The Villa of Dreams Page 10
It’s important that Senhor Ferreira sees me as a problem-solver, not a problem-maker, and I hope that my reply has set him at ease.
‘Wonderful. I do have one small concern. Beatriz has asked me to attend the party on Saturday at the Casa da Floresta. She feels my presence is necessary, given that many of the people invited will also be attending the gallery’s anniversary party. Tomas Esteves usually brings people together for mutual benefit and Beatriz sees the gathering as a perfect opportunity to preview some of the paintings that will be on display in the summer. But she also mentioned that she has a few concerns and we need to be prepared to answer her questions in full. I have assured her that we will be delighted to be of assistance, especially in the light of Reid’s unexpected absence.’
It seems the whole of the Esteves family have a vested interest in this project, but they aren’t all necessarily on the same side.
‘I will be most happy to collect you and drop you back home afterwards, Seren. There is no point in our travelling separately.’
So now I have no choice in the matter. If my boss wants me at the party, then of course I’ll have to be there. ‘Thank you, that would be much appreciated.’
‘You must call me Filipe, Seren. Few people have joined our team and made the sort of impact that you have. I appreciate how much work has gone into making it all look so effortless, when in fact it is quite a challenge. If you ever need my support, please do come to me. You’ve been thrown into an environment where you have no connections, and few could have coped with what we’ve demanded of you.’
‘Thank you, Filipe. I appreciate that and also the way you have supported the team.’
I leave his office, resisting the temptation to screw the piece of paper in my hand into a ball out of sheer anger. Is Beatriz raising her profile to warn me off? From what Reid has already told me, everything she does is for a reason.
Yanking the phone from my pocket, I text him once again.
Two minutes of your time, that’s all I ask. But I need to speak to you. Please.
Pressing send without a moment’s hesitation, I stride into Carolina’s office. She’s chatting with her assistant, Inês, but immediately looks up.
‘How did it go?’
‘He was delighted by the news, but the availability of extra tickets has to be approved by the entire board.’
A look of disappointment flashes over her face.
My phone pings and I pause momentarily, before continuing. ‘In the meantime, the minute we sell out, can you put out another press release announcing how delighted the gallery is by the uptake? If we get the go-ahead to release that last batch, perhaps we’ll advertise it in advance of the tickets going on sale with a countdown on the website to create a buzz. I must go, but I’ll catch up with you later.’
Hurrying away, my heart is pounding as I stare down at Reid’s reply.
Make that five and I’ll call you, I promise.
Antero approaches as I’m about to close the door to my office and I give him an apologetic look.
‘I’m just about to take an important call. Can we get together after lunch, as I might need your help in pulling together a presentation rather quickly. Carolina has her hands full and if you and I put our heads together, I’m sure we can crack it. I’ll know more after I’ve made a few phone calls.’
‘Of course. I’ll catch up with you later.’
As my phone kicks into life, I give him a parting smile before shutting the door.
The voice on the other end of the line sounds faraway, and there’s a lot of background noise. ‘Seren, please don’t think that I’m ignoring you, but I’m dealing with a family emergency. It’s difficult to talk right now. I’ve had to hand everything back to Tomas, but he’s been rushed off his feet, too. This damn party came at the wrong time. Can you liaise with him until I get back?’ He breaks off for a moment, as someone calls his name. ‘I’m coming,’ he replies. ‘Seren, I have to go, it’s a trying time, that’s all.’
On hearing the tone of his voice, guilt instantly begins to gnaw away at me for thinking the worst of him: that he was ignoring me. Now all I feel is compassion. He sounds like he’s at the end of his tether.
‘I’m so sorry to hear that, Reid. Senhor Ferreira and I will be there on Saturday to field any questions. Forget about everything here, it’s all in hand. I was just worried about you.’
‘It’s hard to think right now…’ He pauses, sounding totally disheartened.
The silence continues to grow, and I realise that whatever has happened is serious.
‘If you need anything, anything at all, I’m here. Now, go do what you have to do, but please take care of yourself.’
I click end call, my fingers trembling. There was a wretchedness to his tone that sent a shiver through me. Slumping down into my chair, it’s hard not knowing exactly what’s going on. I decide to phone Leonor and try to make contact with Tomas, in case there is anything I can do to assist him.
‘Leonor, it’s Seren. I know you’re busy, but Reid said I should liaise with Tomas? I have a quick question about the party on Saturday evening,’ I explain, in my friendliest voice.
‘Has Tomas not been in touch with you?’ She sounds put out and I can only imagine the nightmare she’s having to sort out if both Reid and Tomas aren’t easily contactable. ‘I will ask Tomas to give you a call if you tell me your query.’
