Authors: Mandy Baggot
‘
Oh it’s the sunset. She’ll be out there until it goes down now, twenty minutes or so, taking photos. That’s what she does, she’s a photographer,’ Emma informed the group.
‘
And here was me thinking she just had to be a professional food taster or something,’ Gene remarked with a laugh.
Hilary giggled at the comment, Martha covered a smirk with her serviette and Emma hid her face in her glass not knowing what to say.
‘
Well you’ve left no one in any doubt that your profession isn’t comedy Gene. I would suggest you inform your agent, avoid any inappropriate castings,’ Nicholas retorted and he turned his attention away from the table.
He looked outside to where Freya was crouched down on the floor, pointing her camera at the horizon.
By the time she’d returned to the table her ice cream had melted. She felt little disappointment though as she’d eaten most of it anyway and the sunset had been fantastic. There had been few clouds in the sky and she’d had a prime position.
‘
Did you get some good photos?’ Emma asked when her friend sat back down.
‘
Not bad. I just wish I had my other cameras with me,’ Freya admitted.
‘
Emma tells us you’re a photographer,’ Martha said as she took a sip from her wine glass.
‘
That’s right,’ Freya responded.
‘
Do you have your own studio?’ she continued.
‘
Yes I do,’ Freya answered.
‘
And yet you come away on holiday with nothing but a digital the size of a credit card - amazing,’ Martha spoke.
‘
I left in a bit of a hurry. Anyway, sometimes it’s good to use something inappropriate. It makes you appreciate quality all the more,’ Freya responded. She narrowed her eyes and looked over her glasses at the woman.
‘
I’ll drink to that,’ Gene said raising his glass into the middle of the table ‘to all things inappropriate.’
Nine
The meal hadn’t been as disastrous as it could have been. The food had been really good, the champagne had made Freya slightly light-headed and she hated to admit it but Nicholas had been reasonable company.
‘
Isn’t he gorgeous?’ Emma stated excitedly when she and Freya went to the ladies toilets to freshen up.
‘
Who?’ Freya enquired.
‘
Nick of course and so nice. You were wrong about him you have to admit it,’ Emma said as she touched up her lipstick.
‘
I’m not admitting anything. Anyway I’m surprised you could get a clear view of him with Bob Crosby virtually sat on your lap. I hope you told him he’s nearly old enough to be your father,’ Freya spoke.
‘
Hardly! He’s forty six. Anyway, I told him I was practically married,’ Emma said as she washed her hands.
‘
That wouldn’t deter him,’ Freya remarked.
‘
It’s been OK though hasn’t it? The meal I mean, in the circumstances of having to share a table with all these famous people.’
‘
It’s been OK. In fact I’d go as far as to say it’s been quite interesting. Martha made it completely plain that we weren’t welcome and she spent the whole night looking down at me. Hilary Polar’s as thick as you would expect a blonde haired anorexic actress to be and that was comforting to establish. As for Bob and Gene, they seemed to behave like hormonal teenagers for most of the meal - definitely midlife crisis material,’ Freya spoke.
‘
I didn’t understand their fascination with the olive stones,’ Emma admitted.
‘
Gene was trying to throw them down your top,’ Freya told her.
‘
No!’ Emma exclaimed and looked down into her décolletage.
‘
I don’t think his aim was very good. Right, shall we go to Yasmine’s for a bit of karaoke?’ Freya suggested.
‘
Yes, it sounds like fun. I wonder what the film lot are up to,’ Emma said as they left the toilets.
‘
Something that doesn’t involve us. They’ve done their duty and restored their popularity,’ Freya told her.
‘
Oh I know, I was just wondering. At least I can now say I’ve had dinner with a Hollywood actor. My mum is not going to believe it,’ she said, still in awe of the scenario.
‘
Something to tell the grandchildren,’ Freya commented.
‘
Something like that,’ Emma replied.
