The Sun Sister (The Seven Sisters #6) - Lucinda Riley Page 0,28

slept a wink that night and – even though I’d promised myself I wouldn’t because Mitch could spot a cokehead a mile off – I was so jittery that I had to do a line before I went into my morning meeting to discuss the fragrance campaign.

‘Are you okay?’ asked Mariam when I emerged from the restroom.

‘Yeah, I’m fine. Shall we go in?’

When we came out a couple of hours later, I was glad that Mariam had been there to record what had been agreed about my schedule for the upcoming commercial shoot in Brazil, plus the actual launch in October. All I knew was that I stank like a cheap prostitute – the client had been at the meeting and they’d obviously had someone spray the room with the perfume before we’d all arrived.

‘Wow,’ Mariam said as we took the elevator down. ‘They’re sparing no expense on this one. I’ve never been to Rio, have you?’

‘You know what, I can’t remember offhand, but I don’t think so, no.’

‘Didn’t you tell me that your eldest sister lives there?’

‘I must have done if you know,’ I said, wondering if I had time to get my manicurist to drop by this afternoon.

‘You can go and visit her, can’t you?’

‘Yup, I suppose I can,’ I said as Mariam led the way out of the building before we settled ourselves in the back of the waiting limo.

‘Is there anything you want me to order in for lunch?’

‘No thanks, I’m sure I’ll be able to find something at home.’

‘Electra, your refrigerator is empty and it’s important you eat. You have the photoshoot at three for the Jaeger-LeCoultre campaign.’

‘What?’ I turned to her in horror. ‘You didn’t mention that to me yesterday.’

‘I did, Electra,’ she said quietly. ‘Remember, we had that incredible watch set with pink diamonds sent over with two security guards last week to make sure it fit you?’

Sadly, I did remember.

‘Shit,’ I muttered, under my breath because I’d begun to notice Mariam wincing every time I swore. ‘Can we cancel? Say I’m sick or something?’

‘I suppose we could of course, but why would we?’

‘Because I’d, like, totally forgotten I had something on tonight.’

‘What time does it start?’

‘Oh, around eight,’ I said, thinking I needed a good hour to prepare for Mitch’s arrival.

‘Well, they’re looking for a sunset shot and it will be dark by seven thirty anyway, so I reckon you could just about make it if you go straight to your appointment from the shoot.’

‘But I need a while to get ready! Christ! Can’t they delay by a week? The campaign isn’t starting for months. How much time do these guys need?!’

‘Electra, I’m not your keeper, but—’

‘No, you’re not! No one is, though everyone acts like they think they are!’

I watched her blush and lower her eyes. ‘I do apologise if you feel that way.’

I suddenly felt terrible. This wasn’t Mariam’s fault, it was mine. ‘No, I should apologise. I’m just real antsy today, that’s all. Anyway,’ I sighed, ‘I guess you’re right. It wouldn’t look good to let them down. I’ll just have to be brilliant and get the perfect shot fast.’

‘If anyone can do that, it’s you, Electra. Okay, so you’re sure you don’t want anything to eat?’

‘Maybe order me up some wasabi noodles with a side of kale.’

‘Will do. Now, I have to go see Susie, but I will be back here to pick you up at two thirty. Okay?’

‘Okay.’

Back in my apartment, I did a couple of lines because my nerves were jangling, and washed down lunch with my friend Grey Goose. Then I drank a pint of water, gargled half a bottle of mouthwash and chewed minty gum as I sat on my bed trying to relax by practising the breathing exercises my therapist had given me.

They didn’t work. Nothing worked except the Goose and its powdery companion, which I’d nicknamed White Heaven.

‘Why are the good things always so bad for you?’ I complained as I took another couple of snorts of the only medicine that I knew would calm me down.

‘Hi, Electra, you’re looking as gorgeous as always.’ Tommy, my super-fan, approached me as I stepped out of the building.

‘Thanks.’

‘Is there anything I can do for you today?’ he asked.

‘No, but thanks for asking.’ I gave him a smile as I passed him, before climbing into the waiting limo.

‘He is such a sweet man,’ Mariam commented as she got into the back of the car with me. ‘And so protective of you. Maybe you should hire