The Sweet Life Read Free Page B

doorframe, batting her eyelashes. Her friends broke out laughing.
    ‘Fab dress courtesy of Lou Lou’s last wardrobe cleanout,’ said Ness happily. ‘Haven’t worn it myself yet! There are at least five other outfit changes in there, Janes, so get cracking. We ’ve got other fish to fry.’
    Next, Janey appeared in a pair of denim sailor pants with heavy brass buttons, a navy-and-white striped top with three-quarter sleeves, and a pair of round-toed ballet flats.
    Gabs nodded as she nibbled on a rice cracker. ‘I like it. Very Gwen Stefani-esque.’
    ‘Classic,’ Em agreed. ‘Very French New Wave cinema.’
    The fourth of Ness’s looks was a fitted orange singlet top and a black, mid-calf tulle skirt.
    ‘Kooky combo,’ said Ness as Janey pirouetted around the bedroom with her arms in the air. ‘But it works, don’t you think?’
    Emily and Gabs nodded, in awe of Ness’s fashion genius.
    Further outfit changes yielded white short shorts, a silky peasant blouse in a vibrant flower print with cap sleeves and a gathered yoke, a belted grey jersey T-shirt dress, and a vintage black shift dress with bronze beading around the neckline.
    ‘Magnifique!’ Em declared, clapping as the run of outfits ended.
    ‘ Magnifico , you clueless wonder,’ Gabs corrected. ‘She’s going to Italy , remember? Though she wouldn’t look out of place in Paris. Every look a bona fide winner, Janey. If you don’t come back engaged to a handsome young Italian aristocrat, I’ll eat Ness’s entire collection of rhinestone hairclips.’
    ‘Deal,’ said Ness. ‘I was getting sick of them anyway.’ She turned to Janey. ‘You like?’
    Janey, still in the beaded black dress, threw her hands up in the air. ‘I like . You were right, Ness, I needed help. I don’t own anything half as glam as these. And everything works back together. Mixing and matching shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for a fashion cretin like me.’
    ‘ And I’ve got the perfect suitcase for all this to go into,’ Ness added. ‘Genuine Anya Hindmarch, if you don’t mind. Another Lou Lou cast-off. Covered in signature bows with a telescoping handle to save your dainty back. Wait one minute while I throw everything into it.’
    Janey changed out of the dramatic black dress and reappeared in her usual striped hoodie and jeans. Gabs handed her a piece of caramel slice, which Janey devoured gratefully.
    ‘Don’t get too comfortable!’ Ness said as she wheeled out the little suitcase, leaving it by her bedroom door. ‘That was only the start of your kick-butt makeover. Now for a lesson in the art of cosmeceutical enhancement. Eyebrows first, I should think. They’re looking a bit straggly.’
    Janey groaned. ‘You mean there’s more ?’
    Ness dragged her over to the dressing table and began picking out bottles, tubes and brushes. Em and Gabs each popped open a can of cola, toasted one other, and settled in for the show.

    Janey was so hopeless at applying eyeliner and mascara that they all ended up staying for dinner at Ness’s place.
    ‘You looked less like Janey and more like a raccoon,’ mused Em as she practically inhaled Lou Lou’s apricot chicken.
    ‘No,’ said Gabs cheerfully, ‘like a runny panda. Tragic.’
    Janey flushed. ‘I told you I was no good at this stuff.’
    ‘Not to worry, dear,’ said Lou Lou, taking a sip of her wine, ‘I was completely clueless about make-up at high school. And look at me now!’
    Janey shot Lou Lou – who looked like a model – a look of disbelief.
    ‘No really, I was.’ Lou Lou laughed. ‘ And I had a poodle perm with a sheepdog fringe, to make matters worse.’
    ‘She’s not joking,’ grinned Ness’s dad. ‘Back when we first met, Lou Lou’s look could best be described as, uh . . . colour blind. Luckily I saw beyond the daggy façade to the beauty within.’
    Lou Lou giggled. ‘Nothing matched.’
    ‘And you couldn’t see where you were going.’
    ‘They can go on like this for