February 23rd 2016

Ok, so I have cast my version of Daniel's grandmother, who has been mentioned throughout this story. Honor Blackman is Constance/Connie/Gangster Granny. Her picture is floating up there ^^^ somewhere. She played the inappropriately names Pussy Galore from James Bond movie Goldfinger. There'll be a picture of her from her younger days posted with Sunday's update. Sarah xx

~*~*~

"Do you know what I love most about having a famous designer for a mum?"

"What?"

"Well, I'm going to the ELLE Style Awards tonight and I didn't have anything to wear. I was whining about it last night when I was on the phone to Mum and when I got back to the office from today's shows, guess what was waiting for me?"

"Um, a flying carpet?"

"Because a flying carpet totally makes sense. No, you dimwit, she sent over a dress."

"That makes more sense than a carpet, I suppose."

"You don't say! Anyway, the dress is simply gorgeous!"

"Cool."

"It's navy with heavy beading around the neck and it has an open back."

"Sounds nice."

"I'll send you a photo of my hair!"

"Can't wait."

"Daniel..."

"Hm?"

"Are you even listening to what I'm saying?"

"..."

"Men. You can't multi-task for shit."

"That's offensive."

"But true."

"Send me this damned photo, Sophie."

"I shall!"

"It sent. Don't look at my nose, though. I hate it."

"There's nothing wrong with your nose. You hair looks great and the dress is stunning. My compliments to your mother."

"Suck up."

"Haha. I know."

"But, really, I look ok? Red carpet ready?"

"Red carpet ready. Flying solo tonight, or are you going with Hugo?"

"Solo. Well, kinda. I'm going with Laurent, the ridiculously talented hairdresser that styled my hair for tonight."

"He's your friend?"

"Not just any friend."

"Your friends-with-benefits friend?"

"My gay best friend."

"Or that."

"You're an idiot, Daniel."

"I know. You're ready for the awards show?"

"Just need to put my heels on, find my lipstick and rush out the door. Other than that, I'm ready."

"Well, have fun tonight. I take it you will, seeing as you have a day off tomorrow."

"I am, but not too much fun. I want to enjoy tomorrow, not suffer with a headache."

"A dry night, then?"

"As dry as possible."

"So, what do you plan on doing on your day off?"

"Waking up late morning and then I'm spending the afternoon with Lucas."

"Shit, I've been meaning to ask you about him! How is he?"

"He's doing better. Completely bored of staring at the same four walls in his room and can't wait to get out. They're thinking of discharging him over the weekend."

"What, just before you have to leave for Paris?"

"Yep. I'm trying to get my boss to give me some leeway so that I can spend the weekend at my parents' place before I have to leave. Mum doesn't really need to be in Paris until Thursday, and Charlotte and Emma aren't coming until the Saturday, so Luc will have more than enough company."

"Emma's still in town? When does she go back State side?"

"Tuesday after Mum's show."

"Will you miss her?"

"Of course. But that's why they invented Skype and Face Time."

"I suppose."

"While we're discussing family-"

"No."

"You don't even know what I'm going to say!"

"You're either going to ask me about Samuel or you're going to ditch me on Sunday."

"Shit! I forgot about Sunday!"

"It's ok, Soph. Lucas is coming home and you need to be with your family, not entertaining my senile grandmother."

"Hey, Connie is not senile!"

"No, she is."

"Secondly, if the offer is still there, I'd love to come meet Gangster Granny on Sunday."

"You would?"

"Yeah, are you kidding me?!"

"You sound far too enthusiastic."

"Well, I did some reading. Did you know your grandmother was a Vogue cover girl in the fifties? I did some digging in the archives and found the original print. Man, she was gorgeous."

"My grandmother? Are you sure?"

"A hundred per cent. I can get you a copy, if you want."

"Will you? I'd love that."

"I'll bring it with me on Sunday, like a peace offering."

"And why do you need a peace offering?"

"Well, my strategy will be to try and charm her but if that goes wrong, I'll pull out the photo and Connie will instantly love me!"

"Clearly, you do not know my grandmother. That woman doesn't love anything or anyone."

"She'll love me, just you wait and see."

"Haha. That's funny. I can wait to see you proved wrong."

"Like I said, just you wait. Right, let's discuss Samuel-"

"Isn't your car there yet? I feel like we've been on the phone for about nine hours already. Surely, even in London, that's enough time for your car to get to you."

"It's on it's way. But, while I wait, let's talk about Samuel. Have you spoken to him recently?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because we don't get along."

"Why, because you're the heir and he's the spare?"

"Basically."

"That's not a good enough reason for you not to talk."

"Tell him that. God knows I've tried."

"Will he be there on Sunday?"

"Yes. It's a tradition that my batty grandmother wants to maintain. I don't see why. My family is a farce."

"It can't be that bad."

"Just you wait."

"Seriously, Daniel, you need to find your own material and stop regurgitating mine."

"But your lines are so good."

"I know they are. That's why I say them."

"Imitation is the best for of flattery."

"No, it's just irritating."

"Uh huh."

"No, don't you- What? Oh, it is? Ok, I'm coming.- You're in luck, bucko, my car is here. But this plagiarism conversation is not over."

"Didn't think it was."

"Right, I'm getting in the lift now and I'll lose signal. Night-"

[Call ended]