Hearts and Diamonds Read Free

Tabitha.
    ‘You would have done. But things got very hectic around about then. Tabitha, why did you talk to the press about him? You knew we wanted to keep things quiet.’
    ‘I know you
said
you did, but, darling, you have the potential new star of the art world on your hands. Why would you really want to keep quiet about that? I didn’t think you could possibly mean it.’
    ‘I did mean it! And he was furious.’
    ‘Was he? I take it the mystery artist was this chap all the fuss was about? The one you were hiding in your home?’
    ‘Jason Watson. Yes. It was him. And we still haven’t discussed this . . .’
    ‘Well, you’re going to have to. I’ve had the most enormous amount of interest on the back of that article. An absolute deluge. Buyers, agents, experts, all clamouring to know who he is and get access to his work. I can’t fend them off much longer.’
    ‘Oh God, really?’
    ‘Absolutely. You must bring him down to London, darling. Everybody’s dying to meet him.’
    Jenna took the phone from her ear, needing to take a few breaths. Just as soon as one furore died down, it seemed that several more barged in to take its place. If it was too much for her, how on earth would Jason take it? The dream of a quiet summer spent alternately renovating the house and making love began to fade.
    ‘Look, I’ll talk to him,’ she said. ‘But that’s all I can promise. He wasn’t wild about the idea when I first broached it . . . but then, some of the reasons for that no longer exist.’
    ‘Legal reasons,’ said Tabitha, with a kind of gloating glee. ‘You couldn’t ask for a better launch for an artist. Really, what a story. He’s famous before he’s even exhibited. Marvellous.’
    ‘I’ll talk to him,’ Jenna repeated. ‘It’ll be his decision. And please – no more press until you hear from me, or I’ll be approaching another gallery.’
    ‘Darling!’ Tabitha sounded stunned. ‘You wouldn’t.’
    ‘I’m serious. This isn’t my client – not yet. I can’t make him do anything. But I’ll work on it. Anything that destroys the delicate balance of our relationship isn’t going to help, though – and that includes more publicity. So keep a lid on it.’
    ‘I’ll be silent as the grave. You can rely on me.’
    ‘I hope I can. I’ll be in touch.’
    She pressed the end call button and wandered down over the patio, past the police-taped cellar opening and away from all the horrible thoughts it called to her mind. This morning, she wanted to be in the weeds, smelling their pungent, milky aroma, feeling the strengthening warmth of the sun on her bare legs and feet.
    She was standing among the dandelions and cow parsley, suddenly feeling her lack of breakfast and morning coffee, when a pair of hands landed on her shoulders.
    She jumped.
    ‘I didn’t hear you creeping up on me. Don’t do that. This house isn’t the place for surprises. It’s got too many of its own.’
    ‘Horrors, more like. Harville House of Horror. Who was that on the phone?’
    She leant her head back into his chest.
    ‘Jason, I need to talk to you.’

Chapter Two
    ‘ WHY WOULD I want to do that? Mingling with a load of poncey bastards who’ll look down on me? Fuck it. No thanks.’
    Jenna sighed. This was exactly the reaction she’d been expecting.
    ‘Why would they look down on you? They’ll see your work. They won’t look down on
that
, believe me.’
    ‘Then why do I have to be there at all? Just stick a few paintings up on the wall and put the wedge in my bank account when some twat with more money than sense buys ’em. Everyone’s happy.’
    ‘No, everyone isn’t happy. Tabitha won’t be happy and the gallery visitors won’t be happy. They want to know the artist.’
    ‘Do they ’eck. They don’t want to know me. Nobody ever has done, so why would they start now?’
    ‘Jason.’ Jenna tried to keep the edge of impatience out of her voice. ‘Get that chip off your shoulder and start living your