‘Well, then,’ Mr Vega said, offering his arm. ‘As your sister seems to have already gone ahead, would you do me the honour of allowing me to escort you?’
Olivia grinned. ‘I would love to.’
Lillian beamed with approval. ‘You two look gorgeous. Now get out there and dazzle them! I’ll be right behind you.’
Olivia’s heart started to pump as her heels clicked across the parking lot towards the Picturedrome. Over the crowds that were surrounding the entrance, all with their backs to her, she could see bright spotlights and flashes. There was a huge cheer and Olivia guessed that it must be because Jackson or Jessica was making their appearance.
She took a quick glance at her reflection in a window as Mr Vega led her between a van and a sports car. Her diamond choker sparkled under the parking lot lights and her brown curls fluttered gently in the breeze. There wasn’t far to go now until they would be at the end of the carpet, making their appearance.
Now or never, she thought. The noises got louder and Olivia could hear people shouting out to Jessica to sign autographs.
‘We love you, Jessica!’ screamed a brown-haired girl.
Olivia wasn’t sure whether she was relieved or disappointed to follow Jessica – either way, the crowd wouldn’t be much interested in her. Jessica was in her element, greeting all her fans like they were long-lost friends.
A young man with a goatee hurried over.
‘Olivia Abbott plus one?’ he asked. She nodded. ‘Just a minute. Lillian, you can go whenever you want to.’
Lillian gave a knowing smile and mock-whispered, ‘That means no one cares when I go!’ She gave a little wave and said, ‘Good luck.’ She headed into the crowd and disappeared.
‘I guess this is it,’ Olivia said, but her father’s gaze was fixed on the retreating silhouette of Lillian.
‘What, honey? Oh, yes,’ he said, giving her arm a squeeze. He was watching the crowd again. ‘This is so exciting for you, Olivia. I’m so proud of you for following your dream and getting this part.’ He pulled her into a hug.
Olivia wished her adoptive parents could have been here, too, but she was only allowed two extra tickets to the red carpet, and they’d gone to Ivy and Mr Vega.
‘Thanks,’ she replied. Even though she couldn’t walk down the red carpet with Jackson, she was so happy to be able to do it with her biological dad. She couldn’t believe it had only been a few months since she’d found out who he was.
‘Olivia, you’re a go.’ Mr Goatee pushed them towards the red carpet and a team of security guards materialised and stood along the crowd, forming a path.
This was like the biggest pep rally of her life.
There were young girls and parents in the crowd, photographers and journalists. There were little strobe lights chasing up and down the sides of the carpet and music from the movie’s soundtrack played from big speakers. The sight of the red carpet laid out in front of her, leading up the steps into the cinema, gave her such a thrill that she didn’t even have to think about putting on her smile.
This is amazing, Olivia thought.
‘You look beautiful,’ Mr Vega whispered. He took the first step on to the carpet and Olivia followed. She relaxed her shoulders and lifted her chin. They were approaching the press area where all the photographers were lined up to catch the arrivals.
Everyone was staring and Olivia heard one man with a grey moustache ask, ‘Who is that?’
‘I don’t know,’ said the woman in a trench coat next to him.
Olivia caught sight of Sophia, elbowing her way to the front of the crowd of photographers. Sophia gave a little wave and then said to the woman, ‘That is Olivia Abbott, the next big thing.’ She started snapping away furiously with her camera.
‘Well, whoever she is, I love that skirt.’ The woman nudged the photographer standing next to her. ‘Get her.’
Suddenly, all the cameras were flashing.
‘Olivia!’ cried the woman. ‘Do a turn!’
Mr Vega stepped back so that Olivia could have her photo alone. She took a step, turned and then struck the pose that Spencer had shown her.
‘EveryWoman magazine wants to know who designed that dress?’ called another lady wearing all black.
Olivia wasn’t sure what to say. ‘It’s a one-off design by a friend of mine.’
‘Nice friend,’ came the envious reply.