For the last, here is the traditional gift given in gratitude - A Triad:
May your cares be few and far between
May you dance through your days
Swept by love into the rhythm of life
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| thanks to Aatmani for the soul friends image |
Chapter 14 continues:
Rhona tried to thank Joe at lunchtime but he cut her off with a slight smile and went to sit with Justin. Anna was standing near her when it happened. Seeing Rhona’s fierce expression she told her quietly it was a man thing – a pretty typical reaction that she shouldn’t take personally. Rhona had been careful not to discuss the business with anyone but she was grateful for the advice. She thought this morning they would all be better off neutered but she knew that was hardly a balanced attitude either.
The afternoon shoot went ahead and for the next three hours Joe seemed polite but distant to her. She climbed in and out of a series of suits, hats and high heeled shoes with a fixed smile on her face. It reminded her of the time after Eric Bates died, the way everything seemed to be happening as if seen through a set of binoculars. Just before the last change she caught a look at herself in one of the dressing mirrors. A red haired plastic mannequin looked back at her. She had let that little weasel Mickey get to her obviously. Turning abruptly away she asked Tracey if they were running to time.
She seemed puzzled. “Yes we’re ahead of time I think. You’re doing fine Rhona, really.” She frowned and turned to the two girls with her. “Go and take a break. Tell them we want five minutes.” When the girls left, she turned back to her model “Look, Justin told me about this morning. I just didn’t want to mention it in front of the others. Do you want to stop?”
Rhona drew her hands through her hair, oblivious to the work she was unraveling. “No it’s not that. I feel like crushing something under my shoe right now. I only just noticed I’m not faking well enough.”
Tracey went to the door and called for someone to ask Al to come. From the doorway she observed “It’s true. I have seen you do better. You’ve certainly got the guts to pull it up if you want to.”
She left and Rhona sat swiveling the chair until Al came in, looking so young and anxious she felt ashamed of her self pity. She encouraged him with a wave to take a stool near her. He ducked on to it. “It’s not going so well is it? I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.”
Rhona reached over to touch his shoulder. “You’re fine Al but I think I can tell you why it’s not so good. See, Mickey pushed me around this morning. No one told you because I asked them not to. That was a lousy decision on my part. Toss his notes away will you? Design your own set up- something grittier.”
Al looked away to the right of her. “You mean like hard-edged kind of?”
Rhona stood up. “I’m talking breaking glass here.”
He nodded, watching her face carefully. Rhona wondered if he looked at his mother that way when she was upset. He got up and grinned at her. “At least it wasn’t all my fault.”
He was such a conscientious young man.
When the girls came back with Tracey they set to work as if they were preparing for battle. It was the last one of the session and they were out to excel. The black and white suit reminded Rhona of early Chanel with its scooped collarless neck edge. When she entered in it for the last time Al directed her to stand behind the bar on a box he had positioned there for her. He had a collection of liqueur and spirits bottles displayed on the kauri bar top, along with some oranges in a stemmed glass dish. There was a large mirror directly behind her with the name of an old brewery in gold lettering. He made Joe stand in front of the bar, to one side of her, with some distance between them.
Coming in front of her to check his distances Al asked her if she had guessed what he was planning. Rhona knew and approved. “We’re doing Bar at the Folie Begere. Al, it’s perfect.” He gave her a little smirk.
When Al turned away Joe cleared his throat and commented casually “He’s a talented kid. Did you know he’s only twenty-two?”
Rhona kept her eyes straight ahead, watching Al arrange Gracie and some others as patrons at the front tables. Without looking away from the centre she said thoughtfully “Why can’t you talk to me Joe?
Al called out “Ready now. Joe, I need lust under a veneer of manners, OK? Menacing if you want.” She heard Joe’s sharp intake of breath at that direction, but she had no sympathy for him. Her mind was applauding Al’s empathy as she composed her features to give the desired effect.
When it was finished Justin led a round of applause and Rhona joined in championing Al by raising her clapping hands to the artist. He was still blushing and shuffling when she went to get changed. It was over.
Joe was already organizing gear into the back of his 4x4 when Rhona came out to the van looking for Gracie. Thinking it was her last chance to talk to him she stopped nearby, waiting for him to finish. When he looked up she said “Thank you Joe you were wonderful to work with.” She thought it sounded reasonably professional. He obviously didn’t want any more than that, not after this morning anyway. He was standing with his back against his vehicle. There was a pause while he looked over her into the distance. I’ve just been blanked, she thought as she started to move away but he leaned down a little to say “I’m sorry.” in a formal way.
“What for?”
“I should have stayed with you this morning.”
Oh the poor idiot she thought, reaching out to grip his forearm. “Oh no. Were you blaming yourself? No please.” She went on tip toes to kiss his cheek and he caught her to him before she could slip away. His hand rested on the back of her head as he said “Still, I am sorry.”
She pulled away gently and forced a brighter smile on her face. “Forget it OK.” She turned and waved a hand in the direction of the hotel. “Hey, I hope you will see Gracie before you go.”
He smiled in a tired way. “I have. She’s with Tracey getting beauty tips and product handouts.”
“Oh”, she ran her hands through her hair. “They could be a while then.” There was an awkward moment of silence. “Well I had better let you get on the road then. Look us up if you come to Auckland won’t you?”
“Do you mean that?” Joe asked as he moved to the driver’s door.
She pulled at the cuff on the sleeve of her jacket, frowning. “You know I do. I wouldn’t have said it otherwise.”
She heard “I’ll see you then,” as he got in the car.
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