Educating Danielle

Part Four

by Karen E. Lea

 

Chapter Sixteen

The Saturday morning of Lady Carrington’s daughter’s wedding dawned bright and clear. Thursday night, Laura, Danielle and I as Karen, had gone shopping for clothes, a uniform so to speak. We settled on white short sleeved blouses with navy blue above the knee skirts, tan panty hose and three inch navy blue pumps with a block heel.

After a small breakfast, I went through my bathing ritual, then nails. Danielle and Laura had done their nails the night before in the same shade and we had matching lipsticks. By ten thirty, only wig and lipstick to go. The door bell peeled and I let Danielle in, she was ready, looking very smart. “Mum will be five minutes.”

I gave her the keys to the Rover, and she backed it from the garage to run the air conditioning as it was a typical Sydney February day, hot and humid. I returned to the bedroom and selected a short dark wig, then put some lip gloss on the back of my hand and then using a small lip brush on the lipstick and mixing it with the gloss, applied it to my lips. Wiping the back of my hand with a tissue, I grabbed my handbag; made sure I had some cash and headed for the car after locking the house.

Laura and Danielle were seated in the car and we headed for the gate. Once the gate closed behind us, we were swiftly on our way to the Carrington Mansion on the harbour via the Harbour Bridge. While driving, I noticed Laura was very distracted, as she was the night before. “A penny for your thoughts?”

“Just a work problem.”

“Want to share it?”

“I don’t think you would be able to help, this is way out of your expertise.”

“Try me.”

“Alright. Try this on for size. At four pm yesterday, my boss asked, no, I’ll rephrase that, he told me to find a coach driver who would work a Saturday for nothing.”

“A coach driver?”

“He’s organised a coach from a friend for his mother’s church outing. Mister Faraday is going to pay for the fuel and the driver originally organised, has backed out due to family commitments…..so he dumped it on me.”

“That’s nice of him.”

“I don’t know where to start; I’ve been given instructions that may as well be written in Latin.” She took a piece of paper from her handbag, “Minimum HR licence, coach authority and checkable references.”

“Heavy rigid, must be a three axle coach and DOT coach authority. When’s this all happening?”

“Fortnight today.”

“Nothing like a bit of notice. Don’t worry about it, I know some people, fix it tomorrow.” She stared at me. “It’s okay, I know people.”

Chapter Seventeen

Ten minutes later, we were having our names checked by a security guard, then allowed to enter the driveway.

“God, I am so nervous.” Laura said.

“No need to be.”

“I wish I hadn’t come. I’m way out of my depth.”

“Relax.” I said pulling up at the portico. We slipped from the car and I went around to the tailgate, opened it and reached in. Before I could get hold of the makeup cases, a voice said, “Karen Williams, don’t you dare.”

I spun to the speaker, “Kim…..Hi.” Kim is a very petite blond, fine featured. Her hair always reminded me of Marilyn Monroe in style.

“Good morning darling. I have men for that.” she winked. I embraced her and then introduced Laura and Danielle.

“You three look absolutely darling and if Danielle doesn’t speak French, I am going to be very disappointed.”

She gave instructions for the makeup cases to be taken upstairs and the chauffer was told to park the Rover, but don’t let it get blocked in. She led us inside, then out to a sheltered balcony with views of the harbour. We were introduced to the bride, Deidre and her sister the maid of honour, Marcie. She was already married with a small son, Timothy, who was immediately enchanted by Danielle and attached himself to her. Both daughters were from Kim’s previous marriage. Then the two bridesmaids, Kim and Leanne, then the three flower girls, Skye, Amy and Rachael.

After the introductions, we sat at the table and a chicken salad was served. Kim chatted to Laura like they were old friends and Laura finally relaxed. The wine flowed freely, although I didn’t drink, there was enough work this afternoon, without being drunk as well.

We giggled and chatted the hour away. At one fifteen, we went upstairs to a huge bedroom, where every thing was laid out ready. The girls were still sipping champagne, two hours of this and there would be nobody standing. I started with the two bridesmaids, who sat in their underwear with capes over their shoulders. Danielle assisted me, handing me items from the boxes as I needed them. The next girl was the maid of honour. Laura helped the girls into their dresses. By the time I had finished Kim, we were well into the second hour. The bride came next, after I finished her, Kim had me give the brides corset laces another tug. Laura assisted her into the gown. The three little flower girls were lightly made up.

