Her mass of rings and bangles created a cacophony every time she moved, and the many strings of pearls almost rumbled amongst her ample cleavage as she turned to watch as we entered.
“Ah, wonderful. Here she is. Hazel, you are a wonder, thank you, darling,” Jemima said, and Hazel winked at me as she had been clearly dismissed. I smiled at her, and as I caught my reflection in a mirror, the smile just got bigger.
“Natasha, this is the girl I have found to model your new range. This is Alexandra Lake, and as you see she has it all.”
Natasha stood up. I was not far off six foot with my heels on, and she looked down at me.
“”My God, Jem, how do you do it? She is perfect, - her figure, those long legs, her colouring and that smile. Alexandra, honey, please tell me you're free for four weeks?”
“I’m free until the fifteenth of September,” I said, a little baffled.
“Wonderful. Okay, some of the range is due for a preview here in London on the seventeenth of August. Then to Paris for the twentieth. Then to Rome for the twenty-third. We will make New York for the US fashion show on the thirtieth and then around the States for a couple of weeks. So can you help?”
I looked at Jemima, and her eyes were shining. She nodded imperceptibly at me.
“Yes, I've no other commitments during that period. I’ll leave you to make the arrangements with Jemima, if that is okay?” I said, and Jemima just smiled at me.
“Oh Honey, you're great. I'm so thrilled. But before I say yes, can I see you in one of my creations?”
I looked at Jemima, and she smiled again.
“Natasha, of course, I would expect it.” she said, picking up her phone again. Using the intercom facility, a garment rail was brought in by some of the staff, and there were six different outfits or dresses on it.
Natasha immediately examined them all, selecting a stunning silk dress in gold and russet. It reminded me of autumn leaves, but then, as an autumn dress, that was the point. Jemima took me to a small room just off her office, and held the dress for me. She said nothing, she just watched to see how I would perform.
Totally un-self-consciously I stripped off everything except my panties, and slipped the dress on. The cut told me it was designed to be worn bra-less, and I knew that my firm breasts were not really big enough to sag in any case.
I adjusted it a little, so it felt comfortable, and slipped my shoes back on.
“Okay?” I asked her, and she smiled and looked critically at me.
“Excellent, under a minute. Very impressive.”
I just smiled.
Jemima opened the door and I walked out. But I walked as if I was back on the catwalk at school, making sure the walk and the smile were in place. It wasn’t hard, as the dress was so gorgeous, I felt so wonderful, that I couldn’t help smiling. And the face and hair that Hazel had created for me did the rest.
Natasha clapped her hands.
“Just perfect. No, better than perfect. Jem, you have surpassed yourself this time. Alex honey, you're simply gorgeous.”
I smiled, and then realised what she had called me.
“Actually, my friends call me Sandi.” I said.
“Sandi, Alex, I don’t care, you're just what I need. I'm so delighted, I have to confess, I was really worried that I'd never find the right girl with the right look.”
“Would you like me to show you anything else?” I asked.
“Sure, there is a pair of pants with a loose top. The pants are flared, and I'd like to see that on you.”
Twenty minutes later I had worn everything on the rail, and Natasha gushed incessantly about how wonderful I was. It was actually very nice, but I began to question her reasoning ability.
Finally, once I had my own clothes back on, Natasha busied herself supervising the clothes being placed into her special van, and Jemima took me into her office.
“Sandi, to business. We need to agree a contract, and as your agent, I can assure you that the work you will be offered will be the best, and you will be paid accordingly. I can also offer you guarantees in relation to the work and situations, so there will be no dodgy deals or dubious jobs. How will your current, ah, legal difficulties cope with a trip to Europe and the States?”
“I'm not a prisoner, if I choose to go, then I suppose on my own head be it. But I can’t stay in, eating pizzas with horny policemen for the rest of my life, can I?”
“Oh, I don’t know, it sounds rather cosy to me.” she said, and we both laughed.
8.
The stewardess woke me.
“Miss Lake, we are on approach for New York, could you return your seat to upright and fasten your seat belt, please?”
I shook my head, and woke up fully. I was more tired than I had thought.
“Have I time to pop to the loo?” I asked.
“Of course.”
I took my bag and went to the small lavatory. Oh, I really don’t like aeroplane loos. They are really yucky places.
I was in there for the minimum time possible and returned to my seat. I spent the next few minutes making sure my make up was absolutely spot on. After the successes in London, Paris and Rome, I was very aware that I was now fair game for the press.
No wonder I was tired. The last couple of weeks had been an absolute whirlwind.
After I had signed up with Jemima, my feet hardly touched the ground. I was coached for a couple of days, with how to walk, stand, pose, smile and the agency photographer, Roddy Johns, took thousands of photographs of me, in a variety of poses and a multitude of outfits. Several of the ‘almost naked’ variety.
I now had a portfolio that Jemima kept at the agency, and was able to show prospective clients.
The private show of the Kysinski Collection was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel opposite Hyde Park in London, and was very well attended. I was rushed off my feet, and Hazel had an army of helpers doing hair and makeup. I had about two minutes to change outfits, and felt like a formula one car in the pits each time I went back to change.
Although a private show, there were press and photographers from the major fashion rags, and there was even a special day where I posed in some of the collection with Natasha in Trafalgar Square. I never realised how big the lions were.
I found myself splashed in all the papers and magazines. I was now called Sandi ‘Superbabe’ by the tabloids, obviously with reference to my youth. I started a scrapbook, and was really pleased with the way things were going. So much so, that I seriously considered leaving school to pursue my career. I missed my Dad at that moment, as I would have liked to talk to him about it.
But Natasha was apparently delighted, and confirmed with Jemima that I was able to fulfil all the shows she wanted me for. Jemima did tell me the fees, but the money didn’t really interest me that much.
I had a long chat with Scott Collins, who had to call in his boss. I was ‘strongly advised’ to reconsider my decision to undertake the modelling job, and told that the Metropolitan Police would not be able to effect any protection should I leave the country.
I was in a dilemma, as this was a chance for me to follow a dream, and on the other hand, if I was bumped off, there was little point in even starting.
In the end, I decided that I was not going to let my father and his dealings interfere with my life any more, and I told Scott that I was going.
Apparently my case was discussed, and it was decided that there was not sufficient funds available to extend protection to me abroad. Fine for the Royals, but for Sandi Lake, sorry.