‘Because I admire him as a professional. You know how long I’ve wanted to take my photography seriously and this is my chance. I’m blown away that he wants to mentor me and I’m not going to risk that by getting emotionally involved.’
‘No, I can see why you wouldn’t want to do that,’ Daisy said. ‘But why is he taking such an interest in you? What’s in it for him?’
‘He was telling me at the weekend about his uncle who helped him when he was starting out, and he wants to do that for me, to give something back.’
‘That’s good of him.’
‘It’s certainly good for me.’
Daisy frowned. ‘What do you mean, he told you at the weekend? What were you doing with him then?’
‘Oh, we needed to work because a shoot had gone wrong last week and the deadline was first thing this morning. He had to be in Cheshire, where his son lives, so he took me with him so that we could work on the images together.’
It was Daisy’s turn to splutter on her drink. ‘You went away for the weekend with him?’
‘Yes, for work. It was all totally above board. I stayed in the spare bedroom if that’s what you’re thinking. Well, one of them.’ Anna carried on regardless of her friend’s expression. ‘You should see the house he’s got up there, and that’s just his weekend home.’
‘Anna, please be careful.’
‘I will and I am.’ Anna put her glass down. ‘Oh, Daisy, of all people I thought that you at least would be happy for me.’
‘I am.’ Daisy reached over and gave her a hug. When she pulled away she added, ‘I don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all, and if you’re pinning all your hopes on just one person — well, that’s a risk isn’t it?’
‘I can see where you’re coming from,’ Anna said. ‘But it’s the thought of an exhibition that’s making me so giddy, nothing else.’ Although, as she tried to convince her friend, Anna couldn’t help remembering the look of admiration in Daniel’s eyes as he assessed her photographs, and the way it had made her feel — as though her whole body was glowing. She shoved the thought away and changed the subject, before it became even more uncomfortable.
‘Anyway, I bet you can guess who wasn’t happy at me being away for the weekend.’
‘That doesn’t take Einstein to work out. I’m surprised they even let you go.’
‘I didn’t give them a choice. Although Jack . . .’ She broke off, remembering all she had done for them and the state they’d made of the house while she was away.
‘Although Jack what?’
As she told her, Daisy’s expression was one of pure horror. ‘That brother of yours is a complete misogynist. How dare he sayit was your punishment for going away. I hope you didn’t clear it up!’
‘Nope.’ Anna smiled. ‘And I have no intention of doing it either. It can stay like that until they do it for themselves, and I mean it this time.’
Daisy smiled back. ‘Good for you. And, seeing as how I’m sure you don’t want to go home just yet, how do you fancy going for a pizza?’
‘I’d love to,’ Anna said.
* * *
‘You look like the cat that got the cream,’ Charlotte said as she and Daniel were seated in the Olive Grove, a Mediterranean restaurant in Chelsea that was a favourite of theirs.
‘Do I?’ Daniel couldn’t help smiling. He’d really enjoyed working with Anna today. When he’d seen the photographs she’d taken in Chester at the weekend, he’d thought she had talent, but he’d been completely blown away when she’d shown him the rest of her work, although he still seethed with anger when he thought about how her ex-boyfriend had convinced her not to have any faith in herself. If he ever bumped into him, he knew what he would like to do to him. If Anna hadn’t applied for a job as his assistant she may never have realised just how talented she was. It made him even more convinced that he wanted to mentor people who wouldn’t normally have a chance.
‘You know you do,’ Charlotte said. ‘So what’s it all about?’
‘Well, you could say I’ve had a bit of an epiphany and I’ve got you to thank for it,’ he said cryptically. ‘That’s one of the reasons I asked you to dinner tonight.’
‘You’ve got me intrigued now.’ She took a sip of champagne.
‘You were the one who encouraged me to give Anna the job.’
Charlotte put her glass down onto the table with such a jolt that some of the champagne splashed over the top. ‘You haven’t!’
Shocked at her response, the smile slipped from his face. ‘No! Of course I haven’t! She’s my employee.’
