“Sasha, can you look after Em for me tonight, please,” Alastar asks.
The young girl smiles warmly. “Of course, I have ordered dinner and we have seats over here for you,” she replies kindly as she takes my hand and leads me over to the wall.
I fall into the seat and she passes me a large woolen blanket. “Would you like a tea or coffee?” she asks.
“Tea, please. White and one sugar.” I smile gratefully as she disappears.
Alastar is soon deep in discussion as he walks around the large barn with Trudy.
The barn has stone walls and high timber beams with straw strewn all over the floor, although I think that it is definitely a prop. There is no way this barn is used for animals. It’s too beautiful. Alastar is holding his arms up and showing them something in the roofing, directing things at the two men before they disappear out of the front door.
The two lighting girls start up all of their spotlights and someone else starts taking photos. They all look at the screen and then adjust the lighting to correct it. Another girl starts to wave around a big screen thing that look like a large tambourine. What in the hell does that do?
Sasha returns with two cups of tea and sits down next to me on our fold-up directors’ chairs.
“Thank you.” I smile as I take mine from her.
I sip my tea. “So, who is he photographing?” I ask in a whisper.
“This is an annual celebration cover for Harper’s Bazaar.”
“Oh,” I whisper.
“Big deal,” she whispers back. “Ten of the highest paid models in the world have flown in from all over.”
My eyes widen. “They are all in it?” I ask.
“Yes, like a group shot thing.”
“Where are they?” I whisper. “I know I sound dumb but I don’t see anyone here.”
“When they get here, you will hear them.” She rolls her eyes. “Pains in the bloody neck, to be honest.”
“Oh.” I sip my tea. I really like this Sasha girl, already.
“They will be arriving shortly with their personal assistants and the magazine staff.”
My eyes fall to Alastar as he stares into the screen of his fancy camera, directing the others to adjust lighting and things. I smile, seeing how much he loves this job and how he is well respected.
A truck pulls up outside and Sasha stands. “Wardrobe is here. Be back in a minute.”
My eyes follow her as she disappears out the door. I sit still again as I watch my man in his element. This is so fun, and my, what a different world he lives in. The only excitement for me at work is fighting with wonder bitch from reception.
Sasha comes back through the door with three men pushing big racks of super expensive clothing. There are hundreds of designer gowns with sequins and feathers, and another man carrying big boxes filled with designer shoes.
Holy crap, it’s like sex in the city on crack. Carrie Bradshaw would be loving this shit.
She directs them to wheel it over to the back corner, close to where I am sitting, and they start to set the area up.
Another two girls come in with big suitcases and Sasha jumps up again. She looks around as if wondering where to set them up.
“Star?” she calls.
He looks up from what he’s doing.
“Where do you want makeup?” she asks.
His eyes scan the perimeter of the building and he looks for an area where he won’t be shooting in.
“Over near the door,” he calls and then goes back to his discussions with Trudy.
The flashes of light start to flicker behind my eyes again, and I drop my head. It’s as if I am in a disco and the strobe lights are flashing black and white.
What?
Not now.
I close my eyes to try and block it out.
What is this? After about forty seconds, it stops suddenly. I really need to get to an Optometrist or doctor. I wrap my cardigan around me for protection and I glance up at the people around me… Did anyone notice me? My heart rate is hammering. I hate this. It scares me. That’s about the tenth time it has happened in the last week.
The makeup girls set up and then two more super trendy girls with crazy hair arrive with big toolbox looking things. One has a hot pink crew-cut and the other has black hair with purple foils and big exotic looking curls. The hairdressers are here.
Sasha laughs when she sees them, obviously knowing them well. “Where have you two been? You’re late.” She smiles.
“Fucking hell, we got so fucking lost. This is the end of the earth out here.” The girl with the black hair smiles as she plonks her toolbox at my feet. Her eyes come to me. “Who is this then?” She smiles as she puts her hand on her hips, her eyes resting on me.
“This is Star’s girlfriend, Emmaline.”
I swear, her mouth nearly drops to the floor.
“No.” She smiles as she takes my hand and shakes it. “Well, fucking how do you do?”
Sasha and the other pink haired girl laugh.
“My name is Mel, she looks around. “They are not here yet then?” she asks.
Sasha shakes her head.
“Stay with us, Emmaline. Your life could be in danger here, woman.” She smirks.