Page 67 of Did My Love Life Shrink in the Wash?
I smile knowing the real truth, and make a mental note to give Lucy a good sisterly kicking next time I see her. ‘You shouldn’t have got me a present.’
‘Rubbish. Anyway, the good thing about me is that I get a lot of free clothes. That maxi wrap you wear so well, it also comes in other prints. I think these two would suit you really well.’
I look down at two dresses, wrapped in ribbon. I am stunned into silence, almost tearful at how sweet this is. ‘Thank you.’
‘It’s the only reason we work for him really. He gets me free jeans,’ a girl pipes in with make-up brushes attached to her waist in a holster. ‘I’m Natalie.’
She bends down to smile at Joe.
‘I’m Beth and this is Joe, who likes a light foundation, a bit of contouring,’ I joke.
Giles bursts into laughter. ‘Oh, this little button doesn’t need it…’ he says, bopping him on the nose. ‘But Nat may fly on and off the set so we’ll let Joe get used to her. This is Zahra. You know her already…’
The baby wrangler. She stands there with a box of toys on sticks.
‘Nat is one of my best.’
She smiles but something suddenly makes her expression drop. Is it my hair? I know I don’t always have the time to condition. I realise she isn’t looking at me though. Her eyes point towards someone behind me. The expression on Zahra’s face falls too. Do I turn? I won’t turn, that’ll speak volumes.
‘Crikey, she looks rough as toast,’ Zahra says, tutting loudly.
‘Urgh, it’s an industrial concealer kinda day then,’ Natalie adds, digging through her make-up toolbox.
Giles turns, grimacing slightly but also showing concern. I turn slowly and notice they’re talking about someone who’s just walked in the room. Yasmin? At first, I don’t even recognise her. She looks peaky and pale, with heavy eyebags, which seems to be my main styling forte these days, but she doesn’t look like herself at all. I’m wondering to what extent I’m rubbing off on her. She strolls over, oversized glasses in hand and proceeds to air-kiss Giles. She sees me and smiles, faintly.
‘Yasmin, morning,’ greets Giles.
‘Is it? I am hanging, Giles.’
Natalie rolls her eyes behind her.
‘Well, let Nat work her magic. What can I get you? Tea?’
‘Green if you have it. Make sure the water is filtered too.’
‘Beth, what about you?’
‘Coffee, milk, two sugars?’
Yasmin eyeballs me. It’s early and I’m not in this photo shoot but I have every intention of trying every wrap and finger sandwich on the catering table and topping up on caffeine and highly processed sugar. One of Giles’ assistants trots off to make the drinks while I am sitting here with Yasmin beside me. She spies Joe through the mirror and waves at him, her gaze studying him intently. I guess it’s time for one of our legendary conversations again.
‘Morning. I’m sorry I missed you at my party…’ I start. ‘There were so many people there, it got a bit out of hand.’
‘You have a shitload of sisters, don’t you? Lucy’s a riot. I like her.’
Lucy will be glad that she has notoriety and that Yasmin got her name right.
‘Four sisters. What did you dress as?’ I ask.
‘Fancy dress is for children. I got bullied into wearing a butterfly mask though.’
‘Probably why I didn’t recognise you?’ I say.
‘Your costume was hilarious. Did you lose a bet?’
‘No.’
‘Oh.’
