The Fashion Princess (5 page)

“But he's really wicked. Just forget him,” suggested Berry.

“I'd like to but I don't know what else to do. Modelling is all I know – I've been doing it since I was quite young,” explained Tallulah.

“Don't worry, Tallulah,” said Berry. “You're better than he is – I'm sure you'll work something out.”

“You're such sweet kids. Listen, I'd better go and call my agent. But thanks for being so nice,” said Tallulah, trying to compose herself. “I think you're probably the only honest and genuine people around here.”

And with that she pulled a phone out of her bag and went off to make her call.

“That Ned guy is a right shark and deserves a taste of his own medicine. I've got an idea,” said Orlando as soon as
Tallulah was out of earshot. “Quick, let's follow him . . .”

Poppy looked at Berry, who shrugged her shoulders and said, “Why not? He's been horrid to poor Tallulah. I don't care how famous or talented he is, he shouldn't be allowed to get away with treating people like that.”

Outside the tent, Ned Carew was untying his beloved little pooch, Chi-Chi.

“Come on, Chi-Chi-kins, Daddy needs brunch,” he said, heading off in the direction of the restaurant tent.

The two girls followed Orlando, who
followed Ned Carew through a maze of tents all the way to the VIP hospitality tent. At one point they lost him, but he had just stopped to give an autograph to an adoring fan.

“You're just the king, Ned. We love your styles,” she told him.

He smiled and said casually, “It's what I do, honey.”

Finally Ned Carew tied Chi-Chi to another pole and went into the lavish VIP tent.

“I'll have the full English all-day
breakfast, and sharpish,” he demanded. “Extra mushrooms, eggs sunny side up, pancakes and hash browns – and hey, do me a side order of French fries. And I like organic maple syrup. Get me a full milk mocha latte too, with sprinkles.”

Poppy noticed that he didn't say please or thank you, which she thought was very rude.

“Gross. He's so greedy!” said Berry.

But Orlando wasn't listening. Instead he was fumbling around in his bag.

“Ah-ha! Just what I was looking for,” he said, pulling some things out. “We need to distract him for a moment when his food arrives. I've got some salt and vinegar sachets for his coffee, and hot chilli powder and extra-strong mustard powder for his fry-up, all courtesy of the Central Park Plaza Hotel. We can watch him from here and see his face screw up
when he tastes his brunch with my special seasoning.”

Poppy was starting to realize that she and Orlando had quite a lot in common. She liked the way he thought. “Cool idea, Orlando. He deserves it,” she giggled.

When Ned's vast platter of food arrived, Poppy was tasked with creating a diversion to make him look away from the table, giving Orlando the chance to put his plan into action.

“What shall I do?” she asked as they saw Ned licking his lips in eager anticipation.

“Just think of something. Quickly,” instructed Orlando.

The only thing Ned seemed to care
about was his little dog, Chi-Chi, so Poppy decided to untie the fluffy white pooch and carry her in to Ned as if she had just found her roaming about looking for her master.

“Excellent plan, princess!” said Orlando. “Off you go.”

Poppy stroked the sweet little dog and undid her leash, then popped her into her large shoulder bag and carried her undetected through the entrance of the hospitality tent. No one stopped her, probably because they thought she was the daughter of a designer, and she made her way over to where Ned was sitting.

CHI-CHI YAPPED FRANTICALLY
when she saw Ned, and he jumped up as soon as he saw her peeking out of Poppy's bag.

“What you doin' with my dog, kid?” he barked at Poppy.

“Sorry, sir – she was lost and someone said she belonged to you,” said Poppy, desperately trying not to laugh when she caught sight of Berry and Orlando pulling faces and giving her the thumbs-up.

Ned took Chi-Chi in his arms and kissed and hugged her.

“I'm sorry, sir, we don't allow pets inside the VIP tent,” said a waitress as she arrived at his table.

“OK, lady,” said Ned irritably. “I'm just going to take her out and this time I'll tie her up more securely, won't I, Chi-Chi, darling?”

As Ned made his way out to deal with the dog, Orlando moved in stealthily and smothered the fry-up with mustard powder and hot chilli pepper, and doused the pale mocha latte with lashings of salt and vinegar. When he was finished, he took up his position outside the tent with Berry again. By the time Poppy ran round to join them, Ned was sitting down once more, greedily eyeing his enormous brunch.

As soon as he took a mouthful of food,
his face began to crease up and his lips pursed together in an expression of disgust. He looked as if he was going to explode. He spat the mouthful of food back out onto his plate and quickly took a gulp of coffee to put out the fire on his tongue, only to choke and splutter, and eventually spit that out too. Then he began to sneeze and cough, gasping for breath, his face growing redder and redder as he undid his collar and flapped his hand in front of his mouth like a fan. Berry, Orlando and Poppy could hardly contain their giggles.

“Someone is trying to murder me before my big show! Help! Call the police. Call nine one one. I'm dying!” Ned spluttered as the other diners looked on in horror.

A whole bevy of waitresses swarmed around him, but no one was able to calm him down. He was calling for water, ice and a full investigation into who had poisoned him.

“Job well done!” said Orlando, patting his trusty bag.

“Let's get out of here quickly,” said Berry sensibly. “Why don't we go and check out some shows now? Oh, and we never did pick up those goody bags, did we? Shall we do it now?”

“Yes please,” said Poppy. “I can't wait to see what's in them – and to see a real fashion show.”

“OK,” said Orlando, “but I'm not finished with him yet!”

Berry rolled her eyes. “He won't stop until he's caught,” she said to Poppy. “He doesn't believe in quitting while he's ahead!”

The goody bag was much bigger than Poppy had expected, and full of so many lovely things. There was a classic white T-shirt, funky jewellery, a brand-new type of perfume called Liberty, as well as a beautiful leather-bound design pad, pens and pencils. The bag was tied up with ribbon and had a fresh pale-pink rose attached to it.

“Hey, a show's about to start in that
tent over there,” said Berry, looking at a notice board. “It's Nick Lamont. His stuff is pretty weird but he puts on really great shows. It's like being in a costume drama! Let's go and check it out.”

Poppy and her two new friends sat perfectly still as they took in the runway show from their front-row seats. Poppy was amazed to find that the theme of the show was “Aliens”. She didn't think anyone in real life could ever wear any of the outfits; the models were quite scary-looking and had crazy hair and make-up.

“What do you think?” whispered Berry.

“Um, I think it's a bit strange,” said Poppy, hoping her friend thought the same.

“Exactly what I was thinking,” agreed Berry. “I mean, no one is actually going
to wear this stuff.”