The whole time, Timothy was never more than three feet from Danielle. It had just gone three; we were finished and started to pack up.

“Danibelle. When’s it my turn?”

Danielle looked at me, then said, “Um…..little boys don’t wear makeup at weddings.”

“Why not?” This threw Danielle, it threw me as well, and I didn’t have an answer either.

His mother came over, “Timmy, don’t bother the girls, they’re busy.”

“I’m waiting my turn.”

“Little boys don’t wear makeup, darling.”

“I want to.”

“You can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because you can’t.”

Timmy was starting to get upset. Danielle went down to his level, “Go get your grandmother.” He trundled off. She turned to Marcie, “What if we just put a tiny bit on him, just to highlight without being to noticeable.”

“Do you think we’d get away with it?” Marcie asked.

“I don’t think anyone would give him a second look, and he’ll look good in the photographs.”

“Do it.”

Timmy had arrived back with Kim, “Darling, Problems?”

Marcie led her away to explain, and Danielle took care of Timmy. Once she was finished, she said to him, “You must promise me, when you get home tonight, you go to the bathroom with your mummy and let her take off the makeup and moisturise your face. Okay.”

Okay Danibelle.”

“Good boy. Now you’ll have to be careful and not rub your face.”

Okay Danibelle. Thank you.”

Danielle and I started to pack up, when Kim came in to the room with a large woman in tow, “Karen darling. You’ve done a marvellous job. This is Janice the groom’s mother, is there anything you could do for her?”

I said hello and studied the newcomer. She was wearing an expensive dress, although not a good fit, no makeup and had the pasty complexion of a heavy drinker. My watch said three seventeen, “I can, but it will take a few minutes more than you’ve got.”

“Do your best darling.”

I bade the woman to sit and went to work. Danielle watched closely as I worked through foundation, concealer, powder, eye shadow. Danielle did the mascara, eyeliner and lip liner, while I prepared the lipstick and gloss. I deftly applied mixture to her lips with a brush and gave her the lipstick for touch-ups. With a flourish, I removed the cape, helped her stand and showed her to the mirror.

“Oh thank you.” she gushed.

“My pleasure.”

Kim arrived back, “Darling, that’s wonderful. We’ve put the ceremony back fifteen minutes; a few late comers.” We finished packing the makeup away. “I’ll send some men up to bring them downstairs.”

We followed Kim and Janice downstairs, outside. The ceremony was being held near the seawall of the harbour. There were at least one hundred people already seated. The butler showed us to some seats at the rear on the bride’s side. Scanning the faces in the crowd, I recognised some faces, I knew as Jeff.

“This is so beautiful.” said Laura. Danielle agreed.

A lovely sea breeze was blowing in from the north east, turning it into a beautiful afternoon. The organist struck up ‘Here comes the bride’ and the wedding party filed down the aisle. Timothy gave us a big grin as he walked past. Thirty minutes later the ceremony ended and the bride and groom posed for photos signing the wedding certificate. The formal photos were then taken of the wedding party with the gardens and harbour as a backdrop. We had our photos taken with the bride and groom, which Deidre insisted. Then a group photo of all the female part of the wedding party with the three of us on the end.

We did some touch ups on some of the girls; Timmy again attached himself to Danielle and began to call her Auntie Danni. A couple of young guys tried to hit on Laura and Danielle. Laura told them, they were working.

“We’ll wait till you get off.” they said.

“My boyfriend might have something to say about that.” Laura said.

“And mine.” Danielle said taking the cue. They wandered off, although reluctantly.

At six o’clock, I adjusted the girls’ makeup for night time, and then packed up the boxes for the last time.

Kim had bailed up Danielle in a corner and had been talking for least ten minutes. The butler had taken the boxes to the Rover for me, while we approached Kim and Danielle. Kim greeted us, “Darling, a professional job as always, thank you.”

“It has been a pleasure Kim, a most enjoyable afternoon.” She thanked Laura and Danielle and saw us to the portico where the Rover was waiting for us, minutes later we were on the way home. We stopped for a Chinese dinner in a local restaurant and arrived home at eight thirty.

