A Face To Die For (24 page)

I nodded. 'Fine. The shows sound a wonderful idea too.'

He fingered his red beard. 'Aye, I'll get Allison to arrange some shoot locations for me ahead of time; we'll need special permits and so on, you see. They're rather particular over there about that sort of thing.'

'It sounds marvellous, Jake. Honestly, I wouldn't have the first clue how to go about organising any of it myself. Sure you don't mind doing all this for me?'

'Och, no problem. I'll be delighted. And I promise to keep the expense down to the minimum.' He noted a few things in his diary. 'To save on cost, I'll only take three girls for the photo shoots. We can hire extra models over there locally for the shows. Does that sound OK?'

I nodded. 'Yes. Fine, whatever you think is best, Jake.'

'Good. So I'll contact Allison first, to see what she can fix up for me. Then I'll get back to you as soon as I know.'

I nodded again in agreement. I was more than happy to let him take over the arrangements. But we agreed that I should choose the model girls here myself. Kate was my immediate first choice. I would therefore need to contact her agency soon to find out if she was available. There were another two girls I favoured as well, if I could get them.

Flights, accommodation and insurance had to be arranged too. I could only afford to be away two or three days myself for the shows, although Jake and the models would need longer.

'Probably about a week to ten days,' he'd said, when I'd asked. It was too crucial a time for me. I couldn't risk being away from the business that long and so I decided to take Lynda with me and she could stay on a bit to handle things on my behalf.

My financial affairs were nowadays in the capable hands of Lawrence Scott, an accountant who Norman had once recommended to me. On querying how viable such a costly venture would be, Lawrence assured me that my budget could easily allow for the occasional promotional splurge. He explained that now I was so successful and the business was making such a profit, it was sensible and forward thinking to plough some of it back in such a way.

'It's practical to do this, Annabel. Think of it as an investment to keep your name to the fore. You are, after all, in such a competitive business.'

Caution, however, still made me frugal with my money; a characteristic that thankfully, I shared with Jake. I still felt concerned about the venture, despite his and Lawrence's assurances. It was all going to be such an expensive gamble and I desperately hoped it would pay off.

Two days later, Jake contacted me. There was a slight hitch. His friend in Singapore was having problems finding a suitable venue for the fashion shows. All the best hotels were booked up but she would keep trying.

'But I need dates, Jake, so I can book the models,' I said, urgently.

He understood, so we decided to still plan for the photo shoot to go ahead two weeks hence in any case, whether or not a place for the shows could be arranged.

'I'm sure Allison will finally come up with
somewhere
suitable. She's trying hard. Anyway, she says we might be able to use one of the country clubs if we're really stuck.'

I hastily contacted the model agency and, luckily, Kate had just returned from Paris and was free for a while. She phoned me to confirm it.

'I'd love to do it, Annabel. I might even extend the trip into a little Christmas holiday, if that’s okay with you? I'm due some time off.'

Of course I had no problem with that. The two other models I wanted were, fortunately, also available for the trip. Good. So that was sorted out. Flights were booked, hotel accommodation and insurances arranged and everything was set. I only had to book flights and hotel rooms for Lynda and me later, once I knew the exact show dates.

Several days before Jake and the models were due to fly out, Jake phoned me with the wonderful news that The Goodwood Hotel, which coincidentally was where everyone was staying anyway, could let us have their Arundel Room for two fashion shows on 17th December. Brilliant! This would allow Jake and the models a few days on location beforehand. It was all working out perfectly. I would stay for three days to be there for the shows and Lynda would stop on for an extra three.

The whole trip was now all well in hand and I couldn't thank Jake enough for his superb planning. The models were to take the few selected garments they would be modelling on location with them as part of their personal luggage and then Lynda and I would bring the rest of the collection with us later.

I was still apprehensive though, despite Jake's confidence. I anxiously asked him whether his friend Allison was organising everything properly for the shows.

