“Don’t I just.” Jack nudged him in the ribs. “I’ll pop your bag at reception, Sylvie. We’d better get a wriggle on if we’re going to make it in time for the canapés.” Jack passed Sylvie a flute of champagne and drank his own.
Sylvie and Julius tsked in tandem. Reunited with Jack and already finding a fellow comrade in Julius, Sylvie looked forward to the evening, despite Ade’s absence nagging at her.
By the time they reached the gallery, Jack was in full swing, regaling Sylvie of tales of more travels across Europe and his journey back to England where he’d met the current love of his life, Mr. Julius Smith. “I’ve got an apartment now, not far from Elda’s old man. She pops in every week or so with Arlo.”
“Does she see much of her mother?” Sylvie pondered every now and again on the pain that Elda suffered.
“Now and again. They keep it civil, but there’s a bit too much scar tissue in that relationship for it all to be plain sailing.” He held the door of the cab open for her.
She breathed in the scent of taxi fumes and street food. Every shop front was illuminated, and lamps glowed with optimism, even in January’s darkest days.
They pulled up to the grand venue, and Julius offered his arm while Jack skipped ahead like a kid wanting to beat the queues.
“She’s here,” Jack said at the entrance doors.
This was bigger than any exhibition Elda had staged before. The venue dwarfed the last event Sylvie had made it to, and its bespoke signs and finishing touches would’ve blown a modest budget.
Anticipation and pride tingled in Sylvie’s belly. “This is fabulous.” Her cheeks ached with a wide smile. “You look stunning.”
Elda gave her a little twirl, revealing the glamor of her golden dress. “Thank you.” She planted a kiss on Sylvie’s cheek. “I’m so pleased you could come.”
“What about me?” Jack wriggled between them. “I came all the way from East London.”
“Forever grateful to you too.” Elda kissed him on the cheek and rubbed his hair like a big sister. “You’re my angel.”
Jack blushed. For all his bluster, he was a softie at heart. Before Elda could finish her greetings, she was whisked away by someone looking efficient and fashionable.
“Her publicist,” Jack said. “She has an actual publicist now. I remember when she was hiding in the store room drinking vodka with me.”
“You’ve both flourished.” Sylvie brushed dust from his collar. “I like Julius. You’re right; he’s civilized and beautiful.”
“And how about you, my little chérie? Elda tells me you had a special friend for Christmas.” His cheeky smile burst into a lewd expression.
“Put your tongue away.” Sylvie chastised. “If you’re referring toAde, then yes, she came for Christmas.”
“I bet she did.”
Even Julius laughed out loud. Sylvie was surrounded by school boys.
“Where is she then?” Jack asked. “Why isn’t she dripping from your arm?”
Sylvie wished for that, already missing Ade’s body next to hers. “She’s working this week and then has birthday plans with her family. It was arranged months ago, and we couldn’t make the dates work.”
“Oh, that’s sad. Elda said it’s hotting up between you two.” Jack extended his hands in a theatrical stance. “I mean in a Sylvie way. With plenty of yearning, overthinking, doubling back to make sure?—”
“Did Elda tell you all that?” Sylvie twisted her hair between her fingers.
“She didn’t need to. That’s how you move through the world, Sylvie. All furrowed brow and disapproving of everyone, especially yourself.”
“Jack!” Julius slapped him gently on the arm.
“There’s no need to intervene,” Sylvie said, patting Julius. “Our little friend here spends most of his life enjoying other people’s drama. Whether it bears any resemblance to the truth is neither here nor there.”
Julius still looked horrified. “Are you two always like this?”
“Oh, we’re worse than this, darling. Wait until we’ve had a few more glasses of Sylvie’s favorite wine.” Jack draped his arm around her shoulders and took Julius by the waist. “For now, let’s go and see what Elda has painted for us, the talented little witch.”
The evening was a roaring success. The glitterati of the art world had turned out for Elda’s latest show. Critics had nodded and idled for the appropriate amount of time. Red dots had even appeared on a couple of pieces, which delighted Elda.
