last to look at him, her golden eyes danced. ‘Which is why it gives me pleasure to give you my painting. If you enjoy it enough to pay for it, it’s yours. On the house. A little gift to you from me. When it’s finished, of course.’
There had been no flicker of recognition when she’d looked at him. Years of practice enabled Tony to be able to tell when people were pretending not to know who he was. This woman, with her guileless smile and easy manner, wasn’t playing any kind of game.
‘That’s incredibly generous of you. Thank you.’ Tony shook his head. ‘But you’re never going to make the shortlist for Businesswoman of the Year.’
‘Ah, but I know my painting’s going to a good home. It’ll be properly appreciated.’ She loaded a fine brush with topaz yellow. ‘That’s good enough for me.’
‘Do you always give them away?’
‘Only when the mood takes me.’
‘Where do you exhibit your work?’
‘Nowhere fancy. Just the occasional art fair. And online.’ Leaning closer to the easel, she painted a child’s sundress.
‘What’s your name?’
‘Martha.’
‘I’m going to need more than that,’ said Tony, ‘if I’m going to look you up on the Internet.’
She burst out laughing. ‘Sorry, I’m a hopeless case. I’m Martha Daines. Now, are you local? Could you be here tomorrow afternoon?’
‘After two, no problem.’ He had an interview at twelve thirty.
‘See you tomorrow, then. I’ll bring it with me. And your name is?’
‘Tony.’ She didn’t have a clue.
‘Tony. It’s been lovely to meet you. Thank you for liking my work.’ Bracelets jangled on her wrist as she waved her paintbrush at him. ‘Bye!’
Chapter 14
It was almost the end of her first day. With all the new information she was absorbing, Ellie felt as if her head was ready to explode. Zack had been in and out of the house, receiving visits from clients and disappearing to meet with others. His working life was chaotic and his phone never seemed to stop ringing. She was typing up reports, fielding calls, making travel arrangements for upcoming trips to Zurich and Madrid, and familiarizing herself with the all-important business diary, as well as the general workings of the office.
Zack was upstairs taking a conference call when the doorbell went at ten past five. Opening the front door, Ellie found herself face to face with a polished, sheeny-looking redhead in a sage green, fitted linen dress.
‘Well, hello. So you’re the new girl.’ Her mascaraed lashes batted as she carried out a comprehensive up-and-down. ‘Alice?’
‘Ellie.’
‘Right. Bit of a change from Barbara. I’m Louisa, I expect Zack’s mentioned me.’
He hadn’t, but Ellie diplomatically didn’t say so. She recognized Louisa from the newsagents the other week and wasn’t at all surprised that Louisa hadn’t, in turn, recognized her. She didn’t seem like the kind of person who would. And presumably she was Zack’s girlfriend. Bad luck for Roo then, who had been keen to find out if he was single.
Then they heard footsteps on the staircase and, conference call evidently over, Zack appeared.
‘Darling, hi.’ Louisa moved forward to greet him with a kiss that announced, loud and clear, that he belonged to her. Or she would have done if Zack hadn’t leaned back and turned his head slightly, preventing the public display of affection. Or ownership. Ellie wondered if it would save all sorts of hassle if she just said, ‘Look, it’s OK, you don’t have to worry about me, I’m really not after him.’
But no, it was hardly the kind of thing you could announce. Instead she said, ‘I’ve booked the flights and the hotels, and the letters are all ready for signing.’
‘Great, thanks. Come on through.’ Leading the way into the kitchen, Zack said, ‘It’s time for you to meet someone you’re going to get to know pretty well.’
‘Who?’
He grinned. ‘The love of my life.’
Ellie guessed who it was by the way Louisa rolled her eyes. During her interview Zack had asked how she felt about dogs. He’d then gone on to explain about Elmo, but she hadn’t seen him yet. Now she was about to.
‘Geraldine’s back from visiting friends in Brighton. She just called to say he’s coming over.’ Somewhere outside they heard a rhythmic clattering noise. Zack paused then said, ‘Five… four… three…’
‘He’d better not be muddy,’ warned Louisa.
‘Two… one…’
Another clatter, this time closer to hand, then the dog flap in the back door swung open and Louisa backed into a corner as a disheveled-looking dog burst through into the kitchen. Yelping with joy, he danced around