time. His mouth is turning down at the edges. I’ve been married to Luke so long, I know his expressions off by heart, and this one is number 3:
How do I break it to Becky that I hate this idea?
It’s exactly the same expression he had when I suggested painting our bedroom purple. (I still say it would have been sexy.)
‘What?’ I demand. ‘What?’
‘It’s a great idea …’ he begins carefully.
‘Stop it,’ I say impatiently. ‘What do you really think?’
‘Becky, you know Sage only hired me as a consultant on a short-term basis. If this whole venture works out, maybe Brandon Communications will open a media arm here and maybe I’ll fly back and forth. But I can’t imagine we’ll relocate permanently.’
‘So?’
‘So, what will you do if you establish a whole new career here?’
‘I dunno,’ I say impatiently. ‘Work it out.’
This is just typical. Luke always lets practical plans get in the way of creative inspiration.
‘It’ll be a lot of hard graft,’ he’s saying now, ‘a lot of banging on doors, a lot of disappointment …’
‘You think I can’t do it?’ I say, affronted.
‘My darling, I think you can do pretty much anything you put your mind to,’ says Luke. ‘However, I think to get into the world of Hollywood styling in three months will be, let’s say, a challenge. But if you really want to—’
‘I don’t just want to, I’m
going
to.’
Luke sighs. ‘Well then, of course I’ll help. I’ll ask around for some contacts, see what I can fix up—’
‘I don’t need your help!’ I retort.
‘Becky, don’t be silly.’
‘I’m not being silly,’ I shoot back, feeling outraged. ‘I don’t want to rely on my husband. I’m an independent woman, you know.’
‘But—’
‘What, you think I can’t break into Hollywood on my own? You just watch. Katharine Hepburn,’ I add.
We walk on for a while in silence, not even bothering to say the names any more, and gradually I simmer down. Actually, Luke’s help would have been quite useful. In fact, really useful. But it’s too late now, I’ve said it. I’ll have to find a way to do it on my own and show him.
My mind starts working hard. Sage is still my most obvious way in. I’m bound to meet her soon. And meanwhile, I can plan a few outfits for her. Maybe I’ll even buy her an accessory or two, just like a personal stylist would. Yes. Brilliant. And if Sage doesn’t work out … well, I have other contacts, don’t I?
‘You know, Luke, I do have my own resources,’ I say grandly. ‘I have worked at Barneys, remember. I am a bit connected, remember. In fact, I think you’ll find I’m even better connected than you.’
And it’s true! I met loads of Hollywood people when I worked at Barneys. At least three producers, and a music consultant, and a casting director. I’ll contact all of them, and
someone
will be able to give me an entrée, and then—
Ooh, Lassie!
From: Laird, Nick
To: Brandon, Rebecca
Subject: Re: Hi Melanie, how are you?!
----
Dear Mrs Brandon
I am replying to your email to Melanie Young. I’m sure that Melanie does remember you from her shopping appointments at Barneys and am glad you still recall ‘how fab she looked in that Moschino pencil skirt’.
Unfortunately Melanie has recently given up producing, moved to a commune in Arkansas and, according to her farewell speech, ‘never wants to hear the word “movie” again’. She will therefore be unable to help you launch yourself as a celebrity stylist, nor introduce you to Sarah Jessica Parker.
I wish you every luck with your endeavors in Hollywood.
Nick Laird
Head of Development
ABJ Pictures
From: Quinn, Sandi
To: Brandon, Rebecca
Subject: Re: Hi Rosaline, how are you?!
----
Dear Mrs Brandon
I am replying to your email on behalf of Rosaline DuFoy, in my role as Rosaline’s counsellor.
Rosaline does indeed remember you from her shopping appointments at Barneys and recalls well the ‘amazingly slimming
How do I break it to Becky that I hate this idea?
It’s exactly the same expression he had when I suggested painting our bedroom purple. (I still say it would have been sexy.)
‘What?’ I demand. ‘What?’
‘It’s a great idea …’ he begins carefully.
‘Stop it,’ I say impatiently. ‘What do you really think?’
‘Becky, you know Sage only hired me as a consultant on a short-term basis. If this whole venture works out, maybe Brandon Communications will open a media arm here and maybe I’ll fly back and forth. But I can’t imagine we’ll relocate permanently.’
‘So?’
‘So, what will you do if you establish a whole new career here?’
‘I dunno,’ I say impatiently. ‘Work it out.’
This is just typical. Luke always lets practical plans get in the way of creative inspiration.
‘It’ll be a lot of hard graft,’ he’s saying now, ‘a lot of banging on doors, a lot of disappointment …’
‘You think I can’t do it?’ I say, affronted.
‘My darling, I think you can do pretty much anything you put your mind to,’ says Luke. ‘However, I think to get into the world of Hollywood styling in three months will be, let’s say, a challenge. But if you really want to—’
‘I don’t just want to, I’m
going
to.’
Luke sighs. ‘Well then, of course I’ll help. I’ll ask around for some contacts, see what I can fix up—’
‘I don’t need your help!’ I retort.
‘Becky, don’t be silly.’
‘I’m not being silly,’ I shoot back, feeling outraged. ‘I don’t want to rely on my husband. I’m an independent woman, you know.’
‘But—’
‘What, you think I can’t break into Hollywood on my own? You just watch. Katharine Hepburn,’ I add.
We walk on for a while in silence, not even bothering to say the names any more, and gradually I simmer down. Actually, Luke’s help would have been quite useful. In fact, really useful. But it’s too late now, I’ve said it. I’ll have to find a way to do it on my own and show him.
My mind starts working hard. Sage is still my most obvious way in. I’m bound to meet her soon. And meanwhile, I can plan a few outfits for her. Maybe I’ll even buy her an accessory or two, just like a personal stylist would. Yes. Brilliant. And if Sage doesn’t work out … well, I have other contacts, don’t I?
‘You know, Luke, I do have my own resources,’ I say grandly. ‘I have worked at Barneys, remember. I am a bit connected, remember. In fact, I think you’ll find I’m even better connected than you.’
And it’s true! I met loads of Hollywood people when I worked at Barneys. At least three producers, and a music consultant, and a casting director. I’ll contact all of them, and
someone
will be able to give me an entrée, and then—
Ooh, Lassie!
From: Laird, Nick
To: Brandon, Rebecca
Subject: Re: Hi Melanie, how are you?!
----
Dear Mrs Brandon
I am replying to your email to Melanie Young. I’m sure that Melanie does remember you from her shopping appointments at Barneys and am glad you still recall ‘how fab she looked in that Moschino pencil skirt’.
Unfortunately Melanie has recently given up producing, moved to a commune in Arkansas and, according to her farewell speech, ‘never wants to hear the word “movie” again’. She will therefore be unable to help you launch yourself as a celebrity stylist, nor introduce you to Sarah Jessica Parker.
I wish you every luck with your endeavors in Hollywood.
Nick Laird
Head of Development
ABJ Pictures
From: Quinn, Sandi
To: Brandon, Rebecca
Subject: Re: Hi Rosaline, how are you?!
----
Dear Mrs Brandon
I am replying to your email on behalf of Rosaline DuFoy, in my role as Rosaline’s counsellor.
Rosaline does indeed remember you from her shopping appointments at Barneys and recalls well the ‘amazingly slimming
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