Page 50 of Be More Octopus

'You're a good artist. Don't sound so surprised.'

'It's just that I emailed him weeks ago and heard nothing. I assumed he wasn't interested.'

'Phil gets a lot of emails.'

Phil? How did Jack know that? 'Do you know him?' she asked.

'Yes. He's the same age as me. His family had a holiday home here when we were kids. He used to join Mark and me on the beach sometimes. I hadn't seen him for years until I walked past the gallery the other day. He lives down here permanently now. What's he asked you to show him?'

She read out the last part of the text message. ''Please bring three originals with you.' He says to phone for an appointment.'

'Have you got three you want to sell?'

'Yes, but they won't all fit in my car. I'll have to take some of the smaller ones.'

'Will they fit in my Volvo?'

'I guess so.'

'I haven't got any set plans this week. Book in with Phil, and I'll drive you down there.'

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Phil had been keen to meet Em as soon as possible, so the following morning, she and Jack went down to the gallery before it opened to the public.

Phil put Em's canvases on easels and stood back to look at them. He didn't say anything. He moved closer, studying them in more detail. It was impossible to tell whether he was impressed or not. Em realised she was holding her breath.

He stood back again.

'These will sell easily,' he said, indicating the two paintings she'd made of Dashford seafront on a sunny day. 'People like a souvenir of their holiday. You've captured the late afternoon light perfectly. Vibrant, colourful. They are exactly what tourists like to take home to brighten their dreary city lives.'

Em nodded, dumbfounded that he wanted to sell any of them.

He moved in front of the stormy seascape. 'This one is excellent.'

Em had painted it when she first arrived. When she selected it yesterday, she could see she'd channelled all her frustrations with Connor into it. Not a good reminder. It was time to let it go.

'But I don't think it will sell now. It might work in the winter. We get visitors who come here for the drama of the sea then. Big waves crashing on the shore. Dark, stormy skies. Bring it back in November; someone will buy it for Christmas. Have you got any prints or cards?'

'No, I've been concentrating on creating originals.'

'No matter. I can help with organising those. Always useful to have some cheaper items as well as originals.'

Phil went over to his desk and handed Em a clipboard with some A4 sheets on it. 'Here are my standard terms and conditions. I'll give you a few minutes to read through them. Then we can get you signed up.'

'I told you she was good.' Jack smiled at Phil.

Em and Jack walked back to the car with the stormy canvas.

'That went well,' Jack said.

'Did you do that for me?' Em asked.

'Do what?'

'Get me into Phil's gallery.'

'No, you did that for yourself.'