But she adored our home, and could not believe the change in her son. Simon would go off to work each morning, and came home shattered to a meal I had prepared. It was very domesticated. After a couple of days, Natasha shed the expensive clothes, and all the jewellery, and wore jeans as I did, and helped me redecorate my old room. In doing so she shed some of her brash and abrasive nature, and I got to know the sensitive and rather bruised individual that she was under the façade.
“This is going to be the nursery,” I explained, so she immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion.
I had to assure her that I wasn’t expecting, but we were definitely going to have children eventually. It was nice to see my room disappear, as my old personality and memories faded as we went. Alex was dead, long live Sandi.
I had to attend the school prize day, and came away with a few prizes. As head girl I had to make a speech, which I did, and everyone was polite enough to clap. But I had already moved on, and I could see that Mr Goodson knew it.
Leaving school was an anticlimax. I entered three garments into the fashion show, and won two categories with two and a second with one. I had someone else model them, as I thought that I had an unfair advantage. Jemima judged the show, and told me that I had done the right thing. I attended the leavers’ ball with Simon. I thought back one year, and only then did I appreciate how far I had come in that year.
Simon then dropped his bombshell.
“They have asked me to stay on full time,” he told us.
Mrs Simmonds had had a hard time having her baby, and didn’t feel up to coming back just yet. Her husband had a promotion, and she didn’t need to return to work. So she resigned, leaving a full-time vacancy. Simon had been so popular and successful, that there was no hesitation on behalf of the board of governors to offer him the full-time post.
Natasha was thrilled, but I had mixed feelings. We had made no plans, but I had agreed to model Natasha’s Fall range again, and would be doing the same tour as last year.
“Look, I’ll come with you, it will be our summer vacation, and then we can get back into me teaching, and you modelling.” he said.
“But I want to try designing, and I may get work in the States.” I said.
“Then I will quit, and come with you. But at least lets try.”
I had agreed, and I simply rethought our future.
The Kysinski range was even better than the previous year, and I was a lot more professional. My face was known, so the impact was just as good, if not better than before. The London event set the tone for the rest of the tour, and we took the opportunity to announce our engagement at the first press conference.
This time, there were no police, no FBI agents, no gangsters lurking in pool, and we were able to appreciate the whole affair. I was so much more relaxed, that it was very apparent, and the show was much more effective. We managed to take time out in each city, and saw some sights, particularly looking at the art side of life, with a view to seeing what Simon could take back for his art lessons.
He was inspired by several different artists and styles, and was quite excited about it all. I was as excited for him, as I knew how serious he took his work.
It was in L.A. that things happened to change our comfortable little life.
I had just completed the first day’s show, and had just changed and was looking forward to an evening on the town. Simon had met up with some old University friends, and we were all going to try out a seafood restaurant that had been recommended.
I was walking down to meet Simon in the lobby, when I was approached by a well-dressed woman, who obviously knew who I was.
“Miss Lake, have you got a few moments?”
I looked at her. She was dressed in a smart suit, a skirt and jacket, and looked to be about thirty or so. She was quite attractive, and in the land of the beautiful, I gauged that she had more brains than average. She had the appearance of a PA or lawyer, but there was something else.
“You aren’t the press, are you?” I asked, cautiously.
She smiled and shook her head.
“No, I work for a studio casting company.”
“Oh yes, don’t tell me you want to offer me a part in a movie?” I said, sarcastically.
“Well, actually, that is what I was hoping to talk to you about.”
I looked at my watch, as I was late already.
“Look, I’m meeting my fiancé and some friends to go out for an evening. Can we do this tomorrow?”
“Sure, what time?”
“Mornings are best, I finish my work-out by nine, so ten would be good.”
“Okay, here’s my card, my name is Marianne Hooper. I’ll see you at ten tomorrow morning,” she said, turning to go.
“One thing,” I asked.
“Yes?” she said, turning back.
“Is this for real, or a wind up?”
She smiled. “Oh, it’s for real.”
I smiled and walked off.
As it happened the meal was brilliant, and Simon’s friends were very nice and made me feel welcome. There were three guys and two girls, all five had been at the same college, and both girls were going out with two of the guys. The odd man was called Kyle, and he was gay. His degree had been in Film studies, and he was now a hairdresser for one of the movie studios.
He was very precious and his current boyfriend was off on location somewhere in the Arizona desert.
When I asked him about Marianne Hooper he was quite impressed.
“All the major producers and directors use her to select particular actors, for specific parts. If you get a call from her, then someone important wants you. So where did you see her name?”
“I didn’t. She came to see me today about a part in a movie, but I was coming out with you guys, so I told her to fuck off,” I said casually, as I helped myself to another prawn.
Their expressions were a joy to behold, all except Simon’s that is, as he knew me only too well.
“Oh my God. Please tell me you didn’t really tell Marianne Hooper to fuck off?” said Kyle, looking aghast at me.
“Why, is she important?” I asked, all innocently.
“Important? She is almost capable of walking on water as far as actors in this town are concerned.”
“Just as well I made an appointment for her to see me at ten tomorrow morning, then,” I said, and Simon laughed at me.
“You are so cruel sometimes, honey.”
“I know, but it is such fun.”
There followed a period of speculation about what part they could possibly want to cast me in. I sort of remained detached but saw Simon frowning.
I leaned across and said.
“Penny for them?”
“I don’t know if I want you dragged into Hollywood.”
“Neither do I, so let’s wait and see what the woman wants.”
“Okay, it can’t hurt.”
“Listen, you know I’m not interested in the money, so I’m not about to sell my soul.”
“I know, but I know you can never resist a challenge.”
I kissed him, and he looked a little happier.
15.
We met Marianne in our room. Simon stayed with me, which made me feel a little happier.
“Thanks for seeing me, I am aware that you have quite a punishing schedule,” she said, as we shook hands.
We sat in the comfortable chairs.
“Okay, I’ll get straight to the point. A certain movie producer is very interested to offer you a screen test for a part in a forthcoming major production.”
“What kind of part?”
“Female lead.”
“What kind of movie?”
“A romantic thriller.”
“I’m not an actress. I’m a model. I can look pretty for the camera, and advertise clothes and other products. I have no training, and no experience. Why me?”
She smiled.
“You got me. I have never come across someone who doesn’t want to sell themselves, and asks these sorts of questions.”