Page 31 of The Summer That Changed Us

Mum had squeezed her arm. ‘Is that when you wear a cape and one of those flat hats?’

Catherine had giggled. ‘A mortarboard and gown? Yes. But I’ve got my A levels to pass first, I might not even get to university.’

‘Course you will. You’ll pass without breaking a sweat.’ Dad gave her a wink. ‘The halls of residence are smart, aren’t they? Perhaps we should all move in.’

‘At that price per week?’ Mum had pursed her lips. ‘It’s more than our mortgage.’

Dad had chuntered under his breath about tightening belts for the next three years and Catherine had vowed to get a job so that she wouldn’t have to take a single penny more from them than she had to. A bar job, or a waitress maybe? Plus, she had five hundred pounds saved in the bank, she could use that in emergencies.

Now, heading to the jewellers, Catherine imagined how it would feel to be rich and be able to walk into any shop and buy anything she wanted. Maybe she could pretend, just for the day. Laughing at herself, she straightened her spine, put her shoulders back and with what she hoped was a mysterious smile, stalked down the pedestrianised street.

‘Excuse me?’ someone said, a hand on her arm stopping her in her tracks. It was a man around her dad’s age, with glasses and a polite smile. He removed his hand and pulled an apologetic face. ‘Sorry if I startled you.’

‘No worries,’ said Catherine, stepping back. ‘Can I help you?’

‘Actually, it might be the other way around.’ He smiled, pushing his glasses higher up his nose. ‘Have you ever done any modelling?’

‘Me?’ The question took her by surprise, and she laughed. ‘No, never.’

His eyes flickered with interest. ‘Really? I’m surprised you haven’t been scouted by an agency already.’

‘Er. No.’ She looked at him dubiously, not sure whether he was serious or not.

‘How old are you?’

She hesitated. She knew all about ‘stranger danger’ but had to admit she was flattered and in his neat shirt, jacket and jeans, he didn’t look in the least bit threatening. Besides there was no harm in talking to him in a public place.

‘Eighteen,’ she replied.

‘School, college, or are you working?’ he asked, running his eyes from her head to the ground. As if he was assessing her height.

‘Sixth form. I’m head girl. Going to uni in September if I get all As in my exams.’ And then blushed for sounding like a show-off.

‘Brains and beauty.’ The man laughed and took out a business card from his wallet. ‘Listen, I’m Howard. I’m setting up a new model agency and I’m looking for fresh faces. I can’t promise fame and fortune, but if you fancy earning some extra cash this summer to keep you in Pot Noodles while you’re a student, give me a call.’

A model? Her? Katie’s heart started knocking against her chest. She skimmed the card, her eyes taking in the address: London. Had she really been scouted by an actual London modelling agency? Wait until she told Rose. Actually, she wouldn’t tell her yet, just in case it was a hoax, she’d find out more first. Her mum always said that if something looked too good to be true, it probably was. And this was amazing.

‘Yeah, thanks, I might,’ she said, tapping the card against the palm of her hand nonchalantly.

‘I think you’d be perfect for one of my clients.’ His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. ‘They’re good payers so it would worth your while. We could do some test shots if you like, sound them out?’

‘Really? Who is the client?’ she said, instantly forgetting to be cool.

‘Adidas. You’ve got more muscle tone than most of my girls.’

She didn’t like the way he called the models ‘my girls’ but Adidas – wow – that was impressive. She was even wearing Adidas trainers now. ‘I do do a lot of sport; I’m in the rowing team.’

‘Good. Let’s book you in. I’m very busy so don’t waste my time.’ He pulled a tatty diary out of his inside pocket and named a time and date. It was a school day but that didn’t matter, she’d been forging her mum’s signature on school forms for years, she could easily write a note and bunk off for the day. She’d tell her parents she was going to Rose’s house for dinner straight from school. They wouldn’t bat an eyelid.

‘OK.’ Catherine’s heart raced with excitement. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before. She hadn’t really planned on ringing him, but the chance to be in a photoshoot for Adidas was too tempting. Plus having a major sports brand as a client meant Howard must be genuine.

‘Oh, and no hangers-on.’ He looked at her over his glasses. ‘I want your full attention, you won’t be able to do your best sexy, sultry poses if your mum or your boyfriend are there watching.’

‘Got it.’ She nodded.

Would Adidas want sexy and sultry? She frowned; she thought they were more into strong and athletic. Anyway, it was irrelevant; she had no intention of telling anyone else, let alone bringing them with her. Her mum probably wouldn’t approve of doing something frivolous like this that might distract her from her schoolwork. And if she took Rose, there was a danger that Howard would prefer her instead. Rose did ‘sexy and sultry’ even when she was asking for custard on her Bakewell tart at lunchtime. No, this was going to be her adventure; a thrill ran down her spine. She was an adult now, opportunity didn’t knock twice, she had to grab it while she had the chance.

The following week, she skived off school, used a scarily large amount of money to buy a ticket and boarded a train to London. She was terrified and couldn’t quite believe how daring she was being. The most dangerous thing she’d done up until now was to get into bed without first turning off her electric blanket. She shivered with pleasure at the thought of telling Rose about it tomorrow; she’d be so gobsmacked. It might not come to anything, but imagine if it did! She might even earn enough money to pay for her university accommodation; her parents would be delighted.