Free The Look of Love by Judy Astley

always got something to say. It should make great TV.’
    ‘What’s it called?’ Dina asked.
    Saul hesitated. ‘Er … Fashion Victims . But don’t let that put you off. This is absolutely not about ritualhumiliation by 360-degree mirror and big pants, I promise. It’s more about mutual support and so on.’
    ‘It’s a pilot then?’ Marcus asked, one media professional to another.
    ‘Yes, a pilot. Hopefully part one of six; we’ll see how it goes. I really want to start with a bang, so when Zoe suggested this group I thought we could talk it through, if enough of you are interested.’
    ‘Living together?’ Phyl asked. ‘Where, exactly? Because if it’s the Savoy, count me in!’
    ‘Well – that’s where TV magic comes in. The idea is to take a largeish house, have it look as if the whole group are staying there for the duration – in reality it’ll only be about ten days. And you won’t, I promise, have to live on the premises. It won’t take up anywhere near as much time as the programme will make out. Actually, I’m still trying to find the perfect location.’ Saul looked a bit worried at this point. ‘We did have an excellent one but it was suddenly sold and it all fell through … so if anyone knows a detached house with a fair bit of character, some good-sized rooms, ideally having one of those very large family-room set-ups, just let me know. Anyway,’ he said, finishing his beer, ‘um, that’s it really. I’ll … er wander off home now and leave you all to discuss it, because I feel I’ve interrupted your evening for long enough. If it’s a yes, and I hope it is, just give Zoe any questions you want answered and I’ll do mybest to help. And there’s a pretty hefty location fee if anyone knows of a suitable venue …’
    Oh is there? Bella thought, some cogs in her brain starting to whir. Now there’s an idea.

FIVE
    ‘I hate the first day of the school year.’ Molly grumbled to Carly, who was driving them to school in her mum’s old Polo. There was an ominous clunking sound every time Carly changed gear, which Molly suspected might not be the car’s fault. ‘Day one is always so false – everyone hugging people they’ll hardly talk to again and saying how brilliant to see each other. Like those who are actually friends haven’t been hanging out together for the whole holidays anyway?’
    ‘And then you get the ones who’ve spent six weeks at their dad’s bank-robber villa in Spain.’ Carly giggled.
    ‘Too right. So that’ll be Tania then! How many clothes will she not be wearing today to show off her tan and her new bling? And do you think she’ll do that thing she did after Easter, “accidentally” dropping in the odd Spanish word?’ They were going down the high streetnow, slow in the school-run traffic. Molly caught sight of a sign in a pub window urging those who wanted Christmas office parties to book early. She immediately felt as if half the term was already over – and this was only September’s first week. She had a sense of time racing; her mum said that’s what happens when you get old. That couldn’t be right – she wasn’t even eighteen yet.
    ‘She will, she will,’ Carly agreed, applying lip gloss while waiting for the traffic lights to change. ‘It’s always good to rely on Tan. She’s a natural-born WAG. But it’s cute watching all the shy little year sevens on their first day, isn’t it? Now we’re really old, I think ah, how sweet they are. Only eleven and so scared of the first day at Big School.’
    ‘Careful, Carls, you’re going all nostalgic on me. And watch that bus, it’s pulling out!’ Molly gripped the sides of her seat and shut her eyes. Carly’s driving was still of the essentials-only variety. Sometimes she drove as if the car should be the one making the effort and Carly was still just a passenger.
    ‘Oops – sorry!’ Carly waved and smiled at the bus driver, even though there was no chance he could see her. ‘We