Seeking Crystal by Joss Stirling Read Free Book Online Page B

with a fingertip. ‘Oh, I want one. I could wear it on a bad day at the office. That’d put the fear of God into my girls in the workroom. Come, let’s show James.’
    I spent the next half an hour being turned and prodded as they worked through the potential of each costume. I was even asked to wear the male domino and mask just to see the general effect. Everything was approved and the three of them were buoyed along on creative enthusiasm for what could be done with the outfits. Not daring to speak up, I was also caught up in the mood, remembering how much I loved my textile course at school, which had allowed me to conjure shapes and silhouettes with fabric, but nothing on this scale or budget.
    Over a fantastic dinner of local scallops followed by the lasagne and green salad, James toasted his host. ‘You’ve exceeded my expectations, signora. You’ve produced everything you sketched for us but added magic. It will make fantastic cinema.’
    ‘ Grazie tante . I could not have done it without my assistant.’ She gestured generously to me.
    Lily tapped the back of my wrist. ‘Crystal, you must come along on Sunday—be one of the extras. You don’t need to do anything more than you’ve done tonight but you looked fabulous. I’m itching to get my hands on dressing you properly. Don’t you agree, James?’
    The director’s BlackBerry buzzed. He glanced down and checked his message. ‘She looked great. Yes, come along, Crystal. You might find it fun. There will be a lot of standing around but that’s the movies. I’ve got to cut this short, I’m afraid. Steve’s just landed his helicopter at his hotel and wants to talk to me—some problem with the press in the rumour department. Thank you so much for the meal, signora: it means a lot to meet real people when you go on location. The film world bubble can get in the way of a genuine response to a place.’
    Signora Carriera left the room to show him out. Lily made no move to leave with the director, taking a sip of her wine and sitting back with a fond smile of contentment rather like Barozzi the cat after a good supper.
    ‘He’s nice,’ I said, topping up my water.
    ‘Yes, James is a really lovely man,’ Lily twiddled a lock of her short hair in thought,‘—nervous at the moment because so much money is riding on the project but he never takes it out on his team. I really enjoy working for him.’ Her gaze shifted from contemplation to concentrate on the present moment, taking on a wicked glint. ‘Your signora is quite something too.’
    I smiled. ‘A hard worker, that’s for sure.’
    ‘And an artist when it comes to clothes. I could learn a lot from her.’
    ‘Is that why you’re still here—to pick her brains?’
    Lily laughed. ‘Of course. When we needlewomen get together, we can’t pass up the chance to talk the language of dressmaking with someone who really understands. But I’m also interested in you, Crystal. You’re not what I expected to find in Venice.’
    I shrugged. ‘I’m only part Italian—a quarter. I went to school in England, which is where my mum and one sister still live. The rest of us are scattered all over.’
    ‘I wasn’t talking about your nationality. I meant someone with your looks. Have you ever been approached by anyone? You obviously have the height and there is just something about your face that screams to be photographed.’ Thumbs and index fingers together, Lily mimed capturing me in a frame.
    ‘Oh, um, well, no. You’re only the second person to say that and the other was the signora earlier today. Must be my day for being talent-spotted.’ I chuckled at the irony. ‘Funny because I always thought I looked, well, odd compared to other girls.’
    ‘You do.’
    Caught mid-sip, I almost spat out my mouthful of water. I swallowed and managed a wry ‘Thanks.’
    ‘No, I mean it. You have an unusual face, but the eyes now—what colour would you call them?’
    ‘Light brown?’
    ‘Uh-uh.’ She