‘She’s been like a cat on hot bricks all day,’ Andrew said.
‘Well, why wouldn’t I be? It’s the first time I’ve been to an exhibition like this. And to know the artist too — well, that’s just the icing on the cake.’
‘Oh, you’ll have to get used to that, with our Anna,’ Andrew said proudly.
‘Says the seasoned pro.’ Anna laughed. ‘Here, take a glass of champers and go and have a look.’
‘I’ve heard so much about these pics,’ her father said. ‘I can’t wait to see them.’
‘I’ll catch up with you later.’ Anna smiled as she watched them walk away arm in arm.
‘They seem very happy together,’ Daniel said, coming to stand by her side.
‘They do, don’t they? I’m so pleased for them. I can’t believe how much life has changed in such a short time. It seems that everyone I love or care about is in a good place in their lives.’
‘I agree. It’s a shame Harry couldn’t make it, though.’
‘I know, he would if he could, but he’s got a deadline for a big assessment, and you know how conscientious he is. I’m just glad he’s happy.’ Despite a disruptive few months in the run-up to his exams, Harry had received top grades and had gone to the university of his choice in Durham. Sometimes, when he had a free weekend, he came to stay with them rather than making the longer journey down to London, and he and Daniel got on well together.
The person who had changed the most, though, was Jack. After being arrested, he’d really turned his life around. A spell in prison, much shorter than any of them had anticipated, had confirmed to him that this wasn’t the way he wanted to live his life. Ever since he’d been helping other youngsters turn away from crime.
He was smiling as he approached her now. ‘This is amazing, I’m so proud of you.’
‘And I’m proud of you too.’ She gave Jack a hug. They were closer now than they’d ever been, as he was no longer the angry young man who’d turned on her all those months ago.
When she and Daniel were alone again, Daniel said, ‘It’s hard to believe that hiring a drowned rat of an assistant could have led to such great things.’
Anna agreed. ‘Oh, yes, especially when the person who hired the drowned rat was such a rude man.’ She held up her glass. ‘I propose a toast.’
‘What, to us?’ he asked.
‘No. To Charlotte, for getting you to hire the drowned rat. She has proved beyond doubt that first impressions don’t mean a thing.’
THE END
