by Laura Ziepe
*
‘Hi Adele,’ Chloe answered the door with a cheesy smile. It made her feel sick.
‘Hi, babe,’ she said, kissing her cheek. ‘So, when is the interview?’
‘I’m going to see them tomorrow! I’m so nervous!’
‘So soon? Wow, they must have been impressed,’ Adele replied sarcastically. Looking back, Chloe had looked good in the photos they’d sent, but mainly because of all the make-up she’d had on. When they saw her bare faced they’d be in for a shock.
‘Do you want a drink?’ Chloe asked kindly.
‘No, I’m not staying long. I just came to wish you luck and say well done. I knew they’d want you. Look, I got some tips from a top model today I used at my shoot,’ she lied. ‘I asked just for you. She’s given me some advice to pass on to you.’
‘Oh my God! That’s amazing. Thanks Adele. What did she say?’
Adele thought for a moment conjuring up a plan. ‘She said don’t wear any make-up. Not even a tiny dot of it.’
Chloe turned up her little nose, looking unsure. ‘Really? I hate myself with no make-up on. Surely I need some? What about mascara at least?’
Adele shook her head, trying to stop herself from bursting into laughter at Chloe’s stupidity. What girl looked better with no make-up on? They’d never want her looking how she did first thing in the morning. ‘No make-up. It’s really important, she said.’
‘Okay,’ Chloe nodded seriously, hanging on her every word. ‘What else?’
‘Act really quiet and shy. They love that.’
Lines appeared on Chloe’s smooth forehead. ‘Mmm … surely they want someone who is outgoing and confident though?’
Adele shook her head violently. ‘Absolutely not! Confidence is seen as arrogance in their industry. They’ll think you’re a diva and that’s the last sort of person they would welcome into their agency.’
Chloe gave a little nod after thinking about it. ‘I suppose that makes sense.’
‘Anyway hun. I must go,’ Adele said with a flick of her hair as walked out the front door.
‘Thanks so much, Adele,’ Chloe said smiling thankfully.
‘That’s what friends are for! Good luck!’
*
Sam pulled up at his parents’ home, certain he’d just seen Adele’s white Range Rover pull away. What on earth was she doing here? he thought with dread. Why was she so set on ruining his life?
Sam had done nothing but replay that night in Sugar Hut again and again in his mind. If he’d have just left without speaking to Adele or if he hadn’t drunk all those shots he would never be in this mess. He hadn’t been acting himself around Jade lately and felt like there was a time bomb about to go off at any second. She knew something was up, but every time she asked him he acted like she was imagining things. Sam had never believed he would cheat on Jade, he certainly didn’t want to, but seeing Adele’s thong in his bed he realised a lot more had obviously gone on than just polite chit-chat. How he hated her! It was as though she knew when he was happy and purposely went out of her way to ruin it for him. He couldn’t have felt guiltier if he tried. He was such an arsehole! He had the best girlfriend ever and he may have slept with his ex-girlfriend, who he knew Jade despised, behind her back when they had their first tiny row. When she found out, which he was certain she would because Adele would make sure of it, she was going to kill him – and he didn’t blame her. He hadn’t been sleeping properly since it happened, wondering whether he should confess everything to her, but he just couldn’t bring himself to say the words and break her heart. If he did, he would lose her and the thought of that made him panic and feel nauseous. Poor Jade had already been through this once. Her last boyfriend at university, Tom, sounded like a complete scumbag. She’d found his phone and seen he’d been sleeping with someone else behind her back. Sam had always promised Jade she’d never have anything to worry about with him and now look at what had bloody happened. He was never drinking that much again. It wasn’t often he got that drunk, but when he did, he blacked out and literally had no recollection of what had happened. Adele must have taken advantage, he thought angrily; she was the most manipulative bitch he knew. He must have been insane to have ever dated her all those years ago! He took out his phone and punched in a message before sending it to Adele.
What are you playing at? Stay away from Chloe.
He slipped his phone in his pocket and rang the doorbell.
