‘Okay. If you’re sure.’
‘Absolutely. We’re going to have to do this eventually, so we may as well rip the sticky plaster off now. Unless of course you were thinking of hiding me away or dumping me to avoid it altogether,’ he said with a cheeky grin.
‘No. I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.’
‘I know and I appreciate your concern. But it’s all good. Anyway, I’m a journalist, remember? I’m used to feeling awkward and under scrutiny.’
‘Yes, but you’re usually the one doing the scrutinising.’
‘Come on, no more stalling. Would you like me to drive?’
‘If you want.’ The truth was, Hannah liked Brad driving her. She couldn’t quite put her finger on why. Perhaps it was because she felt so safe and secure with his burly presence. Like she never had with Tristan, if she were being completely honest. She and Tristan had felt equal, despite their five-year age difference. Brad was a little older too, but seemed even more so than the actual gap in years. Not in looks, but in his outlook on life. Perhaps it was a result of his professional curiosity – all the things he’d seen, the people he’d interviewed.
As much as Hannah wouldn’t say this to anyone, he did feel a little fatherly to her. And she liked that. He oozed care, compassion and consideration, and went out of his way to attend to her – not in a patronising or misogynistic way, but different from what she’d experienced with Tristan. He’d treated her wonderfully, but not the same as the way Brad did. Hannah wished she could stop making comparisons between the two. Hopefully she would in time, but she also didn’t want to forget Tristan – how he felt, smelt, tasted, sounded. Though she was struggling to remember. Whenever she realised how much she’d forgotten she had to try hard to not panic. Joanne and Beth had told her it was part of the journey. They’d assured her that forgetting the finer details was a good thing – a sign of progress – and not something to be feared. She’d always hold some strong memories of Tristan in her heart, but it was important to make new ones. And she was blessed to have met Brad.
Oh how you make my heart swell and flutter, she thought, sitting beside Brad as they made their way to Sam’s.
‘So, is there any reason for today? It’s not someone’s birthday or anything, is it?’ Brad asked.
‘Not that I know of. It’s all a bit mysterious because the invitation actually came from Pete. Sam’s been in a bit of a rut creatively, so maybe it’s his way of jolting her out of it by making her think of something else and be sociable.’
‘They’ve just started going out, haven’t they?’
‘Yup, this could be their first proper date for all I know. As I’ve said, Sam’s been a little distant.’
‘Understandable, she’s been through quite a lot already this year and we’re not even halfway through. Now, just double-checking, the twins are Oliver and Ethan, aren’t they? And they’re identical? Right?’
‘Yes and yes. Their personalities are a little different – you’ll see. Oliver is a bit more serious and grown up. Don’t worry about getting them muddled – they’re used to it. Oh, and the dogs are Oofy and Inky – the boys named them, so don’t laugh.’
‘Okay. Got it. Anything else I need to remember?’
‘No, I don’t think so. Just have fun. There’s no need to be nervous.’
‘Darling, I’m not, but I suspect you are,’ he said, laying a hand on her leg.
‘I am a bit. I don’t know why.’
‘Because you’re bringing together two very important parts of your life, that’s why. Well, I hope you consider me an important part of your life.’
‘You know I do,’ she said, putting her hand over his and gazing at him. She was so close to using the ‘L’ word. She felt it, but also felt it was too soon to say it. She didn’t want to lessen its significance. She told herself that was the reason she was holding back and not because she was waiting for Brad to say it first. Anyway, it was early days. Even though they’d packed a lot in, their first date had only been two weeks ago. Though, to Hannah it felt much longer – in a good way. While they hadn’t yet slept together, they’d spent plenty of time enjoying each other’s company talking and cuddling.
Last night Hannah had asked Brad to stay – had come close to begging him – but he’d left. Gazing after him, instead of feeling rejected, she’d felt a whole new rush of love and respect for his strength and respect for her and their relationship. He’d said he wanted to get the foundations right – make sure they formed a strong bond based on mutual respect and shared values before complicating and clouding things with sex. While Hannah found the waiting increasingly frustrating, she also really enjoyed it – the exciting anticipation. She’d almost melted when he’d said, ‘We have our whole lives to explore the physical side of us.’ That was different from her and Tristan – they’d slept together the second weekend after meeting.
