Page 33 of The Summer That Changed Us

She stood on the spot indicated by Howard. As he adjusted the height of the tripod and tested the flash, Jay paced backwards and forwards impatiently, slurping at his coffee. Finally, Howard was ready. He told her to lower the gown so that her shoulders were bare and look directly into his lens, her eyes wide. She did as she was told and hoped the camera wouldn’t pick up that her body was trembling with nerves. Howard began taking pictures, calling out instructions and murmuring words of encouragement. Jay stood out of the way near the door, lounging against the wall.

After a few minutes her breathing had slowed down a little; she wouldn’t say she was relaxed, but this wasn’t so bad after all. Her grip on her gown loosened. She couldn’t wait to see the Adidas gear, she wondered if she’d get to keep any of it. That would be amazing, she thought, smiling to herself.

Howard released the camera from the tripod and stepped closer. ‘You’re doing really well. I knew I was right about you.’

‘Really?’ Her chest rose with pride.

He nodded. ‘Now I want you to turn around, drop the robe right down and look back at me over your shoulder.’

‘Right down?’ She bit her lip, glancing at Jay who was looking right at her. ‘Why would Adidas need to see me naked?’

Howard lifted the camera up to his face. ‘They’ll want to see your natural physique, lean shoulders and narrow waist.’

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jay moving closer to her.

‘I’m not sure,’ she began, nerves causing her skin to flush with goosebumps. She could feel her nipples through the thin fabric. ‘I’m not comfortable with this.’

‘It always feels a bit weird the first time, love, but try and relax; we’re all professionals here,’ said Howard. ‘I’ve seen hundreds of naked bodies.’

‘Yeah, nothing special about yours,’ Jay sniggered.

Catherine steeled herself; she wished he’d just go away. ‘Fine. Let’s do it.’

She turned away from both men and gingerly lowered the gown until it reached the top of her bum. That should be enough to see her waist; it’d have to be, any further and she’d be naked.

‘Jeez,’ Jay hissed impatiently. ‘Stop being so bloody coy, drop the damn thing.’

‘I can’t.’ Her hands trembled as they gripped the edge of the gown.

‘You can, Catherine,’ Howard said reassuringly. ‘There’s nothing to it. Two minutes and I’ll be done.’

‘Oh God, oh God,’ she whispered. She could feel Jay’s eyes on her, and it made her feel sick. Tears pricked at her eyes – what had she got herself into? She’d been such an idiot to think she could be a model; she wasn’t cut out for this sort of work. The best thing for it now was to do what they wanted and get out of here as fast as she could. Before she could change her mind, she dropped the gown to the floor.

‘Good girl,’ Howard murmured.

She’d had never been naked in front of a man before today and now here she was, baring all to two strangers.

She vowed never to tell another soul about this; she didn’t even want the free gear anymore. All she could focus on was getting back in her clothes and getting out of here as fast as possible.

‘Now twist to me and stare at the camera,’ Howard demanded quietly. ‘Big eyes.’

She turned and looked at him, conscious that her breast was on show, and her bum. She was so nervous that she couldn’t peel her tongue from the roof of her mouth. Howard took shot after shot. Catherine remembered that he’d wanted sexy and sultry, but she was beyond that. She didn’t feel in the least bit sexy. She felt stupid and cheap and completely humiliated.

‘For Christ’s sake, she looks terrified.’ Jay whisked the gown from the floor. ‘Let’s have a bit of fun.’

‘No!’ Catherine shrieked in horror, trying desperately to cover herself with her arms. ‘Give me that back.’

‘Come and get it.’ Jay dangled the gown just out of reach. She lunged for it and he stepped back laughing.

‘That’s not funny,’ she cried. ‘Howard, please?’

‘That’s more like it,’ Howard started clicking the shutter again. ‘Now there’s fire in your eyes.’

‘Stop taking pictures. Now! You’re disgusting,’ she cried. ‘I’m not doing this anymore.’

‘I’m not doing this anymore,’ said Jay, mimicking her voice.

‘Adidas won’t want pictures like this.’ She tried to grab the gown once more but missed. And still Howard kept snapping away.