Fine Lines

Chapter Four

Since becoming involved with Anna, I had found it increasingly difficult to apply myself with any real enthusiasm to the affairs of the gallery. Even auctions, which I had once always enjoyed, seemed to have lost their appeal. When I went to one the week after the party, I was apathetic to start with. Had I known who would also be there, however, I would never have gone in the first place.

The auction was of part of the estate of an elderly politician. It included his collection of eighteenth-century French oils, one of which in particular I had my eye on. So, unfortunately, did several other people. When the bidding approached the limit I had set myself, I had to choose whether or not it was worth going any further. At one time, only weeks before, I would probably have decided it was. Now it seemed like too much trouble. I sat back and let the bidding go on without me, and felt only mild regret when it stopped shortly afterwards.

There were one or two other pieces I had been considering trying for, but all at once I could not be bothered. I eased my way along the line of chairs towards the exit. The back of the room was full with people who had not found seats, and as I went through them I felt a tap on my arm.

“It’s Mr. Ramsey, isn’t it?”

The woman was a little younger than me. Her hair was just starting to grey, and her eyes were magnified by a pair of large-framed glasses. She was smiling, hesitantly.

“Yes?”

Her smile grew. “Oh, good. I thought it was.”

I continued to stare at her. I had no idea who she was. “I’m sorry, I don’t...”

“Oh, it’s these things.” She took the glasses off. It made no difference. “Margaret Thornby. You ran into my car last week.”

Then, of course, I recognised her. “Oh,” was all I could think of to say.

“I spotted you coming out, but I wasn’t entirely certain it was you until just now.” She lowered her voice as the auctioneer began introducing the next item. “Shall we pop outside? We can’t really talk in here.”

I had no desire to talk to her anywhere. But she was already edging into the corridor. I had no option but to follow.

“There. That’s better.” She smiled at me. I did not return it. I had belatedly realised that she had again blamed me for the accident, albeit in a much friendlier tone this time. “I’m glad I’ve seen you, actually. I’ve been wondering how you went on after our little bump last week.”

She was unaccountably pleasant. “My car had to be towed away,” I told her, rather more stiffly than I intended. “The wing needs to be replaced. I’m still using a courtesy car.”

“Oh, I am sorry. Mine only needed the sidelight replacing, so it could have been worse.”

I said nothing.

“Actually, I’ve been meaning to get in touch with you,” she went on. “When I’d calmed down a bit I realised that I might have been a bit... well, a bit pushy. Not that I’m saying it was my fault, or anything. But I think I might have gone a bit over the top.”

An apology was not what I had expected. I was unsure how to react. However, she did not give me any chance.

“The thing was, I was in an awful rush. I was supposed to be meeting someone, you see, and I was late already. I don’t come into the city very often, and whenever I do as a rule I always avoid the rush hour. But I was meeting my son at the train station he’s just got back from India, or rather he had just got back so there was no avoiding it. I was hoping to get there in plenty of time, because I didn’t want to leave him standing around in the cold, after he’s been used to the hot weather. But I misjudged it, and instead of getting there for half-past eight, as I’d planned, I was still stuck in the traffic at a quarter-past. So when we had our little accident, it was the last straw, and I suppose I did rather take it out on you.”

She pulled an apologetic face. “I never even thought to ask if you were all right. You did look a bit shaken, but then so was I, I suppose. And when I got to the station, I found that Damien’s train had been delayed by over half an hour, so it turned out that I was in time after all.”

She gave a little shrug. “Anyway, I’m glad I’ve seen you to set the record straight. I daresay you must have got a horrendous impression of this fearful woman shouting at you like a mad thing, and I’m not normally like that. Not often, anyway,” she laughed. “Sorry, I’m running on a bit. But I was going to get in touch with you anyway to clear things up. There’s no reason for us to be unreasonable, just because of what was an accident, after all. We might as well let the insurance companies sort it all out. That’s what we pay them for, isn’t it? And they certainly charge enough, don’t they?”

She looked at me expectantly, waiting for my reply. Dazed by her monologue, nothing immediately suggested itself. “Yes, I... ah, that sounds...” I nodded, not quite sure what I was agreeing to. She beamed at me.