‘One other thing,’ Hannah said, to bring herself back to the present and lighten things, ‘cross your fingers that it’s Pete cooking. I love Sam dearly, but she’s far from being any sort of domestic goddess. It’s okay, it’s not a secret.’
‘Oh well, she is a pretty talented artist – she can’t be everything.’
‘Exactly. It’s that one just up there,’ Hannah said, pointing to Sam’s house.
‘Oh. I expected at least a hint of artiness – maybe a bright orange fence or something,’ Brad said.
‘Maybe when she actually starts believing she really is an artist.’
Pete and Sam both greeted Hannah and Brad at the door, and seeing them standing side by side for the first time Hannah thought they looked great together – actually better than Sam and Rob ever had. They were like perfectly fitting jigsaw pieces standing there, each with an arm around the other, both smiling and so at ease. Hannah felt a surge of warmth flow through her.
‘Hi, Pete,’ Hannah said, giving him a hug. She was relieved to find nothing awkward about doing so. ‘This is Brad, who I think you might have met at Sam’s launch.’
‘Yes, hi, Brad. Welcome.’
‘I was expecting you to be flustered,’ Hannah said as she hugged Sam while the men shook hands and Brad handed Pete the bottles of wine they’d brought.
‘Nothing to be flustered about – Pete’s got everything under control. Even the boys, and the dogs. You’ve no idea how much calmer this house is now the dogs are obedient. Can you believe they actually lie quietly on their beds in the corner?’
‘No. Now this I want to see. So, who’s coming?’
‘Just you and Brad and Jas and Craig. I’m not entirely sure what it’s all about. It’s all Pete’s doing,’ she whispered. ‘Seriously, he’s a miracle worker, especially with the dogs,’ she said at normal volume.
‘Food rewards and consistency are what it’s all about,’ Pete said, coming up to Sam again and wrapping his arms around her waist.
‘I’m good with the food rewards part of it,’ Sam said, with a laugh.
‘Too much of a softy, which is one of the traits that makes you so loveable,’ Pete said, nuzzling her neck.
Hannah was a little surprised Sam didn’t gently push him away. She’d never been a fan of overt public displays of affection.
‘Ah, here they are,’ Pete said, looking up. They all turned to see Craig’s car pulling up at the kerb. The familiarity was such that Hannah found herself wondering if Pete had met Craig and Jasmine other than at Sam’s launch party.
After all the greetings had been made they were ushered into the house.
‘Now, before we get settled, I need to show you something – the real reason I’ve invited you here,’ Pete said, leading them towards the door into the garage and her studio.
‘Oh, Pete, no,’ Sam said, clearly realising where he was going.
‘You need to stop with the I’m-not-good-enough. You are good enough. You’re brilliant. Sorry, but I’m not letting you hide your talent away just because of one or two misguided reviewers. These are incredible, e
ven if you refuse to see it,’ he said, opening the door.
Hannah held her breath and waited for Sam to start shouting at Pete for interfering, or at least walk off in a huff. But she didn’t, she merely shrugged and said, ‘Well, don’t blame me if they don’t share your enthusiasm.’
Pete flicked the light switch on and stepped aside as the overhead fluorescent lights flickered to life and the space was illuminated. There, sitting along the long bench, were four framed works of art – all in black and white; a charcoal sketch still-life of what Hannah recognised as items from the desk in the library at Mary’s gorgeous house – blotter, inkwell and nib pen with ostrich feather. Next was a still-life of a pair of highly decorated cups and saucers stacked inside each other, a still-life of a bowl of fruit in white pastel on black paper, and then two sketches of dogs curled up together – one in charcoal on white paper and one in white on black paper. There was a collective intake of breath from Hannah, Brad, Jasmine and Craig.
‘See,’ Pete said.
‘They haven’t said anything yet,’ Sam said, with arms defiantly crossed.