‘Reid mentioned that there are likely to be some questions about the exhibition and the events surrounding it. I wondered if I should put together a short presentation?’
‘I see. I will ask Tomas to call you on his return, Seren. Leave it with me.’
‘Thank you for your help, Leonor. I will also bring along the fabric samples that Reid was waiting for, ready for his return.’
‘I have no idea at all when he will be back, but I am sure he will appreciate that.’
Click. Well, whatever is going on, it’s clearly affecting Leonor, too, as that’s the most neutral she’s been with me. It was as if she was simply going through the motions and her mind was elsewhere.
Then a horrible thought jumps into my head. Is Reid ill? He didn’t sound himself at all and what if this isn’t about another family member but the pressure is getting to him instead?
It’s frustrating to feel so helpless, but I’ve done all I can. That doesn’t make the pain I feel for what he’s going through any less real, as I sit here conjuring up the image of Reid’s face. Remembering the warmth of his body against mine that afternoon we spent together, I sensed he was at peace for the first time in a long while. I wasn’t the only one who didn’t want the afternoon to end; Reid, too, was reluctant to walk away. Did he know he was teetering on the edge and fearful of what might happen? I could feel the strength and depths of his emotions, which appeared to be in freefall. One moment he was genuinely happy, the next full of guilt. And now yet another problem has arisen in his life and he sounded like a man who was feeling swamped and struggling to cope.
‘Seren, it’s Tomas Esteves. My sincere apologies for the delay, but I’ve only just picked up your message. Trying to sort out what has, and hasn’t, been done is proving difficult.’
‘Well, thank you for getting back to me, Tomas. The signal might dip a little, I’m afraid, as I’m just about to board the ferry.’
‘I appreciate you reaching out to help. If you can come prepared to do a short talk, I’m sure our guests would be very appreciative. I can arrange for a flat-screen TV if you have visuals. We are delighted to have both yourself and Filipe, now, joining us for the evening. I hear you will be arriving together, so I no longer need to arrange transport for you, as Reid requested. Are you staying overnight?’
My mind goes into overdrive as I step aside to linger at the opening to the terminal, fearing the signal will drop out. ‘No. Filipe will be driving me home.’ Did Reid mention that to him? Or is he simply trying to figure out which guests will be staying? It’s hard to tell as he sounds so agitated.
‘Ah, I haven’t spoken to Filipe, myself, but he is an old family friend and my sister realised the oversight and extended an invitation to him. The arrangements have become a little muddled, I’m afraid, due to Reid’s unexpected absence. He’s in Porto and not expected back until shortly before the party.’
He is with Beatriz, as I suspected, and she’s managed to involve herself in the arrangements for the party, too.
‘We will pull together a special video for your guests to give them a sneak preview no one else has seen yet,’ I explain.
‘That’s wonderful and most kind of you, Seren. If there is anything else you might need, please do not hesitate to call me on this number. I look forward to meeting you in person on Saturday. Adeus.’
Tomas sounds utterly charming and there wasn’t a hint of negativity in his voice, which is reassuring.
‘Seren, Seren!’ I look up and see Carolina hurrying towards me. ‘I thought I’d missed you.’
‘Your plans changed?’
She gives me a half-hearted smile. ‘Yes, unfortunately. But at least we get to travel back together. I’m exhausted, you must be, too, and I will be glad to get home and put my feet up.’
Oh dear, I hope the person she was meeting up with after work wasn’t Antero, because she’s clearly disappointed her plans have fallen through.
‘Yes, the heat has got to me a little today,’ I reply, genially. ‘That’s a shame about your plans, though.’
As we step onto the ferry, our conversation is brought to a halt as we slip into single file to find two seats together. Settling ourselves down, I can see that there’s something she wants to say, but she’s hesitant.
‘Would it help to talk about it?’ I ask, thinking she can always say no.
Carolina fusses with the bag on her lap, checking the zip is done up before glancing at me. ‘Antero asked if I’d like to go for a drink. But he’s had second thoughts about it. He feels it is not appropriate, given our recent advancement.’
By advancement, I assume Carolina means their temporary promotion, but I’m curious. ‘It’s only a drink,’ I respond, breezily.
But I can see by her frown, she agrees with him.
‘We would not wish anyone to feel we were not putting our work responsibilities first, Seren.’
‘What you do in your own time is entirely up to you, Carolina. You are both single and your families are not close by. I can’t see why Antero is concerned. You two get on so well and I suspect you have quite a bit in common.’
I can see she’s uncomfortable talking about this and she shifts uneasily in her seat, staring out over the wide expanse of the river. I turn my head to catch the breeze face on and it’s pleasantly cooling.
