by S J Crabb
I shake my head and laugh ruefully.
‘Maybe as friends, but how could I ever compete for someone like him with April Loveday waiting on the sidelines.’
Dick looks thoughtful. ‘It doesn't add up. I mean, I'm a guy and I know how we think. Liam talked of nothing else but you in every conversation we had. I just know he liked you, he's not that good an actor, surely?’
Gina nods. ‘It's true. I saw the way he looked at you when he thought nobody was looking. That guy had it bad, and I just thought it was because you were in the first flush of love. He couldn't fake that, fake boyfriend or not.’
I stare at them all angrily. ‘Well he doesn't, didn't or whatever else you think. Liam has gone now and was never my boyfriend. I will head home tomorrow and try to put my life back together. I may see him again as friends, but doubt it now he's back with April. I'm sorry we deceived you, but there it is. Now we all had secrets to reveal so can no longer judge each other. Let's just enjoy what time we have left and sweep this all under the settee with that blow-up doll of Liam's.’
Reaching down, I search for the doll, to wave her to the room in a dramatic fashion to emphasise my point. However, all I find is a discarded sweet wrapper.
Looking around me wildly, I gasp, ‘Oh my god, who's taken blow-up Barbie?’
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Liam never came back and so here I am heading home on the train with only my cracker brandy for company.
I lean my head against the window and stare morosely at the scenery flashing by in a blur.
He never called and with every hour that passed the realisation set in – he isn't coming back; the dream has ended.
When I get back to my flat, it seems cold and empty - much like my heart and I sink down onto the settee, putting my head in my hands.
Christmas is over and in the cold light of day my troubles are racing back with a vengeance.
With a heavy heart, I flick on my answerphone.
The first voice I hear is Tosser. Typical!
Please answer baby, I'm so sorry. I was drunk, and it meant nothing. You are the one I love, please call me and let me make it up to you.
There are fifteen more after that, all along the same lines. It's funny, but I appear emotionally detached from him now. He has ceased to hold any importance in my life and I feel quite shocked about that. The trouble is, I think Liam has ruined all other men for me forever. How on earth could anyone ever compare to him?
The machine beeps again and I hear Gail's voice, sounding strangely hesitant.
Um, call me when you get this Annie. I may have some good news for you. I hope you had a good Christmas.
Strange, she didn't sound herself at all.
Immediately, I reach for the phone and dial her number. She answers quickly and unusually for her, sounds reserved.
‘Hi, Annie, did you have a good Christmas?’
I sigh heavily. ‘As good as it could be given the circumstances. What about you? Did you go home to your parents?’
She laughs nervously. ‘Um, no, I had a slight change of plans at the last minute. Listen, can you meet me at Gio's? There are two things I need to tell you.’
My curiosity gets the better of me. ‘Ok, what time suits you? It will take me 30 minutes if you want to meet up now.’
She laughs nervously. ‘Great, see you in thirty then.’
As she rings off, I know she's hiding something. Gail is the loudest, most vivacious girl I know and usually shouts on the phone. Today she appeared quiet and reserved. I hope she hasn't lost her job as well? Something's up and a feeling of dread comes over me. Just the tone of her voice tells me that whatever it is, I'm not going to like one bit.
Thirty minutes later I push my way into Giovanni's and look around me furtively. I hope, other than Gail, I don't see anyone I know. I've got rather a lot of fences to mend and if I see anyone from work or Tosser, then I'm walking straight out.
By the time I grab myself a tea – I can no longer stretch to a coffee – Gail rushes through the door, looking around her wildly.
As she sees me, a flicker of trepidation passes across her face and then she smiles and races over for a hug.
‘I've missed you, babe. It's not been the same here without you.’
I laugh and push her away. ‘I've only been gone a few days. Anyway, the curiosity is killing me. What's the big news?’
Suddenly, her face flushes and she looks uneasy. Grabbing my arm, she steers me to a booth in the corner, shouting her order over to the Barista.