Chloe answered the door. ‘Hi Sam,’ she smiled, sweetly.
‘Hey.’ He wiped his feet on the doormat, his face creased in a frown. ‘Why have I just seen Adele leave here? Please tell me I’m going mad and it wasn’t her.’
Chloe shrugged. ‘She just came over quickly to wish me luck.’
‘Why? Since when are you two friends? Wish you luck for what?’ He was thunderous. Why couldn’t she just get out of his and his family’s lives? She wasn’t welcome and never would be! How dare she go to his parents’ home!
‘She just comes and sees me now and again, that’s all. She was saying good luck because I have a meeting with a modelling agency. Anyway,’ Chloe retorted indignantly, ‘don’t moan about me being friends with her. If I were you I would worry about your relationship with her. She told me what happened and I’m just shocked to be honest.’
Sam was exasperated. ‘What? She had no right to blurt out rubbish and spread rumours! It’s not true,’ he lied. ‘Stay away from Adele, Chloe. Trust me, she’s bad news. She lies.’
‘I can’t,’ Chloe murmured.
‘What do you mean, you can’t? Just tell her to piss off next time she calls!’
Chloe sighed, as though she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. ‘You wouldn’t understand. We’re friends.’
‘Why would you want to be friends with her? You tell her from me to keep her big fat gob shut,’ he replied curtly, looking furious. She was a nightmare that girl! She was already trying to cause trouble by telling his little sister he’d cheated on Jade.
He called hello to his parents who were busy in the kitchen and sat on the sofa next to Chloe in the lounge, trying to relax. ‘So, what’s this modelling agency you’re talking about anyway?’
‘Oh, it’s probably nothing,’ she replied, with an insouciant shrug of her shoulders.
‘Have you told Mum?’
‘Yes, she’s coming with me.’
‘Good,’ Sam replied, feeling more at ease. ‘So long as you don’t take all your clothes off or do anything stupid …’
‘I would never do that!’ Chloe replied, looking affronted. ‘I’ve been modelling the bikinis for Jade’s website and the photographer told me to contact an agency.’
‘What?’ Sam was horrified. ‘You’ve been modelling Jade’s bikinis?’
Chloe frowned. ‘Yes, didn’t she tell you?’
‘No, she didn’t! When you said modelling I assumed you’d have your clothes on, Chloe. I didn’t think you’d be that stupid,’ he fumed, shaking his head furiously. How could Jade not have told him this? Didn’t his opinion matter?
Chloe’s chin wobbled, making Sam feel guilty. ‘Sorry to snap,’ he said after a pause. ‘Just be safe, okay? I’m not happy about my little sister modelling bikinis, I’m not going to pretend to be okay with it, but I doubt I can stop you. Just make sure Mum goes everywhere with you.’
‘I will,’ Chloe replied. ‘It’s not just bikinis, I promise. You can get all kinds of work in the agency, I’ve seen on their website. You get paid loads for television commercials,’ she explained.
‘I’m sure you’ll do well,’ Sam nodded. ‘Just remember what I said; be careful. Make sure it’s legit before you sign anything.’
‘They probably won’t even want me,’ Chloe said modestly.
‘I’m sure they will,’ Sam replied honestly, feeling pleased with himself when he saw her mouth curve into a smile.
‘So, how are things with Jade anyway?’ Chloe asked him.
‘Well, apart from the fact
I’m not too happy she didn’t tell me about you modelling, they’re good,’ Sam replied, feeling uncomfortable now because Adele had shouted her mouth off. ‘Look Chloe, please don’t mention a thing to Jade about whatever Adele has told you. You saw how drunk I was that night and if I’m honest, I really don’t know what happened. I feel bad enough as it is without you going on at me so please, let’s just never mention this again.’
Chloe nodded. ‘My lips are sealed.’
‘Thanks.’
