Beads, Boys and Bangles by Sophia Bennett Read Free Book Online Page A

perched delicately on Harry’s knee.
    ‘I thought he was dating Lulu Frost,’ she saysthoughtfully. ‘I worked with her in New York a couple of months ago. She’s doing Gucci at the moment. He’s younger than her, but so persistent. And confident. He’s SO not gay, darling.’
    She gives me a wicked grin.
    ‘Oh,’ I say.
    And drink a LOT of hot chocolate. Which I hope will explain why my cheeks have gone poncho colour again.

‘ S he looks like a horse,’ Jenny says loyally.
    We’re in my room. Supposedly doing French homework. Jenny’s going on and on and on about this meeting she’s got on Thursday with the director of Bill’s new play. I’ve briefly mentioned Lulu Frost. Jenny insisted on seeing pictures.
    Lulu happens to be advertising a coat in my copy of The Sunday Times magazine, featuring the piece on Crow. ( Petal power: fashion’s new girl starts to blossom . Only a tiny bit at the end about slave labour. Big relief.)
    Lulu has glossy black hair, sapphire-blue eyes and long, long lashes. Despite the lashes, she definitely doesn’t look like a horse.
    ‘She looks great,’ I point out.
    ‘Her nose is too big.’
    ‘She’s a SUPERMODEL.’
    ‘No, she’s not. Not like Svetlana. She’s just in a lot of ads at the moment. She’s a model. That’s all.’
    ‘THAT’S ALL?’
    ‘Look, if he’s gone off her, that’s not your fault, is it?’
    ‘I thought you said he was dangerous and I wasn’t supposed to see him again.’
    ‘He is, and you shouldn’t. I’m just saying you’re more beautiful than her. I can quite see why he fancies you more. I just think you should ignore him.’
    ‘Oh, thank you, Jen.’
    I give her an enormous bear hug. She really is the nicest possible friend. I know for a fact that I am a flat-faced midget with wonky hair, but Jenny says all the right things.
    ‘So? What are you going to do?’
    She’s looking quite severe now. I know I ought to say that she’s right and I’m not even going to return Alexander’s call. But he’s gorgeous. And fit, in every sense. And he looks a bit like Robert Pattinson. And his voice is pure honey. And he definitely fancies me. And he was really nice to Granny and perfectly charming all evening that night in Paris. And he makes my insides do really impressive arabesques when he catches me looking at him.
    How can I possibly NOT go on one teeny, weeny date with a hot young ballet dancer who appreciates decent footwear? I’d be crazy, right? And to think our children would be athletic AND beautiful AND they’d probably have that floppy hair . . .
    ‘I’ll be very good. I promise. I won’t let him even kiss me.’
    ‘Noooooo.’
    Jenny tries a bit more, but I think she’s realised she’s not going to persuade me. She makes one last, desperate effort.
    ‘What does your mum say?’
    ‘She’d had a string of boyfriends by the time she was my age. She says to respect myself, not drink anything with an open top and be back by eleven. She knows I won’t do anything naughty.’
    And she’s right. I have SUCH a clear idea of how my first night of naughtiness should be, and a quick meal with a guy I’ve just met who used to go out with a model isn’t even close. I may watch Gossip Girl , but I don’t intend to live it.
    I feel totally virtuous and confident. In fact, the more Jenny tries to talk me out of it, the more virtuous and confident I get.
    On the way in to school on Thursday morning, I’m feeling pretty good. It’s the last day of term. My hair has been de-wonked by Granny’s hairdresser, who is a miracle worker. I’ve just received an invitation to an intimate Christmas soirée by Stella McCartney. A hot ballet dancer fancies me instead of a model. And, to top it all, I spot two sixth-formers in pieces from Crow’s collection for Miss Teen, and looking great in them.
    I walk into the classroom radiating goodwill, despite the fact that it’s geography in two minutes. I smilehappily at all my friends. I sit