AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s…not possible.”
“I assure you it is.” She speared a piece of duck on her fork, smiling. “You are the literal talk of the town, Cole. I haven’t seen Christie’s this excited over a young new artist since Anna Weyant.”
I tried to let those numbers sink in, but they wouldn’t go. I waved my hands. “No, no, I can’t take that advance. If they don’t sell, I’m on the hook for it, right?”
“Yes, but they’re going to sell, darling. For a lot of money,” she said. “Christie’s buyer’s fee is twenty-five percent, tacked on to the final sale price of every piece, which means they’re going to more than cover your advance. Our agency’s cut is fifteen, which will net you more than £2.5 million, all told.”
I blew air out my cheeks. “I think my brain is going to explode.”
“Perhaps that can wait until after lunch? We need to discuss your next collection,” Jane said. “As beautiful as your demon is, the public is going to want something different for round two. But nottoodifferent. Perhaps there’s a variation or new theme you might tackle?”
I nodded, thinking of the drawings that had been filling my sketchpad. “I already know what comes next.”
“Brilliant!” Jane said. “You can begin right after the tour—”
“I’d rather work on the road if that’s okay,” I said. “It’ll keep me grounded with all this madness.”
Not to mention, my burning need to paint Ambri hadn’t gone anywhere but had only grown stronger and more insistent.
“Even better,” Jane was saying. “We’ll ensure that supplies travel with you and that your hotel rooms have adequate space in which to work.”
“Great. Thanks, Jane. For everything.”
“It’s overwhelming, isn’t it?” She patted my hand again. “I understand, but all you need to do is soak it in and paint. We’ll do the rest.” Her cell phone next to her plate chimed, and she frowned at the notification. “Oh dear.” She turned her phone over and smiled tightly at me.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. A bit of unpleasantness I’m currently dealing with. We need not let it spoil our lunch.”
“Is it Vaughn?” I asked, a lump settling into my stomach.
“You must’ve seen the news.”
“No, I just had a feeling. He never showed up at the gallery and he’s not answering my calls or texts.”
She sighed. “He was arrested for a DUI the night of your show.”
“Oh, shit. Is he okay?”
“Minor injuries. He wrapped his Audi around a telephone pole. He’s bloody lucky he didn’t kill anyone.”
“Damn. Where is he now?”
“That is a very good question.” Jane frowned, then waved her hand. “I know you went to Uni with him, but now is not the time to become distracted by his drama. You’ve paid your dues. Enjoy yourself. Let me worry about Vaughn.”
“I can’t do that, Jane. He’s my friend.”
She smiled at me like an indulgent mother. “Of course, he is. I just meant, in this highly competitive business, it’s very easy to let ego get in the way of friendship.” She leaned over the table. “I’ll put it this way—there was a reason he didn’t come to your show, Cole, and it wasn’t that telephone pole.”
No, it was a plague of demons.
After lunch, I immediately pulled out my phone and called Vaughn. Voicemail.
I put my finger to my ear and turned my back on the street noise. “Hey, Vaughn, it’s Cole again. Listen, I heard what happened and I just want to know you’re okay. Call me whenever. Don’t hesitate. Whatever you need, I’m here. And Vaughn…” I hunched my shoulders. “Remember what I told you about not listening to those voices in your head? I know what it’s like. They had me too. Just…call me, okay? Any time.”
I hung up and leaned against the wall. I waited for a few minutes, but my phone remained silent.
I returned to the flat to find Ambri on the couch reading a book. He tucked it into the cushion as I came in.
