Page 176 - Bridget Jones's Diary - by Helen FIELDING

'At this rate I'm going to end up as a call girl,' I muttered, trying to unpin the

bunny tail from my bottom.

I could feel someone's eyes on me and looked up to see Mark Darcy staring
fixedly at the bunny tail. Beside him was the tall thin glamorous top family-law
barrister clad in a demure lilac dress and coat like Jackie O. with sunglasses on

her head.

The smug witch smirked at Mark and blatantly looked me up and down in a
most impolite manner. 'Have you come from another party?' she breathed.

'Actually, I'm just on my way to work,' I said, at which Mark Darcy half
smiled and looked away.

'Hello, darling, can't stop. Shooting.' trilled my mother, hurrying towards us in
a bright turquoise pleated shirtwaister, waving a clapper board. 'What on earth

do you think you're wearing darling? You look like a common prostitute.
Absolute quiet, please, everyone, aaaaand . . . ' she yelled in the direction of
Julio, who was brandishing a video camera, 'action!'

In alarm I quickly looked round for Dad but couldn't see him anywhere. I saw

Mark Darcy talking to Una and gesturing in my direction then Una, looking
purposeful, hurried across to me.

'Bridget, I am so sorry about the mix-up over the fancy dress,' she said. 'Mark
was just saying you must feel dreadfully uncomfortable with all these older
chaps around. Would you like to borrow something?'

I spent the rest of the party wearing, over my suspender outfit, a puff-sleeved,

floral-sprig Laura Ashley bridesmaid dress of Janine's with Mark Darcy's
Natasha smirking and my mother periodically rushing past going, 'That's a pretty
dress, darling. Cut!'

'I don't think much of the girlfriend, do you? said Una Alconbury loudly,
nodding in Natasha's direction as soon as she got me alone. 'Very much the Little
Madam. Elaine thinks she's desperate to get her feet under the table. Oh, hello,