Danielle was very happy and couldn’t stop talking about the afternoon. “You know the worst thing,” she said, “I can’t go to school and tell people what I have done.”

We arranged to go shopping the next day, and I would go as Karen.

Chapter Eighteen

The next morning after breakfast, Laura and Danielle came up to the house. Laura had the paper from her boss. “You haven’t forgotten?”

My rash answer to her dilemma yesterday, I had forgotten. Now I was having second thoughts. Finally deciding, I took the paper from her and went to the bedroom, filled it out and returned.

Holding it out her reach, I said “There’s a catch. You and Daniel have to be on the coach.”

“Why?”

“That’s the agreement or the driver doesn’t do it.”

“Okay, I’ll do my best.”

“No you, no driver.”

“Karen, what game are you playing?” she said trying to snatch the paper.

“You’ll have to make sure there are two seats spare.”

She took another snatch at the paper and got it. She read the details, and then looked at me, “Your cousin…brother?”

“Brother.” I smirked.

“Why would your parents have two sons with the same……? It suddenly dawned on her. “Karen I’m stressed about this, please don’t play games on me. Are you telling me, Jeff is licensed for this?”

“Yes.”

“But this says HC, not HR?”

“Heavy combination is a trailer licence, it beats a heavy rigid.”

“How does a makeup artist have all these licences?”

“Because when you’re young and starting out, makeup artists don’t work every day, coach and truck drivers do.”

“These references actually exist?”

“Yes. They’ll wonder what the hells going on, but they exist.” I could only imagine the speculation, when these guys got the call for a reference. These blokes worked on the principle, if you haven’t heard a rumour by seven o’clock, start one. She folded the paper in half and put it in her handbag.

“Karen. Do you know the landlord?”

“Um…..yeah. Why?”

She saw the hesitation, but continued, “I was wondering if he would pay for some plants for the front garden. It looks so barren out there, needs colour.”

“Can’t see why not. When do you want to do it?”

“Today.” she said with hope on her face.

I didn’t know how she would react; if she found out I was the landlord. I didn’t like hiding the fact, I suppose it was a lie in a relationship, but I didn’t want to scare her off. I guess she knew I was well off, but not how well off. I made a show of finding a phone number and dialling; I let the number ring out and announced, “He’s not home.” I had rang Starburst’s land line number.

“Oh…a pity.”

“I’m sure he would say yes, I’ll take you to the nursery and pay for it, and then get the money out of him.”

“I don’t like doing this behind his back. I can’t afford the plants myself.”

“It’ll be okay.”

“Only if you’re sure.”

We went shopping for plants, and after lunch, spent the afternoon planting them. It was too hot to do it as Karen, so I changed. Four hours later we looked at our labours, she was right, it looked much better with some colour. I bought pizza for dinner and while eating, asked her out her out Saturday night.

Daniel’s eyes lit up. “Yeesss.”

“Thank you Daniel. I’m quite capable of answering for myself. Thank you, that would be nice. But. Somewhere cheaper, I would feel much more comfortable.”

“It’s a date.”

Chapter Nineteen

The week again was busy. I was looking forward to our date; I felt the relationship was going somewhere. Saturday, Daniel came up to the house, changed clothes and did some homework on the computer.

Six o’clock that night, I again knocked on the door, Laura opened it in the same dress as our last date. We both laughed, I was wearing the same clothes as well.

“I’m sorry, I have only one good dress.” she apologized.

“That’s okay. I have more female clothing than male clothing. Jeans and T-shirt are passable attire in my industry.”

We said goodbye to Danielle, well he looked like Danielle. I drove for ten minutes and then turned in to a McDonalds, “A happy meal each?”

Laura looked at me quizzically; “You wanted cheaper.” after a circuit of the car park, “Just kidding.”

“I asked for that.” Laura giggled.

I drove to a little Italian place in Carlingford, a couple of suburbs away. We had enjoyable night, eating and talking. She told me of her hopes and aspirations for the future. We laughed a lot and it was a pleasure to be out with her.

We returned home and locked away the car; she came to the front door to get Danielle. Before we entered, I was about to kiss her on the forehead and thank her for a great night and the door swung open. There was a “Sorry.” and quickly shut again.

