Martine The Beginning (Cruising to Love, The Prequel) Read Free

consulting firm out of University.  But I hated it.  I liked the work very much, couldn’t abide the politicking that went on.  I’m not really adept that that sort of thing, find it a waste of time. I’d rather spend my time and efforts on solving problems for my clients.”
      “You like solving problems, do you, Lucas?”
      “Yes.  I seem to have the ability to cut through the frippery and get to the heart of a problem, and once you do that, it is usually easy to find a solution.”
      Gloria interrupted them with their food. “Here you are.  Does this mean I won’t see you Friday, Lucas?
      “No, I don’t think I’ll see you on Friday, Gloria.  However, you may see us on Saturday, if Martine doesn’t have any other plans…”
      Martine blushed prettily. “Oh,” she said. “Oh, that would be very nice.”
      Gloria scowled and flounced off. Lucas didn ’t notice, but Martine did.  And smiled.  For the first time in her life, she noticed that another woman was jealous of her.
      Totally understandable.  Lucas was very handsome she thought.  And it had been obvious when they walked in the door that Gloria fancied him.
      Lucas was easy to talk to, and Martine found herself telling him why she had opened the Gallery.
      “My mother was a painter, very talented.  Not much training, but a lot of talent, a very good eye.  She worked part time at Woolworth’s to pay for her oil paints and canvases and art lessons.  She dreamed of being a real artist some day, selling her works in a Gallery.  A few weeks before she died, a small Gallery took three paintings.  We were all so proud of her, Dad, me and Granddad.  One sold the first week, and the other two the next week.  The Gallery owner gave her the cheque and she was over the moon.  Took us all out to dinner!  She gave him three more paintings, one sold, and then she was killed.
      “I always remember how hard and long she strived to get someone to take her work, how many doors she knocked on…
      “So my Gallery is to honour her work, to honour her memory.  I’ve started with students from the Art College, and some painters from the local Art Guild.  I’ve been open a year now, and I am hoping to attract some established
    names one day soon.  Although, I must admit, it is starting to pick up a little as the painters I do have are getting a bit of a following. 
      “But I still need the bakery job, to pay the bills. I’d hoped that by now I could have quit the bakery.  But getting established is harder than I imagined it would be. Each month, though, there’s been a steady growth.  Small, but I haven’t had a backward month yet.”
      “I admire your work ethic, Tina,” smiled Lucas.  “Reminds me of my University days.  I waited on tables, tutored, anything I could to make some money so I wouldn’t have to ask my mother for anything.  When I started work, I didn’t start spending, just saved as much as I could, and I took her to Madeira for a holiday the next Easter.  I’m so glad I did.  She was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks later, and died within six months.”
      Martine sighed.  “It’s not very nice, feeling all alone, is it?  Once my Granddad remarried, I felt all alone.  Oh, I’m not moaning.  I have my friends, and my Gallery and my bakery job.  I’m very lucky.”
      Lucas looked at this young woman, and reassessed her.  She thought she was lucky to be working from four in the morning until eight
    at night…instead of moaning, she was focusing on her goal. He was very glad he had asked Martine out to dinner.
      They finished their wine.  Chatted about this and that. Lucas got the impression that Martine had never had a boyfriend.  Given her work
    load, he thought his impression would be quite correct. He glanced at his watch.  “Come on, young Tina.  It’s nearly ten o’clock.  Witching hour for you…”
      Lucas helped her on with her coat, and held her hand for the