Sam tried to enjoy himself for the rest of the evening. He didn’t see his parents as much as he should and there was nothing better than his mum’s roast chicken, which he wolfed down in no time. It was to die for. Try as he might though he couldn’t help but wonder the whole night: who else had Adele told? He knew Adele and knew she would be saving this bit of information for a rainy day. She liked playing with people’s feelings and emotions and being in control. He’d walked straight into another one of her games, but this time, he seriously didn’t feel like playing.
CHAPTER 7
Chloe sat in the reception of the modelling agency nervously. She’d gone straight from college to Oxford Circus with her mum and luckily it hadn’t taken them too long to find. She couldn’t believe she was here. She eyed up another girl sitting there confidently on her own with a huge black folder, which must have been her portfolio. She didn’t even have a portfolio; all she had were the images that Jade and Kelly had sent her online. She hoped that wouldn’t go against her? The building was simplistic and modern and the reception was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. It was like waiting for your driving test and Chloe felt intimidated even when the receptionist asked her name and who she was there to see.
She’d done exactly what Adele had said, and hadn’t put on any make-up at all. She didn’t feel one bit confident, but her mum thought she looked nice. She would though, wouldn’t she, Chloe worried. As she looked round at the framed images of models already represented by the agency she wondered what she was doing there. They’d never want her, would they? Would she really be able to get work? She took a Tatler magazine from the huge glass coffee table and browsed through it, trying to keep her mind preoccupied. A few minutes later the receptionist called her name and beckoned her to go to the furthest room down the hall on the right. Chloe looked at her mum warily.
‘Do you want me to come?’ her mum asked, noticing her concerned expression.
‘No, I’ll be fine,’ Chloe replied. She was eighteen years old. As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t take her mum with her. How ridiculous would they think she was, needing to hold her mum’s hand everywhere? If she was ever going to do this, she had to be brave for once and do it alone.
Chloe reached the door and knocked, her heart thumping in her chest.
‘Come in,’ the voice called from inside the office.
Chloe walked in, relieved when she saw a friendly-looking woman sitting behind a desk with a wide smile. There were more images of models on the cream walls and all of a sudden she felt excited. Maybe one day her image would be up there?
‘Hi.’ She felt herself relax a little.
‘Take a seat, Chloe.’ she signalled to the seat opposite her. ‘I’m Francesca, a head booker here at Elite, pleased to meet you.’
‘Pleased to meet you too,’ Chloe grinned politely.
She was writing something on a clipboard and then looked up at her. ‘I hope you found it okay today? You didn’t have to come too far?’
‘No, it was fine. I just jumped on the Central line and managed to find it easily,’ Chloe said as she sat down.
‘Good. So tell me a bit about yourself? What makes you want to model?’ Francesca stared at Chloe, resting her chin on her palm.
‘Errr … I’m eighteen and I’m at college …’ Chloe was stuck already. What sort of thing did she say? That she liked to go clubbing? She doubted that would go down too well. That she liked nothing more than to sit in her jogging bottoms all day and eat chocolate? Hardly the life of a potential model! ‘To be honest, I’ve never really thought about modelling. I did a shoot for my brother’s girlfriend’s new bikini company at the beginning of this week and the photographer suggested I contact you.’
‘Okay.’ Francesca was clicking away at her computer and Chloe guessed she was looking through her images again. Finally she spoke. ‘So that was your first ever shoot, am I right? You’ve never modelled before?’
Chloe nodded timidly.
Francesca turned to face her again, her eyes bright. ‘Well I must say your images are rather impressive. You have a great figure and you’d be great for our commercial side of the agency rather than high fashion. I can’t guarantee anything, as I need to discuss you with our other head booker, who unfortunately isn’t here at present. When will you be leaving college?’
‘June,’ Chloe replied, her heartbeat increasing in pace with excitement.
She noted it down and then looked up with a thoughtful expression. ‘I’m very pleased you came in with a fresh face. The amount of girls we have coming through the door plastered in make-up! Of course models wear make-up when they’re photographed, I think that’s why so many girls come in here getting it wrong. If we put you forward for castings this is exactly what you need to look like. They’ll need to be able to see you.’
