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(aka Bike) Part 1921 by Angharad Copyright © 2013 Angharad
All Rights Reserved. |
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I had a word with Tom, who agreed I could build a large greenhouse in his garden, down towards the orchard. I next called Maureen and asked her if she could organise a large greenhouse. She promised to come the next day to discuss it with me.
Then I went and had words with Sammi, who was hiding from me. I knocked on her door and entered. “Oh, it’s you, Mummy,” she blushed.
“Who were you expecting?”
“No one, well, I wondered if Jules might come by.”
“You know why I’ve come?”
“I can guess.”
“Why did you do the photos?”
“I wanted to.”
“And you kept the initiative?”
“Yeah–as much as you did.”
“Sammi, the tabloids were going to publish something about me anyway. I went to the BBC because I had a friend there and maintained some degree of editorial control, and it went out live. All you’ve done is to do exactly as they wanted.”
“They said I could make a fortune.”
“That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll receive one, and it’s all speculative. The bank was paying you rather well, so you’d make a nice living there with no exposure, and I suspect you’d get a chance to finish your degree.”
“I’d be thirty by then.”
“So? It’s hardly old, is it?”
“It is to me.”
“So when are you going to resign your job?”
“Not until they offer me a contract.”
“I see, so if they do, you’ll just chuck in your job with Simon and the bank.”
“It’s the chance of a lifetime–admit it.”
“That would depend upon what your ambition was. Personally, posing in front of a camera except to educate while making films, is not my idea of fun, especially not wearing ridiculous outfits.”
“Yeah, well you don’t need to–you’re rich enough, and you’re famous.”
“Famous? For what, juggling a dormouse down my blouse–that’s hardly a credible form of celebrity, is it?”
“You’ve done all sorts of things, including making a film and catching crooks, fighting the mafia. You’re a celebrity.”
“I don’t see it like that. Okay, my film could be seen as a bit of exhibitionism, but I didn’t want to do that–the presentation bit–I was talked into it.”
“You were brilliant–so sexy.”
“I had no intention of appearing sexy, Sammi, I’m a married woman with umpteen kids and a very important husband.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“I think you’re making a big mistake–the computer security is far more important than being pawed at by grubby old men and sticky fingered kids.”
“I won’t be touched by grubby old men.”
“Once your photos are in the public domain you have no control over what happens to them.”
“Well Andre Pejic seems to be okay?”
“Perhaps he enjoys his work, I thought you did.”
“Modelling would be more exciting.”
“What, hanging around for hours while some dick head designer works out what stupid makeup and clothing, or lack of, he wants you to exhibit? Exciting? I’ll stick to my dormice.”
“Well, I’m going to give it a go.”
“If you do, then I think you’re making a big mistake, and it will disappoint Simon very greatly.”
“I’m sorry, but I feel it’s my destiny.”
“To make a fool of yourself.”
“I think it’s the right thing to do.”
“I think you’re wrong. You’ll be welcome here unless I believe you’re using any drugs. If I suspect you of that, I’m afraid you’ll no longer be welcome.”
Her expression showed shock at that statement. I got up and left. I have no tolerance of recreational drugs and said so. I would also know as soon as she entered the house if she’d been using them.
“Where’ve you been?” asked Simon.
“Talking with Sammi, the little fool.”
“So you didn’t convince her?”
“No, it’s her destiny, apparently,” I made inverted comma marks with my fingers.
“Perhaps it is then.”
“Perhaps.”
“You lost it with her, didn’t you?”
“No, I just said if she used drugs, she wouldn’t be welcome here.”
“You can’t do that–she’s calling us her family.”
“I just did.”
“Cathy, you can’t do that–you’re almost daring her to do it, whereas she might not have even thought of it before. How could you?”
“The fashion world is full of stick thin kids who snort coke or take uppers to keep them thin and awake. If she couldn’t resist the pressure to get involved in modelling, how will she manage when the coke is being passed round, or some other recreational substance.”
“Won’t she need you more than ever then?”
“I don’t know. Simon, you gave her a chance to earn good money and follow her dreams with IT. She’s betrayed you.”
“No, she’s experimenting with her dreams–don’t all young women want to be models?”
“This one didn’t.”
“But you still became the bank’s pinup.”
“Not willingy.”
“Okay so you were different. Most other girls would give their eye teeth to make it as a model.”
“Why?”
“You’re the woman, you tell me. I expect because it reinforces their image of being sexy and attractive to others. It also can make loads of money and brings fame. They all want to be famous.”
