Free Glamour by Louise Bagshawe Page A

fishtail. She looked like a mermaid from a fairy story.
    Jane—newly beautiful, now made up by the counter assistant from Chanel, her hair bouncing with life, her delicate features enhanced with a natural, glossy makeup that emphasized her youth—was wearing a sheath of dark green velvet that picked up her emerald eyes and honey-highlighted hair.
    Helen—exotic and aristocratic. Playing to her heritage, Sally had chosen her a long-sleeved gown with a dramatic sweeping trail, a satin and lace confection of pewter and gray, with a matching cape of lambswool, soft as thistledown. A collar of seed pearls was knotted around her neck.
    Her friends had protested they couldn’t possibly accept anything so expensive.
    “Screw that,” Sally said forthrightly.“Daddy doesn’t count his money, girls, he weighs it. And if he wants to spoil me, I want to spoil you .We’re friends, so don’t be stupid.”
    Lots of people sucked up to her, but she knew these two really liked her; they would even if she had nothing. In Sally’s position, that meant a lot. In fact, it meant everything.
    “If you say so. Thank you.” Helen kissed her on the cheek, thrilled. It was an exquisite gown, modest as well as stylish—even her parents would have no objection.
    “Thanks, hon.” Jane gave Sally a bear hug. Anything more, and her voice would have started to crack.
    She could hardly believe how Sally had transformed her. Lose the glasses, get some makeup, color and cut her hair—she barely recognized herself. And the nasty bitches that tried to make her life a misery weren’t going to, either.
    Jane was big on brains. Not so much on self-confidence. After this party, that was all going to change.
     
     
    “Jane.”
    “Jaaannnneee!”
    Sally swooped down on her as she walked along, staring into the middle distance. Helen snapped her fingers in Jane’s face.
    “Hello? Anybody home?”
    “I’m sorry.” Jane snapped back to the world around her.“I was miles away.”
    She didn’t mention her worries. Neither one would understand. But Maureen Smith’s father was a lawyer—a very high-priced criminal lawyer. He had gotten countless embezzling billionaires and rich, murdering husbands a “Get Out of Jail Free” card. Okay, not exactly free—Mr. Smith’s fees cost more than the president made in a year.
    “Yeah, well, forget all that. What are you doing tonight?” Helen snaked a buff arm through hers.
    “I have archaeology club . . .”
    “No.You don’t,” Sally announced. “You’re coming with us.”
    “I’ve got obligations. . . .”
    “And I’ve got you an appointment at Fernando’s.” The most exclusive salon in Bel Air. “Just for starters. You can consider yourself kidnapped.You’re coming with us.”
    Jane tried a small smile. “Party stuff?”
    Despite being a brainbox, she was still sixteen years old. And the idea of being guest of honor at the hot party Maureen couldn’t get into was delicious.
    “Bet your ass,” Sally agreed.
    “Okay. I’ll come.”
    Helen squeezed her arm reassuringly.“Don’t worry, Jane.When we’re done with you, you’re truly going to be beautiful. . . .”
    In the whirlwind of activity with her friends, she practically forgot the acid tongue of Maureen Smith.
     
     
    “Baby, baby, baby,” Mona said. She sighed with satisfaction, walked across the kitchen, and gave Paulie a hug. “You wouldn’t believe the response I am getting for this party. Shelby Cusack’s agent just called to ask me if we could squeeze her in!”
    “That’s great,” Paulie said absently. Normally, he’d have been thrilled to bits that hot new starlets were paying court to his wife. But right now, his attention was fixated on the screen in front of him.
    “We’ve got Feliz, too.You know, the Amazing Feliz? He’s the big lion tamer from Vegas! It’s, like, the most incredible act. And Maureen Ugoretz wanted him for her wedding anniversary but she couldn’t afford him. . . .”
    “How much