New York Valentine (34 page)

‘Yes?’ Annie’s fingers clutched the mobile tightly.

‘We’ve just put the deal together. You’re going to have your very own show again. But this time on BBC TWO. The real deal! A twelve-episode first series.
How To Be Fabulous
. Covering money, health, work, lifestyle but loads of fashion included, don’t worry – and just for you, one entire episode to be filmed in Manhattan!’

‘No. NO! You have got to be joking, girl.’

For several moments, as Tamsin went into the detail, Annie tried to take it all in. She closed her eyes and found she was squeezing out tears. It was just so strange, sometimes, the way things worked out.

Suddenly it didn’t seem so long ago that she’d been out on the town in her moment-of-shopping-madness red Valentino dress, celebrating her husband Roddy’s unbelievable new television deal. The amazing lead part that he’d never been able to play; the one which would have put enough money in the bank to take care of them all for years and years to come.

Then all those terrible times had followed, when she’d been alone and bereaved, so broke and so desperate to provide for her shattered children. She’d worked incredibly hard and just willed her way through it … but even then she had
always
allowed herself to dream. To dream of the next deal, the next pay-rise, the next genius new outfit she’d treat herself to
when
…

So a moment like this … a
triumph
like this … Annie knew now that precious few of these came around in a lifetime, and that when they did they had to be savoured to the full.

‘Just a second,’ she told Tamsin and carefully set the phone down on the floor. In a minute she would call Ed, Lana, Owen, Dinah, her mum and Connor to tell them this incredible news. In fact, no – even better – she’d throw a full-on party and everyone from The Store would be invited too.

But right now, still encased in the see-through plastic suit, Annie just had to throw her arms up into the air and begin a victory lap of the studio, shrieking: ‘Yeeeesssssss!’ at the top of her voice. First the director was treated to a sweaty hug and kiss, then the assistant, then the sound guy and the girl on lights, then it was a startled Gawain’s turn, and finally Bob.

To his astonishment, Bob got a kiss on each cheek and a damp smacker right on the lips.

‘I love you,’ Annie told him, ‘I love the camera … and my family … and isn’t life just fabulous, babes?’

THE END