Page 37 of Did My Love Life Shrink in the Wash?
You did?
I didn’t.
I want pictures later. I’m telling everyone.
I smile and put my phone away. I’m in a warehouse studio after replying to the messages from Giles about the music video. Am I little worried about entering into something superficial and self-important? Yes. But am I desperate for company and entertainment beyond the confines of my flat? Also, yes. There’s also payment involved and I thought it might be a way to earn some pocket money.
I wish Will was here. He’d love the stylings of this place, the white and exposed concrete floor. He’d raid the table of free refreshments and take extra condiments to put in his pockets because he thinks they are useful but they always end up in the door of the fridge or the glove compartment to be forgotten.
Joe’s not the only baby here today. Special K will be surrounded by babies and children for a few shots of the video so we wait to be called in. I look across at the rows of parents and children. They are all different, all beautiful in their own way, but I am transfixed by a few whom I’m not too convinced by. There’s a baby opposite that might be wearing make-up. There’s a bit of blusher and I think they’ve done something to her lashes. Lordy. Who puts make-up on a baby? There’s another one in a hair band, in a desperate move by the mother to prove it’s a girl, I guess. There’s also a baby in braces, trousers and the tiniest of flat caps. Hipster baby. I have no idea what they’re asking for here. Was I supposed to tart Joe up? He looks up at me. I’ve put him in dungarees that were a gift and ran a comb through his hair. Do you moisturise babies? I haven’t really felt the need; he has really good skin, the sort of soft child skin I envy as it’s the very opposite to my greasy, hormonal breakout face. Joe looks up at me and grabs onto my thumb.This is new, eh?I am also wearing more than just leggings and trainers. I’m in that maxi wrap dress again to get as many wears out of it as possible and I like that I haven’t had to shave my legs. I may just wear this forever.
Hearing a bassline pound through the walls, one baby looks at it strangely like Godzilla might be gatecrashing this event. I look down at Joe.I hope you’re OK in all of this. Have fun. Smile plenty. I’m not sure to what extent he takes instructions.
‘Is this seat taken? May I?’ The voice comes from a gentleman next to me carrying a little baby girl.
I clear my bags and coat to the floor. ‘Sure thing. Hi.’
He’s classically handsome like Jude Law in his prime, and his hair is extraordinary. It makes me smile awkwardly; I may also blush. I’m too used to only seeing my sisters, Paddy and characters on the television to know how to interact with new people. His daughter is in a car seat and has bundles of blonde corkscrew curls. She scrunches up her face sweetly, smiling at me. I smile back.
‘I’m Harry. This is Delilah.’
Crap, he’s speaking to me. I need to reply.
‘Beth and Joe.’ I bend down and shake Delilah’s hand. ‘That’s awesome hair, young lady.’
She giggles.
‘Nothing to do with me, all my wife. He’s also a handsome little sod, eh?’
I want to reply,So are you. I don’t.
‘He has his moments. He has good light today.’
He smiles and studies my face. Don’t look at the light on my face, it’s not so great.
‘You’re the baby. The album cover one?’ He talks to Joe, though I’m pretty sure he won’t answer.
‘I guess?’ People in the room turn to listen.
‘That was a huge gig. Who’s your agent?’
‘We don’t have one.’
‘So a street cast, interesting. He has awesome eyebrows.’
Joe smiles.I know, mate, I grew them myself.
Harry studies both of us for a moment, his gaze quite intense. He’s doing that thing where he’s checking if we match. But before he has time to scrutinise us further, a door opens and Giles stands there with a clipboard.
‘It’s the pub baby. Yay! I’m glad you’re here. I need you all to sit tight. We just need Joe for this first bit.’
A woman opposite me rolls her eyes. I can’t tell if it’s because she has to wait or whether it’s because I took Joe to the pub. I bet you drank through these early months so don’t judge me.
‘Come through when you’re ready.’
I scurry about trying to stuff jackets and muslins into bags.
As I head through the door, Giles’ enthusiasm shines through. ‘Hello. I’m so glad you agreed to do more of this. That is a really good dress on you by the way. I like the colours.’
