19
Everything's New
Dani stifled a yawn as she boxed up Silvanna’s chocolate cake.
She huffed to herself. Why did everyone always choose chocolate cake?
Dani could almost put one together with her eyes closed.
At least she’d added the amaretto and almonds, just to make it a little different this time.
It was so much more enjoyable making or creating new kinds of cakes.
Staring out of the kitchen window into the darkness, her thoughts drifted to Jerome and his lemon mousse cake.
Her mouth pooled with saliva and she shook her head, unsure if it was the thought of the cake or Jerome that had her salivating.
Dani covered the smaller extra cake she’d made for the children with the glass dome, then headed off to bed.
It was almost two and she had an early start tomorrow.
“SO THIS IS YOUR insurance and the tax is paid up for a year already, see?” The dealer pointed to the documentation. “You’ve two sets of keys. The log book will be with you in a couple of days and the service log is in the glove compartment.”
“Thank you.” Dani pressed the fob to unlock the door.
“It’s been fully valeted and thankfully the rain’s stopped, so it hasn’t been ruined,” puffed the dealer.
Adam paced around the car, inspecting it. The dealer shifted nervously, then reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a cheque. “This is the balance we agreed on.” He handed it over to Adam and Adam indicated it was Dani’s. Dani tried hard not to smile, taking the check from the dealer’s hand.
“Thanks.” She read the amount and then immediately passed the cheque over to Adam. He slipped it into his inside pocket without a word.
“It was a pleasure doing business with you.” Adam reached out his hand and shook the dealer’s hand.
“Likewise.” The dealer shook Dani’s hand and walked back towards the showroom.
“What do you want to do with the money?”
“Just put it in my account. I may need if I find my own place.”
“You’re looking for a place?” Adam furrowed his brow. “You know you don’t need to.”
“I know. It doesn’t look as if I will for a while. Well, not until I get the money from the house, anyway.”
“We’ve only just got you back, I don’t think Chloe would be happy if you left. Or me, for that matter.”
Dani stepped closer to Adam and hugged him. He enveloped her small frame in his huge arms. “Thanks, Adam. Thanks for today, for everything.”
He sniffed nervously. “Still think your car’s a tin can on wheels.”
Dani chuckled and shoved at his shoulder. “It’s perfect. Now I’d better get off or I’ll be late.”
“Do you know your way?” Adam stifled a smirk.
“Sat nav.” Dani winked.
“Of course.” He chuckled, then opened up his car and pulled out the large cake box and placed it on the passenger seat as Dani held open the door.
LIZ SAT OPPOSITE GRAHAM, watching him intently while he continued with his phone call.
She tried hard not to look nervous, but she really needed this fashion show job.
They’d had a few problems with the organisers but they’d assured her she was definitely booked.
It was a high-profile job with large media coverage.
Liz knew it would be in all the press and magazines.
It was the exact exposure she needed. Graham pulled off his earpiece and dropped it on his desk, continuing to pace around the room.
“Well?” Liz asked impatiently.
“They’re insisting it’s still on. They’re just in discussions with the venue owners, just ironing out details, they said.” Graham shrugged. “Other than that, nothing more. The designers are ready to organise fittings for the last week of December.”
Liz nodded.
“The Spain dates have come through. You fly out on the fourteenth of December and you’re back on the nineteenth. There won’t be any problem, will there?”
Liz shook her head.
“Good. There’s also that protein shake I told you about. They’re looking for a new face to represent them. Would you be interested in that? It’s not fashion but it’s a huge contract. Worldwide.”
Liz furrowed her brow. This wasn’t an area she’d ever thought about before. “Worldwide?”
“Yes. It’s an organic protein shake, and they’re going to hopefully be sponsoring a fitness DVD that will be sold worldwide.”
“Wouldn’t they want an athlete rather than a model?”
Graham snorted. “Have you seen women athletes? I wouldn’t call them glamorous.
They need a pretty face and a good body to sell the product.
You’ve been working out hard and it shows.
I really think they’d go for you. It might mean you have to create a little more definition, but you own a gym, for Christ’s sake, that shouldn’t be hard for you. ”
“I’m not sure, Graham, I’ve always done fashion.”
“I know, Liz, and that’s what most young models want, to be the face of some big designer but this…
well this campaign isn’t short term. It’s a whole branding.
If it takes off, it’ll be everywhere: supermarkets, gyms and health shops.
Holland and Barrett are interested in stocking it.
You remember when all the power drinks came on the market?
How big they were? Well that’s what this product wants to be.
High protein, no carbs, no fat, great taste.
They’re already talking about power bars and snacks as well as ice cream. I really think it will be huge.”
Graham walked over to his computer, which was set on his desk and clicked his mouse, then swivelled the screen so Liz could see. “These are the preliminary mock ups of the campaign. It’s slick and cool; less of the big muscly beefcakes and more lean and glossy.”
Liz leaned forward to look at the screen. He was right. The campaign almost rivalled a top-branded alcoholic beverage, like Martini or Absolut.
“And the best part is the money.”
Liz’s eyes flitted up to Graham. He smirked. “They’re paying more than you’ve ever been paid before, a lot more.”
“Seriously?”
Graham nodded slowly.
“Okay, then. Put me forward. Let’s see what they’re offering.”
“I’ll send them your portfolio today.”
