Remembering what Vanessa had said about Alex's marriage I decided not to question him further. And when she called in later she was astounded to find us in such good spirits. Once we’d explained everything to her, not only was she pleased - for my sake - but she was also delighted that Alex had made up his mind about taking over the flat.
'That's fab! Save me having to put it in an agent's hands… avoid all that frightful hassle of showing people around! Of course the family lawyers now can simply sort out the sale, once we agree over a price. I promise I won't sting you,' laughed Vanessa, disappearing off to her bedroom.
'Ha! That's a joke! When have you and I ever agreed that easily over anything, Vanessa, honey?' Alex called back to her through the open door. 'I'll give you a fair market price, and not one cent more!'
Here I feared we might end up with a sibling row, but to my surprise, Vanessa returned with a wide smile on her face; a huge pile of clothes over her arm.
'No problem, brother darling. I wouldn't dream of making a big issue over it … as long as you agree to continue sharing the flat with Annabel. Remember she is a sitting tenant. I don't want her evicted.’ She grinned at me. ‘Of course if she chooses to go of her own accord, that's quite different.'
'Oh, I'm staying all right!' I chortled, kissing Alex.
We all laughed, although Vanessa raised a quizzical eyebrow at me; obviously recalling our lunchtime conversation.
That night I made things all right again on the bedroom front; I told him that, in the strange way a woman's body behaves from time to time, my period had quite suddenly stopped again. So for another blissful night we once more melted into each other's bodies, and even though I believe a certain word was uttered again, it didn't worry me any more.
*
A few reluctant compromises were finally reached between Edward and me over the next few months, while the Spring/Summer collection came together, but I still felt creatively impeded.
Alex bought the lease of the flat in Eaton Square and I continued living there with him in blissful, more semi-permanent contentment. Aware of my work frustrations he often hinted that I ought to think about setting up my own fashion business. Of course he was right, but I was not in a financial position to contemplate such a move yet.
Kate Marshall had sadly proved extremely difficult to make contact with. Since seeing her in the Harrods fashion show two and a half years earlier, she had become quite illusive. I tried to get in touch a couple of times about doing one of our collection shows but her agency explained...
'Sorry, she's still modelling abroad. She’s under contract to a French fashion house for the time being; so she's only considering photographic and show work in either Paris or Milan.'
'But I really would like her to model for Miss Courtney here,' I pleaded. 'How long do you think before I can use her?'
'Try again later in the year.'
I'd discovered that Norman Parker Brown was now mostly working exclusively in France for Paris Vogue and other French magazines. It was easy to guess therefore why Kate was so tied up over there.
In the end, many months elapsed before I finally met up with her. Meanwhile her face appeared on more and more glossy covers and inside all the big international magazines. Paris Vogue especially seemed to have a particular claim on her; but then Parker Brown was one of their chief photographers. He certainly managed to bring out the best in her photographically. Soon I'd begun to worry that she was becoming too big in the business to ever consider modelling for us.
Therefore, I was amazed when months later I'd received a call from her agent telling me Kate was back in London for a short while and was available to do a photographic shoot for Miss Courtney. Did I still want her? Of course I still did. The only problem … she was expensive.
I conferred with Edward, and to my delight he agreed for her to model several garments for a showroom catalogue and wall displays. 'A top modelling face, might just tip the scales in our favour again,’ he conceded. Hooray!
Sales had slowed down a bit since the huge success of the first two collections, in spite of my efforts to introduce a younger, snappier look to the range. New independent designers had taken off as I'd predicted, with their snazzy, shorter styles, and we were still dragging our heels.
'But which photographer shall we use? Norman Parker Brown will be rather costly I imagine,' I said.
'Too damned right he is! Kate Marshall will already cost us a bomb! Contact the photographic agency we've used before.'
*
Meeting up with her again at the photo session was interesting. She explained she was already aware that I was the designer she'd known at college from a photo of me in a magazine when we'd started up Miss Courtney.
