Page 30 of The Granddaughter's Irish Secret
‘That’ll be interesting to see,’ was all Henri said. He looked around the table. ‘I take it that it’s useless to fight the inevitable. You all agree to this mad scheme, no doubt.’
‘I think so,’ Sylvia replied. ‘But let’s see a show of hands. All of you who agree, hold up your hand.’
Everyone except Henri raised their hands. ‘It’s a little bit of afolie,’ Arnaud said, smiling as he raised his hand. ‘But I like the idea.’
‘Me too,’ Sylvia said, and waved her hand in the air.
‘What’s mad about it?’ Linda asked with a defiant look at Henri as she raised her hand. ‘That we’re going to model clothes for normal women?’
‘No, of course not,’ Henri mumbled. ‘I was just thinking of the short time to get it off the ground, that’s all. But if you all say it’ll work, I’m not going to stop you. But if you don’t get the money together for the walled garden and the café in the orangery, I’m afraid I will not contribute from the accounts of Magnolia Senior Apartments.’
‘You won’t have to,’ Rose said, sticking out her chin. ‘Because it will all work fabulously and then you’ll look more than a little foolish.’
‘I’ll hold you to that,’ Henri said and picked up his phone. ‘So… six weeks from now… That will bring us to the middle of June, is that right?’
‘Let’s say the twentieth,’ Lily cut in. ‘It’s a Saturday and a lot of people will be on holiday in the area then. That should help to get a good crowd together.’
‘Okay,’ Henri said. ‘Let’s put the twentieth of June in the diary for this event. And I don’t mind helping out in any way I can.’
‘You don’t?’ Rose asked incredulously. ‘After having poured cold water on the whole thing, you now want to help out?’
Henri shot her a wide grin. ‘Yes, why not? If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em is my motto.’
‘Really?’ Rose raised an eyebrow. ‘In that case, I suppose you wouldn’t mind modelling some of the menswear?’
‘Er…’ Henri’s smile died. ‘That sounds like a challenge. But why not?’
‘My firm will provide the makeup,’ Mrs Moore announced. ‘We stock all the big brands. We could even try to get some of them to sponsor the event.’
‘Oh brilliant,’ Lily exclaimed. ‘And Nora, Granny’s former housekeeper, has a daughter who is a beautician. I’ll ask if she could do the makeup for the women who’ll be modelling.’
‘It’s all coming together amazingly well,’ Rose said, feeling a lot more hopeful. ‘Does anyone else have any other ideas?’
They all shook their heads.
‘That’s all settled then,’ Sylvia said after a moment’s silence. ‘If there is nothing else, maybe we can end the meeting? Did anyone take notes?’
‘Yes,’ Mrs Moore said. ‘I did. I’ll type them up and email everyone later.’
‘Thank you.’ Sylvia rose from her chair. ‘Arnaud, how about a walk before dinner? It’s a nice evening.’
Arnaud got to his feet. ‘Absolutely, dear Sylvia. But before we go, I just want to say to Lily and Rose, your ideas are wonderful. It will add a lot of interest to the gardens. I’m looking forward to a stroll through the Regency garden one day.’
They both thanked Arnaud and then everyone filed out of the dining room. As Lily had to rush home to feed Naomi, she kissed Rose on the cheek and promised to call her later.
Henri caught up with Rose as she walked through the door. ‘Hold on,’ he said. ‘I want to ask you something.’
Rose stopped. ‘Yes?’
‘As you challenged me to be a male model for a day, how about you doing something for me?’
‘Like what?’ Rose asked suspiciously.
‘Like having dinner somewhere nice on Tuesday night. Just to talk through our marketing plan and all the other stuff we need to get through. A business dinner, if you like. What do you say?’
Rose met his gaze levelly, although she was doubtful about his motives. She wasn’t sure if she really wanted to go out with him, but she was too intrigued to refuse. ‘Is this a dare?’
‘If that’s what you want to call it.’
