I receive an unusual text message today. “Your chauffeur, Michael, has arrived,” it reads. “Silver Mercedes E Class.” Thank God it’s an E Class, I wouldn’t be seen dead in anything else.
I swan out of the Lagham Hotel accompanied by a little man carrying my luggage, the doorman opens the door to the E Class, smiles obsequiously and says: “Thank you for staying with us.”
The E Class purrs into action and whisks me to the Richard & Judy studios in Lambeth. There another man opens the car door for me, someone takes care of my luggage and I am shown to a dressing room with my name written on the door. After approximately three seconds someone called Zoe shows up and asks what I’d like to drink. Then Lorraine from make-up whisks me away to transform me into a glamour puss with the help of Suzie the hairdresser. When I get back to my room my publicist Rina has arrived and tells me how gorgeous I look and how brilliant I’ll be.
Then the hard work. I have to go on television to defend my argument in this week’s Daily Mail that women of a certain age should make more of an effort to look good as opposed to less. Pitted against me is Lauren Booth (sister of Cherie) who wrote an article saying she is happy with her expanding waistline and wrinkles. When I can get a word in, I think I get my point across. My adversary has rather strangely just as long in hair and make-up as I did which I think rather contradicts her argument, but anyway.
After the show I walk out to yet another slick Mercedes.
My phone rings, it’s Bea. “I didn’t like that girl,” she says. “She was evil with you.” Then I speak to Leo. “Mummy, that dress was so lovely for you.”
I think he was referring to my glittery top. Just his sort of thing.
At Marylebone Station I am in for a shock. Gone are the little men to open doors and carry my bags. Instead I am surrounded by people talking on their mobile phones or reading the Evening Standard. The train bound for Bicester and my friend Carla’s house is packed and the lighting terrible. The décor is terrible too. Who designs trains anyway? Not someone from the Mercedes team, that’s for sure.
As I longingly remember my two hours as a TV star I think about the fact that there are people who live like that the whole time. What joy. But then maybe without the contrast you would cease to notice.
Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2007
I watched you on Richard and Judy and have to say how insulting you were both to Lauren Booth and British women.
Dear Marie
I am appalled that you think that! It certainly was not my intention to be insulting to anyone. My argument is simply that women will feel better if they look better and that Lauren is discouraging women from making the best of themselves.
Best
Helena
Marie Hogan is a horse’s arse!
I dont find it personally insulting and i do understand why you think that women should make the best of themselves. I dont think that Lauren is saying that we should let ourselves sag and be slobs, i think she is saying that we shouldnt pander to being so worried about our shape and size and we should be happy as we are without worrying and being fixated on how we look.
I must add that i admire you for responding to me and thank you.
Rupert, i am not a Horse Arse.
I find that I’m much more likely to be “happy I am” when I look really good. 😉
It’s a no-brainer girls! Looking the best you possibly can will give you greater self-esteem which will lead to greater happiness and a more interesting life. I’m not talking over-use of botox or false boobs here I’m just saying ditch the bag lady look, keep the hair looking nice (well groomed grey hair can be fab) indulge in a manicure and eat healthily. I live in Switzerland and there are many, many attractive women in their seventies here looking beautiful, elegant and interesting. Taking care of ourselves and revelling in our feminity doesn’t mean we immediately cease all other intellectual pursuits and interests. Remember on first meeting someone 60% of our judgement is based on appearance (that’s even before we open our mouths). A good hair style and some well applied make-up says I am in control of my life, I enjoy my life and more importantly there is life in the old dog yet.
I didn’t see you on the TV Helena but I would have been right there behind you.
watches for saleRolex Air-King replicareplica RolexRolex Submariner watchesRolex Datejust II watchesU-boat watch for salereplica Rolex GMTreplica omega