Take Two

CHAPTER 8

Filming finished at just after five o’clock. Jake Harrington gave a short speech thanking everyone. ‘The early finish is because I’ve got to go to the Soap Digest awards tonight,’ he said. ’Hopefully, we’ll pick up something and, if we do, I’ll make sure everyone knows it’s a team effort.’

‘Just bring us back a few bottles of champagne!’ shouted one of the electricians.

‘I’ll do that,’ he said. ‘And please, everyone, nice and early on Monday morning. We’re a bit behind.’

Carolyn hurried out of the studio and down to the make-up department where Tracey was waiting for her. She dropped down onto one of the chairs and Tracey stood behind her. ‘Up or down?’ asked Tracey, playing with Carolyn’s hair.

‘Down,’ said Carolyn, but Tracey had already piled her hair up on top of her head. ‘No, you’re right. Up.’

‘What are you wearing?’

‘Terry’s got me a Stella McCartney.’

‘I love her stuff,’ said Tracey. ‘And she’s so animal friendly. Now, what do you want me to do with you?’

‘It’s got to be glamour, but I don’t want mutton dressed as lamb,’ said Carolyn.

‘As if,’ laughed Tracey.

‘I’m serious,’ said Carolyn. ‘I don’t want to see any nasty captions in the papers tomorrow.’

‘You’re in safe hands,’ said Tracey. She spent almost half an hour working on Carolyn’s hair and make-up, and by the time she’d finished Carolyn was well pleased.

She turned her head slowly from side to side, admiring Tracey’s handiwork. ‘God, you’re good,’ she said.

Terry appeared at the door, holding the dress. ‘OMG,’ he said. ‘You look fabulous.’

Carolyn got out of the chair and took the dress from him. She held it against herself and nodded appreciatively. ‘I’ve got a gold necklace that will look amazing,’ said Terry. ‘And a couple of chunky rings.’

‘Bag?’

‘I thought a black Prada. Nice and simple and it won’t be a distraction.’

‘And shoes?’

‘I’m going to stick with black and Prada. The dress is so fabulous we don’t want anyone looking at anything else.’

He folded his arms and nodded at her.

‘I’m not changing with you standing there,’ said Carolyn.

‘Darling, first of all, I’m gay. And, second of all, you haven’t got anything there I haven’t seen a dozen times already. And, third of all,…’ He threw up his hands. ‘I’m sure there’s a third of all but for the life of me I can’t remember what it is.’

Carolyn laughed, handed the dress to Tracey and took off the suit she was wearing.

Terry looked her up and down and smiled. ‘God, you’re fit for a… how old are you again?’

‘You are cruising for a bruising,’ said Carolyn. She dropped the suit on the back of one of the chairs and slipped on the dress. It was a perfect fit, accentuating her curves and revealing just enough cleavage.

‘You know, you should think about going braless,’ said Tracey.

‘I don’t think so, thank you very much,’ said Carolyn. ‘This is just fine as is.’

‘She’s right,’ said Terry. ‘Give it a go.’

‘You’re not serious.’

‘The way it’s cut, you’ll not see anything but you’ll get the ripple effect.’

Carolyn laughed. ‘The ripple effect? Or the nipple effect?’

‘Just try it,’ said Terry.

Carolyn took off her bra and then checked herself out in the mirror. They were right, it looked stunning.

‘Told you,’ said Terry. He handed her the shoes and she slipped them on. ‘You get your coat and I’ll fetch the bag and jewellery,’ he said.

Carolyn’s Tommy Hilfiger raincoat was in her dressing room. She was just putting it on when Terry arrived with the jewellery and a large black leather bag. ‘Room for your ciggies and big enough to pinch a couple of bottles of bubbly, if you’re half inclined.’ He put the necklace around her neck and gave her two large rings, both with red stones that were an exact match to the to the colour of the dress, and a pair of diamond stud earings.

He kissed her on both cheeks and waved her off like a father sending his daughter away to her first disco.