Diva in Disguise Chapter 10

The next day dawned bright and sunny once again. I rose to be reminded by the calendar that my modelling session had been arranged for that afternoon. I was hopeful that the real me had remained hidden when I’d met Tam and I dared to believe that it could remain so during the photoshoot itself. Contending with more than one identity was something I had become used to having to deal with. For years I’d had to manage both a male and a female persona as the occasion demanded, but now I would have to be even more wary.

On the previous visit, I had left the house as Jennifer, completed my transformation to ‘Mistie’ in the car and parked up outside the studio. That was before I’d discovered that the little guy who ran the studio was in fact an old acquaintance. Now that I knew, a different plan was called for. My little car was too recognisable to risk my other persona being seen driving it. Accordingly, Jennifer would drive to a vacant lot behind the high street which I knew of, complete the changeover, then walk a block to where Mistie could pick up a cab.

As regards my clothing, my best tactic would be to make a strong visual impact, or so I figured. Accordingly, I chose a bright striped top and a skirt whose flamboyant layers added a little drama to my figure. The combination certainly had pzazz.

I reckoned I’d done everything I could that was calculated to distract the eye from my face and when I waved off the cabbie, I got some welcome confirmation it was so. A blaring of horns accompanied his manoeuvre to pull out into the passing stream of cars. I wasn’t certain but it might have been the first time my looks had stopped traffic!

I had a little time to kill, so I walked some way down the street window shopping. I needed to clear my head before embarking my next challenge. Though the previous evening had gone by in a whirl, it had not been without its trials.

The thought of greeting and introducing myself to the customers as they entered was a prospect I found daunting. I had never found it easy to remember names. Before the doors were opened, I had plucked up courage to mention the problem to Alma.

“It will be so embarrassing if I keep forgetting what they all call themselves. How do you manage?”

The older woman seemed genuinely touched to be asked for help by a precocious youngster. “Just say the name in your head three times then repeat it back to the customer. Works for me.”

Perhaps under that brash exterior there lurked a sympathetic heart. From then onwards she had taken me under her wing. “I have a daughter about your age, or a little older. How old are you? Twenty?”

“I’m just eighteen.”

“Eighteen! Honey, with looks like yours you should be in the movies!”

Colouring up, I’d smiled gratefully. “Where is your daughter now?”

“Patty? She’s in the big city. She’s just graduated from law school. What’s your day job, sweetie?”

“Up until recently I’ve been working in a beauty salon. It pays the rent, but I’m also at college, studying skin therapy and now I’ve finished, I’ll be going into nursing.”

“Skin therapy! That could be useful. You wouldn’t guess, but I have this terrible rash…” Alma had indicated the site of the problem with a downward pointing finger. “Next time we get changed you can take a look and let me have your professional opinion.”

What!

My consternation over this request must have showed all too clearly in my expression.

“Don’t look so shocked. You must have seen it all before!”

True, but there was no way that I’d wanted to repeat that experience with my new colleague. I’d been left speechless, my mouth opening and closing but no words came out until… I’d realised that my companion was doubled up with silent laughter.

“Your face! It’s a picture… but you can relax, sweetheart. I was merely winding you up” she’d cackled.

When her merriment at my expense had subsided, she’d hugged me. “Aww, I’m sorry! Where do you live, honey?”

I’d mentioned the city that had become my home. “I’m only in these parts to clear my late mother’s house and settle her affairs and then I’ll be going back there.”

“Shame! You’re a nice kid. I like having you around.”

It appeared that I’d made a friend.

Once the doors were open and the punters began entering thick and fast, I’d recalled Alma’s recommendation and given it a try. Though the method wasn’t foolproof the repetition certainly helped my confidence. It wasn’t the only advice I was indebted to her for. Halfway through the evening she’d beckoned me closer.

“Here’s a stroke of luck” my colleague had whispered, and she’d inclined her head to indicate a man who had just entered. “See that guy in the red shirt. He’s what you might call a real spender. Be sure you make his acquaintance.”

Without turning my head, I’d eyed the person she’d indicated. He was wearing a smart black suit and was very well-groomed. At a guess, he looked middle-aged, but it would be no hardship to be in his company. Preparing to sidle over I’d been halted by the older woman’s touch on my arm.

“You may want to watch out for his hands, dear” she’d mouthed, winking artfully. “Know what I mean?”

I could imagine! I walked across to where the man was standing. Straightaway he gave me his full attention. “Hello sugar!” he exclaimed with a welcoming smile. “You’re new here, are you not? Glad to know you. This place was needed brightening up, I can say!”

Murmuring “Pleased to meet you too”, I checked myself from adding “You look pretty good yourself.”

Well he did!

“Sit with me why don’t you?” The man puffed out his chest, making me think of a peacock. He certainly had a good physique. “My name’s Andy” as he laid his hand on mine.

Oh, I thought, that’s easy to remember. Handy Andy!

“I’m Jenny.”

“That’s a sweet name, for a sweet-looking girl.”

The guy had been easy to talk to, or rather listen to. He was certainly tactile but in an unobtrusive way. His touch on my arm, my waist or my knee felt entirely natural, like a mannerism. Andy needed no encouragement to buy us drinks. He drank doubles and kept me well-supplied with my favoured ‘cocktails’. I soon lost count of the number I had consumed. It was as well that no alcohol had been included in their mixing.
Noticing, he commented on my apparent capacity. “You can certainly put it away, darling. How do you manage it?”

