Page 55 of Pure Recklessness

‘It’s not a scary film. It’s like a comedy-drama,’ Dana said softly. ‘Okay, so maybe you haven’t seen that, but you’ve watched other Anne Hathaway films like The Princess Diaries, right?’ Dana asked.

‘That sounds familiar, maybe?’ I said, although I wasn’t really sure if it was. ‘We didn’t go to the cinema, so I’m not up to speed with any films that came out in the noughties. Or even more recently.’

‘This is worse than I thought.’ Joe blew out a frustrated breath. ‘In The Devil Wears Prada, Andi, who is played by the magnificent Anne Hathaway, is an aspiring journalist who comes to work at a prestigious fashion magazine called Runway. And like you, she has zero fashion sense.’

‘Harsh,’ I retorted. ‘My clothes are very co-ordinated!’

‘Pairing a shit-coloured blouse with a shit-coloured brown skirt and polyester cardigan – that most ninety-year-old women would refuse to wear because it’s so hideous – with a pair of battered brown shoes, does not demonstrate fashion sense. It just shows that you’re a glutton for punishment. Why wear one hideous item when you can wear four?’

My stomach twisted.

That was mean.

And he was exaggerating. My clothes weren’t that bad.

Were they?

‘Joe…’ Dana warned.

‘I’m not being evil,’ Joe added. I’m being honest. I’m saying it because I care. I’m sure there’s a gorgeous body under those horrific clothes, Ellie. Instead of covering up those curves, you should show them off. We’ll help you. Dana, d’you think your hairdresser could fit her in before the awards?’

‘Hmmm. She’s normally booked up at least six weeks in advance, but I’ll call first thing.’

‘Great. I’ll make some calls and get some clothes for you to try. Not just for the awards ceremony. For the office too. Then we’ll have a bonfire and throw every outfit you own on it.’

My mouth snapped open again.

Wow. Joe really didn’t hold back.

Despite his cutting words, there was sincerity in his eyes. I sensed he wasn’t trying to hurt my feelings. Not deliberately, anyway.

Maybe it’d be good for me to try something new.

After all, I had been adamant that I wasn’t going to try those toys or read spicy books, but I’d changed my mind and as dramatic as it sounded, it’d already transformed me. I really did feel like a new woman.

‘What do you say, Ellie?’ Dana asked. ‘Are up for trying a new look?’

‘Okay.’ I nodded. ‘I’ll give it a go.’

If I didn’t like whatever they suggested, I could always say no.

I had nothing to lose and potentially lots to gain.

Watch out world.

Ellie 2.0 is loading…

22

ELLIE

It was time.

For the past eight days I’d worked my bum off preparing this presentation and now the moment of truth was here.

I was on my way to Mr Devlin’s office to show him what I’d been working on for the past two weeks so that I could hopefully keep my job.

Last Monday was the last time I saw him. Apparently, he’d been away visiting Sated’s offices in Paris and Madrid.