'Of course, I'd have willingly come like a shot to model for you before now, Annabel. I’ve just been so tied up on the Continent.' She fixed her beautiful pale grey eyes on me. 'But Norm decided we should both work over there this year, and I've been kept so busy. Paris and Milan are still the biggest fashion Meccas of course; their fashion houses snapped me up for all their shows every season. I had to do heaps of photographic modelling work for them too. Anyway, I'm back here for a short while and the agency mentioned you wanted me. Since Norm's been commissioned to photograph some Royals this week, I agreed to set it up with you.'
I then admitted having seen her modelling one of my first Miss Courtney designs in the Harrods show.
She nodded, grinning widely. 'That's right, I remember! That was the last show I did before going to Paris. Someone said you'd been in the audience. Why the hell didn't you come behind to see me?
Fancy, I'd had no idea anyone had recognised me that day.
Even so, Kate was a busy girl and the first photo shoot had to be done in record time. We'd finally chosen to use a young, up-and-coming photographer called Jake Sinclair. He was already popular with many top models and designers. Luckily Kate and he had worked together before and she liked him.
The results of the afternoon's shoots in the V&A Museum and in Kensington Gardens turned out brilliantly. One of the photos even made it onto the cover of Vogue. Edward was especially overjoyed about that.
'Wonderful shots! Great idea of Sinclair's ... to use the historical costume rooms at the museum as a backcloth. Nice contrast... period and modern. Perfect!'
Using Kate had been a stroke of genius and I was already beginning to imagine what an asset knowing her personally might be to me in my quest for success.
Even so, after that first photo shoot I saw very little of her again on a personal level, despite the occasional modelling job she did for us from time to time.
There was one day though, when she was modelling in two of Edward's collection shows, held of course, in the more grandiose main House of Courtney salon. A small selection of my Ready-to- Wear garments was also included in the show. The shows had just happened to fit in neatly with a two day break in Kate’s extremely busy schedule; between the big collections in Paris and Milan and jetting off on exotic photo shoots with Parker Brown. He still monopolized her life.
On the day of the shows we managed a brief working lunch together of sandwiches and coffee in my studio. As we chatted, I carried on selecting fabrics for designs from some new colour swatches that had just arrived in, anxious to show her that I too had a busy working life. Anyway, I was jolly proud of my achievement so far.
As we chatted I couldn't help noticing a touch of sadness in her beautiful eyes. Perhaps her involvement with Parker Brown wasn't quite so rosy after all?
'Of course I enjoy modelling; especially all the places it takes me to, but sometimes I long to slow things down a bit. Of course, Norm's taught me so much and I suppose I owe him my success. I'm always expected to do what he wants. I'd so love to decide things more for myself.' She sighed deeply, studying her crimson, polished nails before lifting her head.
'What do you mean?' I asked, sipping my coffee. I still felt a tad jealous of the amazing success she'd achieved so effort
lessly, all due to Parker Brown. She really should demonstrate more gratitude in my opinion.
She pursed her lips petulantly. 'Take these shows. Norm would normally have disapproved, but fortunately he's had to be in Milan for a few days. So when my agent mentioned this two day job for Courtney’s was up for grabs, of course I agreed to do it. This time it was for me. Sounds awful, I know, but I long to be more my own person.'
I gazed enviously at her nails; each one so long, so red, and so beautifully manicured. 'I think I know what you mean,' I said, still mystified at her lack of appreciation for all Parker Brown had done for her. 'And of course it's wonderful that you can fit us in like this.
She smiled pensively. 'Oh, Annabel, I'm really happy to do it.'
I began studying a sample of vibrant deep emerald, slubbed silk. 'What do you think of this?'
She fingered it; the crimson of her nails against it suddenly reminding me of Christmas. 'It's lovely, why?'
'I like it too, but I'm always accused of choosing too many bright colours.'
She laughed. 'So what! I love strong colours.’
'That's settled then, if it gets past Edward, we'll use this for the ball gown.' I put the sample to one side. 'Incidentally, did you notice your photographs in reception from your last shoot?'
