Chapter Six: Tropical Destination
"But how can he do that?" Catherine Howard felt like banging her fist on the kitchen table. "I'm not going back to London. I'm not!"
"There, there, of course you're not." Anne of Cleves Cosmetics gave her housekeeper Mrs. Holliday a little nod.
"Lady Anne is sending us on a little vacation," the housekeeper said, in her husky voice. Mrs. Holliday was standing behind Catherine's chair, and she rested her big, work-roughened hands on the girl's slim shoulders. "Henry Tudor is very mad at you. Your contract says you still work for him! But how can he make you model fur coats if you're off on holiday in the tropics?"
"Oh! Well, that sounds lovely." Catherine felt her tense muscles start to relax as Mrs. Holliday began slowly rubbing her shoulders. "But won't Henry make trouble for you, Anne?"
"He'll try to shut down Cleves Cosmetics," Anne stated bluntly. "But once our new suntan lotion goes on the market, we'll both be free and independent! That's why the tropical trip is so important."
"You'll be representing Cleves Cosmetics," Mrs. Holliday put in, easing Catherine's jittery nerves with her firm and knowing hands. "That part of the trip will be business, but when you are not modeling on the beach you will have plenty of time to relax."
"Mm, time to relax." With her eyes closed, Catherine could almost picture herself in the tropics, modeling during the day and enjoying the sexy club scene at night. There would be all sorts of boys around, she was quite sure. And when she wanted to relax, Mrs. Holliday would be right on hand to see to all of her needs and take very good care of her.
"Well, that settles that!" Anne's cheerful voice was like cold water, splashing in Catherine's face. "Up you go and pack for your trip."
"But . . . aren't you coming with us?" Catherine had sort of tuned out for a moment. Now she felt a bit dazed, suddenly realizing that her time at Anne's country house was coming to an end. She was leaving the clever businesswoman's protection and journeying to parts unknown.
"And miss the fireworks when Henry finds out you've given him the slip? Don't be ridiculous, darling!" Anne's saucy smile was utterly fearless, but when she saw the dazed, fearful look on Catherine's pale features she knew just how the girl was feeling. "I'll make my move against Henry once you're out of England. In the meantime, don't waste any of your time worrying about me. Just focus on doing your best for Cleves Cosmetics."
"Yes, I promise to do my best!" Catherine wanted to say something more, to say how grateful she was and how she would always be loyal to Anne and to Cleves Cosmetics. But before she could think what to say, or even get the words straight in her head, Mrs. Holliday was dragging her up to her room to pack.
There wasn't a lot of packing to do, actually. Mrs. Holliday was very brisk and efficient and had a pretty blue overnight case all zipped up before dazed Catherine could even think what to pack.
"Of course we'll need to do some real shopping once we land," the housekeeper said, in her businesslike way. "But for now we have enough for you to survive the trip to London and the flight."
"Oh, but what about . . . what about Reverend Meeps?" While Mrs. Holliday was busy packing, Catherine was sitting on the bed and staring into space, her head whirling and her thoughts filled with pictures of all the people she was leaving behind. "I can't leave the country without saying goodbye to him!"
"Child, we're not going to the ends of the earth. This is just a quick business trip combined with a vacation!" Mrs. Holliday puffed out her round, red cheeks, looking like a woman totally exasperated. "Now come along, or we'll miss our flight."
"Oh, all right." Catherine could tell Mrs. Holliday was about to put her foot down. She jumped up from the bed and grabbed her little blue case and tried to look very grown-up and ready to travel. They walked outside together in silence, both holding their noses in the air and acting quite dignified. But then Catherine glanced at Mrs. Holliday, and for some reason the look on the housekeeper's face made her start to giggle.
"No mischief now," said the older woman. "Time to be serious!" But it was no use. The moment Mrs. Holliday said the words she began to laugh as well. The two women were laughing their heads off together as they climbed into the waiting limousine.