In our last episode, we saw how some of the dolls enjoyed their Valentine’s Day Ball, but once again, we’re going to backtrack, this time for only a few hours, to Steffi and her young charges.
Steffi is trying hard not to feel sorry for herself. She loves children and tonight, while everyone enjoys their romantic activities, she’ll be home with her own four and five others. Kevin will be at the George, of course – no romance for Steffi! Viviane has made her a homemade Valentine and she’s really touched, but sometimes she just wishes she and her husband had some romance in their marriage. She tells herself, somewhat wistfully, this is how they make a living and she just has to accept it.
Downstairs, Corbin and Jazmin have their romantic dream of a night alone spoiled by Hari, Skipper, and Rikki, who have decided to spend the evening watching films on the computer. No matter how they try to persuade them to go to the cinema, it’s no use. Corbin resigns himself to watching flicks online with “the kids.” He certainly looks like he’s not bothered! Of course, he and Jazmin might have gone to the cinema instead, but as usual, neither has any money.
At the George, it’s “All the Single Ladies” night and drinks are half price for all unescorted women. Once the night gets underway, the single men who have also gathered have zeroed in on the single lady of their choice. Merida, alas, is not one of them and sits drinking glass after glass of wine while pouring her heart out to equally single Bonnie and Esmée.
“I thought I really had something going there with Sutton,” she sighs. Bonnie and Esmée can only exchange glances. “Ever since I left the modelling agency my life has gone downhill. I’ll never find love.”
“Maybe you should concentrate on your own life, instead of trying to find a man,” says Bonnie. “I would love to have a boyfriend, but it’s not the be-all and end-all of my existence.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” Merida retorts, “You and Esmée have exciting careers!”
“I wouldn’t call being a dentist exciting,” says Esmée, “But it’s lucrative, I’m independent, I’m providing a service to the community, and I don’t have to wait for a man to make my life complete.”
“Well, you must have had a man at some point, since you have a daughter,” responds Merida, all discretion and manners gone at this point.
“Yes,” says Esmée, “Layla had a father. And now she doesn’t.”
Bonnie gives Merida a hard stare as if to say, “Shut it, Merida.” Merida gets the hint.
Behind the trio, a little drama is happening quietly.
“Charlotte, please talk to me,” pleads Marcelo, in a rare loss of his usual total composure.”You are the only woman I can ever love. You know that. I know how much I hurt you. I’ve changed, I promise. Don’t keep putting me off. I love you.”
“Save it, Marcelo,” is Charlotte’s cold response. “I loved you more than life once and you cheated and cheated and I will never forgive you for breaking my heart, ever. It’s over.”
Neither notice that behind them, Yvette is listening, completely crushed. She’s been yearning for Marcelo’s attention since New Year’s Eve. “If perfect Charlotte is the kind of woman he goes for,” she thinks, “I have no hope.”
At the other end of the bar, Blessing is being chatted up none stop by Zayn. When she stops to serve someone, Zayn texts Corbin to tell him about the hot new barmaid at the George. When Corbin texts back to tell him it’s Emma’s cousin, he’s slightly taken aback at first, but then regains both ardour and charm and keeps on bending her ear. To be honest, she seems less than impressed.
But what about Momoko’s plan to seduce Ryan once and for all? How’s that going?
Momoko and Yuki have prepared a feast of Japanese food for Ryan and Nick, served with generous amounts of wine. Ryan and Yuki, have small glasses (Yuki has learned her lesson about alcohol!) while Nick pours himself a large glass. Momoko is feeling a bit nervous about the plan but decides the wine is delicious and drinks a glass, then another, and another. Ryan is a bit concerned and asks if she’s okay, but she giggles and brushes him off. “I’m fine,” she says. “But I have a little surprise for you upstairs. Wait five minutes then come up to the bedroom!”
Once upstairs in the bedroom, Momoko finds Yuki’s sexy nightgown laid out on the bed for her. It certainly should do the trick, she thinks, but why is she feeling so dizzy?
Whoa! Poor Momoko really doesn’t feel well.
She’s just a bit tired, that’s all. Maybe if she gets into the bed and waits for Ryan…
Momoko gets into bed and promptly passes out.
Ryan waits and then goes eagerly upstairs to the bedroom, having guessed what Momoko is up to. Alas, ’tis not to be. He shakes her gently and calls her name, but all he gets in response is some incomprehensible mumbling in Japanese. He leaves Momoko to sleep it off and heads home. So much for that seduction!
Don’t miss the next episode as the dolls chat about their Valentine’s Day experiences and start on their next adventures.
It’s early February and Corbin is in the garden with his new girlfriend Jazmin. He’s invited her home to meet his family.
In the kitchen, Corbin introduces Jazmin to Emma, Marvin and Viviane, who immediately asks, “Why is your hair blue?”
Jazmin and Corbin head upstairs, and Emma can’t contain herself. “Oh, my God,” she says, “A white girl with blue hair!”
Merida comes in for Happy Hour and finds Sutton and Monique deep in conversation. She pauses to listen for a moment, as Sutton hasn’t noticed her and Monique has no idea who she is.
Merida can’t believe her ears. It’s pretty clear that this is a blind date and Sutton has decided to bring this woman into the George where he knows he’s likely to run into Merida!
Sutton and Monique get up to leave and as he passes Merida she hisses at him, “Well, you said you fancied a lass with curly ginger hair, didn’t you?” She’s clearly furious. Monique stops as she can hear angry whispers and definitely doesn’t want to get involved or hear what’s going on.
Merida orders a martini and sits down, completely gobsmacked, both angry and miserable, and very close to bursting into tears. Yvette tries to console her and Blessing thinks to herself, “Oh my, I think I’m going to like this job! It’s just like a soap!”
Sutton and Monique arrive for dinner and find that Emma has prepared a feast. After a couple of glasses of wine, she’s ready to put her plan into action.
The ball is terribly elegant, with a jazz singer, accompanied by Jake on the piano. Jenny is taking photos. It’s going to be Kurhn’s debut, and she’s terribly nervous. Nicole and Dexter reassure her that she’s going to be great.
In the meantime, the dancers are enjoying themselves. Everyone agrees that Lara and Emma are the belles of the ball, in their designer gowns by Cora Gu. Tommy and Mira are dancing close together and everyone seems to be having a good time – but especially Midge and Sam. And why? As they were dancing, Sam whispered in Midge’s ear, “Darling, there is something I have to ask you.”
It’s time for Kurhn to sing. She’s chosen “My Funny Valentine,” of course, and she brings down the house.
The crowd goes wild – they all stop dancing and listen, mesmerised! What a fabulous night for Kurhn!
Dirks' Dolls 