A Crack in the Varnish by Kathy Shuker

Author:Kathy Shuker [Ellis, Kathleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Shuker Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Hannah was in the theatre at seven on the Saturday morning, getting The Lily Madonna out of the trunk, putting it carefully in a large canvas shopping bag and taking it as nonchalantly as she could out to her car and stowing it in the boot. She’d eaten her breakfast alone and was on the road before nine. She didn’t see Guillaume as she left but didn’t doubt that he’d seen her leave.

He’d turned up at the theatre on the Friday morning, knocked on the door and walked straight in with Nathan trailing behind him.

‘Excuse me, Mademoiselle. Monsieur Bright wishes to see you…’ A brief hesitation. ‘…again.’

‘Thank you Guillaume.’

Hannah turned from the easel where she was studying the newly relined School of Rembrandt painting. Nathan was standing near the door, surveying the room. They both waited until Guillaume had gone and had closed the door behind him.

‘This is an amazing space to work in,’ remarked Nathan. He came closer, still looking around. ‘Great light. And privacy too. Impressive.’

‘Yes, isn’t it?’ She regarded him warily. ‘What can I do for you, Nathan?’

‘Nothing.’ He produced an envelope from one of the pockets of his linen jacket. ‘I’m afraid, what with everything that happened on Saturday, I forgot to give you this.’ He handed the envelope to her. ‘It came to the office. Daphne asked me to apologise for the state of it. It hadn’t been gummed properly and the pictures fell out. Since they were photos she thought you might want it. And since I was coming anyway…’

He left the sentence hanging. Hannah frowned and pulled the photographs out of the envelope. She glanced through them then raised her eyes to his face again.

‘I take it you’ve looked at these.’

‘Yes. I see you’ve got a sister.’

‘Yes.’ She pushed the photographs back in the envelope. ‘I’m afraid I overreacted on Saturday,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry if I was rude.’

He regarded her a moment.

‘Don’t think about it. I imagine it was quite a shock seeing me turn up like that. I hope it didn’t spoil your evening.’

‘No, not at all.’

He glanced at the Rembrandt then ran his gaze over the Bellini propped up against the stage. He didn’t comment; she was surprised.

‘Perhaps you’d be interested to come over to see the mural I’m working on sometime,’ he remarked instead. ‘I know Rick and Mandy won’t mind.’

‘Thank you, though I really need to press on here. Time is money after all,’ she said. ‘Isn’t that what Timothy always says?’ Nathan produced a wry smile. ‘Anyway, thank you for bringing the photos.’

She turned back to face the easel.

‘You must take some time off though, right? Weekends, that’s usual. Even Timothy understands you need some down time.’

She glanced back. ‘Your point is?’

He shrugged. ‘I thought maybe we could meet up tomorrow. I don’t know this area at all. Perhaps you could show me round a little?’

‘I’m sorry, Nathan. I’m seeing a friend tomorrow. I’ll be out all day.’

He raised his eyebrows but didn’t comment. ‘Sunday?’

‘I usually work Sundays.

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