Chapter 7

On Andrew’s run the following day he thought about Abi, and what she had said. He was working for the next two days and would have no time to sit and chat to Heloise. Andrew was not even sure there was anything to talk about. The day had gone well and there was a chance her career could change and evolve. Working with her all day, and the way Veronique ran the shoot, had been much easier when he had been dropped into a shoot with no notice back in March. It hadn’t been acting a lot of the day, which was clearly why he had been okay. The shoot with Joelle did not overly bother him but he was concerned about Sunday with Chiara. He coasted to a stop at the gate to the Gardens and walked back to the hotel. As for Abi and him, who knew. Was this weekend strengthening their relationship or weakening it? When Andrew returned to the room Abi was waiting for him to join her in the shower. When he had popped they swapped positions and Andrew spent a few minutes thoroughly washing and caressing the small of her back and her arse. Now Abi did not have much of an arse, especially compared to the size of her tits, but what there was he cleaned and moulded for several enjoyable minutes. The first surprise of the day was Pam joined them on the walk to the studio.

“I have been told that it is safe to stay until lunchtime, so I thought I would see how a commercial is made before dragging Dan round the stores. After listening to Heloise last night I don’t think I should stay for the afternoon.”

Pam and Andrew laughed although Abi looked horrified about her mother talking about his body. Pam brushed it aside.

“Oh lighten up Abi dear. The whole point of this commercial is sex. Two hot young things running around, alright in less than they would show at home, and using their sex appeal to sell the product. As old as time. Andrew is a seriously hot young man, I saw that the first time I met him at the station. Just be grateful that the commercial is not going to be shown in Britain. Can you imagine your grandmother watching it? ‘Look there is Abi’s friend, oh and look there’s his bum’.”

Even Abi had to laugh, eventually. Pam reminded Andrew of Jean Wylie, irreverent and with the right attitude to life.

The second day was similar to the first in concept but different in the details. Joelle was always in skin tight clothes, the jeans were painted on her, the skirts were tight, not short but tight to the knees. It was the same with the tops and dresses, figure hugging was the rule of the day. Now it was all expensive and elegant but it was a very different style to Heloise’s wardrobe from the day before. Now Joelle was not Suzanne, but she was about as curvy as possible for a mainstream fashion model. The difference to the normal slender waif was highlighted. The major issue was what Joelle had been worried about the day before, the chemistry, the sense of togetherness as a couple. She was fun and flirty but it was too much, she was trying too hard. Everything was too exaggerated. Veronique had called cut and the mood on the set was not nearly as relaxed as the previous day. Andrew wandered over to Veronique and told her to give them 10 minutes but to leave the cameras running. Joelle looked concerned when he came back.

“Relax, for goodness sake. You are trying too hard, and it is showing. Stand here, close your eyes and trust me, okay?”

She now looked close to tears.

“Let me show you how I feel, okay. Don’t flinch when I touch your tits and arse okay?”

Andrew winked at her and he could see some of the tension leave her. Joelle’s natural charm and flirtiness returned.

“So this is just an excuse to feel me up?”

“If you didn’t look so worried I would say this is your blatant attempt to get me to feel you up!”

Her laugh was unforced for the first time that morning and she gave him a small peck on the cheek.

“It’s a tough job but I’ll cope.”

Joelle was in ankle boots, self-supported stockings, a long tight slinky dress with an overcoat and scarf. All Andrew did was strip her, slowly, seductively, and completely. Okay the last bit was not true, she got to keep the dress but the stockings and panties were slid down under her dress. Now standing barefoot, vulnerable and with a look of wide-eyed surprise, Andrew worshiped her body through the dress.

Standing behind her he kissed her neck, running his hands over her tight tummy, cupping her breasts without blatantly feeling them up. But then he knelt behind her, just as he had with Abi that very morning, and ran his hands up her legs dragging the dress higher and higher without ever letting the camera hit the jackpot. Then with his hands over the dress Andrew used his long arms to run down Joelle’s body, from the sides of her boobs, down through the small of her back, across her arse to her thighs, before finally settling down to caress and fondle her bum. When she ‘mmm’ed’ and pushed back against him Andrew hoped that they were going to be fine. Bouncing back up he spun her round and planted a full kiss on her, almost before Joelle knew what was happening. When he stepped back Veronique called cut and there was a two second silence on the set. Then it seemed everyone wanted to talk at once. Mainly in French, which suited Andrew fine because he could tune them out and walk across to grab some water. Abi, Pam and now Heloise as well, were there to speak to him.

“Bloody hell Andrew, it is not a dirty movie. When you pulled her knickers down I thought you had gone over the top but, but.”

Abi ran out of words. Heloise took over.

“It was the actions of a lover, Andrew. You set the tone incredibly well. I have no idea how much of that they will keep and be able to use but merde, Joelle is glowing now.”

Pam just came over and kissed him on the cheek.

“I am not going to go shopping today after all. I think Dan and I will find something else to do instead.”