Her eyes lit up briefly. 'Yes, I did. Jake's a good photographer, though of course Norm would probably disagree. Don't get me wrong, Norm's a genius but he's so traditional in his choice of composition. Whenever possible I adore working with different photographers. It's wonderful to have a change.' She sighed. 'Norm was commissioned for all my shoots over in Paris. It got so boring. I'm sure he fixes it.'
As I listened, I decided that perhaps after all Norman Parker Brown was a little too possessive and controlling of her. 'I imagine it must restrict you a bit,’ I murmured.
'It does … and more than a bit. Anyway, I'm hoping to be back in London a lot more from now on, so I hope to be able to fit in more work for you. I've told my booker that, and she knows all about you and I being at college together. It's been fab meeting up again like this, hasn't it?'
I smiled, nodding in agreement.
She continued, gazing intently at me, 'This job has been a great start for you, Annabel, but why on earth don't you branch out on your own now? So many new designers seem to be getting their big chances now and doing really well. You should too. You're a brilliant designer, but I sense you're not getting quite the free hand you'd like over things?' Her eyebrows raised, she pulled a face, 'Cheeky aren't I? I'm a fine one to be advising you about having more of a free hand!'
Yes, you are, I thought, considering your own status with Parker Brown!
'No, I agree,' I lied. 'And that is my goal ... my dream, when the time's right… and I will do it ... one day, you'll see.'
If only I could have her luck, I thought, with someone to help me on my way.
'And when you do, I shall most certainly model for you.'
'If Norm allows you to!' I laughed, and she nodded with a wry smile.
The man certainly seemed to rule her life. Taking all into account, I wasn't sure it was altogether healthy either for such a young woman to be tied to such a possessive, middle aged Svengali… simply because he had discovered her. They lived together, but I could imagine it wasn't an ideal relationship. Why does she stay with him, I wondered.
It was flattering however, that she felt an allegiance to me. And true to her word, Kate did fit in more work for us whenever she could after that.
*
Vanessa's wedding took place at Caxton Hall in the September despite strong pressure by her father to have a traditional Greek Orthodox ceremony. But Vanessa, with the enlisted help of her mother, managed to keep it basically an English civil marriage. Nevertheless, it still had all the fuss of a usual society wedding with pictures in The Tatler of course.
My workroom had created the dress she’d wanted, based on one of my earlier designs in ivory satin. She looked radiant; noticeably plumper around the waist and bust however; due to her being about four months pregnant by this time.
I attended of course; as did Alex ... accompanied by his wife. And what a bizarre experience that was ... meeting Susannah Karos face to face!
'So you’re the dress designah I've heard so murch about?' she gushed, in a lazy Texas drawl, knocking back her umpteenth vodka. 'That sure was a pretty weddin' dress. While I'm here I must see some more of your designs Annabeel. Can thet be arranged?'
'Yes, of course.' I smiled, whilst inwardly cringing. I could think of no one I'd hate to dress more! Short and plump, although when slimmer she might have once been called petite, she possessed the kind of dumpy figure I always found hell to accommodate. Beautifully styled natural blonde hair was just about her only asset as far as I could make out. With blue-grey liquor clogged eyes, a glass sat permanently in her hand. She also appeared to chain-smoke.
I prayed she'd forget we'd had this conversation.
Later on at the Dorchester reception, Vanessa pulled me to one side. 'Well, darling, you've now met the very ‘lurvely’ Susannah,' she drawled with a giggle, waggling her champagne glass. 'What do you think?' Her eyes were glassy.
'Well, not a lot, actually.'
'I told you, didn't I, darling, she's awful! I do wish Alex would come to his senses and leave her. They're barely man and wife any more. You and he are far more of a couple than they've ever been... and you're more suited!' Her voice had now become quite shrill.
I winced. 'Shh … someone might overhear you?'
'So what! It's about time everyone knew!'
