Chapter Five

Doing What's Best For Raven

Jacqui had had enough.
Scenery painting just wasn't her thing, she stormed out after a row with the backstage manager, vowing never to return.

Trouble was, she was now out of work.
And she couldn't go back home to face James, because she knew what his reaction would be.

So, instead, she set about town for a bit of retail therapy.
That always made her feel good.

"Heck," she thought, "if he can splash out on a tired old piano for her, then I can treat myself to a few things. I deserve it."



It was whilst she was browsing through all the expensive designer wear, that inspiration hit her.

Up until now, she'd forcefully denied all knowledge of Raven.
She only felt vicious stabs of jealousy when she saw the two of them, and how closely they'd bonded.

But it was only just recently that she'd actually noticed how well Raven was growing up.

It was time for Jacqui to put matters into her own hands.

And start entering Raven into a few beauty pageants.

She'd hoped and prayed that Raven wasn't too old at eight.
Most children started off their careers from approximately two years old.

Rummaging around her purse, she found two of her favourite lifesavers.
Her cell phone, and an organiser packed with business cards.

One stuck out from all the rest.

With trembling hands, she dialled the number, hoping and praying that this guy would remember her.
It had been far too long.

At first the answer machine kicked in and her heart sank.
But then there was an audible click and a soft, almost effeminate voice spoke on the other end of the line.

"This is Linus Mortigan, photographer extraordinaire, how may I help you?"

Jacqui smiled, despite herself.

"Linus?" she paused, swallowing hard.

This was a lot harder than she thought.

"It's me."

A pause.

"Jacqueline Forrester."

There was a long uncomfortable silence and Jacqui was aware of the stares from shoppers who milled around her.

Then all of a sudden, there was an unearthly squeal from Linus.

"Jacqui!!!!!!! Dahling!!!!!!!!!!! How ARE you luvvy? I haven't heard from you in years!"

Jacqui smiled to herself.

He'd remembered her after all.
That was good news indeed.

She gave Linus a brief summary of what had happened since her 'early retirement', how she was married now with a pretty little daughter and that she was planning to come back into the limelight and bring her daughter with her.

But she desperately needed one big favour.

There was a long pause as Linus listened to her dilemma.

"My daughter is called Raven, she has the most beautiful deep blue eyes you could ever imagine and the blackest of hair. Her skin is of the finest porcelain. I need a portfolio to bring her into the public eye. Can you fit us in for a photo shoot?"

His silence was deafening.
For a long, sickening moment, Jacqui thought she'd pushed too far and had blown it.

There was a soft sigh in her ear.

"As you know," Linus explained, "I'm a very busy man and I have a heavy workload. I'm off on a photo shoot at the Riviera on Wednesday, but I'm sure I can fit Raven in on the Tuesday. After that, I'm fully booked all the year round."

Jacqui could hardly believe her luck.

"Thank you," she breathed, "I really appreciate this."

"I hope she's as pretty as you've described and that she's well behaved. I can't abide little brats who throw tantrums."



Relief washed over Jacqui as she hung up.
With a new spring in her step, she decided to look for new outfits for Raven's upcoming photo shoot.

The more expensive, the better.

Besides, it was all in Raven's best interests, after all.


That same morning, just as Jacqui had been arguing with the backstage manager, James had seen Raven off on the school bus.

Every morning and evening, Raven had fitted in at least one hour of quiet tinkling on the piano.
And James had been so impressed with her musical abilities, that he decided to hire a professional music teacher.

After scouring through the newspaper, he came across one name in particular.

Gretle Myers.

She had been classically trained and came highly recommended.
She fit the bill perfectly.

And without a moment's hesitation, James had invited her around for dinner that evening, in the hopes that this retired concert pianist would give Raven all the guidance she needed.