She stares at me long and hard and then looks almost apologetic.
‘Listen, Annie. I've got good news and bad news. I'm not sure what you're going to think, so I'll tell you the good news first and then you may not hate me quite so much.’
I shake my head in confusion. ‘You're talking in riddles, Gail, just spit it out, I won't mind whatever it is.’
The waiter brings the drinks over and she takes a deep breath.
‘Well, I have been asking around regarding jobs for you. I asked everyone that came to the salon and as it happens one of them came up trumps.’
I lean forward, suddenly very interested. ‘What is it?’
She smiles happily. ‘One of my regulars works at Harris and Goldstein, you know, the Investment bank. Rebecca is Head of Acquisitions and Mergers and we got talking. When I told her what happened to you she got angry. Apparently, they did the same thing to a friend of hers and she was more than angry on your behalf. She can't stand your old bosses and ranted on about them for quite some time. Well, to cut a long story short, she gave me her card and told me to tell you to call her after Christmas. They have a few openings for accountants and she's confident that she will be able to throw one of them your way.’
I can't believe it. Harris and Goldstein are huge. Majorly corporate and occupying the flashiest offices in town. Wow and double Wow!
I jump up and hug her, yelling, ‘Thank you! Thank you! I can't believe it. Are you sure though? I mean, do you really think she has a job for me there?’
Gail grins. ‘Sure thing. She told me that she couldn't wait to meet you as you would have a lot in common already. Give her a call, or email her if you prefer. There's no time like the present and you may as well get in just after the New Year.’
I slump back in my chair, smiling broadly.
Then Gail's expression changes, and she looks worried.
‘Um, now for the bad news.’
Something about the way she is looking so guiltily at me sets off the warning sirens in my head. I know that look. Whatever is bothering her concerns me. What has she done?
I look at her sharply and she sighs heavily.
‘Listen, Annie, I just want to say that I didn't mean for it to happen. If anything, I am more surprised about it than you. Neither of us wanted to hurt you, but events kind of got in the way and now there is no turning back.’
An icy hand grips my heart and I feel my world spinning around me. Oh no! This had better not be what I think it is.
I shake my head and whisper, ‘Please don't tell me you're now with Tosser? I don't think I could bear it.’
Gail laughs and rolls her eyes in disbelief. ‘As if, credit me with some taste after what he did to you.’
I look at her in confusion.
‘What then? Oh no, you didn't set me up with someone – please say you didn't.’
Shaking her head, she smiles nervously. ‘I'm sorry, Annie, I know you like him, but I am now sort of going out with Alex.’
Just for a moment, I can't think who Alex is. I narrow my eyes and try to picture him. Then I remember – Tosser's boss from the Insurance company.
As she sees the penny drop, Gail blushes and looks worried. I just start laughing, more with relief than anything, and look at her with interest.
‘Why should I mind about that? He was nice, you're amazing, why shouldn't you get together. But how did it happen?’
The relief on Gail's face is tremendous
, and she smiles broadly.
‘Well, after you left, I decided to go and confront Tosser. I wanted to give him a piece of my mind, so I headed in there one lunchtime. After I let him have it in front of his whole office, Alex appeared and escorted me out.
As it turned out he thought the whole thing hysterical and offered to buy me lunch. He said that what Gary did was despicable, and he had felt sorry for you. Well, we got talking and got on like a house on fire. We have loads in common and not just our hatred for a certain ex-boyfriend of yours. To cut a long story short, he asked me out on a date and we have been inseparable ever since.’
Seeing her happy face makes me happier than I have felt since Liam left. Reaching over I squeeze her hand.
‘How could I be angry? I'm really pleased for you both. I'm glad at least one of us has found love.’
Gail grins, then her eyes cloud over. ‘What happened with that sexy stranger you sent me the picture of?’
I feel my face fall and she looks at me with concern. I shrug and try to gloss over it.
