Hot Or What (Another Fat Chance) by Margaret Clark

Author:Margaret Clark
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Published: 1997-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Nine

I go through the morning’s shoot in a happy daze. A huge serving of fruit at breakfast and I feel energised and fighting fit. Even Connon hanging round me like a lovesick sheep dog isn’t fazing me at all. I’m sure it’s just my indifference that’s spurring him on. If I made a play for him I wouldn’t see his heels for dust.

There’s all these people perving on us when we do the shoot which is rather annoying, especially as they keep making comments about our clothes, our figures, our poses, our faces, our personalities … it’s so rude. Maybe they think because we’re posing like statues while the camera angles are worked out that we’re deaf or something.

‘Anorexic,’ I overhear a large woman wearing this violent purple say to an equally large man in a baggy beige suit.

I resist the impulse to poke out my tongue, and when Emanuel snaps his fingers, I go into action, twisting and moving my body and my mouth into cheeky grins, sulky pouts and tight-lipped rebellion as he clicks away furiously. Connon has talked Emanuel into paired poses, me with him, and he leans into me, his eyes on fire. I narrow my eyes right back at him.

‘Fantastic, darling! Emanuel, still click-clicking away. Then I beam radiantly at Connon, and it’s not a fake smile. I just can’t hide my happiness at being with Mike the night before.

‘Gee, what’s turned you on?’ says Tallulah, ‘anyone’d think you’re in love or something.’

‘I am. With life,’ I say, twirling for the camera, beaming at Emanuel.

‘Hey. Are you hot or what!’ he goes.

Hot. Yeah. I love modelling: love being in love. Life is sooooo good.

Then he makes us jump in the pool with the clothes on, and does all these weird shots of us dripping wet. Scandal dunks my head and holds it under for hours. Is she trying to drown me? Surfing in dumpers has given me good lungs so when she finally lets me go I come up smiling. This throws her totally.

‘She’s definitely in love,’ says Scandal, but her voice is cold.

‘It couldn’t be — ah — Connon Paisley, could it?’ says Tallulah in a teasing drawl, but there’s an evil glint in her eyes. Neither of them would make a good enemy. Nor would I trust them as friends.

‘No it couldn’t. He’s all yours, girls.’

That keeps them happy. Scandal flirts and teases, and Tallulah flirts and flaps her eyelashes and it’s the most sickening display I’ve ever seen.

‘Finished,’ says Emanuel with satisfaction. ‘Now, the good news, crew. Surfers!’

‘Huh?’

‘The boss likes your work so much that he’s shown it to Patoni magazine. They want a Surfers Paradise shoot, starting tomorrow.’

‘Phroar,’ says Scandal, ‘Surfers.’

‘What are we modelling, then, snow gear?’ I say.

Emanuel looks puzzled. He has absolutely no sense of humour.

‘Swimwear. Beach wear. After five gear,’ says Natalie briskly, ‘and don’t be smart, Lisa. It doesn’t suit you.’

‘I can’t wait to see Connon in a pair of Speedos.’ Tallulah elbows Scandal.

That I can live without.

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