could be her twin. So what’s your real name?’
M started to answer him, but Frankie cut across her. ‘This is M, Luke. She’s known simply as M, and she’s my new discovery. I’m going to launch her modelling career, yes indeedy, and I have big plans for her. I know what I’m seeing through this lens. And it’s something sensational.’
‘Congratulations, Frankie,’ Luke responded, and then walked towards M, his hand outstretched.
As they shook hands, the two of them sized each other up.
M found herself looking into a pair of light grey eyes set in a rather puckish face, one which appeared to be full of merriment, and with his short curly blond hair and slight build he reminded her of a choir boy, though perhaps a rather devilish one.
For his part, Luke was captivated by the young woman, dressed in the black sheath and wearing tons of pearls and sparkling drop earrings. A few minutes ago he had been talking to Agnes and Marguerite in the hair and makeup room, and both women had told him how Frankie had instructed them to play up M’s striking resemblance to the late movie star. There was no question that they had done a truly magnificent job. This young woman was stunning, but he knew she would be even if she weren’t an Audrey lookalike.
‘I’m happy to meet you, Luke,’ M finally said.
Luke cleared his throat, suddenly realizing he was gaping at her like a silly, dumbstruck schoolboy. ‘Me, too, er, what I mean is, I’m glad to meet you. You’re English?’
‘Yes, I am, but I’m living here now. I came over about three months ago.’ As she spoke, she gently extricated her hand from his tight clasp.
‘If you need someone to show you around Manhattan, need anything at all, I’d be glad to help you. Just let me know.’ He took out a business card and handed it to her.
‘Thank you,’ she said, smiling at him.
‘Hey, hey, hey, not so fast, Luke, my boy! No poaching my talent. After all, I discovered her. And M’s going to be working for me exclusively. ’
‘I was merely volunteering to be a friend.’
‘I know, Luke, I know.’ Stepping closer to the younger man, Frankie said in a lower tone, ‘Thanks for coming in to help with the ad agency shoot. The models are here, already changingbefore they go into hair and makeup. We’ll start shooting in about forty minutes or so, because I do want to finish up with M, need to do a few more shots.’
Luke nodded. ‘Are we shooting in this studio? Or one of the others?’
‘The big one at the back. The scenery’s already set up for the first session, and I’m sure Ted is in there already, looking at the new backdrops that came in last week. Why don’t you go and introduce yourself, and have a few words with him? He’s a nice guy, genuine, and he’s been throwing a lotta work my way lately.’
‘Okay,’ Luke responded, giving a wave to M and hurrying off, fully aware that Frankie preferred to shoot without spectators, unless it was a ‘civilian’ like Ted Langton, or some other friendly agency guy. Even he himself was only tolerated when he was actually working for Frankie as his first assistant, otherwise he was forbidden to enter just like the others.
Once they were alone, Frankie explained, ‘Luke’s one of my protégés, and he’s already on the way to becoming a great photographer. He’s got a small studio of his own, and has a couple of regular clients, but I give him as much work as I can. I want to help him get ahead.’
‘That’s nice of you, Frankie,’ M said, meaning it. She and her siblings had been brought up to be helpful to others; it was one of the family rules.
‘I’ve always believed that everyone is worth helping, and most especially if they have potential, and talent.’ Frankie put down his camera and walked over to her, studied her for a moment. ‘I think you should take off all the pearls, M, and the long earrings for the next few shots. I’d like you to look simpler. Your hair is fine, but
M started to answer him, but Frankie cut across her. ‘This is M, Luke. She’s known simply as M, and she’s my new discovery. I’m going to launch her modelling career, yes indeedy, and I have big plans for her. I know what I’m seeing through this lens. And it’s something sensational.’
‘Congratulations, Frankie,’ Luke responded, and then walked towards M, his hand outstretched.
As they shook hands, the two of them sized each other up.
M found herself looking into a pair of light grey eyes set in a rather puckish face, one which appeared to be full of merriment, and with his short curly blond hair and slight build he reminded her of a choir boy, though perhaps a rather devilish one.
For his part, Luke was captivated by the young woman, dressed in the black sheath and wearing tons of pearls and sparkling drop earrings. A few minutes ago he had been talking to Agnes and Marguerite in the hair and makeup room, and both women had told him how Frankie had instructed them to play up M’s striking resemblance to the late movie star. There was no question that they had done a truly magnificent job. This young woman was stunning, but he knew she would be even if she weren’t an Audrey lookalike.
‘I’m happy to meet you, Luke,’ M finally said.
Luke cleared his throat, suddenly realizing he was gaping at her like a silly, dumbstruck schoolboy. ‘Me, too, er, what I mean is, I’m glad to meet you. You’re English?’
‘Yes, I am, but I’m living here now. I came over about three months ago.’ As she spoke, she gently extricated her hand from his tight clasp.
‘If you need someone to show you around Manhattan, need anything at all, I’d be glad to help you. Just let me know.’ He took out a business card and handed it to her.
‘Thank you,’ she said, smiling at him.
‘Hey, hey, hey, not so fast, Luke, my boy! No poaching my talent. After all, I discovered her. And M’s going to be working for me exclusively. ’
‘I was merely volunteering to be a friend.’
‘I know, Luke, I know.’ Stepping closer to the younger man, Frankie said in a lower tone, ‘Thanks for coming in to help with the ad agency shoot. The models are here, already changingbefore they go into hair and makeup. We’ll start shooting in about forty minutes or so, because I do want to finish up with M, need to do a few more shots.’
Luke nodded. ‘Are we shooting in this studio? Or one of the others?’
‘The big one at the back. The scenery’s already set up for the first session, and I’m sure Ted is in there already, looking at the new backdrops that came in last week. Why don’t you go and introduce yourself, and have a few words with him? He’s a nice guy, genuine, and he’s been throwing a lotta work my way lately.’
‘Okay,’ Luke responded, giving a wave to M and hurrying off, fully aware that Frankie preferred to shoot without spectators, unless it was a ‘civilian’ like Ted Langton, or some other friendly agency guy. Even he himself was only tolerated when he was actually working for Frankie as his first assistant, otherwise he was forbidden to enter just like the others.
Once they were alone, Frankie explained, ‘Luke’s one of my protégés, and he’s already on the way to becoming a great photographer. He’s got a small studio of his own, and has a couple of regular clients, but I give him as much work as I can. I want to help him get ahead.’
‘That’s nice of you, Frankie,’ M said, meaning it. She and her siblings had been brought up to be helpful to others; it was one of the family rules.
‘I’ve always believed that everyone is worth helping, and most especially if they have potential, and talent.’ Frankie put down his camera and walked over to her, studied her for a moment. ‘I think you should take off all the pearls, M, and the long earrings for the next few shots. I’d like you to look simpler. Your hair is fine, but
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