The Little Teashop in Tokyo by Julie Caplin Page 0,111

in the States with her decidedly delicious American boyfriend.

There was a quick flurry of hugs and kisses.

‘This is a great photo,’ said Ben, pointing to the little boy in the red anorak. ‘They’re all great.’

‘I really like the one of the man in the dark in front of Mount Fuji,’ said Kate, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

‘You would,’ said Ben with a teasing grin. ‘I was trying to compliment Fiona on her talent and skill, not the eye candy.’

‘Thank you.’ Fiona smiled shyly at him; he’d always been kind to her but even though he’d softened since moving in with Katie, she’d always found him a little intimidating, which was weird because Gabe was much more imposing in so many ways.

‘Such a great angle of the little boy. What did you do. Stand on your head?’ he said and she laughed far too loudly to hide the stab of regret. The memory of Gabe’s offer to hold her upside down pinched at her insides.

‘I suffered for that one. I lay on the wet grass. But …’ she gave the photo a quick pleased glance. It had turned out well. ‘It was worth it.’

‘Fiona, you are so talented. These are wonderful. Honestly, it makes me want to get on the next flight and go to Japan.’ Katie flung her arms around her.

With her affectionate hug, the lump in Fiona’s throat threatened to overwhelm her again.

‘That was the intention.’ Fiona’s smile was brittle but no one seemed to notice. ‘I suppose I ought to make myself known to the organisers. I did phone and tell them I was running late but if I don’t show my face, Kaito, who was my host in Japan, will be humiliated.’

‘They can wait a bit longer,’ piped up the older man with greying air dressed in a dapper tweed jacket and a burgundy bow tie. ‘You’ve done an excellent job and if I was in the market for one of these, I’d buy that one of the people looking up at Shibuya Crossing. Bit costly for my purse.’ Conrad winked at her.

‘I don’t think they’re for sale. You can have one.’

‘That’s a very generous offer, young Fiona, but I think you’ll find that their value is going to skyrocket. This exhibition is going to put you on the map, mark my words.’

‘It will if I have anything to do with it,’ said Avril, and Christophe laughed as Conrad whispered to Fiona. ‘I’d sit back and enjoy the ride – you know what she’s like.’

Motherhood had not slowed Avril down; she was still a dynamo even though her son Dylan was nearly two now.

‘They’re beautiful pictures, Fi,’ said David softly. ‘You should be so proud of yourself. You’ve come a long way.’

‘Thank you, David,’ she said, nearly undone by his kindness. ‘I almost didn’t come at all,’ she said, attempting to make light of it, hiding the horrible panic that had surfed her emotions before Peter had come to the rescue. ‘My mother had an accident and I thought I was going to have to take her to A&E, but luckily the handsome widower next door fancies himself as a knight in shining armour.’

‘That’s why you’re so late,’ said Katie. ‘It’s a shame, there was a gorgeous man here who particularly wanted to speak to you but he had a plane to catch.’

Fiona whirled around, her heart somersaulting in her chest. ‘Who?’

Katie’s eyes widened and she took a step back. ‘Er … erm. A man?’ she said hopefully. ‘Very handsome.’

‘What did he look like?’

‘Hot,’ supplied Avril giving her husband’s arm a squeeze. ‘And familiar, I’m sure I’ve seen him somewhere before.’

Fiona could have shaken her. ‘Hair colour. Eyes.’

‘Dark hair. Collar length, swept back from his face. Striking eyes, almost navy blue. Divine suit. Honestly, he was very handsome.’

‘Gabe.’ Fiona’s body sagged.

‘Gabe Burnett?’ Avril straightened. ‘Oh, I’m so stupid. Of course, it was. He’s aged well. I knew I knew him.’

‘Where did he go?’

‘No idea,’ she said. ‘I got chatting to the features editor on the Radio 4 arts show. She’d like to meet you.’ Fiona tried to smile but inside she was dying. Gabe had been here and she’d missed him. Why hadn’t he waited?

Reece said very quietly, as if sensing her distress, ‘He left about five minutes before you arrived. He did wait for a while, pacing he was, but then he spoke to the woman at the desk and then left …’ Reece winced. ‘He was in a bit of a temper by the size