Shitting shit, I forgot that these Scandinavians speak better English than we do. Thankfully a broad smile is spreading across his face as he adds, ‘The famous British sense of humour. Hello. My name is Harold but everyone calls me Harry. I work with Jump.’
‘Absolutely,’ I nod, hoping that my cheeks aren’t as bright red as they feel right now. ‘Ha ha, we Brits do love a joke!’
‘Jasmine,’ puffs Becky, who’s been running towards us in slow-mo since she saw Harry coming over. ‘I’m so pleased you’ve met Harry, Jump’s CEO.’
CEO?
C. E. Oh.
Did I just. . .? Yup, pretty sure I just suggested that the CEO of Jump was a street-cleaner.
‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Harry,’ I hold out my hand. ‘Your brand is just gorgeous. I’m excited to work with you this week.’
Becky looks as relived as I feel. No more Waffle Express for me! Just some stone- cold professionalism.
‘Great,’ he grins. ‘Let’s get started.’
Back at my hotel after a long day, I’m flicking through the shots on my laptop. The people modelling Jump’s new collection didn’t intimidate me nearly as much as models normally do, which I have Denmark and its abundance of beautiful people to thank for. I’mreally pleased with the photos so far, they’re slightly soft with an almost seventies vibe which seems to make the knitwear pop. Not sharp and super crisp like the ones I take for Violet. Just glorious-looking people wearing the coolest outfits. I can already picture them cropped and ready for social media and I think / hope that they’re going to do well.
I curl my feet up under me and click into my emails. Photographer Dave has replied. I cast around for something else to do and then decide to stop being a knob a see what he has to say.
From:Photographer Dave
Subject:I’m so good looking
Jasmine
Thanks for sending over the shots from the night we watched the sun set. Here are my thoughts. . . Obviously my incredibly handsome face helps a lot. Being so beautiful is like a gift. However, I’m also truly impressed with how you managed to capture my profile. The setting sun, the fact that I didn’t know you were taking them, and also your natural talent have made something genuinely superb.
How would you feel about me using one as my profile photo for the new book? You’d get paid and a photographer credit in the book, of course. I’ll have my agent come to you with all the details if you’re happy with that.
Thanks,
Dave.
Well blow me down. This has got me like the dancing lady emoji and I’m just bursting with pride as I crack on with some more personal admin. Ben wants to talk when I get back from Denmark BARF BARF BARF. Violet’s sent me a string of messages. . .
‘Comeback!’ ‘I need help!’ ‘Chip’s dead to me.’ ‘I think I’m going to give Chip a second chance.’ ‘Hashtag tighty whitie is trending.’ ‘Can you order me a town car for tonight?’ ‘Oops soz forgot you were away.’ ‘A magazine want to interview me about my romance with Chip! #Madeit #soblessed’And so it goes on. Finally, at the end of a brilliant day, I slip into my PJs and close my tired eyes.
This shoot concept really is making my life easy. ‘Make the most of the brand!’ said Harry. ‘Make sure everyone looks super happy!’ said Mads. ‘It’s all about the lifestyle!’ added Tula. Well, the brand has created the most beautiful jumpers and all the models are super happy because they live in this ridiculous place of wonder. Still, I’m working my ass off to make the pictures as good as I can and as we wrap up day three, the final day of our shoot, I’m feeling quietly confident that we have loads of good material to work with. Becky’s so pleased that she’s ordered schnapps for everyone at a bar by the harbour where we’ve been shooting.
I feel sad that the shoot is over so soon but holy moly, what a ride it has been. I’m buzzing from the week and not yet ready to admit that I’m going home, and back to reality, tomorrow. For once an entire, plan-free evening stretches ahead of me. I could a) go back to my hotel and get an early night, b) drink all the drinks with Becky or c) get the chuff on with my love quest. It’s been a while since my last date and do you know what, I’ve missed it! Feeling surprisingly confident, I resolve to get proactive. Date number six needs to happen and this little pumpkin’s off to find it! No more waiting for things to happen by chance. No more reluctant dating outside the box. I’m going all in! And I know exactly who I’m going to ask out, too.
‘Hello,’ I smile, drawing up next to Harry. He is a classic Scandinavian dish. He’s so fair-haired I can barely see his eyebrows, he’s got blue eyes and sure, he’s also tall and blessed with a fancy job circa my original type on paper, but I’m pretty sure Mila would approve.
‘Jasmine, thank you. I think we’ve got some fantastic photos and you really captured the brand.’
‘It’s amazing to hear that,’ I beam, filled up with pride. Now, how do I steer us off topic? Could I maybe inject some sexy anger into proceedings? Or I could just be myself. ‘I was wondering. . . I’m here for one more night before my flight home. Do you fancy joining me for a date?’
Harry looks at me for what seems like an age. My resolve is fading fast. Maybe he’s still not over the fact that I called him a street-cleaner but a few days ago.
‘Sure. How about tonight? Some friends are having a BBQ and I’d love for you to come.’
Son of Zeus, I just bagged me a Danish date.