‘
Come on then, Yasmine's it is,’ Freya said turning towards the exit.
‘
Hang on; I’ve left my jacket at the table. I won’t be a second, wait there for me,’ Emma spoke and she dashed off towards the table.
Freya waited by the bar area and caught sight of herself in the mirrored back plate. Her hair actually looked quite good now. It was still strange to see a blonde staring back but it was definitely better than the red.
Just as she was looking at herself and adjusting the halter neck of her top she heard voices. Gene and Bob’s American tones were instantly recognisable.
‘
Nick’s always up for a challenge. Remember the last time, on location in Morocco? Wouldn’t fancy it myself - she’d probably crush me,’ Freya heard Gene speak.
‘
Or eat you!’ Bob answered with a laugh.
‘
So what shall we say? We foot the bill for a weekend at that boys only club in Miami if he actually survives a date with her. Your villa in the Caymans for a week including the masseuse if they make out - urgh God, are you picturing this? And if he beds her I think we should make it two weeks skiing in Aspen with all food and drink and a sleigh ride or two with some local beauties to get over the pain,’ Gene spoke.
‘
But we would need photographic evidence,’ Bob replied.
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God, I’m not sure that’s something I would want to see!’ Gene responded.
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And if he doesn’t manage any of it?’ Bob enquired.
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Come on, this is Nick we’re talking about, charm personified. And a prize pig who would probably be grateful to lay anything, let alone an acting icon,’ Gene spoke.
‘
I think I want his Ferrari, for a month,’ Bob answered.
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Fine, you have the Ferrari and I’ll settle for use of his membership to the golf club - in Hawaii,’ Gene said.
‘
Nice,’ Bob responded.
‘
So do you think you have a chance with Emma? Those two are a class apart aren’t they? Little and extra large,’ Gene spoke.
‘
Pretty and pretty ugly,’ Bob replied as they appeared in the main room.
Freya hurriedly stepped behind the large plant by the bar, her eyes stinging with tears. Twenty four hours, new hair, nails and clothes hadn’t changed the way that people saw her. They had bet Nicholas to go out with her. She had only felt this humiliated twice in her life before and once was yesterday having overheard another conversation.
‘
Hello Fatty! Didn’t think you’d see me again did you? Dyed your hair again? It still looks silly,’ a voice spoke.
Freya looked down to see the Devil child from the plane skipping about in front of her. This had to be an illusion. She had upset herself into hallucinating.
‘
Have you always been fat?’ the girl asked, spinning round and round in circles.
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Have you always been rude?’ Freya snapped back at her.
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My mum says I came out with attitude,’ the girl responded proudly.
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And I bet there isn’t a day goes by when she doesn’t wish she had said “no not tonight dear I have a headache”,’ Freya bit back.
‘
You go red when you shout. Red face, stupid hair, red face, stupid hair,’ the girl chorused as she danced around.
Emma arrived back with her jacket.
‘
Who’s that little girl?’ she questioned.
‘
A pain in the arse. Can we go? I need a drink,’ Freya spoke with a sniff.
‘
Are you OK? Have you been crying?’ Emma queried, trying to look into her friend’s eyes.
‘
Yes, crying because I need more alcohol. Come on, let’s go before Devil child gets her mother on to me,’ Freya begged.
The two women headed for the door of the restaurant, but just as they were about to depart Nicholas appeared and called out to them.
‘
You going already?’ he questioned.
‘
Yes, we don’t want to outstay our welcome. You probably have lots to discuss about the film and stuff,’ Emma spoke.
‘
But more important than that we don’t want to miss karaoke,’ Freya replied.
‘
I can understand that. Emma, would you mind if I just had a quick word with Freya?’ Nicholas asked with a deep breath.
‘
Oh, OK. I’ll just head off to Yasmine’s and I’ll meet you there. It was nice to meet you Nick,’ Emma told him sincerely.
