Page 86 of The Last Love Song
‘Thank you. Con liked it too.’
‘Good, good.’ Audrey removed her reading glasses, giving a clearer view of the huge brown eyes that had once made her the highest paid model of the forties. She placed her long, elegant fingers in a steeple and stared across the table at Sorcha. ‘Did you see theWoman’s Ownspread last week?’
‘Yes.’
‘It looked very, very good. In fact, I’ve had five calls since yesterday asking about your availability.’ Audrey smiled widely. ‘I think the time has come to give up the day job, as it were.’
‘You mean leave Swan and Edgar’s?’
‘I think it would be safe to do so. There you go.’ Audrey handed Sorcha an envelope. ‘That might make you feel a little more comfortable. The cheque’s for quite a lot of money.’
‘Thank you.’ Sorcha took the envelope and put it in her handbag.
‘The sooner you leave, the better. How much notice do you have to give?’
‘A week.’
‘That’s perfect. I have two upcoming bookings confirmed in ten days, and three provisionals for the week after. All good jobs. I’ve also had a telephone call from an advertising agency who saw your spread inWoman’s Own. They’re looking for a girl to promote a new night-time drink. It’ll be competing in the Horlicks, Ovaltine market. They want a girl-next-door type rather than an out-and-out glamour puss.’
Sorcha was in a daze. ‘I see.’
‘If you got the contract, it would make you famous, Sorcha. The company want to run a series of television advertisements along with billboard posters and pages in magazines. It would be a year’s exclusive work. You’d be under contract to them and wouldn’t be able to take anything else. We haven’t discussed money yet, but we’d be talking a big deal. The gentleman I spoke to was extremely keen to see you for it. What do you think?’
Sorcha ran her hands through her hair. ‘It sounds grand, Audrey. But I suppose every model in London will be seen.’
‘They’re certainly casting around, yes. Shall I fix up a time for the end of this week? There’ll be a preliminary meeting with the advertising agency, and then, if they approve, a follow-up with the big guns from the company itself.’
‘Fine, but this week will have to be during my lunch hour or after work. I can’t let my boss down again, even if I am handing in my notice. She’s been very good to me.’
‘I understand. I’ll let you know when and where.’ Audrey gave a warm chuckle as Sorcha stood up. ‘I should go and spend some of that cheque on a special present for yourself. You’re doing awfully well, dear.’
‘Thank you.’
The telephone on Audrey’s desk rang.
‘Can you see yourself out?’
‘Of course.’
Audrey waved as she picked up the receiver.
Outside the office, Sorcha reached into her bag and pulled out the envelope she had been given. Tearing it open, she read the amount on the cheque. It would take her four months to earn the same at Swan and Edgar’s. A feeling of disbelief washed over her as she carefully returned the cheque to its envelope and stowed it away in an interior pocket of her bag.
A strong breeze was blowing, which brought Sorcha out of her daydream. She glanced at her watch. It was ten past six, and she was meeting Con at seven in their favourite bar. She shivered and pulled her cardigan closer around her shoulders before hurrying down the street.
The shops were still open on Carnaby Street. Sorcha made for the warmth of a boutique. She leafed through the racks of dresses and pulled out a couple that appealed. Five minutes later, after slipping off her clothes in the curtained changing room, she pulled on a dress which was short and woollen. Drawing back the curtain so she could survey herself in the big communal mirror, Sorcha stopped in her tracks.
Standing by the till talking to the shopgirl was someone so familiar that Sorcha’s initial reaction was to step back and hide before she was spotted.
Surely it couldn’t be?
Gingerly, Sorcha pulled the curtain back a couple of inches and peered through the gap. The young woman had her backto Sorcha. Her hair was different and she was much slimmer...Until she saw her face again, she couldn’t be sure.
Sorcha watched as the woman took her change and her plastic bag and walked out of the boutique.
‘Okay, lads, take a listen.’ Brad pressed the button on the panel and the studio was filled with music.
The four group members listened silently until the song was finished.