Jake laughed at my nervousness. 'Don't worry, hen, she'll get it all perfectly arranged. She used to work here for Lucy Clayton and knows exactly what she's about. You just concern yourself with flying over there with the rest of the collection.’

While I tried hard to relax, he continued, ‘I'll check things out at The Goodwood as soon as I arrive. Incidentally, the shows are to be in aid of a couple of charities, OK? Only it's the usual thing they do over there apparently. Drums up more interest, plus it means we'll get plenty of helpers behind the scenes.'

It was fine by me. It was all such a complicated business. Please God, let it all be worthwhile.

Jake's phone call the day after they arrived in Singapore was full of encouragement. It seemed that his friend Allison had organised things brilliantly and he and his assistant had already been out on location shoots with the girls.

'Everything's all set for the shows, Annabel. A beautiful venue too, you'll be over the moon!'

Lynda and I carefully packed and boxed the garments with loads of tissue to travel with us next day. Fortunately silk has the advantage of being very lightweight and so I was hopeful that excess baggage charges would be minimal.

It was a luxury for Lynda to be returning so soon to Singapore and she was excited about the trip, whereas I was simply a nervous wreck, on tenterhooks and worrying like mad about every tiny thing that might possibly go wrong.

The evening before our departure I religiously checked my luggage labels and all the necessary documents for the umpteenth time. Of course it was all there, even so, I knew I wouldn't sleep much that night still worrying whether I'd forgotten anything?

Just before bed I was suddenly jolted out of my thoughts by the phone ringing.

'Hello Anna? It's Philip.'

Damn! I'd fully intended to ring them earlier, knowing I wouldn't have time in the morning. I felt awful that it had slipped my mind.

'Hello, I was just about to ring you.' I lied. 'How are things?'

There was a pragmatic pause.

'Well, I’m afraid I've some bad news.'

My heart plummeted. Dear God ... what now?

CHAPTER 19

It really was bad news; two fold…

Mum had discovered a lump in her other breast and was supposed to be going into hospital for a biopsy the next morning. Also, apparently during the afternoon, Aunty Joan had suffered a massive stroke and had passed away.

Shocked into a state of silent numbness at these two pieces of shattering news, I let Philip talk on. He said Mum, already in a worried state about herself, was, of course, now heart-broken about her sister. I could well imagine this and I didn't feel too good myself.

'That's why I'm ringing you, instead of your mother. Although Maggie wanted to,' he said. He went on to explain that she'd postponed going into hospital, as they would now be driving to Richmond the next day to be with Sid.

'Your mother has insisted on this,’ he added. ‘Poor Sid's devastated and he's no one else to turn to. Apparently the stroke was so severe it was likely to have left Joan totally paralysed with virtually no quality of life. I think Sid fully understands that, not that it makes it any easier for him, poor man. He would never have been able to cope. He's far from well himself these days, Anna.’

'Poor Uncle Sid, it's awful for him. I’m so sad. What about Mum, Philip, is she going to be all right postponing the biopsy?' It was slowly beginning to sink in now. Why it always took a while for any death to register properly with me, I don't know. I suppose in a way, I can never quite believe anyone is expendable and, of course, this time the added worry about Mum complicated matters even more.

It was all too much to absorb. Then suddenly another thing hit me. Oh my God, I was leaving the country next day!

'Oh hell, I'm flying to Singapore in the morning to promote my new collection. What can I do? I feel I should stay here to be with you and Mum.'

There was a brief pause. 'Look, there's no problem, Anna. You can't possibly cancel a trip like that. How long will you be away for?' he asked calmly.

'I'm only staying three days; away about five in all, with the travelling.'

'Fine. Well, you go on your trip. I'm quite sure the funeral won't be for another week. In fact we'll make sure it isn't. You should be back by then, shouldn’t you?'

'Yes. Could you do that? I do so want to attend, but what about Mum? I'm really concerned about her too.'

'Listen, you mustn't worry about that now. Maggie will go in for the biopsy as soon as the funeral is out of the way. The hospital’s been very understanding.'

