Book 2, Chapter 12

I was in trouble! Litara made an innocent enquiry about my eyelashes over breakfast - she notices details and knows prices which is a killer combination - and I innocently answered with the details of the deal I'd done of which I was quite proud. The result? Litara promptly went ballistic because it seems I was a commodity being devalued by my own thoughtlessness.

"It's alright for you Sis! Business is your world but not all of us think like you. Last weekend I was effectively shut out of the conversation about the developers and Dad's yard and I still don't know what's going on there. Today I make a simple arrangement to save myself some money and you come down on me like a ton of bricks because something I signed with you last year says I mustn't license my image. What does license my image even mean?"

I slammed the door behind me heading upstairs to my room where I locked myself in and bawled my eyes out while hating Litara for bullying me, hating the world for being the way it is and hating myself for being such a whiney cow!

An hour later I was back downstairs apologising while Litara apologised for going over the top over something that would probably never happen. Simply put once you become a public face all of your history bubbles to the surface and that photo and agreement meant I could legally be described as 'a model' which is a word newspapers love misrepresenting. "That being the case would you be willing to be filmed doing a modelling course and then filmed again talking with girls who've done similar courses?"

This did not sound at all like Litara, Queen of the 'fait accompli', which had to mean she had only just thought of it. "I trust you not to show me up as a fool Sis but I'm very busy working during the day, dancing Wednesday's and Saturdays, doctors' appointments and I've arranged scuba and self-defence classes." I went and got my calendar for her to photocopy, quietly asking myself why I'd even consider taking on more. The answer was obvious: what 18 year old girl would turn down the offer of a free modelling course!

The rest of the morning I spent at Serena's house where I was greeted by a screech as she instantly spotted the second set of studs in my ears but then I got the silent treatment when I tried to pry information from her about Dad's yard. Accord was only regained when we made phone calls to Jenny and Evan settling details over which pub would be honoured with our presence that evening. Back home for some lunch and then it was dance time as Mum, Dad and I headed to the hall where we met Judy who had clearly been given instructions but I think was relieved with our early arrival and familiarity with the routine.

"Right," she said sorting out the music. "Salsa, Waltz, Quickstep, Rhumba, Tango and Reggae. You've been busy Venus. We'll get back to these if there is time but there is something more appropriate I'd like to warm up with today if your father will forgive my indulgence," and we all moved onto the floor to the opening chords of I Will Survive.

Music and dance were one of the first human inventions and their power is undiminished as I'm sure we all stood an inch taller as that track finished and we went into More Than a Woman.

I don't think I could have managed to dance to Judy's lead if it weren't for the previous piece but it worked and glancing across Mum was in seventh heaven judging from her expression. I find being dipped during a dance, even by another woman, very erotic and as I looked up at Judy I couldn't help but ask her, "Who says disco is dead?"

Judy's need to disco being enjoyably sated for the moment we went into a run through of all the other dances I'd done receiving a round of applause when the entering disabled class arrived during our final tango. I made the introductions and we went once more into disco mood.

An hour later as the class gathered their things to leave I noticed Judy chatting away to a helper and the man with the livid scar like old friends, and I couldn't help but feel pleased both for her and for myself - my manoeuvre appeared to be working!

Sunday morning found me a little fragile. The previous evening Serena had driven us to town where we met Evan and Jenny for a chat more than anything, but when Andy joined us things got out of hand. Andy was feeling flush with cash and bought a round of drinks which was unusual in itself as we customarily each bought our own. Evan bought Andy a drink while getting his own refill then Jenny did the same. Both Serena and I are slow drinkers and on finishing the drink Jenny had bought him before either Serena or I finished ours Andy bought another round, downed his drink in one and burst into tears.

The talk went on into the small hours when we drove Andy home to his bedsit and tried to find what was wrong or at least how we could help. There didn't seem to be anything to grasp. We had all known each other for years and Andy had always seemed the most straightforward of people if a bit cynical at times. I wondered if he was just like me in feeling directionless the way I had after my exams. Since then I'd been swept up by events but what if that hadn't happened? What happens to those left wallowing while others surf?

My run on Sunday morning was longer than usual pushing through the fog of too much alcohol, coffee and reality but by 11 am I was back on form when Mum told me we were all going to Bill's place for Sunday dinner. As she already had the dinner in the oven this made no sense…

"And… ?" I asked.

"And nothing. Just choose something nice to wear and don't take too long about it."

Something was happening but I wasn't prepared when Mum, Dad, Litara and I arrived at Bill and Grandma Tina's place with the dinner Mum had cooked to find Alistair and Jill Dougan, Serena and Penny were joining us.

Welsh lamb with all the trimmings is always welcome and not a meal to be rushed or spoiled by heavy conversation so it wasn't until first our plates and then the table was cleared that Bill brought the meeting to order, because that is what it was, a meeting.

"Venus, in Bilbao you got to see something of the process of property redevelopment and of course living in Cardiff you've seen similar work here. I'd like, if you can think of one, a name for a company to do that sort of development work here?"

"I don't need to think as the name I was going to suggest for your new boat is perfect for that. As a child I loved the story of the Welsh goddess of the northern stars who's castle was the aurora borealis where our spirits go to be reborn. Her name is perfect, Arianrhod.

"Agreed! Alistair, the papers please" requested Bill and after filling in the name Arianrhod several times Alistair laid in front of me a sheaf of papers to sign. Never sign anything you haven't read is the rule but in this case it would have been ridiculous and I suspect reading it would have taught me nothing through the legalese. I signed.

"When I bought the land which includes your father's yard it was a simple decision as the land was classified many years ago as contaminated and suitable only for industrial use. However Serena's father found out that the classification resulted from a long ago scam a tenant pulled to keep using the land his business rented by tampering with the soil samples.

So far so good and all credit to Mr Johnson for making the discovery. The most immediately profitable use for the land is for residential use which would take a lot of investment and which is why Mr Johnson called in the development company Penny worked for and you shared an evening with. Their intention on buying the land is to have the tests redone and get the land re-designated to maximise profit by building a residential estate."

"An interesting story and now you know I can see a big profit for you instead of Mr Johnson and company but what has it to do with me?" I asked.

"Everything and if that is what you want that is what will happen because when you signed those papers you became Non Executive director of 'Arianrhod Development'.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I almost shouted having signed on trust just like with Litara and her contract, so twice a fool!

"Easy. I own the company Alistair, Jill and Joy run the company, Serena and Penny work for the company and you get to decide what the company does."