Writing for Fun
October 2019
The Grudge - Jan Norman
The two models entered the arena simultaneously from opposite sides. The laser lights pulsed and swirled to the strong rhythmic beat of the music, showering the venue walls and ceilings with fantastical colour washes; setting the scene for their slow progress down the long runway.
Concealed lighting picked out their journey; Angel, the ‘Face of Givenchy’ and Model of the Year sashayed sexily down the left and Joules stalked the runway in her inimitable edgy style on the right. Both sported enormous eyelash and brow extensions of jewel encrusted feathers taken into the hairline; Their matching white dresses similarly adorned. Following behind came the men with equally dazzling eye make up and neon skin tight outfits with bejewelled and feathered cod pieces.
The place erupted with cheers catcalls and applause. The press stood and cameras flashed. It seemed that the opening of the 2013 China Fashion Week was a resounding success. This year’s theme, ‘Crazy Eye Makeup’ had certainly inspired houses like Chanel and Givenchy to give of their best.
Turning at the apex of the runway both girls kicked out their skirts and slowly sashayed or stalked their way back again.
The changing rooms were a cacophony of sound, light and motion. Models were being helped to strip off garments and don others as speedily as possible. Make up wiped off and new applied. Well choreographed groups of models left for the catwalk’s next spectacular. Each fashion designer and fashion house jockeying for pole position in this cut throat but profit making industry.
At the end of a long and arduous day Joules, scraped clean of false beauty aids and designer clothes, sat in baggy sweater and jogging bottoms in the Hotel’s coffee bar nursing a mug of coffee and reminiscing.
It had come as a bit of a shock to find herself centre stage on the runway with her nemesis, Angel.
Joules and Angel went way back together. Both had gone to the same schools and both had had a burning ambition to become a supermodel but nature had not been equally kind to both in the beauty stakes. Angel had been born with perfect features; a natural blond, super slim and with a sweet disposition. Together with bucket loads of charm and charisma meant friends and opportunities galore. Whereas poor old Joules, although not entirely without looks, knew she could not hold a candle to her. Inevitably, at the age of sixteen Angel had won her first modelling contract and never looked back and at the age of 26 was the highest paid supermodel and the ‘Face of Coco Chanel.’
Joules, was a few years younger and had been soured by Angel’s success. The bitch, she thought, idly stirring the now tepid brew. She had not even had to work hard to become a model and so the grudge, seated deep within her psyche, grew and fed on Angel's every success. Joules grunted out loud. At least the grudge had done one thing for her at least. It had fuelled her determination to make it as a model. She had vowed that she would do whatever it took; she would endure and it had cost her dearly. Years of starving, cosmetic surgery, paying or sleeping for favours; such as having a portfolio made by a celebrated photographer and working with studios and choreographers to perfect a quirky and original walk. Studying how to ‘rock the catwalk’ as the saying went.
Joules sighed. She had made it as a model and still had a few years left to match or even better Angels achievements. She too could become the next ‘Face of Givenchy’ or face of some other equally prestigious fashion house and be made model of some year soon but somehow her heart felt heavy; the grudge was not so gratifying now.
A small movement near her jerked her back from her reverie. Looking up she saw the face of Angel, her angel, her big sister Angel.
‘Do you mind if I sit down?’
Joules nodded consent. Dumbfounded yet strangely elated she pulled out a chair for her.
An hour later they hugged and wept on each other’s shoulders swearing to keep in touch and make up for the lost years.
Angel had come to tell her sister that she was leaving the world of modelling. She had found a man she could finally love and trust and they were to marry in a few months time.
As they talked further Joules was horrified to hear that her sister’s career had not been ‘laid at her feet’ as she had so naively imagined. In fact her youth and natural beauty had opened her up to a world of lust and jealousy at a much more tender age. She had agreed to and done things in the past of which she was bitterly ashamed and which had scarred her mentally.
Sitting quietly after Angel had gone Joules felt the grudge shrink and shrink until she swore she heard a pop as it disappeared forever.