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Back When Life Gives You Lemons
Chapters (54)
  1. Cover
  2. WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS
  3. Dedication
  4. Part One
  5. Chapter One
  6. Chapter Two
  7. Chapter Three
  8. Chapter Four
  9. Chapter Five
  10. Chapter Six
  11. Chapter Seven
  12. Chapter Eight
  13. Part Two
  14. Chapter Nine
  15. Chapter Ten
  16. Chapter Eleven
  17. Chapter Twelve
  18. Chapter Thirteen
  19. Chapter Fourteen
  20. Chapter Fifteen
  21. Chapter Sixteen
  22. Chapter Seventeen
  23. Chapter Eighteen
  24. Chapter Nineteen
  25. Chapter Twenty
  26. Part Three
  27. Chapter Twenty-One
  28. Chapter Twenty-Two
  29. Chapter Twenty-Three
  30. Chapter Twenty-Four
  31. Chapter Twenty-Five
  32. Chapter Twenty-Six
  33. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  34. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  35. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  36. Part Four
  37. Chapter Thirty
  38. Chapter Thirty-One
  39. Chapter Thirty-Two
  40. Chapter Thirty-Three
  41. Chapter Thirty-Four
  42. Chapter Thirty-Five
  43. Chapter Thirty-Six
  44. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  45. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  46. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  47. Chapter Forty
  48. Chapter Forty-One
  49. Chapter Forty-Two
  50. Acknowledgements
  51. Keep Reading …
  52. About the Author
  53. By the same author:
  54. About the Publisher

‘We’re okay with the runway,’ I say, ‘and Spencer and his mates are taking care of the music and lighting—’

‘How about I film it?’ Nick cuts in suddenly.

‘The actual show, you mean? Well, that would be great—’

‘Well, yes, I’d cover that. But I’m thinking more of the whole story, the preparations, the build-up to the main event. What d’you think?’

‘Yes, sure,’ I say. ‘But who’d be in it?’

‘Everyone who’s been involved,’ he says. ‘At least, as many people as possible … Mum, when she knows all about it. The models, make-up artist, hairdresser … maybe women who bought the clothes in the Seventies and loved wearing them out on a Friday night. And people who worked in the shops, if I can track them down …’

‘What about the museum staff?’ I ask.

‘Yes, of course. There’s Isla, Hannah – and you, of course.’ His gaze meets mine and he smiles.

‘Me?’ I exclaim. ‘But I’m not staff—’

‘No, but you’re making this thing happen!’

I look at him, stuck for words for a moment. ‘I can’t be in your film, Nick,’ I mutter, shaking my head. ‘Sorry, but that’s so not my thing …’

‘But you’d have to be,’ he protests. ‘It’s only happening because of you. Think of all the hours you’ve put in, all that effort and energy. How could I possibly make a film without you in it—’

‘But I’m not an actor or a presenter,’ I say firmly. ‘I’m a behind-the-scenes person. I always was. That’s why I became a stage manager, and it’s probably why I’m a PA now. I’m a doer, a fixer …’

‘Hey,’ he cuts in, briefly touching my hand across the table. ‘You’re all of those things, but you’re so much more. Please, Viv. I’ll make sure it’s as painless as possible. It might even be fun. Please say you’ll be in my film.’

This has to count as the most unexpected thing anyone has ever said to me. And of course, because it’s him, I regain my composure and smile graciously and say, ‘All right, I’ll do it, if you insist. As long as you get my best side.’

Chapter Thirty-Four

Friday, November 15

Disconcertingly, Andy has taken to dropping in more regularly when it’s not even one of his Izzy days. It happened a couple of days ago – apparently, there were some crucial books he needed, which I didn’t even have – and now here he is again, ostensibly to ‘look at’ my car, which I happened to have mentioned has died on me.