With a wink and a wave she was gone, an unnecessary sway to her hips. Abi was just mortified at her mother and whacked Andrew for checking out her arse at the same time. But Heloise called her on it.

“Abigail, if the shoot was finished right now would you take Andrew shopping or back to your room?”

Abi’s blush made Heloise and Andrew laugh which got him another whack before she too saw the funny side of it.

“That is my mother, can you believe it. How am I going to look at them at dinner?”

The afternoon passed in a similar manner to the previous day, but the centrepiece outfit was the slinky grey wool dress. Whereas Heloise had stalked across the bathroom in a camisole and a pair of knickers the previous day, that afternoon Joelle sashayed across the room in the dress and nothing else. With no underwear on the jiggle factor was magnificent. The tease of the reveal of her bum was fun to shoot, slow until her bum finally popped into view and then quickly pulling it up and over her head to discard it on the counter. The topless shots were more blatant with Joelle, before it was time for the move back to the bedroom. There were lots of takes of them walking back to the room before they tried to recreate the two shots from the previous day. The first was very successful with Joelle leaning back slightly from his body to expose her boobs, rather than be squeezed against him. When Andrew threw her on the bed the look she gave him and the camera, was pure sex. Come here and fuck me right now. If it had been a male director Andrew guessed they would have spent the rest of the day on retakes of that shot. Even Veronique wanted two or three.

Now the fireman’s lift shot was just a hoot. When Andrew put Heloise over his shoulder, her height and arm length meant she could reach his arse so the joke was her hitting it as they walked through into the bedroom. The problem with Joelle was she couldn’t quite reach, even with her close to being tipped over his back. So it was turned around. In addition to flinging her over his shoulder, she also got whacks on the arse, before being deposited cavalierly on the bed. When the final cut of the day was called Andrew was bushed. One of the costume ladies brought him a robe and he sat on the end of the bed having a moment of peace. Abi walked up and sat beside him.

“You okay?”

Andrew smiled wearily back.

“It is more tiring than I expected that’s all. My arms are tired from throwing poor Joelle around there at the end.”

Abi laughed derisively.

“Poor Joelle, my arse. Did you not see the look on her face? If I wasn’t here she would be trying to get you into her dressing room right now.”

“Yeah, okay I suppose that’s true.”

“Come on, go and get changed.”

Once Andrew had his trousers on Beatrice and Veronique came in to talk to him.

“That was good today Andrew, you got her to relax. Well I think you get her all hot and bothered but you know what I mean.”

“I am the guy with the nice body Beatrice, you are the lady looking to create a commercial that is appropriate to Hermès and to what you are trying to achieve with the cologne. Did it work?”

“Andrew, it is exactly what we are looking for, young and fun, beautiful people but still with the ethos of Hermès. Veronique is sure that we can create three different commercials from yesterday’s footage, and two more from today. If nothing else we are going to make that dress a bestseller.”

They all laughed, before Beatrice carried on.

“I talked to Veronique about your suggestion for tomorrow with Chiara. I also talked to Heloise since this has a chance to be an important commercial if it works. It may detract from Heloise. When she found out it was your idea she laughed and gave her approval. She will talk to you about it tonight. So we are going to try it as you suggest. Because we have five different takes already we can try this.”

Joelle was bouncing with delight when he came out of the dressing room and embraced him in a long hug.

“Thank you for today Andrew, I am not a good enough actor to fake the passion, what you did to me lit the passion inside of me. So I am not going to come for dinner with you as I am off to drag my boyfriend to bed. Au revoir.”

And with that she was gone. Andrew looked at Abi and Heloise and then spotted Manon and Phillippe as well. It ended up being just the five of them as Pam and Dan were staying in for room service. Abi’s face when her mother told her this over the phone was a picture.

“My parents!”

Nothing else needed to be said. Over dinner Abi and Heloise took turns telling Manon what she had missed. Even Phillippe joined in the teasing.

“She kept telling me that she just needed to go and check everything was okay. Now I know the truth.”

Manon’s squawks and protestations just made the teasing even funnier. Finally they took pity on her and eased up. Heloise changed the tone of the conversation.

“Joelle said the same thing I did, she is not a good enough actor to fake the passion. I see these scenes on TV or in the movies and it looks so real. I don’t know that I could act that way with a comparative stranger, or someone where there is not the spark between us. I know we have been teasing you Manon but you should check out the footage of Andrew with Joelle. Merde, it was hot.”

Abi spoke up.

“But it was very different to you though Heloise. Some of the looks he gave you yesterday were amazing, and it was you. Andrew worshipped Joelle’s body, made her feel desirable, created the mood for the shoot, but he didn’t look at her the way he looked at you. The two commercials will be very different, highlighting different things. I think yesterday’s commercials showed love, whereas today’s will show lust.”

The smile on Heloise’s face showed that Abi had addressed something that was gnawing away with her. The way Andrew had responded to Joelle’s body was a stark reminder that her own was very different. While they were at the hotel phoning Dan and Pam Andrew had had remembered to go to his room and get Manon’s Christmas present.

