“It’s very old,” the dry cleaner said, examining the faded fabric. “It will take special chemicals… could be awfully expensive.”

“I’ll pay anything!” The girl’s earnest voice rose above the hum of laundry machines. “It’s a very special dress – my mother wore it until she went to skate in heav—”

“Okay,” she said, cutting short the insipid story. “I’ll do what I can. Pick it up on Tuesday.”

***

A few shakes to dislodge the dust, fabric softener spritzed under the arms for the smell, and a plastic sheath; that and a €110 pricetag, and the dry cleaner was done.