Page 7 of Winter With You

‘Did you have someone in mind?’ Luca asked, hanging the jacket back up then following her.

‘What?’

‘For the feathered jacket?’

‘Myself. Until you so rightly told me it should be worn without compromise. Sadly, my legs are not what they once were.’

‘That’s not true,’ Luca stated. ‘It would look great on you.’

His boss had a figure envied by many of the clients they styled. Lithe, nimble, beautiful long hair a vibrant platinum that she twirled into various shapes at the back of her head.

‘Be honest, Mr Manning. It would look far better on Taylor Swift.’

He smiled. ‘It would be a unique take, whichever one of you wore it.’

‘Nicely said,’ Sybille answered. ‘And I am glad you’re feeling affable today because… Mr Torres has asked that I style him on Friday.’

Luca’s heart sank. Benoit Torres was the actor of the moment and Sybille had given the job to Luca. He had already sourced a choice of outfits for the man’s red carpet appearance in the city and he thought he had really captured the essence of the actor’s image.

Sybille put a hand on Luca’s shoulder. ‘You know it’s not personal.’

‘Sybille, it is completely personal. He wants you not me.’

‘Because his people know me. They are familiar with me. They don’t know you, yet. I tried to convince them of all your merits, but, equally, when it comes down to what the client wants, I didn’t want them to use another studio.’

Luca sighed, deflating externally as well as internally. ‘I thought I was really getting somewhere you know, after the Foreshadowing premiere.’

‘Luca, you are getting somewhere,’ Sybille insisted. ‘And you are going to get everywhere. Trust me. Plus, do you think I am going to take credit for this? I know you have looks planned for him. You hid them so Cherise could not take them.’

‘It doesn’t matter,’ Luca said, shrugging. ‘He’ll probably bring his own stuff anyway. What do we know, huh?’

‘Stop. Enough of this attitude. You know what I think. It is not practice that makes perfect, it is patience. And, when Benoit Torres is wearing one of the looks you have created for him, I will be making sure you get the mention for it.’

‘You don’t have to do that, Sybille.’

‘I know,’ she answered, patting his shoulder. ‘But, in better news, I have another job for you. An author is coming from England.’

‘J K Rowling?’

‘Would be against my morals.’

He didn’t want to sound ungrateful, but an author wasn’t exactly Hollywood star, Torres.

‘Her name is Gabriella Felix,’ Sybille continued. ‘And she has never been styled the way we style people.’

Now Luca’s curiosity was piqued. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Mr Manning, you did your own research on Mr Torres, did you not?’ Sybille smiled. ‘She is arriving in a few days. She is here for a few weeks. Her first event is Friday evening.’

Friday evening again. Losing Torres had freed up Friday night so he could honour his commitment to his sister but now he had a clash issue again. And with Torres he had known that once the guy was at the premiere his work was done. This was an unknown entity.

‘You know, Luca, this could be the start of something for you. Dressing someone who does not have any preconceived notions about what is en vogue this side of the Atlantic? Not many authors become fashion icons.’

‘Is that what you want me to do? Make this author a fashion icon?’ Luca asked.

Sybille made a non-committal noise. ‘Everyone who employs us wants to make a statement, no? Trust your instincts with it, Mr Manning. Like with the feathers.’ She smiled. ‘I know you will do excellent work.’ She looked at her watch. ‘Ah, is that the time? I need to have more coffee.’ She held his shoulder again. ‘Make this job your own. Sometimes it’s the people you don’t expect that create the magic moments.’

He nodded at his boss. ‘Thanks, Sybille.’