‘Oh him. It was nothing. Just a guy I met on the train. We had a laugh for a bit and then he headed back to his girlfriend.’
She looks concerned – damn, she knows me so well. The trouble is, I'm not ready to talk about Liam yet, maybe I never will be.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
For the next few days, I hide out in my flat. Gail tried to get me to go to Divas with her and Alex but I resisted, inventing some Christmas illness that I picked up in Dorset.
The one positive thing I do is email Gail's customer about the job. Almost immediately she replied with a date for an Interview on the 2nd of January. At least I have one thing to look forward to.
Instead, I just veg out on the couch eating junk food and watching Christmas films. Many a tear is shed over these movies, even the funny ones. I am obviously in an extremely fragile mental state.
I hear my neighbour upstairs going at it with her latest boyfriend. I have labelled her, 'Debbie does Dallas,' because she appears to have a different boyfriend every week. I've seen them come and go and only bodybuilders with tattoos need apply. Lucky bitch!
The sound of the banging on the ceiling is barely drowned out by the television. At least someone is having sexy fun this Christmas, other than my gran.
Pushing the disturbing thought from my mind, I reach for the family tub of ice-cream that came with my bargain bucket from KFC.
Before I've even eaten my second spoonful, the doorbell rings. That's odd, who on earth could be calling? I don't know anyone around here. Maybe they need to read the gas meter.
I flop over to the door and blink in surprise as Gina bowls into the room, closely followed by Dick.
‘What?! What are you doing here?’
Gina wrinkles up her nose in disgust as she takes in the sight of the discarded takeout cartons and blaring television. Shaking her head in disapproval, she locates the remote and turns the television off. The sounds of Debbie going at it upstairs fill the room and Gina looks at me in surprise.
‘Good God, is that what I think it is?’
I giggle at the disapproval on her face and can't help retorting, ‘Well, you should know.’
Dick snorts and rather skilfully turns it into a cough as Gina looks daggers at me.
‘What's going on Annie? This place is a pigsty. Is this how you live?’
Sinking down onto the settee, I just shake my head sadly.
‘Now it is. It's the only bit of comfort I have as my life has somehow imploded of late and my prospects fell to zero.’
Gina looks at Dick and I almost see a little compassion flash across her face, then it is gone and replaced by the no-nonsense sister that I know and love.
‘Right then, Annie, we have come here to save you from yourself. It's New Year's Eve and we have a party to go to.’
I open my mouth to object and she silences me with her ninja stare.
‘Come on, go and put on that red dress of yours. Don't worry about hair and makeup, we've got that covered. While we wait, Dick and I will try to bring some order to this chaotic place.’
She holds her hand up to silence the objection forming on my lips.
‘Non-negotiable I'm afraid. Now hurry, before I send Dick up to arrest your neighbour for breach of the peace.’
She looks around, shaking her head.
‘I've seen crime scenes tidier than this place. I must say, I'm surprised at the extent you have let yourself go. I mean, this isn't like you. You've always been the homemaker after all.’
Dick laughs, as I chuck every cushion I own at her. Gina laughs and her eyes soften.
‘That's better. Now, let's show London how the Anderson's party.’
As I sit in the back of Dick's battered Volvo, I almost feel as if I've been kidnapped. I must say, I look and feel a right mess. I wonder what Gina has up her sleeve?
It must take us forty minutes before Dick pulls into a vacant spot on a side road just off Hanover Square. There are hordes of people milling around and I'm surprised we found a space.
I wonder if they have tickets to the fireworks. I love London at night and despite the cold, it's a warm and fun place to be. The lights light up the ancient buildings and bathe them in a fascinating light. Everything looks exciting at night, disguising the rather shabby streets and dusty pavements.
Gina grabs my hand and then looks at me with excitement in her eyes.
‘Come on, let's go and have the night of our lives.’
Dick grins and I look at them in surprise.
