* * *
Traffic was heavy as she crossed town. Flicking on the car radio she caught the one o’clock news. An African president had been shot and the City was in a tizzy about dwindling gold reserves. The report said things hadn’t been helped by a multi-million pound bullion robbery three weeks before. The announcer switched subjects – to her exhibition opening.
Josie listened grim-faced as her brick sculpture was described in turn as ‘daring’, ‘controversial’ and ‘the biggest con trick ever perpetrated on a gullible public’. Annoyed, she snapped the dial to off and pulled into the kerb.
A knot of photographers crowded round her as she bounded up the steps to the Carlton Gallery.
Forcing her way through the ornate carved doors, she rushed into the white-walled viewing room. The gallery was filled to capacity. A host of celebrities, artists and glittering, pretty people in designer outfits nibbled thimble-sized bites of prawn and swigged champagne.
“Josie dear. This is a triumph. Quite the most prestigious event yet,” Tristram, her pony-tailed agent gushed, grabbing her arm. “You’re a star.”
She barely had a chance to grab a drink and mingle with the VIP guests before it was time for the unveiling. The lights dimmed – all but one small intense spotlight which beamed straight down on the bright red tarpaulin.
Feeling suddenly self conscious Josie took one corner of the plastic sheet and whipped it away in one fluid movement. The crowd broke into spontaneous applause.
The fifty clay bricks lay – almost blinking – in the limelight. Josie gasped. She’d forgotten just how powerful the sculpture was, how dangerously potent, how raw and impressive.
“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I’m truly humbled by your generosity and warmth,” she said, basking for a moment in the adulation. She held up a hand for quiet. “If you’ll bear with me for a moment, I have one announcement to make. I’m afraid it’s an announcement which may upset a few people.”
She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry to disappoint you but the sale due later this evening is being cancelled. The piece has already been sold.”
Around the room a hundred art lovers gasped and swooned.
“An overseas collector rang me this morning. Quite unexpectedly. He offered a large amount of money. Said he simply must have the piece. It’s being shipped out tonight.”
Tristram hugged her. “Well, Josie. What can I say? You always had faith in this piece. You told me it was more valuable than I’d ever realise – and it seems you were right.”
Josie smiled, imagining the next day’s stunned headlines. She couldn’t wait for the press backlash. Their indignant attack on her sale would generate more art world interest and bigger success. This latest controversy would be the making of her.
Of course, the secret payment from a certain underworld gang into her numbered Swiss bank account helped make the future look very rosy too.
An Ugly Way To Go - and other Quintessentially Quirky Tales Page 10