Read Online The Full Legacy by Jane Retzig - Free Book Online Page A

said to myself. ‘You’re not bad.’
    Spontaneously, I blew a kiss at my reflection in the mirror and bounced off down the road towards the studio.
     
    There must have been something about me that day. Even Justin, the chief stylist, risked his ‘too cool for school’ reputation with a wolf whistle as I ran the gauntlet of Michelle’s assistants.
    The boss followed me through the louvres into my lair.
    ‘Well,’ she said. ‘You’re still looking pale, but it’s really starting to suit you. I reckon you must be growing into your looks. At this rate, you’re going to be stunning by the time you’re fifty.’
    I grinned. ‘Well thank you ma’am for that back handed compliment.’
    I knew why everybody thought I looked great. It was because I still couldn’t stop smiling and they just weren’t used to it. Maybe Turner was going to be good for me after all.
     
    My good humour was great for business too. Even the dog turned positively Crufts-like under my direction. The owner left glittering with good will. ‘I’ll tell all my friends,’ I heard her say at the door. Of course, she hadn’t seen the proofs yet. Even so, Michelle was proud of me.
    ‘You were brilliant! ’ she said. ‘Look Gill, you’re not on anything, are you?’
    ‘Michelle, how long have you known me?’ (Presumably the mushrooms must have worked their way out of my system by now).
    ‘Well,’ she said. ‘I’m just not used to seeing you so...’
    ‘Happy?’
    ‘Well.... yes, now you come to mention it.’
     
    The truth was that I couldn’t wait to see Turner. By 3pm my heart was banging like a piston. I could hardly breathe when I heard Michelle greet her at the front of the shop.
    ‘Ah, Mrs Shaw. Do come in!’
    The wonderful sound of high heels on lino...
    My smile radiated from my whole hyper-charged body as Michelle led her through the louvres. I stood to greet her, trying hard to stay composed... And then...  it wasn’t her!
    I could barely rein in the shock as my brain registered the twenty-something, slightly chubby housewife in front of me. I struggled to hold my smile against its threatened collapse and found, to my horror, that I was fighting back tears. I’d never wished more fulsomely that I’d inherited my mother’s acting abilities. I was just rubbish at it though... always had been. I went through all the motions, and fooled no-one.
     
    ‘You do think you’ll be able to work with me, don’t you?’ she asked when we’d discussed the details. Her voice was very small and frightened. ‘My husband did so much want me to do this. I told him it was silly.’
    I was furious with myself. I’d managed to commit the worst crime in my profession. I’d made her feel ugly.
    ‘You’ll be great,’ I said. ‘Michelle will see to your hair and make-up. I’ve just got a phone call to make, and then I’ll be setting up the studio.’
    Michelle stared at me as if I’d gone bonkers. She took Mrs Shaw gently by the arm. ‘Nerves!’ she whispered, deliberately loud enough for me to hear. ‘She’s like this before every session. You mustn’t take it personally. Brilliant photographer but totally gaga, I’m afraid... It’s the artistic temperament you know.’
    I knew she was irritated with me and I didn’t blame her. I was furious with myself. Shaking, I rifled through my Filofax until I came to Suzanne’s work number. Thankfully she didn’t answer.
    ‘Hello,’ my voice was shaking so much I could barely form words. ‘Could I speak to Turner Shaw please?’
    ‘I’m sorry, Mrs Shaw is about to go into a meeting.’
    ‘Well, if you could catch her before she goes in.’
    ‘Is it urgent?’
    ‘Yes.’ What was I thinking? If she came to the phone now she’d think I’d totally lost the plot.
    ‘I’ll try. Please hold.’
    A long pause. Then Turner’s voice, velvet and low.
    ‘Hello?’
    ‘Hello. It’s Gill.’
    ‘Gill?’
    ‘From the party. Last Saturday.’
    ‘Oh yes, of course. Gill – look