“Oh good! I’m so glad we’ve been able to straighten things out. Anyway, I’ll let you go now. I don’t want to keep you.” My relief was premature. She went on almost without pausing. “Are you here on business or pleasure?”

“Oh... Business.”

“Really? I’d no idea you were in the trade. I’ve got an antique shop in Hampstead, that’s why I’m here tonight. I don’t normally bother coming to auctions in the city. I think you can pick up much better bargains out in the sticks, but I felt I really had to come to this, just to see some of the stuff that’s going. And there’s a rather lovely little dolls’ house coming up later that I’m going to bid for. I don’t expect I’ll have much chance of getting it, not with the prices the things have fetched so far, but you never know. Were you here for anything in particular?”

She had a disconcerting habit of staring at me very directly while she spoke. And she stood much too close. It was an effort not to move away. “An oil painting.”

“Did you get it?”

“No.”

“Oh dear. Still, never mind. Are paintings your speciality, by any chance?”

“Actually, I am an art dealer.”

She blinked. “Really? 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 gallery? 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 called “The Gallery”, is it? That’s the only one I know around there.”

“That is it, actually.”

She stared at me. “Oh, really? 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. Still it just goes to show what a small world it is, doesn’t it?”

Too small, 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 dolls’ house, do I?”

“No,” I agreed, beginning to edge away.

She held out her hand. “Well, 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’ll pop into your gallery.”

“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 call into the gallery on Thursday. But Anna preempted our plans. She had been rather quiet all 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?”

“Well, yes, I suppose it is, really.” 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 tell 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, really. I’m going to America with Marty. To live there. It’s not for nearly two months yet, but I thought I ought to tell 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 brilliantly. “Really? I was dreading telling 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.

“Well, anyway, I’m glad you’ve told me. I think it’s wonderful news.” I had an inspiration. “In fact, I think this calls for a celebration. Have you anything planned for lunch?”

“No, nothing.”

“In that case you have now. And if you try to refuse, I really will fire you, so let’s not have any arguments. All right?”

Anna laughed. “It doesn’t look as though I have any choice.”

“None at all.” 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 still beat most of the rush. How does that sound?”

“Wonderful.” She was smiling broadly.

“In that case I’ll hurry up and finish what I was doing.”

I went to the office and closed the door. Despite the fact that Anna’s departure was now official, as it were, I felt elated. She had been under no obligation to tell me so soon. It implied a warming towards me. I picked up the telephone and called Zeppo. It rang a long time before it was answered.

“Yeah?”

“Zeppo? It’s Donald Ramsey.”

There was a groan. “Donald? What do you want? Christ, I’m still in bed.”

“In that case I’ve done you a favour getting you out of it. I’m taking Anna to lunch. I want you to be there as well.”

“Lunch? No way.”

“It’s important.”

“Look, I’ve already got plans for this afternoon. And I’ve got someone with me.”

“Get rid of her and cancel whatever you were doing. This is too good an opportunity to miss.” I explained what had happened, and told him where we would be. “We’ll be there just after twelve o’clock. You can get there for half-past. That gives you about an hour. If you rush you should be able to manage that, I think.”

He sighed, irritably. “Oh, okay. I’ll get there as soon as I can. But this is really pissing me about.”

“That’s what I’m paying you for.”

“Look, I’ve said I’ll be there, all right?” His voice was petulant.

I was tiring of his moods. “Would it be too much to ask for you to be in a better frame of mind, do you think?”

“I’ll be all sweetness and light,” he said, and hung up.

He was late. But I had expected as much, and did not allow it to spoil my enjoyment of Anna’s company. She was animated, on a high now that she had told me, and when Zeppo finally arrived I felt a momentary pang that I no longer had her to myself.

“That’s your friend Zeppo, isn’t it?” she asked, looking over my shoulder. I turned. He was at the bar. I waved him over.

“What are you doing here?” His smile included us both in the question. He seemed genuinely surprised.

“It’s a celebration. Anna’s going to America.”

He turned to her. “Fantastic! How long for?”

“Hopefully for good.”

“She’s going with her boyfriend. You met him at the party, I think.”

“I remember. Marty. Well, that’s great! Congratulations.”

There was no sign of his earlier sullenness. Either he was an excellent actor, or he had managed to cheer himself up. I did not particularly care which. I was only thankful for the fact.

