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‘I miss him,’ he admitted gruffly, the pain now dulled with happier memories but never forgotten.
Suki turned from her best friend’s image and looked into her husband’s eyes. ‘Me too,’ she murmured. ‘I’m so grateful to have known him, albeit too briefly. For the beautiful soul that he was and also because he brought you to me.’
He leaned down, rested his forehead against hers as he was wont to do when emotion got too much for him. When the moment subsided, they walked on, hand in hand, stopping to talk about paintings or conversing with guests.
The sudden clink of glasses stopped her in her tracks. A prominent curator and art columnist whose name she couldn’t quite remember was smiling at the gathering guests.
‘We’ve been keeping it under wraps, but, since it’ll be in the papers tomorrow, we wanted to formally take the opportunity to announce the formation of the new charity for children’s art. It’s in honour of Ramon’s brother and will be named the Luis Acosta Foundation for Children’s Art. Suki Acosta will be its leading patron and has already donated a staggering quarter of a million pounds.’
Rousing applause went through the large crowd. Then she clinked her glass again. ‘We also have a special surprise this evening, again, to be announced tomorrow, but I do love letting the cat out of the bag.’ She paused for laughter before continuing, ‘Anyway, it’s my pleasure to announce that the prestigious White Palm Photography Award this year goes to our dear Ramon for the simply named but utterly divine photo known as Suki & Lorenzo.’
An image of the very first picture Ramon had taken of her son and her was projected onto the large screen. She’d woken up from a wonderful dream just as Lorenzo too had opened his eyes. They’d been captured staring at each other with eyes full of transcendental wonder and magical hope.
Singularly her most favourite picture in the world; happy tears filled Suki’s eyes as she applauded and kissed her husband.
‘I’m so proud of you.’
He gave his usual one-sided smile, then caught her hand in his to pull her towards the stage.
‘What are you doing? They came here to see you,’ she whispered.
‘No. You are my true muse because you own my heart. I can’t breathe without you, or live without you. I wouldn’t want to. So you need to take your bow, mi amor, because it’s really you they’ve come to see.’
She stepped up onto the stage beside him, blinking back further tears as more applause broke out. ‘Oh, God, you choose the worst moments to say the most wonderful things.’
He gave a very short, very poignant speech, then stepped off the stage and pulled her close. ‘I say them because they’re true. I say them because I love you. Dios mio, I love you so much, Suki.’
‘I love you more.’
* * * * *
