Wags To Riches, page 21
Adam stops the car and switches off the engine. “You’d really do that for me?” he says. “Go to all that trouble for my birthday?”
“Yes I would. You do so much for me” I say, putting my arms round his neck, “And it would be my way of doing something for you”.
“Well, I think it would be lovely – I think you’re lovely” Adam says smiling and kisses me.
“Oh thank you!” I say, kissing him back, “I will need a fantastic new dress and new shoes obviously” I add, grinning at him.
“Oh – I thought there’d be an ulterior motive!” Adam says laughing.
“Hey – the hostess has got to look good!” I say smiling as I get out of the car. Well I have. While Adam puts the car away in the garage, I go inside and make us both a cup of tea. I’m really looking forward to planning the party. I will give Sharon a ring tomorrow and run a few ideas past her – I bet she knows some people who can help.
Adam comes back into the kitchen. “Oh thanks Gail” he says as I pass him his tea. “So - what have you got planned for tomorrow?” he asks.
Oh – I’m looking forward to tomorrow. “Well – I’m going to have a really girly morning” I say beaming, “I’m going to the hairdressers first thing and then I’m having a manicure and afterwards I’m going to have a little wonder round the shops, before starting to plan your party!”
“Oh nice!” Adam says.
“I’m going to book some driving lessons as well” I say firmly. God - I’ll have to psyche myself up first.
“Oh good!” Adam says approvingly. “You’ll be racing me up and down the lane before you know!”
“I doubt it” I say dryly, “What are you up to tomorrow?”
“After training - I’ve got a meeting with my agent and accountant and then I’m at the dentist” Adam replies. “Hopefully I should be back for lunch, but I’ll ring and let you know”.
“Okay” I say. Oh – must remember to ask Sharon about the guest list for Adam’s party as well tomorrow I think and laugh to myself. God – if someone had told me this time last year this is what I’d be spending my time doing I would never have believed it! Spending my day having my hair done, shopping and planning parties! It’s great.
“What are you laughing at?” Adam asks.
“Me - planning parties - having my nails done” I say, shaking my head. “It’s just so different to my old life at Delightful. Soon I’ll be moaning I haven’t got enough diamonds and then I really will have lost it!”
“Do you have enough diamonds Gail?” Adam asked in a mock serious voice, “I think that’s quite important”.
“Oh give over!” Gail said grinning, “I will not have ridiculous conversations about the amount of diamonds I have or need. My bracelet is just fine thank you!”
Adam smiles as the phone starts ringing. “I’ll get it” he says, going into the hall. “Hello?” he says. I can hear him talking and then he walks back into the kitchen. “I’ll just put her on. I think Wednesday next week should be fine. We’ll see you soon Mrs Auden” Adam says and holds out the phone to me. “It’s your Mum” he says, “She wants to know when we are going to go round. I’ve suggested next Wednesday”.
I take the receiver from him. “Now remember – no ridiculous conversations Gail” he says quietly and then pinches my bum! Shocked, I manage to smack him gently on the arm as he walks away laughing.
“Hi Mum!” I say brightly into the phone, how are you?”
I’m going to kill Adam when I get off this phone.
Chapter 20
The next day I leave the hairdressers feeling absolutely bloody fantastic. My hair is shimmering with light golden highlights and it falls gently round my face. I’ve been to the really expensive salons in town – a place I’ve often walked past, but have never been in until now. The fact that I have spent on one haircut what I used to spend on food in a month is frankly terrifying though and I feel really guilty, even though my hair looks fab. I am going to try and start saving some money – I am. But after today. I’m just going to have a look in my favourite shoe shop before I have my nails done.
I peer through the window and see a really funky pair of purple suede high heels. They’re gorgeous. As I stand and admire them, I catch sight of my reflection in one of the mirrored panels at the back of the display and gape at it. It doesn’t look like me – that girl looks quite elegant and polished with a fabbo haircut! I look at the cut of my jacket, the slim leopard skin scarf knotted round my neck and my new overdyed indigo designer jeans. Gosh – when did I become this stylish? Is that me? What time is it? Christ – I’d better get a move on. I’ll come back and try those purple heels on later.
