Faith - Lesley Pearse [129]
The prospect of that sent a cold shudder down her spine because she knew Greg was vindictive enough to do it.
‘But you deserve a better life too,’ Robbie went on. ‘You can’t stay stuck in this fiat all day while Barney is at school, having no fun, friends or money. It’s a living death. Why don’t you do some modelling for me? You’ll earn as much in a couple of hours as you would all week in a shop or an office, and you’ll be able to move somewhere smarter, pay a babysitter when you want to go out, run your car and buy yourself lovely clothes.’
Laura could remember the trepidation she felt as she drove over for the first time to the photographic studio in Livingston. She wanted the money Robbie was offering but she was convinced the studio would be a sleazy place and the photographer a pervert. However, as Robbie had assured her there was no obligation to stay if she didn’t like it, she felt she had to bite the bullet and check it out.
As she parked her car in the small industrial park she was relieved to see the studio looked every bit as professional as the other businesses around it. The plate-glass doors had stylish gold lettering announcing ‘Commercial Photography, Weddings and Family Portraits’.
In the black and white reception area, where the walls were covered with stunning photographs of children, weddings and family groups, she was greeted by a smartly dressed middle-aged woman. She said Ed Harris, the photographer, would come and speak to her in a few minutes, and meanwhile she would show Laura around.
By the time Laura met Ed, her nerves were soothed by the cleanliness of the changing rooms and the sophistication of the two studios. In the prop room she’d seen scores of different backdrops, ranging from a flower-covered archway to a beach scene and a romantic castle. There was no evidence of sleaze anywhere.
Ed was a big, jovial man with a very direct manner. He said she was a little older than most of the models he usually shot as pin-ups, but added she had excellent bone structure, lovely hair and a very good body. He directed her to a rail of very scanty clothes and underwear, said he’d like her to try the denim shorts and a bikini top first, and that the makeup artist would come to her as soon as she was ready.
It was all much less embarrassing than she had expected. The makeup artist talked about a job she’d had recently on a major film, adding that Laura’s skin was far better than the leading lady’s. The receptionist brought Laura a cup of coffee and a dressing gown to put on in case she felt cold. Neither of them gave as much as a hint that they thought glamour photography was dubious.
Once she was ready, Ed told her exactly how he wanted her to pose, and he continued to guide her as he took pictures. They were provocative poses – at one point she had to act as if she was taking off the brief shorts. He also got her to remove the bikini top and cover her breasts with her hands, but he made it easier by making her laugh and complimenting her when she got the pose or facial expression he wanted, so she felt reasonably comfortable with it all.
She was there for four hours. Ed used up dozens of rolls of film, she changed clothes five times, and at the end he handed her £50 and said he’d like her to do another session the following week.
For the first time in weeks she felt happy. She could buy Barney the new shoes he needed, and some paint to redecorate the living room. She didn’t feel ashamed.
All through March, April and May as she drove herself over to Livingston once or sometimes twice a week, she was on a rosy cloud. Ed had given her some copies of photographs, and while they were saucy, she looked good, and she wouldn’t have been ashamed to show them to anyone, not even her own sisters.
At that point she contacted Meggie and Ivy again and explained about Stuart. She lied to them and said she had a part-time job in a dress shop