by Cate Kendall
‘So Stephen’s come through,’ Laura said. ‘Good on him.’
Gemma nodded. ‘Yes, but he has always been a good dad. Without me in the picture it allows him to focus all his efforts on his son. They’re even talking about skiing in Japan.’
‘Lucky bugger,’ Chantelle said.
‘And what about you, Chantelle? How’s the dating smorgasbord going for you?’ Gemma asked.
Chantelle also grinned in the telltale dopey way. ‘She’s gone too!’ the other two squealed.
‘Tell all,’ Gemma demanded. Chantelle waited while the waiter topped up their glasses and moved away.
‘How many houses, boats, fancy cars?’ Laura asked in a good-natured way.
‘None. He’s not wealthy, you know? He’s just regular.His name’s Ben,’ Chantelle said.
‘What does he do?’ Gemma asked.
Chantelle looked sheepish. ‘He’s my personal trainer.’
‘Way to go,’ Gemma laughed. ‘He’ll be cut then.’
‘Ooh, yah, he’s cut all right. Should see his abs. We run The Tan together every morning. And he has a pad in Brunswick. It’s not big, it’s cool, but. And he drives a Volksy. I don’t mind about all that superficial stuff. I just really like him.’
‘Well, Chantelle, that’s brilliant. Well done for you,’ Gemma said. They sat back while the waiter presented their meals. Gemma had the Spanish pizza with hot chorizo, Laura the chicken club and Chantelle was dwarfed behind the enormous famous Monroes’ burger.
‘Oh, Ben would kill me, he would – look at all that fat,’ she said in glee.
‘What does he look like?’ Gemma said and stole one of Chantelle’s chips.
‘He’s got longish hair and really cool tatts around the top of his arms – them Maori rings, you know? He’s real tanned and all, he dresses great, he always looks nice, and best of all he treats me nice.’
‘I am so pleased for you,’ Laura said. ‘That’s fantastic that you’ve found someone.’
Gemma turned to Laura. ‘By the way, while I think of it, how are you going with the exhibition? We’re hoping to make huge bucks off your stuff for the kids.’
Laura had been shooting photographs of street kids to present in a compelling exhibition at Fed Square later that month. The best thing is, it came with the type of credibility that had gained her a promotion at the paper, and now she worked for the Features section. Priscilla Simcoe and her shallow world was finally a thing of the past.
‘I am well aware it’s around the corner,’ Laura glared at Gemma with what could only be nerves, ‘it’s in every bit of media I look at. I’ve been invited to join my own Facebook fan page twenty times, I swear.’
‘Go, Bethany,’ Gemma grinned, ‘you’ll be the rock star of the photographic world by the time she finishes with you.’
‘Yeah, well, the pressure’s killing me. I’ve actually almost completed the work. I have some truly heartbreaking stuff. It shows the resilience of these young people. And I’ve decided to put a bio next to the faces – you never know, they might get work out of it. Anything could come out of it, really; it’s all highly experimental.’
‘Well, the function’s all go. We’ve got catering, entertainment, guest pieces from other street artists around the world and your hero, Eric Mathieson, is guest speaker. It will be great,’ Gemma reassured her.
‘I hope so. I’m very nervous. I’m just glad to be away from Prissy Priscilla.’
‘Don’t like her,’ Gemma said to her slice of pizza, and she went on to tell them about the piece in today’s paper.
The women hugged each other as they took their leave out on Fitzroy Street with promises of not letting so much time elapse before they treated themselves to lunch again.
Just as she was about to go, Gemma turned and said to Chantelle, ‘So, how old is your new boyfriend Ben, Chantelle?’
Chantelle grinned. ‘He’s perfect. He’s fifty-three, and that’s just how I like it.’
Gemma grinned in return and hugged her little friend. ‘I am so pleased you’re happy.’
*
Later that night, as Gemma was driving home to pick up a few things before heading over to Peter’s place, her phone rang. She clicked it onto the speaker phone. A female voice floated into the Audi. ‘Hello, Gemma. It’s Nicole Bartholomew here, I’m one of the producers of Australian Story and we’d like to do a story on you, Gemma. We’re impressed with how much you do for UP-Kids and we wanted to showcase the charity and highlight your work.’
Gemma couldn’t believe it. Australian Story? About her? That was ridiculous. She worked at UP-Kids, on a salary no less. She wasn’t worthy of having an Australian Story piece done about her.
‘Oh, Nicole, I hardly think I’m the person you want. Surely someone’s saving the pandas or curing cancer – I don’t think you need me.’
She drove down into the underground car park of her new apartment building and pulled over before she lost signal.
‘It’s more about the underprivileged children that you’re working with, Gemma. You’re so hands-on; you really get it.’
Gemma thought for a moment then reached her conclusion. ‘Well, Nicole, thank you for the honour,’ she said, ‘I would love to help you out with your piece but on one condition. Can we please have a meeting to discuss this?’
‘Hello, I’m Caroline Jones and welcome to a new season of Australian Story.
‘For the past fifty years one Melbourne woman has given tirelessly of herself to help those in need. Her charitable works have known no bounds. She has not only raised funds for a very important charity but, unknown to many, she’s actually worked hands-on with the people most in need.
‘In 1993 this woman was knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in acknowledgement for her fundraising efforts to support the underprivileged children of Melbourne. At that point the funds raised were in excess of five million dollars. To date over six point five million dollars have been raised by this Melbourne icon and her team. Tonight, on Australian Story, we honour the self-sacrificing and charitable work of Dame Frances Davenport. This is her story . . .’
Michelle Hamer
As with Cate Kendall’s previous books, Armani Angels is the result of a team effort that draws on the skills and talents of many people.
Thanks to my agent, Selwa Anthony, for her support, and to Random House publisher, Larissa Edwards, for getting the books out there in the first place.
I appreciate the hard work and patience of Armani Angels’ structural editor Roberta Ivers, and copy editor Virginia Grant, and the PR skills of Kate Mayor from Random House.
Thanks, of course, to my co-writer Lisa Blundell, for her dedication and professionalism.
Big thanks to my wonderful family and friends who always support me through deadline days and edits. And in particular, thanks to John, who loves me – but not as much as I love him.
Lisa Blundell
Thanks to Dr Phillipa Corby for the medical advice.
Thank you also to Stephanie Smyth for being a motivator and a sounding-board. And for her vast knowledge of the television industry.
Thank you to the genial staff at The Algonquin Hotel, especially Chris in the Blue Bar for his Manhattan tips and his Manhattan.
And to my darling husband Ian for doing so much work caring for our four wee ones and our house.
Amber MacArthur, author of Power Friending, for speaking with me. Her insight into the social networking phenomenon was truly valuable. Not to mention her knowledge of useful websites and gadgets. Follow her on Twitter: @ambermac.
I would also like to thank team Cate Kendall: Larissa Edwards, Roberta Ivers, Virginia Grant, Selwa Anthony and, of course, Michelle Hamer.
Please contact me at [email protected]
Table of Contents
Cover
Copyright
Title
Imprint
Also By
Dedication
Prologue
Chapte
r 01
Chapter 02
Chapter 03
Chapter 04
Chapter 05
Chapter 06
Chapter 07
Chapter 08
Chapter 09
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Acknowledgements