'But will it matter, leaving it another week?'

'I shouldn't think so. Anyway, let's look on the bright side ... with any luck the lump will be non-malignant.'

I could tell he was playing it down to stop me panicking. I then asked him to explain things to Mum and Sid; to give them my fondest love and tell them I'd see them on my return.

Suddenly the trip didn't seem a bit exciting any more. My heavy heart and thoughts were with them in all their grief and I wished I could be more use. Nontheless, I felt sure Philip and Mum would take care of things for Sid. Philip had even said they hoped to persuade him to return to Wales with them for a spell. I agreed. It was a wonderful idea.

*

The Singapore trip was deemed a huge success and my initial lacklustre enthusiasm soon changed when, after the two fashion shows at the prestigious Goodwood Hotel, it looked as if I would open several extremely lucrative accounts in Singapore and Malaysia. Even a couple of buyers from two large Hong Kong outlets were interested. One major Singapore retailer and a future main stockist on Orchard Road who'd supplied some of the model's accessories in the shows, was inundated with eager customers afterwards. She was delighted, and so was I.

Singapore was extremely hot and steamy, which I absolutely loathed. It sapped very ounce of energy from me. Thankful for the air conditioning in the hotel, I hardly ventured further afield other than to do a little shopping one morning. The shops were amazing however, full of exciting and varied merchandise. I was especially thrilled with a lizard skin bag and shoes I bought for a fraction of the price I'd pay in the UK.

On my last night, Lynda and I had dinner in Changi with her cousin Liz, where she and her husband, a major in the Royal Ordinance Corps, occupied large, impressive army quarters.

The house, quite spacious and of colonial style, was near the beach and boasted its own small pool, a live-in amah and gardener. Not bad, I thought, considering the British Army provided it all.

The photo shoot had gone extremely well, with Jake, his assistant and the models travelling all over the island in a large hired, air-conditioned van. The photos I'd previewed so far emphasized the oriental theme beautifully and I was delighted. Even so, with the shows over and Lynda staying on for three more days to deal with resulting enquiries, I was anxious to return to the UK. Above all, I was desperate to get out of the enervating humidity. Singapore, with its intriguing multi-raced people and strange unfamiliar smells, whilst exotic and fascinating, was far too hot for me. I'd felt heavy headed and physically exhausted the whole time. I detested the way my hair and my clothes stuck to me, and my skin felt constantly damp.

Before I left, I asked Jake's agreeable friend, Allie, as most people called her, apart from Jake, and her pal, Joanna, who together had organised the shows so well, to each choose an item from the collection in appreciation for their hard work.

'I'm so grateful for all you've done,' I said, admiring their enthusiasm. 'I don't know where you find such energy in all in this oppressive heat? It positively drains me!'

The girls grinned. 'Oh, you acclimatise to it eventually, once your blood thins down. Anyway, we've enjoyed doing it, haven't we, Jo?' said Allie, selecting a blue silk cocktail dress to try on. Her friend eagerly agreed as she made her choice.

I left Singapore knowing I probably would have to return again one day, but I did not exactly relish the thought. I think Lynda was surprised and disappointed at my negative view of the island. She clearly loved the place and was overjoyed to be staying on a little longer, whilst Jake and the models went up to Penang for the final location shoots.

*

Back again in the UK, I had to face up to Auntie Joan's funeral, a depressing, suffocating affair, with only a few attending. It was all very emotional, with Mum so broken hearted, making it impossible for me to control my own tears.

Vivid memories of the many happy times spent in Joan and Sid's company engulfed me. What precious family moments they had been. I felt so miserable. She and Sid had always been such a loving couple, not only towards each other, but also to Mum, Bel and me. As the service droned on, I realised how little I'd seen of them recently and I felt dreadful about that. One thing had pleased me though … to hear that Sid had decided to put his house on the market and was returning to Wales with Mum and Philip.