‘Oh, Sammy, they’re incredible,’ Hannah said shaking her head with wonder.
‘Really?’
‘Are you seriously asking that?’ Craig said. ‘Seriously? They really are very good.’
‘Yes, they’re absolutely stunning,’ Brad and Jasmine said at once.
‘See, darling, I told you,’ Pete said, more gently this time, and hugged Sam to him. Hannah noticed there were tears in her best friend’s eyes. Sadness gripped her. She seemed so much more fragile than the Sam from before the exhibition, or perhaps the Sam from before Rob had left and set her world out of kilter. Sam had always been insecure about her work, but she used to have the attitude that if she liked it, it didn’t matter what anyone else thought. Hannah yearned to see the old carefree Sam again. Or perhaps she’d disappeared for good. She hoped not.
‘Can I send some pics to Mary?’ Jasmine said, pulling out her phone.
‘Sure,’ Sam said.
‘That’s why I wanted you both here,’ Pete explained. ‘Hannah, you can help with the pricing if Mary is interested.’
‘Oh. Okay. Um, no problem.’ Hannah didn’t like being put on the spot. Hopefully she and Sam could discuss it in private later.
‘God, I’m sorry,’ Pete said, clearly sensing Hannah’s reluctance. ‘I’m completely overstepping the mark, aren’t I? I got a bit overexcited. Please accept my apologies.’
‘Yeah, sorry, Hann,’ Sam said.
‘It’s fine,’ Hannah said, swallowing down her slight frustration. ‘Why are those off to the side?’ she asked, looking at two large photos on the floor, leaning against the wall – one was of the ornate knocker on the door of the Georgian house and the other of the front porch and door.
‘They’re just some of the photos I took that day. I blew them up to see how they’d look. There’s something I really like about them.’
‘That’s because they’re great. I love the angle and the light,’ Brad said.
‘Make sure you take photos of them too, Jas,’ Hannah said, indicating the images.
‘She wouldn’t want pictures of bits of her own house,’ Sam scoffed.
‘Why not when they’re such incredible photos?’ Hannah said.
‘Well, whatever. What would I know?’
‘See, this is why I needed you guys here as reinforcements,’ Pete said.
‘I can’t believe how much you’ve done in just two weeks – you said you were completely blocked,’ Hannah said.
‘Well, you can thank Pete. He gave me the kick up the backside I needed. And Beth for planting the black and white seed. I’d completely forgotten for a while there how much I love charcoal and white pastel. And sketching, and just silly doodling.’
‘Darling, I’d rather you called me supportive, actually,’ Pete said, pecking Sam on the forehead.
‘Sorry. I wasn’t meaning to sound derogatory. Or ungrateful.’
‘Mary is going to love these. I just know it. They’re perfect for her spaces. Trouble is, all of them could work,’ Jasmine said, putting her phone away.
‘Great. Now, come on, let’s ponder it over food. No major decisions on an empty stomach, that’s my motto,’ Pete said.
As he led the way back out into the main house, Hannah’s phone began to ring.
‘Oh,’ she said when she’d fished it out of her bag and was looking at the screen. ‘Sorry, but I’d better take this.’ She’d put all the numbers of the galleries she’d contacted on Sam’s behalf into her phone and there, staring at her and brightly lit, was ‘Black and White Gallery, Sydney’. She felt herself go a little pale. Seriously, what a coincidence?
‘Are you okay?’ Brad whispered, putting an arm around her.
‘Yep. You go, I’ll be there in a sec. Hello, Hannah Ainsley speaking.’
‘Is that the agent for Samantha Barrow?’
‘Yes, speaking.’
‘This is Annika from The Black and White Gallery in Sydney. Do you have a moment to speak right now or should I call back?’
‘No, now’s fine. Go ahead.’
