Page 67 of You Only Live Once
‘They can be, yes. And you’re welcome.’
The house was quiet again now that my family had left. Dinner had been a fun, slightly noisy affair, but I’d enjoyed it. I had found the day shopping with Poppy stressful at times, still unused to dealing with crowds and people in general, but I’d loved having the opportunity to be with my sister-in-law and sharing moments together, even just chatting in the coffee shop as we fuelled up in between bouts of looking for the perfect dress. This was something else I’d missed out on, I reflected. I’d spent all this time thinking I was helping myself, but cracks had begun to appear in that philosophy. I was still absolutely terrified about the premiere and certainly wasn’t about to turn into a social butterfly overnight, but I’d have Jack with me for the event. I still didn’t think I would have been able to do it alone. I did enjoy the walks on my own, the one I’d done, at least, but I felt so much happier and relaxed going with Clive. It felt like I had social backup if I needed it, and of course, company which was something I’d been sorely short of for much of the past decade.
21
Need help!
I messaged Poppy a couple of days later. The premiere was approaching faster than I’d have liked and, despite spending hours watching YouTube make-up tutorials – time I should have spent writing – I just couldn’t seem to end up with anything that looked remotely good enough for a situation this snazzy. Flicking through videos and images of other premieres showing guests with perfect hair, clothes and make-up, not to mention bodies, I began to work myself up into a state. Several times, my fingers hovered over the keyboard, preparing to send Zinnia an email saying I wouldn’t be attending after all. But somewhere, in the back of my mind, Jack’s words kept echoing. He was right. I had worked hard for this and not many writers got this sort of opportunity. There was no guarantee I’d ever sell the movie rights to any of my other books, just because this one had done well.
Some time ago, I’d been invited to a private screening of the film but, of course, I’d made excuses and declined. Now I wished I’d found some brave pants and gone. What if I got to the premiere and hated what they’d done with the book? Oh God, not only did I need help with make-up, I also needed immediate acting coaching too so that I didn’t put my foot in it. But, of course, I could absolutely love it. I stared at the mirror.
‘I will love it. It’s going to be wonderful,’ I said to myself. Clive shuffled a little closer to the chair. Reaching down, I gave his head a scratch. ‘That’s right, isn’t it, Clive? It’s all going to be fine.’ Maybe if I repeated it enough, I’d trick my brain into believing it. I looked back at the mirror. There was no tricking my brain or my eyes into the belief that I hadn’t made a pig’s ear of theevening/smoky eyed lookthat the tutorial promised me. This was the fourth time I’d tried, and my face was sore from the constant wiping off and starting again. I’d be out of make-up before I got it right at this rate. As for fake eyelashes, those had quite literally gone out of the window some time ago. I must remember to go and pick them up off the lawn before Clive decided to try to eat them. All the videos made it look so easy but now I knew the truth. They lie!
What’s up? You OK??
No.
I replied simply, followed by the exploding brain emoji and then a GIF of a small child who’d found her mum’s make-up bag.
Oh… don’t worry. I think I’ve got a plan. Call you in a bit.
I sent a string of hug emojis, stood up and went downstairs to retrieve the duplicitous fake lashes from the garden, with Clive trotting down behind me. Having found them and convinced him that they weren’t a delicious treat, I went and got him a real treat and then headed to my office to get back to work.
A couple of hours later, Poppy’s face appeared on my screen. I swiped the call to answer and found her beaming out the most enormous smile.
‘You look happy.’
‘You will too when I tell you what I’ve arranged,’ she said.
‘Am I going to like it?’
‘You’re going to love it!’
‘Come on, then.’ I grinned at her infectious smile. ‘What’s the secret?’
‘OK, so I’m guessing the tutorials didn’t go so well?’
‘That GIF I sent?’
‘Yep?’
‘That was an improvement on the results I was getting. I’m pretty sure Clive could have done a better job.’
‘Oh.’
‘Quite. I didn’t realise how out of practice I was at wearing make-up. Not that I’d ever really worn much before. I don’t know. Did it get harder or something?’
‘I do think the standards and aspirations got higher. Teenagers now spend so much time perfecting their make-up and hair, thanks to YouTube and influencers, that it suddenly feels like we’ve been left behind. And that’s before you look at the magazines and so on.’
‘I really hope you have the answer, then.’
‘I do! I’ve just given an old school friend a call. She’s a professional make-up artist now. Works on runway shows and films and all sorts. She’s going to come round and do your face for the premiere.’
‘Seriously?’ I felt my mouth drop open a little.
‘Yep.’
‘Does she want paying in cash? You know, off the books?’