We both laughed and I banged on the door for her to open up. She sheepishly opened the door, “I wrecked that didn’t I?”

“Wrecked what?”

“The goodnight kiss.”

“I think you imagined that.”

“I did not.”

“Did so.”

“Did not.”

“My, aren’t we agro tonight?” I said smiling

“Okay. Start again. Mum did you have good night and did Jeff kiss you?”

“Yes to the first. No to the second. There was someone running around opening doors at inopportune moments.”

“Sorry.”

We had a nightcap and I escorted them home. Next day, I took Laura and Danielle to the movies, and afterwards we did our grocery shopping. It was tempting to go as Karen, but things were going well and I didn’t want to jeopardise the relationship at this stage.

Wednesday night, Laura came to see me, “I’ve RSVP’d my sister for the wedding, and I’ve put you and Daniel on the RSVP.”

“I thought you wanted Daniel to go as Danielle?”

“Well. I do. But I don’t know how to go about it yet. I have a couple of plans in mind. At least we are on the guest list.”

I frowned deep in thought.

“I’m sorry; I should have asked you first. You can back out.”

“No. I’d be honoured to go with you both. It’s just having a plausible story for Danielle. Worst comes to worst I guess, he goes as Daniel.”

“And misses the reception.”

“We’ll work something out.”

Chapter Twenty

I arrived home a bit later than usual for a Friday night, the coach trip was the next day and I was wondering what to make for dinner, then an early night. Regrets at helping out Laura with this problem were starting to nag at me. I had no idea what sort of coach it was, where we were going and the biggest worry was, I hadn’t driven a heavy vehicle for at least eight years and I would make a complete ass of myself. Love is a wonderful thing; it makes you say yes to anything.

Deciding an omelette was quick and simple, I started to rummage for all the ingredients. I had just found the pan, when the doorbell rang. I opened the door to Laura and Daniel, “Hi, happy Friday.”

They both smiled and said, “Hello.”

I beckoned them in and asked had they eaten. “Yes.” they replied. Laura insisted she make my dinner, so I made myself useful with a bottle of wine and poured two glasses.

“Daniel has a question for you.”

“Fire away.”

“Um…can I go as Danielle tomorrow?”

I considered, while I sipped my wine, “What does mum think?”

“Well, I don’t know what my boss has told his mother, who will be on the coach, but he knows I’m going and may have told her I have a son.”

“Hmm, that’s a possibility.” I took another sip of my wine. “But they know nothing about me, so if I turn up with a daughter called Dani…”

“Daddy.” Daniel squealed and hugged me, “This will be like so cool.”

He said going into Danielle mode.

“I suppose you had better go and get ready. Do your legs, paint your nails and after I eat, I’ll put the boobs on.”

“Thank you daddy.” He turned and walked away, I called out, “Danielle.”

“Yes daddy.” he turned and answered.

“What’s your name honey?”

“Danielle Williams, of course.”

“Very good.”

Laura served my omelette and I asked her did she know where we were going tomorrow. She had no idea, but insisted that she would pack a picnic lunch and we organized to meet in front of the garage at six forty five.

Daniel came down the hall, and I looked up to see no trace of Daniel, he had done his nails in a plum colour, matching lipstick and mascara on her eyes. He looked like a flat chested girl in boys clothes.

“I’m ready when you are daddy.”

Laura smiled, “Yes daddy, can’t keep your beautiful daughter waiting, I’ll wash up, you two do what you have to do.”

Danielle took me to the bedroom where she had everything prepared. She lay down on the bed and I attached the left breast, and then the right breast. I fussed with the edges till they looked okay. I asked her “Do you know what to do in the morning with the makeup to blend in the edges.”

“Yes daddy.”

Laura came in and said,”Don’t they look real.”

We gave the glue a bit longer to do its job. Looking at my watch, I realised how late it was getting, “Okay, big day tomorrow, lets get some sleep.”

Danielle just put on a T shirt and I walked them down to their house, Danielle’s breasts swaying unrestrained. I kissed them on the cheek goodnight, “Six forty five in the morning,” I reminded them.

End of Part 4 (to be continued)

 

This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

 

since 07/22/04