As I walk up to the salon, I walk past my favourite record shop. I’ve spent many happy hours in there browsing through records and discovering lots of new bands. I think I’ll just nip in and get that Itchy Skin and the Weevils album – I’d meant to order it yesterday and I forgot.
I push open the door and step inside. Immediately my ears are assaulted by a thrash metal song blasting out at high volume with drums, guitar and synthesiser all seemingly playing different songs at the same time and accompanied by a singer who keeps screaming so loud it sounds like he’s got something trapped in a door. Me – I’ve never liked thrash metal, but there are a couple of students browsing the metal section and nodding their heads along enthusiastically to the music so they must like it. Wincing slightly at one particular high pitched scream, I walk over to the new releases section, past the wall haphazardly covered in leaflets advertising everything from the latest album release to handwritten adverts on lined A4 paper for a drummer/bass guitarist/singer to join a band and look along the shelves for the album. I see one by a band called Cheesy Drum – what a fantastic name! I’m tempted to buy it purely because of that and then I see the album I’m looking for. The cover is just plain black with the name of the band in pale grey letters across the top.
I take it to the till and an assistant comes over to serve me. I don’t recognise him. Must be new. Mind you, I haven’t been in here for quite a while so he could have been here ages. The assistant takes the CD from me, glances at it and then looks up at me slightly surprised.
“Is there a problem?” I ask puzzled.
“No” the assistant says quickly, “Not at all”. He scans the barcode and smiles. “I wouldn’t have thought you’d have bought something like this. I would have said more pop music”.
“How do you mean?” I ask.
“Well” he gives a little embarrassed cough, “Looking at you, I would have thought you’d have bought a Girls Aloud album or something like that. That’s £12.99 please” he says and I give him my credit card, “Not cool indie stuff like this,” he adds sheepishly.
“Oh right” I say taken aback. What do I look like? I think shocked to myself. Cheryl bloody Cole? I don’t think so. Three stone heavier for a start. “Well – I do like a lot of different music” I say as I typed my pin number into the card terminal, “And I have actually seen these live” I add casually. That’ll show him.
“Wow! Where was that?” he asks, his eyes wide.
“Oh it was at my old local pub a while ago” I say airily, “I was into these well before many people had heard of them”. The mark of a true fan. You liked the band before they’d even started learning to play the guitar.
“I bet they were really good weren’t they?” he says. “I hope they tour again soon”.
Oh yes, they were great” I say as I take my card and receipts from him and put them back into my purse.
“Well they are everywhere now. I reckon this album will be number one at the weekend” the assistant says putting the CD in a bag and passing it to me. “Enjoy!”
“Thank you” I say and go out of the shop. I feel slightly confused. How does someone who listens to chart music look anyway? I wonder. Just because I’m not dressed head to toe in black with dyed black hair doesn’t mean I only listen to the likes of Girls Aloud and Kylie Minogue. Cheeky sod.
In the taxi on the way home, I sit admiring my new nails while I think about what the assistant said in the record shop. I do look a bit different now I concede, but I’m still me. I haven’t changed really. I take the Itchy Skin and the Weevils CD out of the bag, slide out the little accompanying booklet to flick through and think back to that night when I had been to see them. I haven’t spoken to Alex for weeks. This is someone I used to speak to nearly every day. Working at Delightful was hellish, but we did used to have a laugh sometimes. I’m definitely going to ring her after lunch and invite her and Dave to Adam’s birthday party. Geez - I don’t even know if she’s still with Dave, they could have split up for all I know I think, shaking my head.
I look down at the booklet again. It comprises mainly of arty, black and white photographs of the band, some a little blurred. I am a bit disappointed that there isn’t one decent one of the lead singer, but I don’t know why – he kind of pales into significance next to Adam.
