Page 15 of Rescuing Rosie
Where’s the safety pins, love?
In the gingerbread tin!
‘Can we round up a couple of locals?’ asked Guy. ‘Good for the socials – they can look hyped at who’s serving behind the counter?’
‘I can do that,’ called Lucas from the passageway.
‘And can we get Mads in the Victorian gear?’ Guy asked Ashley.
After a conference with the shopkeeper, Madison went into the back to change, reappearing in a stripy blue dress, white frilly apron and mop cap.
‘I look fuckin’ stupid,’ she said.
This was true. The stiff cotton of the dress made her voluptuous curves look ridiculous, and the hat was like an oversized shower cap. But the strangest part was the juxtaposition of the old-fashioned outfit with a face that could only have been created in the 21stcentury.
Guy shook his head. ‘Let’s lose the cap and the dress; just have her in the apron.’ Rosie noted the ‘her’, not ‘you’. Madison disappeared again, followed by Kayleigh.
‘Customers!’ announced Lucas, ushering two young men in walking gear into the shop. Jono briefed them as to where to stand and how to act for the camera.
Madison emerged wearing only the floor-length frilly apron, tied at the back with a big bow, and a pair of briefs.
‘Now we’re talking,’ said Guy, as the customers’ eyes widened and Jono got to work.
Luckily, because Madison was behind the counter, the look wasn’t too outrageous, but as she leaned forward to point to a gingerbread man, giving the camera an eyeful of cleavage, Rosie felt uncomfortable. Wasn’t this all a bit 1970s? The two lads were delighted to be helping out, however.Has anything really changed?
Mother Tick Tock reappeared. ‘Sorry, she said, ‘I’m going to have to ask you all to leave as soon as you can. Word’s out Madison’s here and there’s a traffic jam as far back as the main road.’
‘Someone needs to get a photo of that traffic jam,’ said Madison.
‘I’ll go,’ said Lucas.
‘Yep, we can wrap it up, I’ve got enough,’ said Jono.
‘Let’s do a meet and greet outside,’ said Veronica. ‘It’ll make a nice reel.’
Madison went off to change, and Guy and Kayleigh followed Lucas outside.
‘While I’ve got you two,’ said Veronica to Rosie and Ashley, ‘a word about tomorrow – the outdoor shoot in the afternoon?’
‘The forecast’s good,’ said Ashley, crossing himself. ‘You might be okay. And wewouldlike to promote themindfulness through natureaspect of the wellness weekend.’
‘The outdoor gear shop just along from here will kit Madison out with a pair of walking boots in return for a mention,’ said Veronica.
‘Hill and Dale?’ said Ashley. ‘Excellent – they know their stuff.’
Veronica looked at Rosie, who nodded. ‘Can do.’
‘And I’ve researched the location.’ Veronica scrolled through her phone and held up a photo. ‘I thought here. It’s a well-known Instagram spot – one of the most photographed views in the Lakes.’
Ashley looked dubious. ‘Loughrigg Fell? It’s not high, but there’s a steep slope; quite rocky. It’d be a challenge for your photographer to get his gear up there.’ His eyes went to Rosie. ‘And maybe tricky in parts for anyone not used to hill-walking. I know another spot on the lake with a nice view?’
Veronica’s expression turned sour. ‘I don’t think so. I want Madison up a hill; I want people to understand that Vybe’s gear isn’t just for yummy mummy gym bunnies.’
I’m using that.
‘Jono’ll be fine,’ she said. ‘Just camera, tripod and drone. And I looked the walk up on a hiking website – they called it “moderate” and said it’s an hour and a half round trip. Easy.’
Ashley still didn’t look convinced.
