On December 19th, Simon handed the girls there first BIG checks.
"I have something for each of you." he handed them each a card.
"oh Simon. None of us have anything for you." Mel C. said.
"Just open it." he said.
"We're rich. We're rich." declared Mel B.
"I'm gonna buy my mum a house," said Serena.
"Think how how many pairs of shoes you can buy, Victoria," said Mel C.


The next day, the girls took 2 weeks of for the holidays. Geri and her friend went to Antiga, so did Mel B. and boyfriend.
Victoria and Mel C. stayed home, and Serena took her entire family to Barbados.
A few days after returning home, Geri opened the Daily Mirror and published a photograph of Serena and her mum by the
swimming pool from back on. They both had almost identical blonde hair. The photo appered under the banner:

GUESS WHICH ONE IS THE SPICE GIRL?

Its was a cheap, tacky gibe at the size of Serena's bum. Geri new that she would be upset, so she phoned her
straightaway.
"It doesen't matter, Serena," Geri said. "It's just the press. This is what they do."
"The bastards! The Bastards!" Serena said, crying.
"Don't let them do this to you. You have to be strong."
Geri drove over to her house. "Right, you're coming out with me tonight. We're going to show how beautiful you are."
She dressed in a pair of black trousers and Geri's bustier. With her hair and make-up done, she looked fabulous. Then
they went to a sho biz club in the West End, popular with celebrities and the paparazzi.
There were yells from photographers as the first of them clocked them. Others joined in and the motor drives whirred. Serena
gave them an enormous smile. The photograph was fromt pape of The Sun the next moring. She looked stunning.

In America, 'Wannbe' entered the Billboard 100 at number 11, it had become the highest entry by a British band.
Contest winners in New York had won a bus tour with the Spice Girls. Serena chatted with a journalist from The Face
and annouced, "I don't want to be a cuite, anymore. I want to be a sexy bitch. I want to be a hot sexy bitch."
He seemed surprised. "You never like being a cuite?"
"I like it sometimes. I can get away with murder."

More then 150 radio stations across America had 'Wannbe' in "heavy rotation" on thrit playlists. On Feb 15th, the Spice Girls
owned the #1 position.
The Album 'Spice' reached humber #1 on 31 May, 1997.


"Hello, Rini?" Serena said on the phone.
"Hi, Muum-Serena!" Rini said.
"Hey little one. Is mom there?" Serena asked.
"Yeah, hold on." Rini said, 2 mins later Irene came to the phone.
"Hello Serena dear. Congrates on America! Im so proud of you dear."
"Thanks mom. Anyways, I called about some BIG news. Were going to Perform on the Brit Awards this year! And we have been
nominated for 5 awards! And...The girls and me are going to fly our family and friends out for them! So, do you want to
come?" Serena finished in one breath.
"Of Course! Oh Serena. Im so very proud of you." Irene said.
"Thanks mommy. Okay, well, I'll be sending out the tickets and everything tomorrow, so get packed and things." Serena said.
"Alright dear, goodbye." Irene said.
"Bye Mom." Serena said. After, Serena called everyone, even Darien. Everyone was able to go.