Page 19 of Bad Influence
‘Sorry if this is a stupid question,’ Dad piped up, ‘but who exactly is Mandy Sykes?’
‘She’s one of the wealthiest business stars on social media,’ I replied, feeling my skin prickle. Somehow inserting the wordbusinessmade me feel as though he was more likely to approve.
‘I follow her on Instagram,’ Lucy said supportively. ‘She’s massive. Think the Kardashians meet Housewives of Beverly Hills.’
Dad looked blank. ‘Does this mean you’re needed in LA again?’
‘No, she’s moving here – to Surrey,’ I said hurriedly.
‘From the Hollywood Hills to the Surrey Hills, I can see what they did there.’ Lucy smirked.
‘Still no idea, so sorry,’ said Dad. ‘Is anyone else peckish?’
‘I’m starving,’ said Rob. ‘Here, I come with crisps.’ And he pulled out two large packets from the carrier bag he was still holding and headed towards the kitchen.
I was glad of the change of subject, it gave me an opportunity to speak to someone more on my level. I padded over to Nora, who was now busy in a corner working on the Barbie house she’d been given for her birthday.
‘Doyouknow who Mandy Sykes is?’ I asked her in a hushed voice.
‘Who?’ she whispered back, conspiratorially. ‘Is this a secret?’
‘No.’ I looked over my shoulder, suddenly feeling a bit pathetic for seeking validation for my career choices from a child. ‘I’m just interested in whether you know who Mandy Sykes is.’
‘Mandy who?’ She looked at me blankly.
‘She’s on the internet and in lots and lots of magazines,’ I said. ‘She’s very famous.’ Still nothing. ‘And she’s on YouTube.’Surely, I’ve hit a nerve there.
‘Kids YouTube?’ Her eyes lit up. ‘Can we watch, Auntie Nana? Let’s watch? Pleeeease?’
She made a grab for my phone.
‘Nice try.’ I slammed my hand across the screen before she could reach it. ‘It’s not watch time. Don’t worry. I just thought you might know about Mandy Sykes because she is a very,verybig celebrity.’
‘What’s a celebrity?’
‘Forget it.’
‘I can ask Mummy?’ she replied helpfully, eyes widening.
‘No, no, it’s fine. Forget it.’
I put my phone down in the kitchen and plonked myself on the sofa next to Rob, dying to tell him Lucy and Rory’s news, but not daring while Nora was still up.
‘How are you feeling about everything?’ He put a hand on my knee.
‘Okay, I think. But they definitely want me to move into the house with Mandy and her husband.’
‘For how long?’
‘Twelve weeks. There’s a big bonus at the end,’ I continued. I shuffled in my seat, building up to the part about not seeing each other.
‘How much of a bonus?’
‘The salary all over again. It’s a huge incentive.’
‘Wow. That will help with our savings,’ he said excitedly. ‘The timing couldn’t be better, right?’
‘The timing is perfect, but there is one other thing,’ I continued nervously. ‘They will literally own me for three months. And that means we won’t be able to see each other.’
