Page 43 of Bad Influence
‘That little girl grew up.’ She shrugged. ‘She realised that everyone has an opinion. Young women are expected to be a certain way, and society has a beauty standard – it judges you harshly against it. She gave up dancing because she felt fat in those leotards.’
‘What would you tell that little girl now?’ I asked.
‘I’d tell her not to give up. That she shouldn’t listen to what other people think, but enjoy how dancing makes her feel.’ She smiled wistfully to herself.
I took a step back to give Mandy the space this moment deserved. You could have heard a pin drop in the room as thirty seconds passed.
‘So, whoare you, Mandy?’ I asked again, softly.
Her whole demeanour seemed calmer now.
‘I am enough,’ she said.
‘Hold it. Right there,’ Mart announced, camera in hand and springing into action. He waved his free hand, to signal for his assistant to move the softbox closer, quickly. Mandy lay there gazing out of the window as he began clicking his lens, a gentle tap as flashes of light from the softbox caught her small movements on the bed. Occasionally she would gently shift her position to be more comfortable. ‘This isbeautiful,’ Mart purred.
We continued like this for a few moments, with Mandy tweaking her position very slightly, chin raised and turned a fraction, then back again. Her hair undone, dress twisted, flesh exposed. The music had stopped, and Mandy didn’t notice, she seemed fully in the moment. While Martphotographed her, all of us watched in awe. It felt as though a bit of magic was happening before our eyes.
‘I think we’ve got it,’ Mart declared just a couple of minutes later.
He was then joined by Julie-Ann, Lola, and Blair in a huddle around the laptop. The blood coursing through my veins picked up speed.Were they happy? What did Julie-Ann think? Would Mandy push to have me fired?
‘Let’s all take five,’ Julie-Ann announced, sensing correctly that we needed to come up for air.
I let out a huge sigh and took the opportunity to call Lucy.
‘How’s it going?’ Lucy’s voice on the other end of the line was a comfort.
‘I’m on a shoot so I can’t be long,’ I whispered, as I left the room and went into the hallway, away from the rest of the team. ‘I just thought I’d check in; see if you’re all okay.’
‘How’s the shoot going?’ she asked.
‘Other than Mandy refusing to wear anything I’ve prepared, and fearing that I will be sacked at any moment, it’s going brilliantly.’
‘That sounds tough,’ she replied, ‘but what is it you’d say to me – you can do tough things? It’s not as if you’re not used to working with difficult people. Remember?’
‘I remember all too well,’ I said. ‘In fact, I still have PTSD. Why do I always attract the strong personality types?’
‘Well, what did you expect from a Leo?’
‘How do you know that?’
‘Checking her star sign was the first thing I did when you told me you were working with Mandy. This is me, sister.’
‘Care to share any tips on how to handle the leader of the animal kingdom?’
‘Always be honest and make her feel special,’ she replied. ‘Fiery she may be, she’ll be loyal once you win her trust. Show her you can listen.’
‘I feel like I’ve had a little breakthrough with her just now,’ I replied. ‘Anyway, I didn’t mean to call the Mystic Meg hotline. I wondered how you’re doing?’
‘I’ve actually got a bit of news to share with you,’ she said.
My heart rate sped up.
‘I caved, and we found out the sex of the baby yesterday. We’re having a boy!’
‘Oh, Lucy!’ I exclaimed, my heart swelling. ‘This is amazing news! I’m so happy for you all. How are you feeling?’ My voice trailed off into nothing, as I noticed out of the corner of my eye Mandy standing in the doorway.
Got a minute?she mouthed coolly.