I put the booklet back in the CD case before putting it back into the bag and glance down at the carrier bag containing the shoes I’d spotted earlier. They’re fab – I’m really glad I bought them – even though I’m fast filling the dressing room with footwear. Maybe I ought to talk Adam into converting one of the other bedrooms into a walk in shoe room for me. That would be truly amazing. I’d just put a chair in the centre of the floor and sit for hours in wonder looking at all the shoes and drinking in all their beauty. Especially those silver five and a half inch heels with the slinky ankle straps and real diamond trim I’ve got for Adam’s party. Haven’t a clue what to wear on the rest of me, but the shoes are sorted. Trouble is they are so beautiful I’m frightened to wear them in case I damage them! I’ve explained this to Adam who just rolled his eyes heavenward when I told him. But then he’s a man and he simply doesn’t understand I think as the taxi pulls up outside the house.
I make myself a cup of tea and sit listening to the Weevil’s album – which is really good – while I pluck up the courage to ring and book some driving lessons. I don’t know why I’m feeling like this. Well I do – it’s because I’ve convinced myself that driving a car is something I cannot do – I just didn’t get that gene that enables me to drive a car. Me and Adam sat and watched Top Gear last Sunday and Adam had remarked jokingly that he might buy every single car featured and I’d smiled, but felt like I was watching a programme about a world that I could never be part of or experience. I told Adam this and he just thought I was being stupid. I know he’s right. I pick up the phone, admire my nails and put it down again. Come on Gail you can do this! I take a deep breath and quickly ring the number for Sam’s School of Driving that I’ve found in the Thompson directory. She answers after a few rings and sounds really nice! She asks me lots of questions about what driving experience I’ve had and I explain that I’d taken my test a couple of times previously, didn’t get it, left things for a couple of years and that I was quite nervous about starting to learn again and Sam was really positive, saying that it’s just a matter of confidence and that she was sure that I would make a good driver! So I have booked my first lesson for tomorrow at ten o’clock. As I write it on the calendar in the kitchen I start to feel nervous about it. Oh God! I have a Jaffa cake to take my mind off it and then immediately feel guilty as I’m supposed to be trying to lose weight for Adam’s party. Oh well.
****
“Hey – your hair looks really nice!” Adam says when he arrives home.
“Thanks!” I say smiling. “I’ve made you some lunch” and put a plate with a sandwich and salad on in front of him.
“Oh great thanks – I’m starving!”
“How did things go today?” I ask.
“Fine thanks” Adam says, taking off his jacket. “Managed to get lots of boring but important financial stuff sorted out and my teeth are fine too which is even better. What have you been up to – apart from going to the hairdressers?” he asks as he goes into the kitchen.
“Well, I’ve had my nails done look!” I say and hold out my hands for inspection.
“Nice!” Adam says grinning.
“And I’ve done a bit of shopping, bought some new shoes...”
“Did you need any more shoes?” Adam asks smiling.
“No – but these are really nice” I say firmly and Adam laughs. “And - I’ve booked a driving lesson as well!”
“Oh that’s great!” Adam says enthusiastically. “When is it?”
“Tomorrow morning at ten o’clock” I say. “I’ve told Sam – that’s the name of my instructor - to pick me up from town as I’m going to go and buy the books I need for my theory test first”.
“Right” Adam says. “That’s really good Gail – I’m glad you’ve taken that all important first step”.
“I know, but I’m really nervous about it” I say as I pour us both some sparkling mineral water.
“There’s no need to be nervous Gailey honestly,” Adam says sitting down, “You’ll be fine. You’ll pass in no time don’t you worry!”
I smile. “If you say so” I say as I sit down. “I hope you’re right”. I know you’re not though. I’ll be the world’s oldest learner driver - 87 and still going strong. And I’ll still have my own teeth as well.