‘Okay,’ Chloe replied, thanking Adele in her head. She’d been right! Make-up was definitely a no-no.
‘The camera loves you,’ Francesca said happily. ‘Obviously we would need to get you a portfolio done, which we would pay for, then take from your earnings if we take you on.’
Chloe nodded, twirling her hair round her finger; something she always did when she was nervous.
‘Is it okay to take your measurements?’
Chloe nodded. ‘Yes, that’s fine.’
She stood up and Francesca took out a tape measure, wrapping it round various parts of her body.
‘Height, five foot nine and a half. Bust, thirty-four inches,’ she moved the tape measure down. ‘Waist, twenty-five inches and hips, thirty-three. Perfect.’
Chloe didn’t have a clue if her measurements were right or not. Was her waist small enough to be a model? Her hips too big?
‘You’re a great healthy size,’ Francesca answered the thoughts in her mind. ‘Is it okay to take a few Polaroids?’
Chloe nodded. ‘Yes, that’s fine.’
She had a full-length photo taken and a head shot and then sat back down and Francesca explained a bit more about the agency. Chloe was glad to hear they didn’t take any fees up front, just a percentage of her earnings if they managed to find her work.
After jotting some more on her clipboard Francesca looked up again with a smile. ‘So Chloe, any questions?’
Chloe couldn’t think of any. Besides, she didn’t want to be too chatty. Adele had told her to be quiet and shy hadn’t she? She was right about the make-up, so she must be right about that too, she decided, simply shaking her head at the question.
‘Okay, well thank you for coming in to see us,’ Francesca said, standing up and shaking her hand, leading her to the door. ‘I’ll have a chat with my colleague and we’ll be in touch if we’re interested. We may or may not need to see you again so she can meet you. It was good to see you in the flesh!’
‘Thanks,’ Chloe said, waving as she walked out. ‘Bye.’
She had no idea how it went. Did that mean that she wasn’t going to be taken on? She’d honestly never thought about being a model before. People had often told her she should be, not any of her friends though of course. She remembered once when someone stopped her and gave her their card when she was shopping and told her to contact their agency. She had only been fifteen at the time and her friends who had been with her didn’t stop going on and on about how they were most probably trying to con her and how they would hate to be models because models had no brain cells. She felt so bad for accepting the card that she threw it in the bin, right then and there, agreeing that she would a
lso hate to be a model. It was only the following year when she told her mum the story that she said her friends had only said that because they were jealous that they weren’t given cards. Chloe had never thought of it like that and she hadn’t thought about it since, until Martin gave her the card for Elite. Now her mind had started to wonder if she really could be a successful model and she was almost there. Now she wanted it more than ever.
*
It had been almost a week since Jade had told Lisa they couldn’t dog-sit Cupcake anymore. As much as she felt terrible she knew that she was doing the right thing.
‘Why not?’ Lisa had asked incredulously, when she came back from work to collect her. ‘Has she not been behaving herself? Oh Jade, I’m so sorry if she’s been a nuisance,’ Lisa told her as her hands flew to her cheeks in mortification.
‘It’s not her, it’s me,’ Jade had explained gently. ‘I can’t watch Cupcake the whole time and neither can Kelly because we’re so busy working. She deserves better and I know she’ll be fine with someone else. Is there anyone else you can think of to watch her? If you can’t find anyone, then of course we will but …’
‘No,’ Lisa had shaken her head sternly, putting her hand up in protest. ‘You’re busy and I know Cupcake can be a bit naughty sometimes. I’m just sorry I put you in this situation. I’ll find someone, no problem.’
Jade felt terrible. ‘Lisa, I’m so sorry! Drop her to me until you find someone else, I promise, it’s fine.’
‘Honestly, don’t worry,’ Lisa replied, scooping Cupcake up and putting her in the pink bag. ‘We’ll find somewhere else for you, won’t we Cupcake?’ she said in a high-pitched voice, looking at the dog.