The Fashion Princess (3 page)

“I'm starving!” said Orlando, by way of introduction.

“Well, what would you like?” asked Bryony.

“Same as usual?” suggested Orlando, taking a seat.

“And aren't you going to say hello to our guests?” scolded Bryony.

He mumbled “Hi” and then started rummaging in his bag.

When the delicious main course of warm bread, pasta in tomato sauce, herb-coated corn-fed chicken and rocket salad arrived, Poppy was amazed to see another plate arrive specially for Orlando. A whole pile of chunky chips were served with melted cheese, and on
the side of the plate was a small dipping bowl of hot chocolate sauce.

“That is gross, monster!” commented Berry, dying with embarrassment. Her brother's strange habits hadn't seemed so bad on the two previous evenings, when they'd had no guests, but they made her cringe now.

Poppy and Saffron smiled.

After a scrumptious dessert of raspberry double-cream ice with shortcake, they all decided it was time to go to bed. It had been a long day, especially for Poppy and Saffron.

They said goodnight and arranged to meet in the lobby the following morning. Bryony, Berry and Orlando went to order a movie to be delivered to their room,
while Poppy and Saffron stepped into a huge elevator and headed for their room on the twenty-fifth floor. They seemed to go up and up for ever and Poppy was quite sure that they were going to burst through the top of the building into the sky. She had never been in such a tall building before.

When Saffron pushed open the door to their room, Poppy could hardly believe her eyes. It smelled wonderful, as if someone had been burning fragrant candles. The carpet was super soft and velvety pink – Poppy couldn't wait to see what it would feel like on her bare feet. The beds were vast and luxurious, with pure white sheets and pretty lavender silk quilts on top. Even though the Hedgerows Hotel in Honeypot Hill was very pretty, it was nothing like this. This was much more spectacular. There were fresh pink roses in
glass bowls and the furniture was in the French style, with ornate gold carvings. The curtains were a deep violet-purple with a fleur-de-lis design embossed over chintz. As for the toiletries in the bathroom, it was like a perfume store!

 

Saffron was itching to explore their surroundings.

“Come and see the view, Poppy!” she exclaimed, stepping onto their enormous balcony, which overlooked Central Park. “This view is amazing. I can't believe that we're in one of the most exciting cities in the whole world. We're going to have a ball.”

Poppy smiled in agreement, mesmerized by the size of the city and all the lights as well as by their hectic, exciting schedule for next few days. But soon she was deep in thought, already trying to decide what to wear the next day.

In the morning, Poppy laid all her wash things out in the huge bathroom – she absolutely loved staying in hotels because everything was so luxurious. Lily Ann Peach from the Beehive Beauty Salon had given her lavender bubble bath,
orange-zest body scrub, rose-water moisturizer and safflower lip balm, but Poppy was determined to try out the amazing-looking products supplied by the hotel. She pinned her hair up on top of her head as she set about getting ready for her first day at New York Fashion Week.

After washing and trying out all the potions, then brushing her hair, Poppy decided to wear pink pedal-pushers, with a pretty white cotton top covered in silver stars. She finished her outfit off with silver ankle-strap sandals, complete with a matching shoulder bag. She put her long blonde hair in bunches, with pink poppy baubles securing each bunch, sprayed herself liberally with the gorgeous hotel perfume, Fleur, then flicked through
the programme again as she waited for Saffron to get ready.

Saffron was taking absolutely ages in the bathroom, and what a surprise Poppy got when she emerged.

“I'm ready! What do you think of my new look?” asked Saffron, with a twirl.

Poppy was lost for words, which was most unlike her. Saffron usually dressed so beautifully and simply in jewel-coloured cottons and linens with an ethnic, natural twist, but today she was dressed like a gothic bride from a scary movie. She was wearing an ankle-length black dress, a grey top hat and fingerless lace gloves. She had applied very heavy dark eye make-up and plum-coloured lipstick. Her hair was back-combed into a high bouffant and sprayed with so much hairspray even a hurricane wouldn't move it. The hat sat at a
jaunty angle on top of the candyfloss hair confection. Poppy thought her cousin had gone completely mad.

“I've copied one of the looks from one of Bryony's magazines and the dress is a sample she lent me. She dropped it by last night after you'd gone to sleep. Don't you like it?” asked Saffron.

“Um, it does look very . . . um . . . interesting and . . . um . . . different, Saffron, but you don't look like you any more,” said Poppy, being as truthful as she could without hurting Saffron's feelings.

“Oh dear, don't I suit it then? I just wanted a change, with us being in New York and everything. I thought my look was getting a bit, you know, boring, especially after seeing all the glamorous people on the plane and here at the hotel,” replied Saffron in a rather subdued voice.

Poppy was worried that her older cousin might cry.

“But Saffron, everyone wants to dress just like you. All my friends think you're the most glamorous and pretty person they've ever met. You always look lovely in your clothes. You don't
need to copy people from magazines.”

“I suppose you're right, Poppy,” sighed Saffron. “I just got a bit swept up in the excitement of it all. Will you help me pick out another outfit?'

“Yes please,” Poppy smiled and headed over to Saffron's bulging wardrobe.

While Saffron went to wash out the hairspray and scrub off the make-up, Poppy laid out a turquoise tiered mini-dress with a short pink jacket and gem-studded sandals for her. She was sure her cousin would look her usual gorgeous self.

When Saffron was finally ready, they went down to the lobby to meet the others before heading over to the fashion shows. Poppy was a bit surprised that Orlando was coming along too. She thought he would prefer the hotel sports club. He hadn't really dressed
up for the occasion and Poppy couldn't imagine that he was into fashion at all. He was wearing army-green combat shorts, a black rock-band T-shirt and trainers. He had his bag over his shoulder, which Poppy thought was bound to be full of snails, spiders, worms, frogs and all sorts of foul things. Berry, on the other hand, looked magnificent. She was wearing a navy and white striped mini-dress with footless tights and loads of funky jewellery, plus a cute red clutch bag. And Bryony's outfit was pure haute couture!

“Come on, you lot,” she called. “The taxi's waiting.”

WHEN THEY ARRIVED
at Bryant Park on 42nd and 6th, Poppy was amazed at the size of the Fashion Week event. There were several huge air-conditioned tents set up in a large park. All around, there were glamorous people wearing huge sunglasses and amazing hats and outfits, mainly in black, white or grey. The models were all taller and thinner than Poppy expected.