“Oh, these aren’t too strong” I laughed. That was almost true! “I expect it’s all the practice I get.”

“Well, practice makes perfect and that’s how you look to me. That style you’re wearing makes you look like a princess, but a sexy one. I’m fascinated! Makes me want to see more.” Again, the hand, this time on my leg.

It felt good. I knew I ought to fend him off a little, so chose to question the compliment not the action. “I think you can see plenty.”

“No, no! Just right. You look adorable, honey. So soft and yet…” he ran his fingers through the layers of my skirt, coming to rest on the top of my thigh, “…so firm and shapely.”

I smiled nervously, uncertain how best to deal with these attentions.

Next moment the guy had placed his hands on my hips and pulled me close to him.

My bust was pressed hard against his torso. The guy was all muscle and an unexpected wave of euphoria swept over me. To be held so firmly in his arms felt amazing. It would be so nice to acquiesce and let whatever happened happen. Those hormones of mine were running riot again!
I knew I ought to put a halt to these attentions. I allowed the embrace to linger a moment or two, merely out of politeness, before pressing my hands on his chest and shoving hard. It wasn’t an elegant manoeuvre, but it proved an effective means of freeing myself.

“You’re really nice but…” I said firmly “… after all those lovely drinks you got me, I need the powder room!”

Andy was undaunted. “I’ll be here when you return, my dear” he replied, evenly.

“Okay, but I am working, and those fellas over there are being neglected. I’ll have to say ‘Hi’ and then I’ll be right back.”

My admirer turned to see who I was referring to, then stared at me in surprise. “Do you know who they are?” he frowned.

“Oh, yes!” and with a smiling “See you again soon!” I made my escape.

On my return from the restroom, I went over to the pair of customers I’d referred to.

To be strictly accurate I had only recognised one of them. His buddy was unknown to me but even without the uniform, here was a face that was only too familiar.

“Enjoying yourselves, guys?” I inquired.

My ‘friend’ the traffic cop grinned at me. “Sure thing, Miss Cartwright. Glad to see you here. You look swell but I hope you didn’t drive here dressed like that.”

“No way! By the bye, I’m grateful that you were so nice this afternoon.”

“Oh, I believed every word you said, trust me.”

Yeah right! I guessed that. in actuality, he might have called in here to combine business with pleasure.

“Thanks. Everyone needs a break now and then.”

“If I’d known who you kept company with, I might have taken a different tack.”

“Who do you mean?” I was nonplussed.

“That joker in the red shirt” the other cop clarified. He seemed to be the senior of the two. “He’s a bird we’ve been keeping our eyes on for some time.”

“You mean Andy. I’ve only just met him.” I turned to look at my recent companion to find… he was nowhere to be seen.

“Where has he got to?” I asked. He was there a moment before.

“Looks like he had some place to be. I wonder why?”

“But…” My disappointment must have shown in my face.

“If I can offer a word of advice” said the captain or whatever he was. “I’d choose my company more carefully another time.”

“Thanks.” I was crestfallen.

“Happy to oblige!” He gave a little bow.

Not to be outdone, I’d responded with a small curtsy, but didn’t linger, judging it wiser not to get any better acquainted with the law. The men had left soon after.

It was late when the bar had eventually closed, but for me the night had flown by. Though I had been on my feet for hours, I’d had my fill of attention which I admit I’d mostly enjoyed. The jokers to whom flirting with a pretty girl was just a game were my preference. We’d had some laughs. Whereas those who thought they were getting somewhere with me were more tiresome, but no-one had stepped too far out of line, so all of it was okay.

Despite the apparent frailty of my gown, it had proved to have stamina and had stood up to the rigours of the evening very well. I’d adored wearing it. When it came to helping Alma clear tables and mop up, however, I’d reluctantly got changed out of my finery. My street clothes from the morning were still in the office, thankfully.

When we had done the older woman had been full of appreciation. “It’s so good to have another pair of hands. We got through all that in half the time. He’s no use” indicating where Adrian was propped, nursing a drink “and Delores isn’t much better.”

“Dolores?”

“The girl you’re covering for. If it were left to me, I’d take you on full time and let her go, stuck-up cow. I’m guessing the management might go for the idea, too. Tonight’s gone well and the takings have been sky high.”

Such unexpected praise had been most welcome. As I’d taken leave, Alma had hugged me. “See you tomorrow, sweetie. Saturday nights here are quite something. You’ll have a ball!”

I’d left glowing with the satisfaction of knowing that I’d played my part to the full. I thought I could hear Mom giving me one of those rare words of approval that she used to make me strive so hard to win. Driving back, I’d made sure I kept my speed strictly within the limits, though the streets were deserted at that late hour.

It had been a satisfactory evening though I was left with a regret or two. After Andy’s swift departure, I doubted whether I’d be seeing him again. Pity. I’d enjoyed his company. Also, Ryan hadn’t shown, once again. When would I see the youth again?

I didn’t wander too far before I turned and retraced my steps back to the studio. The clock was just striking 3pm when I turned in at the door and rang the bell.

I was greeted effusively by my hopefully unsuspecting former acquaintance. I was soon to be mightily relieved I’d taken the precaution of arriving by cab, however. We exchanged the usual pleasantries, and all was going swimmingly, until Tam made use of words I’d been dreading to hear.

“Mistie, I’ve remembered who it is that you remind me of” he exclaimed, triumph in his eyes.

No! This can’t be happening!