a familiar voice whimper close by…
It was Ginny!
I move off and from behind a tree saw down into a small gully
There I see the “Wood Bead lady” holding a knife to Ginny's chest as her free hand was eagerly removing my friend's remaining emeralds.
She had already taken Ginny's emerald earrings and was now gleefully stuffing her emerald bracelet, down inside her purse. As I saw them. She then began working off Ginny's pretty ring, saying wickedly to her victim in the process.
“ Find the catered private parties, I always say, they have nice stuff with easy pickings, like this one, wouldn't you agree dearie?
Heard about this one from two school girls flapping their whiney lips on a city double-decker about having to work here as caterers.
Then I found that simply precious little one and her gullible sneaky friend, who I was able to use in acquiring several of these rich twits necklaces. Yours was the first my sweet. Didn’t feel a thing did you? Well, none of ‘em did, so engrossed in playing with the young ‘un weren’t they now. When I finished that game by playing it on that Shannon broad, I left the tyke in the hands of Estella. Then I paid a “visit” inside the house to find the ladies' bedrooms. That’s where the good stuff usually can be found. Pity the Hostess was wearing the good diamonds, but I found enough in her jewel case to compensate, and in her cheeky daughters also. Cleaned them both out., did it I ” she cackled with delight.
I gasped inwardly, heart sinking, remembering I had left my case open. All my jewellery, including the rings and bracelet I had taken off, had been stolen. And all of my mum’s pretties also….
The “Wood Bead Lady“ continues as she finished working off the emerald ring from Ginny’s finger and plopped it into her purse. She began to methodically paw a shaking Ginny over checking that nothing had been missed as she happily smirked to herself…
“Was quite hard to pass up the opportunity of acquiring that far too lovely diamond necklace the Hostess was so alluringly wearing, just begging to be plucked off. Funny, when I was going through her bedroom, I was fantasizing that she would have to come into the house for something so I could…but she didn’t. So I had to have one more look at the pretty things before leaving…Didn’t I?… Wait now….What was that?”
As I listened in, with a deep sinking feeling, I move back, my expression shows that I’m desperately thinking of a way out of this.
I end up stepping on a twig in the process, the sharp crack it makes giving me away.
The Wood Bead Lady” stopped talking and immediately looked towards the source of the sound she had heard.
Seeing me, “Wood Bead Lady” grabs Ginny. Pulling my struggling friend tightly up against her, now holding the knife to Ginny’s throat.
“Wood Bead Lady” snarls at me, her lip raising like a bulldog. Her words dripping with a coveting wickedness
“Welcome here my pretty one. Should have let me go. Come down now and join your friend my sweet and let me have
another close peek of your pretty party dress.”
She beckons me to come down with the knife.
“Then I'll make you a bit more comfortable. It must be hot walking around weighed down with all those lovely jewels your a wearin! “
I took a step back, Ginny smirks, giving me a wink as the “Wood Bead Lady” continues.
“Don't run away love. I have your friend, and if you don’t want any harm to befall her…”
She left her sentence dangling, her focus now entirely on me, and off from her now still captive.
A bit encumbered by the tight-fitting Qipao dress, Ginny had slowly positioned her legs. I saw her take a deep breath, and in a fluid motion grabbed the lady's arm and with a yell that resounded loudly through the cemetery, neatly backflipped her, In a perfectly executed jit Jitsu move.
The knife had flown from the thief's hand clattering against the side of a gravestone.
Not at all surprised, I had kept my wits, As I quickly moved down into the gully and quickly snatched it up.
Walking over to her prone, dazed figure, I spit out my words with a great deal of relief and satisfaction as I pick up her weighty purse...
“Wood Bead Lady’s” eyes were opened wide, watching me while she lay sprawled out on the ground. as I spoke.
“If you hadn't been such a greedy bitch, luv, you would have gotten clean away with your little scheme. You went “a bridge too far” as the saying goes by having Estella going for me Mum’s diamonds. That’s when My cheeky ass finally caught on, otherwise, you would have got away scot-free with the jewels!”
Ginny comes over and hugs me. I opened the “Wood Bead Lady’s” purse and hearing the lady thief moan, I continued…
And really ‘DEARIE’ was it worth it being unscrupulous enough to take the jewellery from innocent children like Claire and Gabriella! Ginny figured you would hide like the coward you are, and came up with the idea to fake the hurt ankle. Figuring she would present an easy-looking victim, the kind you obviously prefer, whose shiny emeralds would be a far too tempting lure to bring you out of hiding. Ginny is a pretty damn good actress wouldn't you say!?”
The lady just moans more. I open the purse so Ginny and I can have a look.
Our eyes bulged as we take in the not small pile of expensively glistening jewelry inside.
At that moment We all hear the tyres of a car crunching in the parking lot. Soon I hear the welcome voices of papa and my brother calling out.
It must have been his car I head heard the screeching of it’s tyres off in the distance.
It was a happy reunion, and a relief to see the “Wood Bead Lady” being led off wearing papa’s cuffs.
As an addendum, I have to admit I had it wrong.
It was discovered that the weaselly Estella, had indeed been helping the “Wood Bead Lady” with her scheme by standing behind a lady holding Claire, waiting to snatch up the dropped necklace.
But, when the “Wood Bead Lady” had disappeared after taking Mrs. Shannon’s rubies ( to break in and pilfer our bedrooms) Estella then started to use Claire’s game to her own advantage. First to acquire Gabrielle’s ruby necklace, then apparently boldly upping her game by going for Mum’s diamonds.
This became clear after it was discovered that Mum’s Diamond necklace was not inside the “Wood Bead Lady’s “ handbag.
Estella was questioned, caught in a lie, and eventually admitted she had sold both necklaces in a pawn shop for £25. They were both recovered.
So it was just a coincidence that the two passed by each other behind the Hedge.
A coincidence that I happened to have seen, and was probably the only reason the “Wood Bead Lady” was caught red-handed with the jewels.
Fini