CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
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JAMES
When we arrived in LA, Helen waited for us outside the plane; she’d arrived a couple of days earlier.
Standing in front of the car, she had her old-fashioned diary and a paper bag in hand.
“Thank goodness for an automatic car,” Ralph almost sang, his hand caressing the upholstery like it was a woman.
Turning to Helen, he said, “You’re a godsend, Helen. I hate driving manual cars.”
She rolled her eyes and opened the clipboard with her to-do list. “By your reaction, you would think you can’t get automatics in Europe.”
Ralph chuckled. “They’re hard to come by, that’s for sure.”
“Where’re we going now?” I asked.
She seemed quiet, as if she were organising her thoughts before she spoke. She then checked her watch and took a breath before explaining. “We have about three hours to get to the hotel, get freshened up, and then the staff from Hugo Boss will meet us for the photo shoot. At five this evening, you’ve been invited to a charity ball at the Marriott, and tomorrow morning we’ve a flight to New York for a radio interview.”
She took another breath and continued, “Oh, and Michael asked if you could see him between the photo shoot and the charity thing.”
So much for a week off.
“How important is it for me to go to this event?” I asked.
The question took her aback. She fidgeted, uncertain, and said, “I’m not sure. What do you mean?”
“I’m going to be pretty jet-lagged, so can I miss it? Or can the interview be done through Skype or telephone so I don’t have to fly first thing?”
“I could find out. I’ll let you know,” she replied.
“Better still, I’ll call Michael and see if he can meet me at the studio, and then we can get something to eat,” I said as I pulled the phone from my pocket and dialled his number. My phone pinged with a message from Emma, but it would have to wait until later.
The conversation with Michael finished within seconds. By the time I pressed the End button, we’d arrived at the hotel. I waited, pretending to be busy with something until Helen and Hugh entered the hotel. Ralph, as always, stayed with me.
“Listen, Ralph, remember I said you can take time off so you can see the girls? Just take as long as you want. Christmas is next month. Just enjoy it.”
“Sure, man, I’ll ask Michael to get a replacement.” Ralph patted my back and continued, with a mocking grin. “Will you miss me?”
“Nah, miss your miserable face? Not a chance. On a serious note though, let me know if you need anything.” Checking the time, I added, “You might still have time to get to the toy shop and get that bike.”
He had time, but I didn’t. My life was continuously moving against the clock, always trying to fit as much work as possible in a tight schedule, especially when there was a new film coming out. It wouldn’t quieten down until after the premiere was done.
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In the room for the photo shoot, dozens of people were running from one side to the other, trying to get things ready. Helen made me sit at a make-up table where she introduced me to John. The bloke had his hair spiked, and even though it was naturally black, he had blond spikes pointing in every direction. His eyebrows were plucked and he wore a pristine white smile.
Once John finished my make-up and hair, he walked me to where the other members of staff were planning the shoot. I expected to be given something else to wear, a suit or maybe even boxer shorts. After all, I was only wearing jeans and a blue-grey jumper.
“What do you want me to do or wear?” I asked no one in particular.
The lad with the long hair picked a hair bobble from his pocket and tied his hair back, saying, “You’re all right with what you’re wearing. It’s meant to be casual. Just chill, yeah? I’m Matthew, by the way,” he said, holding his hand out for a shake.
I shook it. “Pleasure.”
I never knew who he was until later on, when Michael told me he was the best in the photography business, born and bred in Cork. I made a mental note to introduce him to Emma, if I remembered. She had always been right into her photography.
I was relieved I didn’t have to take my clothes off. Even though I worked out, I hated the thought of everyone here seeing me almost naked. It might not be everyone’s nightmare, but it was definitely mine.
The lighting was ready. Matthew had his camera pointing at me, and the only thing I needed to do was look good and stand in front of a white background as Matthew shouted different positions.
“Pull your hood up and look bored,” he demanded as classical music blared in the background.
“That’s it, James. You are a bloody natural. Now, can you take the hood down and unzip the front? Hands in your pockets and look at your feet?”
Hundreds of flashes came from the camera like a machine gun. I couldn’t help but smile at this one. It felt so ridiculous looking at my trainers.
“That smile was awesome, shy, almost innocent. We’ll get a few more with you sitting down if that’s okay?”
I nodded, not knowing what else to do, and waited while a girl who didn’t look older than fifteen brought a wooden stool and a glass of water for me. I said thanks, but she didn’t even look at me before scurrying away. I sat on the stool, took off my jumper as it was making me sweat, and, as I waited for Matthew, my thoughts once again drifted to Emma. What was she doing at that moment? I imagined her laughing, her hand covering her mouth as her eyes danced with mirth. I wished I were there with her and instinctively brushed my hair with my hand, pulling it off my face. John came running to fix it, but Matthew told him to leave it as it was, more natural, more carefree. Whatever.
Michael showed up with Jack when the staff brought in pizzas and sandwiches. They filled their paper plates full of food and, while I waited for them to sit down, I thought to give Emma a quick call. I had to hear her voice. That was when I remembered the message.