‘Why, what have you got planned?’
Gina just smiles secretively. ‘You'll see.’
I follow them to a beautiful Regency building. As we turn the corner, my heart stops and panic fills my soul. Oh no, surely not.
My heart beats wildly as I look up at the words above the door. ‘Vogue House.’
Before I can object, Gina grabs my hand and pulls me forcibly inside. Dick brings up the rear and I realise that escape is not an option. I have been well and truly stitched up and I look a complete and utter mess.
As we get inside an extremely smart and stylish woman sashays across the lobby with a large smile on her face.
‘Hi, you must be Liam's friends.’
I feel sick and need to lie down. How could she bring me here?
Gina smiles, and the lady extends her hand.
‘I'm pleased to meet you all. If you'll come this way we're ready for you.’
Gina's eyes flash with excitement and she grins at me. ‘Oh, my God. I can't believe we're doing this.’
Shaking my head, I whisper angrily. ‘Doing what? Please don't say you've brought me to Liam's party. If you have, I'll never forgive you.’
She just shrugs her shoulders and flashes Dick an excited look as we follow the perfect woman into the lift.
I can't seem to calm the butterflies leaping around inside me. The thought of seeing Liam is overwhelming. The fact that he is probably here with April is just the icing on the cake. Looking like I do now will just emphasise the fact that he had a lucky escape. Not that we ever were a couple, but we were in my dreams.
The perfect girl smiles at us, and even her smile is perfect. I must get some veneers just as soon as they offer them on the National Health Service. I want a million-dollar smile even if my bank account is empty.
Looking around me, I see how the other half live. Liam's place is chic and cool and we have absolutely no business whatsoever being here.
She stops outside a door at the end of the hallway and knocks sharply. As she opens it, she says loudly, ‘They're here.’
I follow Gina into the room and blink in disbelief.
We appear to be in a room filled with makeup. There are huge mirrors on the wall and seats placed in front of them facing every known makeup product ever made. Another pretty girl with pink hair smiles and bounds towards us like an exuberant puppy.
‘Hi guys, glad you made it. Which one is Annie?’
; Gina points to me and she laughs and grabs my arm.
‘Oh, this should be easy. Come this way Annie, you are about to be transformed.’
I notice the other perfect lady nods to Gina and we follow them to a couple of chairs set before two sinks. My captor smiles a brilliant white smile and thrusts a gown at me.
‘Right, put this on so we don't ruin your lovely dress. I am now your fairy godmother and you are about to have the supermodel treatment. By the time I finish with you, there won't be a woman in town that will outshine you this evening.’
Gina laughs happily and Dick sinks down heavily on a nearby couch and grabs a magazine, already looking bored out of his mind. I actually can't speak. Am I dreaming? What the hell is going on?
What happens next beggar's belief. Abby, my pink-haired fairy godmother, proceeds to transform me right before my eyes.
She chatters incessantly as she works and tells us many stories about the famous people who have sat where we are now. Slowly but surely, I am transformed.
She washes my hair and then wraps it up into large Velcro rollers.
Then she sets to work on my face and totally transforms me. The person I see in the mirror is a total imposter. Annie Anderson may have entered the building, but she is no longer present. The person staring back at me is beautiful. Abby certainly knows her stuff because I simply don't recognise myself.
Gina has also been similarly transformed and I giggle as I see Dick's incredulous expression.
All the time they work we all sip Champagne from a huge bottle sitting on the nearby worktop. The sound of laughter fills the room and I hope this isn't a dream because if it is I never want to wake up.
Finally, she whips off my protective robe and spins my chair around with a flourish.
‘There you go, Annie, meet the newest Supermodel in town.’
As I see myself staring back at me, my eyes fill up and Abby looks at me with alarm.
‘Save your tears honey, they will ruin my creation.’
I look at Gina and do a double take. Wow! she looks amazing. Her eyes sparkle happily and she grins.