Page 65 of Shout Out To My Ex

‘What’s going on?’ Cassie has now joined our little gathering.

‘Something about the brief for the photoshoot,’ I tell her.

‘Is there an issue?’ she asks. From the edge in her voice, I am almost positive Cassie has no idea who Tally is.

‘Er, Tally,’ I say, stepping in to make the introduction before Cassie turns on big-sister mode, ‘this is my sister and businessmanager, Cassie. Cassie, meet world-renowned photographer, Tally.’

Thankfully, Cassie understands immediately and beams brightly, her hand extended. ‘A pleasure to meet you.’

Pleasantries over, we all look to Sophia, who’s superior manner dissolves before our eyes. ‘I amsosorry,’ she says. ‘The emails are still in my outbox. I don’t know what happened.’

‘Not to worry,’ says Cassie, ‘these things happen to all of us.’

But poor Sophia, now muttering to herself, seems intent on a serious bout of self-reproach. She wanders off, possibly to polish her résumé.

‘Right, well,’ says Tally, turning to me, ‘in a nutshell, it’s this: we’re photographing pairs of designers for a multipage spread, with each pairing featuring their designs – worn by the models – and the designers posed together. You and Lorenzo are a late addition, of course, but I’ve had a brilliant idea.’

‘Okay.’ That doesn’t sound too bad. I’m a professional. I can make it through a half-day photoshoot without slobbering all over the hottest, loveliest man I’ve ever known!

‘What I’ve conceived for you and Lorenzo,’ Tally continues, ‘is something a little… well,different, as your design aesthetics are almost polar opposites.’

Well, I agree there – that’s what I’ve been saying to Cassie all along.

‘What do you mean by “different”?’ Cassie asks.

‘The main photograph will be three models on the left wearing Lorenzo shoes, belts, and hatsand nothing else– posed strategically, of course – and three models on the right wearing your outfits. You and Lorenzo will be together in the centre.’

‘Wearing…?’ I ask with a strong sense of foreboding.

‘It will appear as if you are wearing nothing’ – I inhale sharply – ‘but of course, we will be taking all the necessaryprecautions to protect your modesty, and you will have approval of the final image.’

My eyes fly to meet Cassie’s. ‘Help!’ I silently telegraph.

‘Can I just ask?’ she says to Tally. ‘Would you consider Elle perhaps wearing one of her pieces – such as a waistcoat – to perhaps… facilitate the transition from nude to clothed across the page?’

And there we have it – my sister the number-cruncher and brilliant business mind making an astute creative suggestion and advising Eleni ‘Tally’ Talbot on her photoshoot.

Tally’s gaze lifts to the ceiling as if she’s pondering the idea. Moments that feel like millennia pass, then a smile breaks across her face. ‘I like that,’ she says, and I exhale with relief.

That’s right – I am relieved I get to wear a waistcoat and nothing else while posing with my ex-boyfriend. Beggars can’t be choosers, right?

‘Actually,’ says Tally, tapping her lower lip with her forefinger, ‘Lorenzo could be shirtless but wearing a pair of his label’s jeans.’

I can tell, as a fellow creative, that she’s now envisioning the final shot. I frequently go into this state – looking off, my gaze unfocused, mumbling to myself…

‘Yes!’ she exclaims, coming back to us. ‘Lorenzo’s models on the right – organic poses, nude makeup, natural – then you and Lorenzo as the hub of the transition, entwined, each wearing one of your pieces, showingconnectedness– your aesthetics differ, but you’re bothfashion– thenyourmodels, fully-clothed, made up, structured poses, angular.’

She turns to Cassie. ‘You were dead-on with that suggestion – it’ll really elevate the shoot. Thank you.’

Cassie looks as astonished as I am. ‘Oh, you’re welcome.’

‘I agree,’ says someone behind us.

We turn in unison and there he is.

‘Lorenzo!’ Tally exclaims. They exchange cheek kisses like old friends. ‘Wonderful to see you again.’

Right, so Leo has shot with Tally before – why am I not surprised?

---