‘
You too,’ he agreed and he took hold of Emma’s hand, brought it to his lips, and gave it the faintest of touches.
‘
Right, well, I’ll see you in a minute,’ Emma said, blushing as she turned to walk down the road towards the bar.
Freya braced herself for what she knew was coming next.
‘
I was just wondering, if you would come out with me, maybe tomorrow night?’ Nicholas asked.
‘
Like on a date?’ Freya enquired, pretending not to know what he was talking about.
‘
Yes! Exactly like a date. We could have a few drinks, something to eat, anything you want to do,’ he spoke, relieved she had guessed his intention.
Freya could feel the fury rising in her as she looked at him. His dark hair, his perfect smile, acting like his life depended on it for the sake of a paid holiday and a few perks he could buy himself anyway.
‘
Why would you want to date me? Particularly when you’ve so obviously been sleeping with Hilary Polar,’ Freya stated, giving him a stern look.
Nicholas laughed out loud and it took Freya by surprise.
‘
She’d like to, I think. But she’s not for me. I want to date you because I thought it might be fun,’ he responded.
‘
Yes us big girls are fun aren’t we? A whole big bundle of fun,’ Freya commented, finding it hard not to show her anger.
‘
So what do you say? Do you want to come out with me? I have to tell you, as fun as it is sparring with you, I don’t usually have to work this hard to make a girl say yes,’ Nicholas told her.
‘
No I’m sure you don’t, but then I’m not your usual kind of date am I?’ Freya replied.
‘
I realised that when I nearly got the bread rolls in my meal. Fine, come out with me, don’t come out with me. It’s your decision. Contrary to popular opinion, not everyone has to do what I say,’ Nicholas stated.
Freya didn’t respond. He was sticking up for himself. Not many people were brave enough to fight their corner when she was on the attack.
‘
But it would be nice if you could give me a chance to prove I’m not the total jackass you think I am. I do hate bad press,’ Nicholas informed and he flashed a Hollywood smile.
God he was good! This performance alone was worthy of Oscar number three.
‘
OK then, yes,’ Freya found herself saying.
‘
Sorry? Was that a yes?’ he asked her.
She had uttered the words so quietly anyone could have missed them.
‘
Yes it was a yes. Meet me at eight tomorrow night at the Calypso Apartments. And
I’m
choosing what we do and where we eat,’ Freya told him.
‘
Whatever you want. Well then, I’ll see you tomorrow night,’ Nicholas spoke.
He leant forward and kissed her cheek before she could back away.
‘
Yeah, tomorrow,’ Freya answered and she turned her back on him and hurried down the road towards Yasmine's hoping her sequinned shoes would stay attached to her feet.
If there was one thing she had learnt from their encounter it was that he was a fine actor. If she had been watching the scene on screen she would have believed he was genuine. The hurt was passing now; it was time to think about pay back. Russell had to be paid back properly yet, but in the meantime it would be fun paying back Nicholas ‘Mr Hollywood’ Kaden for daring to make her a subject of a bet.
Yasmine's was packed with people when Freya arrived and she very nearly didn’t see Emma who was sat in the conservatory area next to a large Trifidesque plant; almost identical to the one Freya had hidden behind in the restaurant. Large plants had a lot to answer for. Emma waved and indicated that she had bought her a drink.
Freya joined her, sat down and immediately took a big swig out of the glass.
‘
Well come on, don’t keep me in suspense. What did he say to you that I wasn’t allowed to hear?’ Emma questioned.
‘
I don’t know what the secrecy was all about. He asked me out,’ Freya said simply.
Emma coughed and spat out her mouthful of drink onto the table.
‘
Urgh, that’s gross! Here, have a napkin,’ Freya said, passing one to her friend from the holder on the table.
‘
Are you being serious? Nicholas Kaden asked you out on a date?’ Emma repeated.
‘
Yes. Just saying it sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? Look how surprised you are.’