Simon Beckett - Fine Lines

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.