Page 47 of Rescuing Rosie
‘Of course not,’ said Rosie, ‘but don’t feel you have to stay.’
Madison caught sight of her reflection in the large mirror opposite the toilet. ‘Christ,’ she said. ‘Do you think it’s time I dialled down the fillers?’
Rosie appraised Madison’s face. ‘Honest?’
‘Truth, please.’
‘You’re extremely pretty, you don’t need it.Anyof it. A great photographer, like Jono, will always make you look good. He could give Lucas a few tips if you’re worried, but I think … your personality, it’s authentic. That’s what people like about you; you’re up front. Why not go for authenticity in your face too? It’s working for Pamela Anderson.’
‘Oh my god,’ said Madison, looking scandalised. ‘Itsoisn’t. Have youseenwhat people are saying about her face? How she looks her age?’
‘You mean the misogynists? The haters? Who cares about them?Womenare saying she’s awesome, and brave. And what’s wrong with looking your age? Maybe it’s just a publicity stunt but if it is, it’s working. She’s everywhere.’
Madison looked thoughtful. ‘You think maybe I should be doing a Pammie instead of a Kimmie?’
‘It’s an idea. I wouldn’t bin the makeup entirely, but you could dial back the lips and lashes?’
‘Maybe.’ Madison regarded Rosie. ‘Moving on – I wanted to ask you something else.’ Rosie wondered if this was to do with Dale. Best get it out of the way.
‘Does it involve a certain Timothée lookalike?’
‘Shit, no,’ said Madison. ‘He’s dead to me.’
How do I say this?‘I don’t properly understand him.’
Madison shrugged. ‘He’s just a pretty fuckboy. Not worth the bother, to be honest.’
In for a penny.‘Do you mind me asking what you two …’
‘Use your imagination, Rosie. I invited him to my room; he was quick enough to accept. Straight down to it, but he didn’t get the whole two-way thing. I told him he wasn’t done yet, but he was wham bam and out the door.’
Rosie had no idea how to respond. This was a whole other world of hook-ups.
‘Then he ghosted me and was an arsehole at dinner – as you saw. I wouldn’t go there – if you haven’t already?’
‘Just a snog and a feel,’ said Rosie. ‘It was nice, though.’
‘Sorry – are we at school?’
Rosie looked at her, and at once they both began to laugh.
‘Dale’s Knob?’ spluttered Rosie.
‘Madison’s Disappointment,’ said Madison, and then there were tears running down their cheeks.
‘Oh my god, stop,’ said Rosie, as she forgot about her bad ankle and it slid off the side and into the bath. ‘Fuck – ow.’
Rosie carefully raised it again, and Madison replaced the towel that had fallen in with it. ‘So yeah, Rosie, as I was saying …’
Rosie leant back into the bubbles. ‘What do you think of Ant?’
Madison tried to frown. ‘He’s very cute; totally get the appeal of the strong, silent type. Why?’
‘This is going to sound mad, but I think I’m falling in love.’
Madison laughed. ‘Nah,’ she said. ‘He carried you out of a cave. It’ll just be that thing like how we all want to shag a fireman.’
‘Do we?’