“Why don’t you join us?” I asked. “Unless you’re meeting someone, of course.”

He looked at his watch. “I was supposed to, but he’s not here. I’m late, though, so I might have missed him.”

“In that case have a glass of wine. I’m sure we can squeeze one out of the bottle.”

He sat down. As I poured his wine he asked Anna which part of America they were going to. I watched her as she answered. She was resting her arms on the table, leaning forwards slightly. Her dress was stretched taut where her breasts hung against it. I made myself look at her face.

She told him they planned to live in New York, at least until Marty had finished his doctorate. Zeppo, of course, had been there.

“It’s great. London’s got nothing on it. It’s got a real buzz, twenty-four hours a day. Is that where Marty’s from?”

“Well, he lived there before he came over here, but originally he’s from Boston. That’s where his parents live, but Marty doesn’t like it. He says it’s too country-club and snobbish for him.”

“I’ve never been. Apart from New York I’ve only been to California a couple of times. Now there’s somewhere you’ve got to go.”

Anna smiled. “I’d like to, but Marty’s not too keen on the West Coast.”

“Really? God, why not?”

“He’s not really one for the beach lifestyle. He says he had sand kicked in his face so many times when he was a kid that the tide comes in on him.”

We laughed dutifully. “It can be a bit like that,” Zeppo said. “But you shouldn’t let that put you off. Some of the beaches are incredible. It’d be a shame to miss them.”

The implied censure was only mild, but it was there. The first overt move against Marty. Anna accepted it with a shrug.

“Oh, well, we’ll see. There are hundreds of places I want to go to. I expect I’ll never get around to seeing half of them.”

“Have you a job already lined up?”

Anna glanced at me. “Oh, no, not yet. I’ll just have to look around when I get there.”

“If you’d like, I have one or two contacts in New York I could get in touch with,” I said. “They may be able to help.”

“Oh, would you? That’d be fantastic!”

I basked in her gratitude. “Well, I can’t promise that they will, of course, but I can certainly try.” I would at least go through the motions.

“Oh, that’ll be great, Donald! Thanks ever so much. We’ll be able to live on savings for a while, but the sooner I can find work the better.”

“Don’t build your hopes up too much. But I’ll see what I can do.”

That put Anna in a better mood than ever. Watching her, I could almost forget the reason we were there. Then Anna excused herself, and Zeppo leaned towards me.

“I think now’s as good a time as any for you to go.”

The request took me by surprise. “Now? Why?”

“Because there’s only so much I can do while you’re playing gooseberry, isn’t there? Don’t look so upset. That’s what you’re paying me for, isn’t it? You’ve got to leave us alone sometime or other.”

I covered my disappointment. “Yes, of course. I just wasn’t expecting it. What do you plan to do?”

“Not much. It’ll give me a chance to get to know her a bit better, that’s all. Then, if it goes well, I can rip her clothes off and take her over the table.” He sighed at my expression. “Joke, Donald.”

“I don’t find it funny.”

Zeppo smirked. “I noticed. Anyway, think of an excuse before she comes back. Say you’ve remembered a meeting, or something.”

“Won’t that seem rather suspicious?”

“Why should it? You’re her boss, for Christ’s sake, you don’t have to account to her. Just make it something simple, and leave it at that.”

I stood up as Anna returned. “Anna, I’ve suddenly remembered I’ve got an appointment in half an hour. I’m going to have to go. I’m afraid you’ll have to open the gallery yourself. You don’t mind, do you?”

If it was flimsy, Anna did not appear to notice. “No, of course not. I’d better be getting back, anyway. I’ve had far too long as it is.” She began to pick up her coat.

“No need to go this minute. There’s no hurry. Finish the wine first. I’m sure Zeppo won’t mind running you back, will you, Zeppo?”

“Of course not. My pleasure.”

I left them at the table. Not without regret and, I admit, a touch of jealousy. But I dismissed both, and instead tried to think of somewhere to go. There was a cafe opposite the gallery that was as good a place as any. I parked some distance from it, so Anna would not see the car, and began to walk back. No sooner had I set off than it started to rain. By the time I reached the cafe I was soaked.

I bought a cup of coffee and sat in a window seat, uncomfortably damp. From there I could look over the road at the gallery. I doubted I would be noticed. Plants cluttered the window sill, and the glass itself was so misted I could barely see through it myself. I sipped the appalling coffee and settled down to wait.