After lunch Adam goes in the gym while I get on the phone and get on with preparations for Adam’s birthday party. I spent all yesterday evening researching all these companies on the internet. After booking the marquee and a DJ, I book some jugglers, magicians, acrobats and fire eaters to walk round and entertain people. I then ring Sharon about the guest list as I can’t organise any catering until I know how many people are coming. I really don’t know what food to serve either. Hopefully she’ll have some ideas.
“Hello?”
“Hi Sharon it’s Gail”.
“Hello darling how are you? Didn’t we have a nice time yesterday at the Barbie?”
“Yes it was great” I reply, “I was just ringing to say – I’ve decided to throw a huge party for Adam’s birthday...”
“Oh great – I love parties!” Sharon replies sounding delighted.
“Oh that’s good!” I say, “Because I need some help. I’ve decided on a kind of circus theme and we are going to have it in the garden and I’ve booked a marquee and some jugglers, magicians and acrobats to walk round and entertain people...”
“Oh fantastic darling!” Sharon replies.
“Oh thank you” I say, “I just wondered if you could help me with the catering side and the guest list – I presume I invite all the team, Terry and their other halves?” I ask.
“Absolutely – it would look really bad if you didn’t” Sharon says firmly. “And that does include inviting Nicola as well”.
“Okay” I say with a sigh, “I’ve got a couple of people I want to invite from my old workplace too”.
“Right - I know people as well I could ask if you like – people from other clubs and some celebrities as well like Candy Stoutman the soap actress and Daniel Gregg the TV presenter? I think you may have met Candy at Gina’s wedding actually – she’s really nice” Sharon says.
“Yes - I think I did” I reply, “If you get me their address, I’ll send them an invite. It’s going to be black tie I think...”
“Marvellous” Sharon says, “Men do look nice in tuxes!”
“Well quite!” I say laughing “And we get to wear really nice evening dresses as well! Do you think Sharon, you could possibly help me with the food and sorting out a caterer? I’ve got so much to sort out, I haven’t a clue what to serve and the last thing I want to do is mess up a big night like this”.
“I’d love to!” Sharon says. “Why don’t you bring the guest list and all your plans round to mine tomorrow afternoon? I’ll have a look and see what I can do to help. Is it all right if I ask Gina as well? Gina knows loads of celebs and I know quite a few catering and event companies, so between us we should be able to help you get everything sorted and get a guest list of about a hundred?”
“That would be great!” I say relieved. I only know about seventy people and half of them I wouldn’t really want to invite to a party.
“I’ll get Tony to make us some lunch as well” Sharon says and I laugh.
“You don’t need to go that far Sharon!” I say, “But if you don’t mind helping – that would be great!”
“Of course I don’t mind!” Sharon says warmly, “I love organising things. Besides, it will do Tony good to go on lunch duty for a change. Sometimes I think he doesn’t even know where the kitchen is in this house!”
After I hang up, I immediately dial my old direct line number at Delightful to invite Alex. I’m really looking forward to speaking to her again. The phone rings a few times before a strange voice I don’t know answers.
“Good morning, this is Delightful. My name is Julie and how can I help?”
I’m completely thrown by this as I was expecting to hear Alex’s voice. “Er – hi! Is Alex there at all?” I ask, surprised.
“Yes – one moment – who’s calling please?” Julie says in a crisp, professional tone.
“It’s Gail” I say.
“And which company are you calling from Gail?” she asks.
Julie is starting to get on my nerves. Just put me through will you? “W.A.G Incorporated” I say and try not to laugh.
“One moment please” Julie says, the line clicks and beeps, and then Alex’s voice comes on the line.
“W.A.G Incorporated! What are you like Gail?” she says laughing. “How the hell are you?”
“Hi Alex!” I say. “I’m fine thanks and yourself?”
“I’m great thanks” she says. “It’s nice to hear from you!”
“Thanks. And how’s Dave and your Mum?”
“They’re both good thanks and how’s the lovely Adam?”
“He’s marvellous” I say, “He’s part of the reason I’m phoning actually. Are you free on Saturday the 14th of July? I’m throwing a massive birthday party for him and I would really like you and Dave to come”.
