Skinny Dipping

Sophie spent the week at the country cottage with her family until the much anticipated day of New Year’s Eve arrived. This was also the day of Matthew’s party in Brighton.

  They’d written text messages back and forth for the whole Christmas period. He’d opened her Christmas present, a surf wallet, like the one he’d tried to buy off her at their first encounter. Even though the wallet reminded her of Rebecca, Sophie thought it was probably quite important for him to remember her.

  Sophie had arranged to drive Carol to Brighton, Mickey would meet them there. Sophie’s phone beeped again with another text message from Matthew. Carol snatched the phone and read the message. “Matthew says in his text, ‘Meet in thirty minutes. Looking forward to seeing you.’ Kiss, kiss, hug, hug.” She shot Sophie a conspiratorial look.

  “He did not kiss, kiss, hug, hug.” Sophie’s stomach twisted into knots of excitement as they arrived in Brighton.

  “You’ll never know,” Carol smirked. “Do I have to come with you as I’m going to be the third wheel?” she continued as Sophie pulled up at the designated spot.

  “Yes, I need you here.”

  “Why can’t your Art Director just do this?”

  “Because he’s lazy, yet talented.”

  “Did you ever think maybe you’re teaching him to be lazy?” Carol insisted. “Doing all his work for him? And why are you working on New Year’s Eve?”

  “It is not a public holiday today. It’s still a work day.” Sophie left her car and sauntered onto the promenade.

  “So…the Art Director should be doing this rather than you?” Carol insisted as she followed Sophie agitatedly.

  “You’ve got a point. Maybe I’m a control freak or I get stuck into the detail. But I love the details when it comes to advertising. Maybe that’s why I work so hard. I like to know everything about what’s going on in a campaign. Since the commercial is part of the campaign, I want to make sure the client gets exactly what we’ve promised. I need to make sure the director, the camera man, and everyone else involved knows exactly what we’re after. So when they read the shooting script, everyone in my team understands what’s expected.”

  “What’s a shooting script?” Carol asked. “Sorry, I only do stage, really. I’d love to do a commercial though, I think.”

  Sophie regarded Carol standing on Brighton beach. She’d be keen, and they were having so much trouble with that girl Samantha. “A shooting script has all the detail of the shots: The camera moves, the dialogue, instructions about any voice-overs or anything else that will be featured in the commercial. It even includes information about the costumes and specifics about the props we’ll use. Having a shooting script means that all the people involved will be on the same page. It’s like a reference document, to make sure we achieve the right message when shooting the commercial.”

  Carol, bored with all the details, gave a shrill scream. “Matthew?” He was one hundred metres away, ambling toward them.

  Matthew waved. “Girls.”

  Sophie watched as Carol rushed to accost him. Sophie toyed with her camera, releasing her nerves. There was nothing to worry about. She’d seen him so many times before. He was so attractive, his blond hair, blowing wildly in the wind. She could tell from the bounce in his walk that he was in an exceptionally good mood.

  “Happy New Year, Matthew. Is Josh going to be at your party tonight?” Carol asked.

  “He’s already at the hotel sitting at the lobby bar.”

  She looked over and past his shoulder, hoping Josh might miraculously appear. “Excellent!” Carol shrieked.

  Then, like it was the most natural thing in the world, Matthew reached for Sophie. He picked her up, and spun her around. She screamed in delight.

  “Welcome to Brighton,” he whispered in her ear. He shot her a dangerous grin and seemed thrilled to see her. He gently put her down.

  Feeling flustered, Sophie turned to Carol. “Let’s make the most of the daylight. I need to take shots from different angles. This won’t take more than an hour,” she commented, and she urged both Carol and Matthew out onto the beach.

  “Do I have to be here?” Carol asked.

  “You’re my model.” She directed Carol to walk out onto the pebbled beach. “Matthew’s the client, so he can just watch.”

  “Really? I’m your model, excellent.” Carol seemed thrilled, jumping into action, clapping her hands excitedly. There was only a flicker of uncertainty in Carol’s gaze. It was almost unnoticeable, but Sophie recognised it.

  Swallowing, Carol soon regained her composure. She pushed her shoulders back. She stood tall, straight and held her head high as though nothing fazed her. After all, Carol revelled at being the centre of attention.

  “I need phenomenal shots to show Desmond,” Sophie said stubbornly. “Matthew, scan the area and consider whether you’re happy with this location because this is where we plan to film.”

  “Okay.” He blanked his face and adopted an exceptionally serious expression. But his lips twitched, in a sexy type of way. Sophie wondered what it would be like to kiss them again, not pretending to be his girlfriend.

  It was her turn to frown, trying not to get carried away thinking about Matthew’s lips. “Of course. Let’s get this over and done with so we can enjoy the festivities. Carol, just stand there and I’ll take photos of every angle.”

  Carol froze like a statue and held herself with grace and elegance from her ballet training. She stood smiling, showing her long, slender neck, and expressive, elfin face. She was a natural. She really could model or be the girl for the commercial, the way her lips curved into a mischievous smile.

  Sophie photographed Carol with the famous Brighton pier in the background. She snapped the horizon, with the water lapping the pebbles. After taking almost thirty different photos, she revised what she’d caught on camera, and her handiwork. Desmond would definitely have something to work with.

  “Matthew, come and look,” she instructed, pointing to a frame on the camera screen where Carol looked radiant. The photograph showed Carol’s mass of gleaming blonde hair blowing in the wind. Her large eyes would hold anyone’s attention.

  “She looks brilliant. She’s not the girl we’re using though, is she?” Matthew said in a low voice, quietly so Carol couldn’t overhear.

  “No….” Sophie said slowly.

  “Pity.”

  Sophie nodded. “Very nicely done, thank you Carol,” she said. “It’s a wrap.”

  Carol relaxed after her posing. She glanced nervously at Sophie. “Are the pictures okay?” She ran a hand through her mass of blonde hair.

  “Terrific,” Sophie assured her. “You’re quite a natural.”

  Carol sighed visibly, and her eyes glittered at the compliment.

  “They really look fabulous,” Matthew confirmed.

  “Thanks.” Carol squeezed Sophie’s hand. “If they’re not, we can stay longer. I was so worried I might be tense.”

  “You were perfect.”

  Carol seemed to shake herself, and the worry away from her body. “Well that was fun,” she enthused. “We should go back. I’ve got a party to get ready for. And I’ve got to see Josh.”