All Tomorrow's Parties by Nicole Fitton Read Free Book Online

me her number and won’t stop calling. Apparently I invited her as my plus one tonight to the press screening of Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence and she wants to know what time we’re meeting, I really need your help. I’m thinking if she sees me with you she’ll put two and two together”, said Tony, sounding desperate
    “What - and make six?” laughed Laine. Her eyes may have betrayed her but so far her actions had not.
    “I know I’m a foolish old git but I would appreciate a wee bit of help. Adam’s coming so he’d be able to give you a lift…pleesaasse?” Tony was doing his usual begging voice.
     
    “Alright, Danny’s away tonight so I don’t need to rush back - but I do need a new dress so as long as Adam drives via Selfridges you’re on. You know I’m only doing this cos I wanna see that film don’t you? I love Ryuchi Sakamoto and David Bowie.”
    “Cheers Laine, whatever your motives I owe you big time”, sighed Tony. “Tell Adam I’ll meet you both at the Ship before heading to Leicester Square about 6.30ish, see you later”, he added, the relief in his voice apparent.
    “Yep alright, by the way Tone I loved your piece on Fun Boy Three”, said Laine.
    “Thanks Laine, see you later.” And with that Tony hung up. Adam had been in his office with the door open. Inconvenient at the best of times - it was directly behind Laine’s desk and she knew he’d be listening. The trouble with working in a space that was an old mews house was there were limits as to how office space could be arranged. The building had been designed as a living space not a record company. That said there were also many advantages. First time visitors to Vestal felt right at home; the atmosphere was rather like that of a dysfunctional creative family – good to visit but you wouldn’t want to be there all the time. She gazed out of the window to the left of her desk which overlooked the mews itself.
    Laine often wondered if real people lived in the other houses. If they did, what on earth must they think of the comings and goings at Vestal? Notting Hill Gate was not a cheap area: she imagined they would be mightily pissed off with all the noise and commotion. Nowadays it was more common than not for her to arrive at work and be greeted with at least ten fans of the group Bandit hanging around at the entrance like lovesick puppies hoping to catch a glimpse of their idols.
    “So you’re playing girlfriend again tonight then Laine?” said Adam, putting on his fatherly voice. She knew he’d been listening.
    “I’m gonna have a word with him later. It’s not right you pandering to him, he asks you far too often, you’ll get a reputation…” Even more fatherly now.
    “Adam it’s fine, I don’t mind really – it’s fun, it’s kind of like acting.” Laine was being honest. Tony had asked her a few times before to act as his “plus one” and she hadn’t minded. In fact she rather enjoyed it: she got to see what it may be like if she really went out with Tony Black.
    She had been honest too with Danny and he had found it amusing. “I’ve never known a man like him”, he’d said. “It’s like women are mesmerised by him. Just as long as you don’t get enchanted by his spell, Boots!” he joked.
     
    “As if”, she had retorted sharply, a little too sharply she reflected, but Danny had not picked up on it.
    “Danny doesn’t mind, Adam, so why should you?” said Laine rather strongly
    “Well I’m still gonna let him know he’s crossing the line”, grumbled Adam, and with that he handed Laine some contact sheets of a recent photo shoot done in Iceland with Bandit.
    Laine sat in silence. Adam is my boss but he doesn’t have the right to live my life, she thought through pursed lips. She had known since primary school that she needed to become more assertive. On her final day at Elfrida Junior, her wonderful teacher Mr Sessions had written in her autograph book: Laine don’t be backwards in coming