Fine Lines - SA by Simon Beckett Read Free Book Online

painting."
    "Did you get it?"
    "No."
    "Oh dear. Stil , never mind. Are paintings your speciality, by any chance?"
    "Actual y, I am an art dealer."
    She blinked. "Real y? Oh, and here's me babbling on about antiques.
    You must forgive me, I just assumed that you were in the same line as me." She laughed. "There I go again, jumping to conclusions. Do you have a gal ery? I suppose you must have, mustn't you?"
    "It's not far from the West End."
    "The West End … let me think. It's not near that biggish, expensive one just cal ed "The Gal ery", is it? That's the only one I know around there."
    "That is it, actual y." She stared at me. "Oh, real y? I didn't realise you were anything to do with that." I remembered that I had written my name and address on a piece of paper instead of giving her a card. "A friend of mine bought a water colour from you about two years ago. Dutch, I think.
    Nineteenth century. The name escapes me."
    "I'm afraid ..."
    "No, of course you won't be able to remember it. Stil it just goes to show what a smal world it is, doesn't it?" Too smal , obviously. I looked at my watch. "I'm sorry, but I must be…'
    "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to keep you. Yes, I'd better get back inside anyway. I don't want to miss the dol s' house, do I?"
    "No," I agreed, beginning to edge away.
    She held out her hand. "Wel , I'm glad I've had the chance to see you, Mr. Ramsey. Let's hope the insurance companies don't take too long sorting everything out. And the next time I'm nearby, I'l pop into your gal ery."
    "Yes, do." With a final goodbye I hurried away before she could say anything else.
    I was so pleased to escape it never occurred to me that she might mean what she said.
    It was a week of surprises. Zeppo had telephoned, in a rather more composed mood this time, and said he would cal into the gal ery on Thursday. But Anna preempted our plans.
    She had been rather quiet al week. Ever since my party, in fact. I did not feel secure enough with her to ask why. Then, on Wednesday morning, she told me.
    She seemed embarrassed when she asked if she could have a word. "Of course," I said. "Is it something important?"
    "Wel , yes, I suppose it is, real y." A blush had spread from her face to her neck. I tried not to stare at where it disappeared into the top of her blouse. "I'm leaving." The words came as a shock. I had not expected her to tel me for weeks, and my first thought was that she was planning to leave even sooner than I expected.
    "Oh. When?" Anna looked uncomfortable. "That depends on you, real y. I'm going to America with Marty. To live there. It's not for nearly two months yet, but I thought I ought to tel you straight away, to give you time to find a replacement. I'd like to stay on as long as I can," she added, hurriedly, 'but if you want me to leave now, I understand." Relief made my reaction unforced. "My dear Anna, that's wonderful! I thought for one horrible moment that you meant you'd found another job, and wanted to go immediately! Of course you mustn't leave yet!"
    "You don't mind then?"
    "Of course I don't mind! I can't pretend I won't be sorry to see you go, but how could I possibly object? I'm happy for both of you." Her face cleared. She smiled bril iantly. "Real y? I was dreading tel ing you in case you'd ask for my notice now, or something."
    "I'm not that much of an ogre, am I?"
    "No, of course not. I just ..." She was becoming embarrassed again.
    "Wel , anyway, I'm glad you've told me. I think it's wonderful news." I had an inspiration. "In fact, I think this cal s for a celebration.
    Have you anything planned for lunch?"
    "No, nothing."
    "In that case you have now. And if you try to refuse, I real y wil fire you, so let's not have any arguments. Al right?" Anna laughed. "It doesn't look as though I have any choice."
    "None at al ." I looked at my watch. "It's half-past eleven now.
    There are one or two things I have to do first, so if we go at twelve o'clock we should stil beat most of the rush. How