I was just beginning to suspect that Zeppo might have lured Anna off somewhere when I saw his car pull in further down the road. A moment later they were both running towards the gallery, sheltering under Zeppo’s coat. I was pleased by this unexpected intimacy, and felt more kindly disposed towards the rain. I watched as they went inside, and then the lights came on against the dark afternoon. Now I could see them clearly through the gallery’s large windows, a silent pantomime. I wished I could hear what they were saying. Both of them seemed to be smiling a great deal. The telephone must have rung, because Anna suddenly picked it up and began writing something in the messages book. Zeppo watched her for a moment, than moved to the window and looked out. I drew back but he did not see me. After a while Anna hung up, wrote some more, then said something to him. He answered, nodding. They laughed.

I took another sip of coffee, and was surprised to find it was cold. I was. about to order another when I saw someone else going into the gallery. I could see it was a woman, but she had her back to me, and it was only when she turned to acknowledge Zeppo that I recognised her. It was Miriam, the rather ridiculous designer who had been at my party. I hoped she would leave once she found I was not there. But she showed no inclination of doing anything of the sort, and when Anna disappeared and came back with three cups on a tray, I knew Miriam was planning to stay.

I cursed her and looked at my watch. Enough time had passed to justify me going back, and now that Anna and Zeppo were no longer alone there was no reason not to. I left the cafe and walked back to my car, getting wet again in the process. I parked around the back of the gallery and let myself in.

“Well, this is a full house,” I said. “For one happy moment I thought you were customers.”

“Sorry to disappoint you,” Miriam said. “I was passing, so I thought I’d stop by and see if you were in. Anna was a lifesaver and made me a cup of coffee. Good God, Donald, you’re soaked!”

“Yes, I got caught in it,” I took my coat off and gave it a shake. “It’ll teach me to find a nearer parking space in fixture.”

“Would you like a coffee?” Anna asked.

“I’d love one, please. I take it your lunch partner didn’t arrive?” I said to Zeppo. It was only after I spoke that I realised I wanted to catch him out. But he fielded the question smoothly.

“No, but it was probably my fault for being late. I must have missed him. How was your meeting?”

Now he had caught me unawares. “Oh... unproductive.”

“That’s a shame. It didn’t take very long, did it?” He sipped his coffee. The observation could have been innocent.

“Not as long as I would have liked. But never mind.” I turned quickly to Miriam. “This is a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect to see you so soon after the party. Is it a purely social visit, or do you have an ulterior motive?”

“You are a cynic, Donald. Actually, it’s both. It’s a purely social visit, but I do have an ulterior motive.”

“That sounds intriguing.”

“Don’t get excited. Some friends of mine phoned yesterday and invited themselves up next weekend. So I thought I’d have a few people around for dinner. Take the burden of entertaining them off me for a while. I wondered if you’d like to come?”

I was about to make an excuse when Anna returned with my coffee. Before I could answer, Miriam added. “I was going to ask if Anna and her boyfriend Zeppo, isn’t it? wanted to come as well?”

There was a moment’s silence. Miriam had obviously seen them together at the party and drawn the wrong conclusion. Zeppo smiled.

“You’ve got the name right, but I’m not Anna’s boyfriend. I’m afraid.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I thought...” Miriam went red. Anna and Zeppo smiled at each other.

“It’s okay. You did meet her boyfriend, but only for a minute. He’s called Marty.” A flush of colour had touched Anna’s cheeks as well, descending to her throat.

“Oh, yes, of course, how stupid of me,” Miriam blustered. “Well, if you and Marty would like to come, you’re very welcome. And you too, of course, Zeppo.”

Zeppo looked amused. “Thanks, I’d love to.”

I followed his lead. “So would I. Miriam’s an excellent cook.” In fact she was nothing of the sort, but it would be worth risking indigestion to bring Anna and Zeppo together again.

Miriam laughed. “I think Donald’s being kind, but I’ll do my best not to poison you. Will you and Marty be able to come, or have you anything planned?”

I willed Anna to accept. “No, I don’t think so,” she said. “Thanks very much.”

I looked across at Zeppo. He held my eyes for a moment before looking away.

It seemed that fate was on our side.