” Sure I know your job’s important to you,” he kissed her ear, pushed against her, holding her, “ Come on honey we can sort this out…..let’s go to…..”

Jean pushed him away, ” Jarrod, what did you come round for? “

” What’s the matter now?”

” Look, I just don’t need ….I don’t …” It was pointless. ” Please just go home.”

“So lala boy can move in!” Inflamed, she swung open the front door. After that she didn’t see him for a while.

Dianne Smit, Marketing Manager for Clensdales, proposed the toast. ” A great success. This is the market penetration we needed. The campaign exceeded our expectations…And thanks to Chris for pulling the whole thing together.”

Marcel, Creative Director for Callen Benmore came over to Jean, “ And thank you for retyping that bloody proposal 5 times!” They clinked glasses. Jean left just after 5.30 and minutes before Jarrod arrived. Russell’s invite to her at the party had been intriguing.

” Hi Rae, how are you?” Jarrod had never asked her that before!

” Oh hello, “ Jean’s gone. Meeting some old school chums.” True. Tomorrow night.

“Oh she never said anything about that,” Jarrod smiling weakly.

Russell met her at the gallery entrance. Guests gathered, the place filled. Everybody who was anybody in the art world. He introduced her to interesting people, conversation, explained the paintings, the artists intent. Jean was enthralled.

” Jean, we’re going to Matisse. It’s a cafe and a mecca for artists, writers, poets.” The joint was jumping, as Lance would say. Goodness, Jean hadn’t thought of the lads since …well she couldn’t remember. She sighed out loud. She didn’t miss them.

Much later Chris came in.

” Russell, how are you? How was the exhibition?”

” Brilliant. Just brilliant. Sublime.”

” Damn, I knew it. Still couldn’t get away. Perhaps we can go back during the week.”

” And congratulations on your campaign success, Chris.”

” Thank you Russell. Still celebrating when I left.” If only Jean had stayed perhaps he could have said some……

” Chris, I want you to meet someone.

“Chris, this is Jean. Jean this is Chr….”

” Jean!”

” Hi Chris. What are you doing here?”

” What are you doing here?”

” Having the time of my life actually!”

” Er.. you two know each other?” Russell staring.

” Yes!” they both said, ” we work together!”

” So how did you meet Jean?” Chris asked

” At the party Mel invited me to,” Russell replied

Jean met J. Arthur Bennett, the renowned art critic, well known painters Jack DeSota and Peter Siddell, Margaret Woolley, Ken Robinson and poet Linda Chanwai Earle. In the deafening noise it was a fascinating whirl of names and faces. Then she saw several students sitting around Chris. She watched as he talked. She heard the word Rembrandt and something about Baroque. This was not the Chris she knew. He was so sure of himself, confident. All Jean could remember was the nervous breathing… fumbling in her office, papers everywhere…. Such a skilled Account Director and copywriter but so nervous. Then she saw it! It’s me! He’s nervous around me!

It was well after midnight when they left. It couldn’t stop now.

” Back to my place,” Russell said,

Chris fumbled, dropped his keys, “Er.. I.. umm.. can I offer you a umm…”

Jean picked them up.

” Let me, “

In the car. ” Umm yes well… Russell lives in … ”

Jean cut across, ” No Chris. Your place. Where do you live?” She felt so good, in control.

Chris’s apartment was …well, “Just beautiful Chris. ”

” Thank you. Take a seat.” He smiled. More relaxed. Soon the wonderful smell of cooking filled the air and he presented her with an exquisite entree and, ” A distinctive Chablis from Whaling Bay Wineries. Perfect.”

Jean closed her eyes, ”Yes, just perfect. ”