“Really?” I say in surprise. Then I realize how that sounded. “I mean…er…great!”
“He’s the reason I came to London.” Her eyes are still fixed on the picture. “I met him at a party in L.A. and just fell hook, line, and sinker.”
“You moved all this way?” I say, incredulous. “Just for him?”
“That’s what love’s about, surely? You do crazy things for no rhyme or reason.” Venetia looks up, her green eyes shining. “If my job has taught me one thing, Becky, it’s that love is the only thing. Human love. I see it every time I deliver a baby right into its mother’s arms…every time I see a fresh, eight-week-old heart beating on the screen and watch the faces of its parents…every time my patients come back, second or third time around. It’s love that makes the babies. And you know what? Nothing else matters.”
Wow. I am totally blown away.
She’s not after Luke, after all. She’s in love with the boring guy! And to be honest, that little speech has practically got me in tears.
“You’re so right,” I say huskily, clutching Luke’s arm. “Love is all that counts in this crazy, mixed-up world we call…the world.”
I’m not sure that came out right, but who cares? I have completely misjudged Venetia. She’s not a man-eater; she’s a warm, beautiful, loving human being.
“I really hope Justin will be able to make the twenty-sixth.” She finally puts the picture back in its place with a fond pat. “I’d love for you to meet him.”
“Me too!” I say with genuine enthusiasm. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“See you soon, Ven.” Luke kisses Venetia. “Thanks very much.”
“Bye, Becky.” Venetia gives me a warm, friendly smile. “Oh, and I nearly forgot. I don’t know if you’d be at all interested, but a journalist from Vogue called me up yesterday. They’re doing a big feature on London’s yummiest mummies-to-be and wanted me to put forward some names. I thought of you.”
“Vogue?” I stare at her, frozen.
“You may not be interested, of course. It would involve a photo shoot of you in the baby’s nursery, an interview, hair and makeup…. They’ll provide designer maternity clothes….” She gives a vague shrug. “I don’t know — is that your kind of thing?”
I’m practically hyperventilating. Is it my kind of thing? Is having my makeup done and wearing designer clothes and being in Vogue…my kind of thing?
“I think that’s a yes,” says Luke, looking at me in amusement.
“Great!” Venetia touches him on the hand. “Leave it to me. I’ll fix it up.”
Rebecca Brandon 37 Maida Vale Mansions
Maida Vale
London NW6 0YF
18 August 2003
Dear Fabia,
I just wanted to say how much we love your gorgeous, beautiful house. It’s the Kate Moss of houses!!In fact, it’s so stunning, I think it deserves to appear in Vogue, don’t you?
That reminds me of a teeny favor I wanted to ask. Coincidentally, I am being interviewed by Vogue — and I wondered if I could use the house for the photo shoot?
I also wondered if I could put up some personal props and say that Luke and I live there already? After all, we will by the time the magazine comes out…so it makes sense, really!
In return, if there is anything I can do for you or any fashion item you would like me to track down, I will be only too glad!
With very best wishes,
Becky Brandon
Not in size, obviously.
FABIA PASCHALI
DATE: 19/8/03
TO: Rebecca Brandon
Becky,
1. Chloe Silverado bag, tan
2. Matthew Williamson purple beaded kaftan top, size 6
3. Olly Bricknell Princess shoes, green, size 39.
Fabia
33 Delamain Road, Maida Vale, London NW6 1TY
Oxshott School for Girls
Marlin Road
Oxshott
Surrey
KT22 0JG
From the School Librarian
Mrs L Hargreaves
23 August 2003
Dear Becky,
How nice to hear from you after all these years, and I do indeed remember you as a pupil here. Who could forget the girl who started the “friendship handbags” craze of 1989?
I am delighted you are to appear in Vogue — and it is, as you say, a surprise. Though I must assure you, the teachers did not sit in the staff room, saying “I bet Becky Bloomwood never makes it into Vogue.”
I will be sure to buy an issue, although I think it unlikely the headmistress will sanction buying an official commemorative copy for each pupil, as you suggest.
With very best wishes,
Lorna Hargreaves
Librarian
P.S. Do you still have a copy of In the Fifth at Malory Towers? There is a rather large fine on it.
NINE
I’M GOING to be in Vogue! Last week Martha, who is the girl writing the Yummiest Mummies-to-Be feature, rang up and we had the most brilliant long chat.
Maybe I did make up a few teeny things. Like my daily exercise regime. And having freshly crushed raspberries for breakfast every morning, and how I write poetry to my unborn child. (I can always get some out of a book.) Plus I’ve said we already live in the house on Delamain Road, because it sounds better than living in a flat.
But the point is, we will be living in it very soon. It’s practically ours already. And the girl was really interested to hear about the his and hers nurseries. She said she thought they’d be a highlight of the shoot. A highlight!
“Becky?”
A voice cuts into my thoughts and I look up to see Eric heading across the floor toward me. Quickly I hide my lists under a MaxMara catalog and scan the shop floor to make sure there isn’t some lurking customer I’ve missed. But there’s no one. Trade hasn’t exactly picked up in the last few days.