‘Firstly, please accept my many apologies for taking so long to respond to your email enquiry. This year has quite got away from me. I’ll come straight to the point. In the portfolio of Samantha’s you attached you included a few charcoal sketches. As the gallery’s name implies, I specialise in exhibitions in black and white – any medium. Really, for no reason other than to draw a line somewhere and differentiate us. And they are colours that work equally well in a contemporary or a traditional setting. Sorry, I’m getting carried away. My question is, is Samantha still doing charcoal sketches – or any other media in black and white, and if so do you think she would be up for a solo exhibition early in the new year? I’m thinking around twenty to two dozen pieces. Or am I too late and she’s already been fully booked for next year? I wouldn’t be surprised if I’ve missed the boat – I saw some great reviews of her ceramics. So, what do you think?’
‘Well, first of all, thank you so much for the call and for considering Samantha. She is very busy at the moment, but I will certainly discuss it with her and get back to you as soon as possible. Would that be okay?’
‘I’m sorry to be pushy, especially considering you emailed me over a month ago, but if I could know one way or the other by Wednesday that would be very helpful.’
‘I understand, Annika, I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks again so much for the call.’
‘Great, I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thanks very much for your time.’
Hannah hung up feeling a little light-headed. She made her way through to the kitchen where Jasmine, Craig and Brad were seated at the table and Pete and Sam were at the bench with their backs to her.
‘Are you okay?’ Brad asked, leaping up and coming over to her. ‘You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Have you received some bad news?’
‘No. I’m fine. Just a bit of a strange call.’ In a daze she sat down on the chair Brad pulled out for her.
‘Well, come on, don’t keep us in suspense!’ Jasmine said.
‘Okay, so who’s for wine – red or white – or beer?’ Pete asked as he turned from the bench. ‘I’m on call, so, I’m actually having a glass of ginger beer. Anyone is welcome to join me. Or not. Up to you.’
‘Oh, ginger beer, yes please,’ Jasmine said. ‘I haven’t had it for years.’
‘Count me in,’ Hannah said.
‘Actually, and me,’ Craig said.
‘Ginger beer would be great,’ Brad said. ‘I tend to want a nap if I drink alcohol in the afternoon these days.’
‘Okay, four more ginger beers it is,’ Pete said.
‘Something does smell very good,’ Hannah said.
‘Quiche. And, yes, real men eat quiche – so there!’ Pete said.
‘You’ll have no arguments from me,’ Brad said, ‘I love the stuff.’
‘And me,’ Craig sa
id. ‘Especially when it’s got lots of bacon in it.’
‘I told you!’ Jasmine said suddenly, raising her phone and startling Hannah. ‘Mary loves, loves, LOVES them – all of them!’ At that moment her phone began to ring. ‘That’s her. Sorry, but I’m going to be rude and take this,’ she said, getting up from the table and walking briskly back up the hall out of earshot.
‘Darling, can you please get the boys in?’ Sam asked Pete. Hannah felt a tiny surge of disappointment. She was hoping to share her exciting news about Annika before the tornado-like twins arrived.
‘Could we just wait a sec? I need to tell you about the phone call,’ Hannah said.
‘Okay,’ Sam said, putting the quiche on the table next to a large bowl of garden salad. Pete brought over a tray of tumblers of ginger beer and then sat down at the head of the table around the corner from Sam and started handing them out. There was an expectant air as they all sat silently and tried to look like they were not eavesdropping on Jasmine’s conversation.
‘Wow. So do I have some news!’ Jasmine announced as she sat back down. ‘Mary wants all of the pieces.’
‘Even the photos? And without knowing the prices?’ Sam asked.
‘Yes. She loves the one of the dogs but said she will completely understand if you don’t want to sell that one since they’re your dogs …’
‘Oh. I hadn’t got as far as thinking about selling any of them.’
‘But you’re a professional artist, darling, that’s what professional artists do – they sell their pieces,’ Pete said.
‘I know, I just didn’t think they were … Oh, well, I guess I don’t see why not. I can always do another one.’
‘That’s the spirit.’
‘Actually, about that,’ Jasmine said. ‘I’m not sure how you’ll feel about this, but remember how I said Mary’s having her Comforting Cats black-tie fundraiser event next month? She was wondering if you would agree to having one of your paintings as part of an auction or raffle to raise money.’
Making Peace Page 27