Liz got up to leave. Putting on her coat, she moved to the door. She really hoped the fashion show came together quickly. If this protein shake was as big as Graham thought, her appearance in the show could clinch it.
As soon as she was back on the street, she headed to her car.
She needed to get a new phone. Jonathan was getting more and more possessive and needed reassuring.
She smiled to herself as she slipped into her car.
The thought of Jonathan had her insides quivering.
Looking back up at the agency building, she noticed a “For Rent” sign.
Liz quickly typed in the number of the letting agent and called them.
Within a few moments, she found out that there were four small offices for rent on the third floor up, just above her agency.
They could either be rented together or separately.
Liz took all the details and made an appointment to see them in the afternoon.
SILVANNA BEAMED AT DANI as everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. She was a shy girl and the attention was a little overwhelming, her flushed appearance betraying her discomfort. “Thank you Dani,” she said softly, hugging her. “The last cake I ever had on my birthday was when I was a child.”
“Really? I’m so glad I made one for you, then. No one should have a birthday without a cake. Then it would be just like any other day.” She winked at Silvanna.
The staff quickly finished up and started to prepare for the evening shift.
Dani had worked through again and was disappointed that Jerome hadn’t made an appearance all day.
His car had not been parked up this morning when Dani had pulled into her usual parking space.
She was waiting to see his reaction to her new car.
The evening shift was busy and it was eleven thirty before the last of the customers left. Peter sat by the bar chatting to Kuch and Nicole while they finished cleaning down the surfaces.
“You look tired, Chef.” Kuch narrowed his eyes at Peter wiping his hands on a cloth.
“It’s my throat. I think Angie passed on her sore throat to me. It’s killing me,” he cringed, trying to swallow.
“Honey, lemon and brandy,” chipped in Nicole as she turned off the light over the bar. “Come on. You need to go home and get to bed.”
Peter nodded and Nicole hurried up the staff so Peter could lock up. He was still holding the bookings book in his hand. “Dani, I’ll leave this on the bar in case I come in later tomorrow.”
“Sure, no problem. I’ll tell Gia.”
“Thanks. I don’t want her looking for it.”
Dani nodded, shrugging on her coat and following everyone out into the car park. She headed over to her new car and unlocked it.
“Is that your new car?” Kuch asked in surprise.
“Yes.”
“Bit of a come-down, isn’t it?” he joked.
“Well that depends how you look at it I suppose,” Dani answered cryptically.
Kuch laughed, realising she was referring to her ex. “Very true. Well you know I love all things Italian, so it’s definitely a step up.“ He winked at her.
Nicole stifled a smirk and Dani watched her blush.
Kuch unlocked his car and then opened up the back door for Nicole.
As she stepped into the car, Dani watched Kuch’s hand slip over her behind and squeeze it.
She didn’t flinch at all and slipped into the back seat.
Dani stood for a moment, thinking it was an inappropriate gesture for friends, and then the penny dropped.
Nicole and Kuch were seeing each other! she huffed to herself.
Of course, it made sense now: Nicole’s secrecy about her boyfriend, Kuch being evasive about his relationship status.
They were keeping it a secret. Rosa took the front seat as usual and waved to Dani who was still standing by her open door.
Why were they being secretive? Was it the “no relationship with staff” policy?
Dani smiled to herself, thinking back to her first day.
She’d picked up on their obvious chemistry, but hadn’t put two and two together.
She watched Kuch pull away and Nicole waved at her through the glass.
Dani reciprocated, still a little dumbfounded.
Was Rosa their cover? Dani noted she always sat in the front seat when they went anywhere.
She shook her head and started the engine, thinking that relationships were really complicated.
Dani adjusted the heater onto full blast before she drove off, thinking that at least she could sleep in tomorrow on her first morning off. Frowning to herself, she realised she wouldn’t be there to tell Gia about the bookings Peter had left. Maybe she should call Gia first thing.
LIZ DIALLED THE FAMILIAR number and waited.
“Hello?” Jonathan’s puzzled voice made Liz smile.
“Hi.”
“Liz?”
“Yes, it’s me, this is my new number. You can call me on this. I’ll have it on silent but I’ll see your missed call and ring you the second I can.”
Jonathan sighed. “That’s great, babe. How did today go? Jesus, I missed you.” He sounded needy and Liz felt a rush at the thought of him.
“I’ve got the dates for Spain, so you need to book the same flight. We’ll have four to five days together.”
“Awesome. And the fashion show?”
“Still being hammered out, but I’m in. But there’s more.”
“More?”
“My agent’s putting me forward for a big new contract.”
“That’s great news. What is it for?”
“I’ll tell you when I see you.”
“When will that be?” Jonathan sounded almost whiney.
“Well that’s the third bit of good news. I’ve found a place for us.”
“A place?”
“Yeah. It’s a small space over my agent’s office, with underground parking. I signed the lease today. We have our own new place now.” He could hear her smile as she spoke.
“Oh my God, that’s just the best news! No more looking over our shoulders.” The relief in his voice sent a hum through Liz’s body.
“I know. Who would suspect me of anything? It’ll look like I’m at my agency. It’s the perfect cover. So tomorrow, get there for nine o’clock and I’ll meet you in the car park just after. I’ll text you the address.”
“You’re amazing. I can’t wait. I fucking love you, Liz.”
“I love you too.”