Kindred Hearts by Grace Lowrie

Author:Grace Lowrie [Lowrie, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781783752256
Publisher: Cariad - an imprint of Accent Press
Published: 2015-03-13T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-seven

At six o’clock on Friday evening I started to loiter by the information desk in the grand entrance hall at the V&A. Freya busily dealt with enquiries while I waited for the twins’ arrival, nervous with anticipation. They wanted a guided tour of the Arts & Crafts exhibition, which had now been open for a week and subject to rave reviews. Tickets were already sold out right through October and November and everyone was thrilled with the success and popularity of the show, from my boss Evelyn right up to the Director and the Board of Trustees. I felt an enormous sense of relief but also pride to be part of something that lived up to the V&A’s fine global reputation.

Mum had come to see the exhibition on the day it opened. I was a little surprised to be honest – she didn’t usually take much of an interest in my work, but I think she felt that she ought to see it and now she could report back to her friends and neighbours with some authority. She said that my dad would have been proud of me, which was nice. Not the same as Mum being proud of me herself, but close enough.

By ten past six there was still no sign of Sebastian or Celeste. I knew they’d be arriving separately, straight from work and I’d expected Celeste to be late, but Sebastian was usually very punctual. Freya gave me an odd look.

‘Do your friends know where to meet you?’ she asked.

‘Yes, they’ve been here before.’

‘So why are you so jittery?’ Freya cocked an eyebrow.

‘Ha, I honestly don’t know … It’s Sebastian and Celeste Walker …’ I added by way of explanation.

‘Oh! Seriously?’ Freya said, her mouth dropping open. ‘They’re coming to see your show?’

‘Yep.’

‘Wow,’ Freya said, a smile spreading across her face.

‘Yeah,’ I smiled back.

‘I never got to see Sebastian Walker at that party, but I heard he’s drop dead gorgeous.’

‘Mmm …’ I said noncommittally.

‘And he’s absolutely loaded and single! – a very eligible bachelor.’ I couldn’t help smiling at Freya’s enthusiasm. ‘Will you introduce me to him? Put in a good word for me?’

‘Um, I could introduce you but –’

‘That’s fine!’ Freya said. ‘I’ll do the rest – unleash my feminine wiles …’ She giggled and fluttered her eyelashes at me dramatically, making me laugh.

‘Hello, darling.’ Celeste was suddenly beside me, as if from nowhere, kissing my cheek.

‘Hey!’ I said caught off guard. Celeste smiled politely at Freya and I hastily introduced them. Celeste was her usual friendly self, dressed to impress and oozing elegant confidence and young Freya looked intimidated, although she did her best to hide it.

‘Sebastian’s running a few minutes late, but he’ll be here soon,’ Celeste told me.

‘OK, do you want to check your coat and briefcase into the cloakroom?’ I asked.

‘Yes OK, darling. It was lovely to meet you, Freya.’ Celeste purred.

‘Yes – you too,’ Freya stuttered, smiling goodbye to us as she turned to help a visitor.

‘She’s cute,’ Celeste said to me as the guy behind the desk stowed her things.

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