“This is for you and Phillippe for Christmas, as a thank you for giving me the chance to model for Hermès. Without you none of this would have happened so thank you.”

It was clearly unexpected, the two of them were generous in their thanks, even although they had no idea what Andrew had bought them. He was pleased he had managed to surprise them. As always, they had to be conscious of the last train back to their suburban home.

“Despite all the jokes earlier, I am going to be at the shoot tomorrow Andrew. Beatrice is concerned about Chiara and her attitude so I will be there as well.”

The two of them left leaving Andrew with his two companions from the night before. Heloise restarted the conversation in an interesting manner.

“How have you found the two days of filming Abigail? Was it difficult to watch Andrew with a naked woman in his arms? Throwing her onto the bed?”

It seemed unfair to put Abi on the spot like that.

“It has been strange to watch everything this weekend. I think the fact that both you and Joelle are so nice has lessened the strain, and also that you were both so nervous for it to be a success. The importance of the project has made me realise that this is acting, a fantasy. So yes, there were a couple of moments where I sort of looked away for a few minutes but most of it has been fine. Part of my confusion has been about myself. Despite all the jokes, Andrew and I are not a couple. I had a bad experience while at school and so am not very good in dealing with men, particularly when it comes to sex. You know what Andrew is like, he is this kind gentle giant of a man who is helping me come to terms with men, and sex, and relationships. When you stop and think about it, he asked me here, brought Mum and Dad along too, knowing that both Mum and I would have a wonderful time. Has it made it easier for him. Probably not, but he doesn’t care. What about you? Was today difficult?”

“At times yes. But I stopped and realised that it was a good sign that it was so difficult, that means the shoot is going well. It was odd things that did it.”

She sighed before going on.

“I don’t miss the sex, I miss the closeness, being held.”

Abi whacked him on the arm.

“Hold her Andrew.”

Like he was going to do that without checking. Heloise sat on Andrew’s leg and just rested against him, intimate but not sexual. Abi smiled and leaned over and gave him a kiss. Now Andrew was sure there was further conversation that evening but he had no recollection of it. His mind was all over the place. He had Heloise sitting in his lap, his arm around her, all at Abi’s insistence, while Abi held his other hand for the rest of the evening. His confusion was complete and Andrew had no idea what was going on. Manon had already paid the bill before they left so when the women went to the toilet together he was left sitting on his own. Time ticked by and Andrew was beginning to wonder if he needed to get the restaurant to send a waitress in to check on them, when finally the two of them came out. Despite the careful attempts at concealing it Heloise looked like she had been crying.

Before Andrew could even utter a peep, Abi’s finger was to his lips, silencing him. The taxi dropped them at the hotel and Heloise got out as well. One look from Abi kept him silent and Andrew said nothing as Heloise joined them in the elevator and then finally his room. Was he excited at this development? Honestly, he was in two minds. There had been no talk about it, Heloise was being careful not to look him in the eye and had been arm in arm with Abi more than Andrew. So he was partly horny, slightly apprehensive, and completely confused. So no change there.

“Andrew, I know that we haven’t talked about this but I invited Heloise to sleep with us tonight. Not for sex, but for comfort and companionship. Go to the bathroom and get ready for bed.”

Andrew managed to refrain from saying ‘yes dear’ but it was close. When he came out the two of them went to the bathroom together. He was left standing there in the middle of his own hotel room not really knowing what was going on. Should he keep his briefs on? Should he get into bed? So much for being in control of his own life! Andrew decided to leave his briefs on and climbed into bed. It was not that late but he was tired. He forced himself not to stare at the bathroom door and lay back and closed his eyes. When the door opened he refrained from peeking. The cover lifted on his left side and Andrew could tell that it was Heloise, and that she was naked. Abi climbed in on the right side and he heard the snort.

“Really. No, that is actually thoughtful. Regardless, get them off.”

She assisted in pulling the briefs down and off his legs. So there he was lying naked in bed with Heloise on one side and Abi on the other. Heloise giggled first.

“We should tell him what is happening. I can hear the poor man’s brain churning from here.”

Abi draped her right leg over his and burrowed into his shoulder. Seconds later Heloise did the same on Andrew’s left side.

“I know that this is confusing and very unfair. Heloise felt lonely tonight and confessed that she dreamed of sleeping in your arms. No sex, just lying in your arms, feeling safe and secure. So I volunteered you. And it is wrong on so many different levels, but you are a nice man Andrew McLeod and we both know that you would do this. So rather than explain and have an awkward conversation in a public place like the restaurant I just decided that you, that we, should do it. In the whole pantheon of stories that you never share I hope that this one will raise a smile in the years to come. Maybe raise something else too.”

Abi was fighting dirty, draining his brain of blood at a key moment. But as with most things to do with his modelling career, Andrew just decided to not argue or worry about it. Just thinking that he had a modelling career was bonkers enough. Looking back on moments such as these, Andrew often thought he was too passive, or easily led, but at other times when he stopped and examined the situation, what the hell was the downside. Now if this were Helena and Abi in his room at College, run for the hills, that was not going to end well. But this?