‘Yes, I’m looking forward to it.’ She ignored the snipe. ‘You know it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but up until now it hasn’t been possible.’
‘So the move has been to your advantage, then?’
‘Oh, I would say so, Mark. Best thing I could have done to be honest. Thanks for your call and your concern, but I really am very busy.’ And with that she cut him off. She dropped the phone onto the desk, as though it had just scalded her, and realised she was shaking.
Mark wasn’t the kind of man who liked to be second best and she recognised the tone in his voice. It spelled trouble. With her hands still shaking, she made herself a cup of coffee. Mark was just jealous that she was doing well for herself without him, she reasoned. And, besides, what could he possibly do to hurt her now?
* * *
It was a relief when she walked into the studio on Friday morning to find Daniel sitting at the desk.
‘Hello!’ she said in surprise. ‘You didn’t say you were coming back.’
‘I got back late last night. Lucinda let Ben stay at mine all week, but he’s going on a school trip today so he went back to hers last night so she could make sure he had everything he needed. She was surprisingly accommodating, considering it was such short notice.’
‘Well, she couldn’t not be after what you’ve just been through.’
‘Perhaps not, but I needed to get back anyway. We’ve got a lot to do here.’
‘We have?’
‘Yes,Fashionistahave asked for the photos they want to use for the memorial article, so we need to get to work on them, and when that’s done we’ve got an exhibition to prepare for.’
‘Yes, well, I’ve been working on that while you’ve been away.’
‘Good. I’ll take a look at where you’re at this afternoon.’
Anna felt a wave of relief wash over her. He hadn’t been in touch with her at all since he’d been away and she was beginning to think that he’d forgotten about her exhibition — and her for that matter.
‘And,’ he continued. ‘Charlotte is coming round later to discuss the final arrangements.’
‘Oh, good. I hope that means she’ll finally tell us where the venue is.’
‘Yes.’ He frowned. ‘I must admit she’s being very cagey about that, says it’s a surprise.’
‘I look forward to being surprised then, as I’d really like to know where it’s going to be.’
Daniel nodded. ‘I know what you mean. All this secrecy is a bit strange.’
As she worked throughout the rest of the morning, she worried about her debut exhibition. She’d let them both take over and now she had hardly any control over what should be her proudest moment.
* * *
‘So.’ Charlotte clapped her hands, a huge grin on her face. ‘The big reveal is that your exhibition is going to be held at . . .’ She paused for dramatic effect. ‘The Whigmore art gallery.’
Anna eventually found her voice. ‘The Whigmore?’
‘Yes, it’s brilliant isn’t it? They don’t normally exhibit photography, so this is a real coup.’
‘I know,’ Anna said. ‘I used to work there.’
‘That’s the best bit of all. You’re going to be a huge success and they’re going to see how far you’ve come since leaving them.’
‘I’m not so sure about that.’ Now Anna realised the reason behind Mark’s phone call earlier in the week. He’d known all along, and she hadn’t, and that made her feel at a complete disadvantage. She looked towards Daniel, hoping for some support. He was obviously as confused as she was.
‘Charlotte, can you not see that this might make Anna feel uncomfortable? At the very least you could have run this by her before now. In case it didn’t feel right to her.’
For a moment Charlotte looked uncertain, then the smile was back on her face. She looked directly at Anna. ‘But that’s precisely why I didn’t tell you. You don’t have the self-confidence and you’d have wanted to back out, but it’s too late now. Believe me.’