'But Vanessa ... please!' I realised that her well-lubricated tongue was running away with her. I quickly beckoned Rowley across and whispered my concerns. ‘Please take control of your wife. She's being a little too outspoken about Susannah…'
'Got the gist, old girl,' he said, whisking her off to ply her with some coffee. They then disappeared upstairs. I looked at my watch. Good, they'd soon be leaving for the airport. How I envied them their idyllic honeymoon - cruising the Greek Islands on her father's yacht.
Does Susannah know anything about Alex and me I wondered, glancing at them. Although physically together, they seemed distanced from each other. A very peculiar marriage if you ask me! That Susannah tolerated Alex being here in England so much of the time anyway; never joining him here, was the biggest mystery of all. Her only reason for being in London now was to attend Vanessa's wedding. Also for some odd reason she was staying in her own suite at the Grosvenor, where I knew Alex had only dined with her once. 'Don't worry about Susannah,' Alex had insisted. 'She won't give us any problems.'
As my eyes caught Alex's several times and he cast me secretive smiles, I became more intrigued than ever about their strange marital set up.
CHAPTER 7
The week following Vanessa's wedding I was on tenterhooks, constantly aware that Susannah Karos might ring at any time. Alex returned to the States for a few days and this coincided with the dreaded phone-call. Not from Susannah, but from her secretary. I took the call myself.
'Good morning, Miss Spencer! Mrs Karos wonders if it would be possible for you to bring a selection from your current collection to the Grosvenor for her to see?' She spoke with a pleasant, light trans-Atlantic accent.
'Certainly,' I said with false enthusiasm. 'When would be suitable, and would you like me to bring someone to model the garments?'
'Is tomorrow afternoon all right? And a model won't be necessary; I will model the clothes for Mrs Karos.'
'That's fine. What size should I bring?'
'Well, I'm a US eight; that's a size ten here, isn't it?'
'Yes, that's right ... any particular preferences in colour, or will Mrs Karos accept the shades I think might suit her?'
'You select, just as long as you bring a good choice. Thanks. So we'll see you tomorrow afternoon at say ... two o’clock?'
'Fine. I'll see you then.'
It was tricky knowing which designs
would suit Susannah. Judging by the flouncy dress she'd worn for the wedding she looked to be at least size fourteen. I would need to select designs to flatter the shorter, fuller figure. Not easy.
Having previously not wanted to have anything to do with her, I was now becoming quite intrigued to learn more about my lover’s wife. Until now I'd felt fairly confident that she had no idea of my involvement with Alex. Although I wondered, might she be playing a little game; setting me up in some way?
Still, with Alex away it really was an ideal opportunity to suss her out. And what better cover could I wish for than showing her some of my current collection?
The following day Lynda and I selected and bagged fifteen size ten garments in the colours and styles I thought might suit Susannah. I also threw in a couple of size fourteen for By now I was having slight second thoughts about having this involvement with Susannah. What if the whole thing goes foul on me?
'I think you should come too, Lynda. I'll never be able to cope with all these on my own. Anyway, I could do with your moral support.' I grinned to cover my mild anxiety.
'Fine by me!' Lynda answered, bagging up the last garment. 'I'd love to meet Mrs Susannah Karos!'
'Good. You can also provide me with an impartial opinion of the woman. Since I'm in love with her husband, I can hardly do that, can I?'
'Not really,' Lynda chuckled.
In all honesty, my decision to take Lynda along was entirely for moral support; the thought of an afternoon spent with Alex's wife was pretty scary. Besides, I knew Lynda would be intrigued to meet her too. Although she'd never met Alex I'd confided in her about our affair. I was also relieved to be going to the hotel instead of Susannah calling in at the showroom. Luckily, Edward was off work for a few days too. I knew he didn't approve of my affair with Alex, a married man, not least because the man was Vanessa's half-brother. Although he'd never actually voiced his disapproval, I could tell by tiny barbed comments he often made to me. Also it was really made more apparent by his total lack of interest in my personal life these days.
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