The investigation into the explosion had finally reported its conclusions, and Anna vividly remembered the day when they had found out that it could have been easily avoided. For June it had been a cold day, and she remembered how some of the models had complained about the temperature. One kind soul, thinking they were doing them all a favour, had lit the central heating boiler to provide them with some heat. But they had failed to pay any attention to the stickers on the boiler, highlighting that it was faulty and should not be lit. All day thepressure, due to defective safety valves, had been building up, eventually exploding just as the models had been lining up for the final walk down the catwalk.
‘To think that people died, and me and others lost limbs, over something so stupid,’ Eva had said when she’d read the report.
Anna didn’t know how she could lift her friend’s spirits. All she could come up with was, ‘It all seems so senseless, but there’s nothing we can do to change the past.’
And miraculously Eva smiled and said, ‘No, but we can change the future, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.’ And then she told Anna that, as a result of the Instagram posts, she’d been contacted by a charity who helped amputees come to terms with their loss, and to adapt to their new lives.
Eva became an ambassador for the foundation and was busier and more fulfilled than ever before. When she told Anna she needed a personal assistant, Anna immediately introduced her to Daisy. They hit it off and Daisy thrived in her new job. She moved out of her mother’s house and was revelling in all the opportunities for travel.
Now, as Anna walked through the door into the gallery, she smiled as she recalled telling Daisy all those months ago, ‘You never know what’s around the corner.’
‘Ah, here you are,’ Eva called out. ‘Better late than never!’
‘I just didn’t want to overshadow you,’ Anna quipped back. ‘I thought I’d give you time to have the limelight to yourself. How are the book sales going?’
Daisy grinned. ‘They’re going really well. Everyone wants a copy. I wouldn’t be surprised if Eva hits the bestseller lists before the week is out.’
‘Don’t.’ Eva groaned. ‘It’s all very well people buying the book, but what if they think it’s rubbish?’
‘They won’t,’ Anna said reassuringly. ‘The photographs alone will make it a good buy.’
They laughed.
‘Talking of which, Charlotte has done a brilliant job,’ Daisy said.
‘As ever,’ Anna replied. ‘It drives me mad that she’s such a control freak, but she is brilliant at what she does.’
‘Actually, there was something I wanted to talk to you about,’ Eva said. ‘Not tonight, obviously, but perhaps we could catch up before you go back to Cheshire.’
‘Yes, I’d love to have a proper catch up. But you’ve got me intrigued. Can you give me a hint?’
Eva grinned at her. ‘Well, depending on how the book goes, and despite my nerves I’m hoping it goes well, I’ve got an idea for book two.’
‘Go on.’
‘Well, now that I’ve got a platform, there are lots of stories to tell about the bravery and strength of other survivors. And of course, there’s no book without photographs.’
‘That does sound like something I would be interested in,’ Anna replied. She’d been pondering where to go with her photography for some time now, but she had wanted to find something that could make a difference. This sounded like the perfect project. And working with Eva again would be an added bonus. ‘Let’s catch up tomorrow then.’ She glanced to the queue that was forming behind her, waiting for Eva to sign her book. ‘But for now, I’ll let you get back to your public, while I go and have a look at these snaps that are on display.’
She took Daniel’s arm and they moved towards the first prints.
More than any of her previous exhibitions, the photographs blew her away. They began with some that Daniel had taken onthe catwalk prior to the explosion, and followed with ones that showed Eva when she was first in hospital.
‘God, I love the way you’ve captured her emotions,’ Daniel said as they walked slowly round the exhibition.
‘I was lucky,’ Anna replied modestly. ‘Eva has a very expressive face.’
‘No, it’s more than that. She knew you were taking the photos, but you seem to have captured her so that it looks as though she is almost unaware. You’ve documented perfectly the highs and lows of her recovery. Look at the joy on her face here, that she’s managed to propel herself right to the end of the bar.’
‘That was in the early days,’ Anna agreed. ‘She said her arms were screaming in pain at the effort of lifting her upper body. She used the gym regularly, but nothing had prepared her for that. It took her weeks to be able to get to the end of that bar, but she persevered, and I’m so glad that I managed to capture the moment she made it. Again, I was lucky she was a very good subject.’
‘And I’d say you’re too modest.’ Daniel kissed her lightly on the lips.
As they reached the foyer of the gallery once more, the door opened to reveal Anna’s dad and his new partner, Jane. They’d met at the cookery class Andrew had joined and had developed a friendship, which had led to something more. Her dad looked so much happier than she’d ever seen him, and she was grateful to Jane for bringing that joy into his life.
‘Dad! Jane!’ Anna went to join them and enveloped both of them in a hug. ‘I’m so glad you came.’
‘We wouldn’t have missed it for the world,’ Jane said.
