“Well done, everyone. That was truly excellent. I was very impressed, and I know the judges were surprised at the very high standard. They will announce the winner of each category, and then the best garment in the show. There will also be an award for the most striking model.”
My swimsuit came second, and my miniskirt came third. I was thrilled when Rachel and I shared the long evening dress category, and I won with my little back slinky number.
It was that one which won me the best in the show, and then we waited with baited breath for the best model. Mrs Hibbert dangled us like fish on hooks.
“I think you will all agree that this show has been of a very high quality, and that each of the contestants have really worked very hard to produce and show their work to the best of their ability.
“The judges are unanimous that the winner of the best model is a girl whose grace and charm was evident from the first moment she appeared. Her superb designs were of a high quality, yet it was her mere presence that has captivated many people’s hearts and mind tonight.
“It gives me great pleasure to announce: the most striking model of the show is:
“SANDI LAKE.”
I was almost thrown through the curtains by the other girls, and the judges had moved up onto the catwalk. I shook all their hands, and was given a small crystal bowl and an envelope. I posed for the cameras, whist shaking one of the judges’ hands.
She was a middle-aged lady who was very elegantly dressed, and awfully well spoken.
She came up to me after the awards were over.
“You did very well, my dear. Have you aspirations to become a model?” she asked.
“I’d love to, but I need to finish my A levels first.”
She passed me a card.
“I run an agency in London and New York. Give me a call when term finishes. I am sure I can help you.”
I glanced at the card.
JEMIMA OVERSON
It was for one of the most famous agencies in the business.
“Me?” I asked.
Jemima smiled.
“You have everything we look for. A gorgeous boyish figure, charm, a twinkle and a lovely smile. Apart from that you are blessed with stunning beauty.”
I was struck dumb. I almost got the giggles, if only she knew how ‘boyish’ I really was.
“I’d love to, but would I be good enough?”
“If today is anything to go by, you will be very much in demand.”
“Oh.”
She smiled again.
“But, modelling is not as glamorous as it appears. It’s bloody hard work and, believe me, it’s completely exhausting at times. I was a model in the seventies, so had to exist on Rye-vita and lettuce for ages. At least the fuller figure is more acceptable these days.”
I smiled.
“So, do I call, or what?” I asked.
“Just call me. That’s my direct line. Let me assure you, Sandi, I could get you work tomorrow after what I have just seen. You’re a very gifted designer too, so there may be openings in that field if you want.”
“I have a lot happening at the end of term, is it okay if I wait for a few weeks?”
“Whenever you’re ready. You are over seventeen aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Then if you want, I could put you on the books, and give you a little casual work, just to see how you get on.”
“I’d like that. What with school and working in the hotel.”
“You work in a hotel as well?”
“I live with my friend in her dad’s place. I help out.”
“Please call me, my dear, as you’re just what I’m after.”
“I will,” I said, and meant it.
She moved off and spoke to the other girls. I went looking for my father, but I had almost forgotten I was in my slinky black dress.
I checked the car park, but the Jaguar was nowhere in sight.
A pair of arms encircled me from behind, but I knew I was in no danger.
“Hi Dave.”
“You were fucking gorgeous,” he said.
I turned round, and he looked me up and down.
“No, you are fucking gorgeous. I was so proud of you,” he said.
“Thanks. I was so pleased you came.”
He looked at me.
“I haven’t. Yet,” he said, and I hit him.
“Don’t be smutty,” I said, but pleased.
“Who are you looking for?”
“My Dad, he popped in, and then left before the end.”
“Oh. Is he still in the shit?”
“Probably, oh hell, Dave, I don’t bloody know. Why couldn’t he be an accountant, or something boring and safe like that?”
He was still holding me, and I liked being in his arms.
“I’d better change for this evening,” I said.
“Stay as you are, that dress sends me wild.”
I smiled. “Oh, and how the hell do I cope with a wild man?”
“Gently,” he said, kissing my fingers.
I felt that deep ache again.
“Don’t do this to me, Dave,” I said.
“Hark at you. What do you think you do to me, just by looking like you do?”
“I can’t help how I look.”
He smiled. “You know that you can help it.”
“You said you fell for me when I tried to hide.”
“I lied.”
“Sod.”
“Seriously, I love the way you look, and what you do to me. I feel as frustrated about things as you.”
“You don’t have to wait,” I said.
“Yes I do.”
“There are plenty of…”
He kissed me to shut me up.
The kiss went on and on. I melted into his arms, and felt his hand slip round to my bum and he pulled me towards him. We were pressed tightly together, and I felt him through my very thin dress, he was aroused, again.
But then, so was I.
One of his hands was gently caressing my breast, and when his fingers started stroking my nipple, I thought I was going to faint.
I broke away.
“Dave. Don’t,” I said, very half heartedly.
He smiled, and pulled me close again.
“Why not, you like it?”
“I know, but we can’t do anything about it.”
He smiled. “At least I know that I can’t get my girlfriend pregnant.”
I frowned and he sensed that he had said the wrong thing. Which was just as well, as I was almost too far gone to care. And I might have done something that I would regret.
“Hey, Sandi, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything.”
I sighed. “I know, babe, but we’ll never escape what I am, will we?”
The moment was past, and I turned and walked back to the theatre. He ran after me, grabbing my hand.
“I’m really sorry Sandi, I didn’t think.”
“Yes, you did, that’s the trouble. Thinking gets us into places we should never go.”
He walked with me for a while, holding my hand. I stopped and turned to him.
“Look, it’s no good never talking about it. I need to talk about it with someone, and you are the only person who knows, apart from Jenny. But, I need to know, where the hell are we going with this?”
He looked at me.
“I dunno. Where do you want it to go?”
“Shit, Dave, how the hell do I know? A few months ago, I was someone else, now I’m two people, and neither of them is really me. How the hell should I know anything?”
He started to laugh.
“What’s so bloody funny?” I asked, getting angry, as I pulled my hand out of his grip.
“You’re so beautiful when you’re angry,” he said.
I stared at him.
“Dave, stop being so fucking nice to me. Tell me the sodding truth, please.”
He looked at me, taking my hand again.
“The truth? Okay, here’s the truth. I meet a girl who makes me go all fucking soft and stupid inside. She is pretty and funny and fun to be with, and I fall in sodding love with the silly cow. Then she tells me she is really a bloke, but hopes to be a girl soon. If that is not enough, she tells me her father is a gangster and she is in constant danger from another gangster and his men. Then, she turns into a bloody super model, with legs and looks to die for, and everyone thinks I’m fucking her rotten. I fucking wish.