“Until they realise they can’t walk down the street with the dog or to the shops without some paparazzo taking photos of them looking like shit warmed up.”
“Yeah, well, she’s young. She can’t see the full picture yet.”
“I’m not that much older than her, how come I can?”
“You’ve been around, kiddo, and you’ve already achieved your ambition of marrying me and having loads of babies.”
“Very funny.”
“I mean it–what did you want from life?”
“To be a woman and to–oh I don’t know–I hadn’t got beyond the first stage and it all happened around me.”
“Do you regret it?”
“No.”
“Well then. Perhaps this is happening all around Sammi.”
“I still think she’s making a mistake.”
“Isn’t that what growing up is all about.”
“She’s twenty–she’s a young woman–not a kid.”
“She’s been a young woman five minutes–she’s seduced by the whole glamour thing.”
I’d never heard Simon sound so philosophical about any of the kids before. “What if it all goes wrong?”
“She’ll comes back to us and we hold her until she gets over it. Isn’t that what you taught me about having children?”
“Did I?” If I had, I’d obviously not read the lesson plan properly, because it had passed me by. “Okay, but I have a bad feeling about all this.”
“They have to be allowed to make mistakes, Cathy, that’s what life is all about, and if she makes a success of it, just think how proud you’ll feel of her?”
“I don’t know, Si, I just fear for her.”
“We’ll still be here to help her, with all the rest of the family, she’ll be okay.”
I wasn’t at all sure about it and I hoped my suspicions were unfounded, but there was this nagging doubt. Yeah, a very definite nagging doubt.
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Comments
Hang on in there ...
Hang on in there Cathy, rearing kids was never easy.
Good chapter an' still lovin' it.
Bevs.
XXX
Sadly children ..
do not come supplied with an instruction book, So its very much a case of trial and error and the hope that any mistakes you might make are small ones..
Both Cathy and Simon have their own personal views on who has the best way to help Sammi in not making a mistake... The trouble is Sammi is now a young adult and will no doubt do just as she wants, That being the case then perhaps the best course of action is to let her do that but maybe if they are concerned enough make a few discreet enquiries about the agency, Having money does sometimes help when you can use it to phone Jim...
Glad to read that the news that your daughter does not have MS Angharad, Hopefully the surgery to remove the tumour will be quick and successful and she will soon be back to normal, My thoughts and love go out to you and all your family...
hugs
Kirri
What an airheaded choice
Sammi will learn the hard way I fear. And I agree with Cathy, drugs and you are out.
Kim
I'm with Cathy
I have misgivings about it also, but our kids have to try it on, eh? All we can do is hope that something terminal doesn't happen.
G
Sammi
you are making a huge mistake. Perhaps after the session and there are other models around you could talk with one, and see how it really is. I think you won't like it.
Don't let someone else talk you out of your dreams. How can we have dreams come true, if we have no dreams?
Katrina Gayle "Stormy" Storm
What Cathy, nor Simon
can see is that Sammi wants what Cathy has: fame as well as fortune.
May Your Light Forever Shine
I can understand...
I can understand Cathy's doubt... But, I think I understand the 'alure' of modeling. I've a friend who competes in the Miss New Jersey pagents... And does the occasional modeling... And, isn't tall enough to "make" it as a model. What's her day job? She cooks and she's a waitress (depending on the current employer). She's also a tallented singer and dancer... But, no real success as a model. Luckily she's realistic about the modeling - "It's an opportunity to wear some awesome gowns". She's also a few years older than Sammi, and had a LOT more practice.
Ho boy... You've set things up to go way crazy.
And, the world does need more people who both know/understand computer security AND are able to improve the security of those around them by what they do!
Thanks,
Annette
I'm a little surprised to see Simon showing more wisdom
than Cathy but IMHO that is the situation here. Hope she thinks about it and listens to him. It seems like so many here understand being rejected by their families, Cathy should understand that too. If in her short time with Cathy and Simon Sammi has become part of the family they need to try to understand her and accept that she's got to learn and in learning you make mistakes. If the modeling is a mistake they need to be prepared to be her refuge. I hope Cathy after a bit of pondering goes back to Sammi and tells her that while she doesn't agree with the move, she'll be there for her.
I like Simon's ...
I like Simon's compassion. I'm sorry to have to say this but Cathy's got a bit of a broom handle up her a--e over this one. Everybody has dreams.
Good chapter Ang, parental conflict or what!
XZXX
Bevs.