‘It’s the way it is here,’ she explains. ‘One’s work life is separate to one’s private life. The directors would not be happy. A close personal relationship might affect someone’s ability to do their job.’
My stomach feels as if a stone has just sunk to the bottom of it as I can see she’s serious. Senhor Ferreira and Senhor Portela are the sort of men whose families still value the old traditions. Senhora Veloso is more progressive, being significantly younger, but I’m only now beginning to realise the potential impact of my moment of madness with Reid.
‘But you are both professionals, Carolina. I think you are more than capable of keeping it strictly business in working hours.’
‘I’m sure you are right, Seren. But as for Senhor Ferreira, it would not be acceptable. He would insist one of us was moved to another position within the gallery. Antero feels that would be disruptive to the team, and I agree.’ The softest of sighs escapes from between her lips. ‘Once the project is complete, we will consider our options.’
Are they putting their potential relationship on hold out of loyalty to me?
‘Carolina, who would know if you and Antero were seeing each other? I don’t have a problem with it, at all, and I’d be happy to make that clear to anyone who asked.’
She shakes her head. ‘That would not be wise, Seren, and we would not expect you to do that. Is it so different in England?’
I immediately think about Judi and the situation with Peter. But that was a very public meltdown at work, which was totally unprofessional.
‘We tend to see socialising outside of work as a way of getting to know each other better. Like a team-building exercise. There is a little work talk, but mostly the conversation would be about hobbies, families, interests, that sort of thing. It’s not uncommon for two people from the same office to date each other, and that’s not usually seen as a problem. There might be the odd occasion when it wouldn’t be wise, I suppose. If one member of a section is dating the boss, for example. But, certainly, whenever you start a new job, it’s in your favour if you join in with the socialising.’
Carolina stares at me in surprise. ‘Does the director go along, too?’
I laugh, thinking of my father joining his staff for a pint and a fish supper in the local pub. ‘Anyone can join in. But some only attend special get-togethers, like at Christmas.’
‘Oh, I see. It’s different back home, of course, as everyone knows everyone, anyway.’
‘Where are you from, originally?’
‘A small coastal village to the south. My parents believe I will eventually go back to Aljezur when I am ready to settle down. They were not happy for me to move away but accepted my decision. But it’s difficult because they don’t understand how I feel. I wanted something different, to experience things beyond our small community.’
‘It’s not easy leaving behind the life you know, Carolina, and not having a support network around you. I know that. And I’m grateful for the kindness you have shown me. I don’t mean to be disrespectful to your culture in any way at all and it’s simply a lack of understanding if I get it wrong. But I’m always happy to talk in confidence and anything you tell me will go no further.’
‘Thank you, Seren. It’s a pleasure being a part of the team and I come to work every day excited about what’s ahead. You are pushing the boundaries and all eyes are on us, so I think it’s for the best that I focus on work, for now. It’s why I came to Lisbon in the first place – to prove myself, and I can’t let anything stand in the way of that.’
Our conversation has given me cause to reflect. I didn’t realise how firmly the lines of what is and what isn’t acceptable at the gallery were drawn. Not only have I risked my reputation but that of someone with a much higher profile than my own. And that, it seems, might be considered inexcusable.
9
Treading Carefully
I’ve been dreading this party, especially after my little chat with Carolina. Even on the journey here, the conversation with Filipe has been awkward. When Vitor answers the door, thankfully Filipe doesn’t appear to notice the brief acknowledging nod he gives in my direction before he offers to take the briefcase from my hand. Vitor escorts us through to the large room that leads out onto the rear courtyard. It’s already full of people and the doors beyond are open as guests wander around.
‘Ah, Filipe, and this must be Seren, welcome. I am Tomas.’ Giving Filipe a curt nod, Tomas holds out his hand to me and we shake, cordially.
‘It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Tomas.’
I’m relieved he doesn’t strike up a conversation with Filipe in Portuguese but instead leads us across to a very flamboyant woman in the middle of a small group standing in front of one of Reid’s paintings. She has long dark hair and is wearing an elegant silver-grey cocktail dress. When Tomas calls her name, she turns around and immediately steps towards Filipe, throwing her arms around him, affectionately. She accepts a kiss on both cheeks and there is a little animated conversation between them. Pulling back, she turns her attention to me.
‘Beatriz, I am delighted to introduce you to Seren Maddison,’ Filipe waves his hand in my direction. I can feel Tomas watching, as if he’s expecting something to happen.
‘Ah, Seren Maddison,�
�� Beatriz replies, sounding mildly amused.
I offer her my hand, giving hers a firm shake. To my horror, I see her wince a little, and her hand is surprisingly limp, something I wasn’t expecting.
Her perfectly made-up eyes sweep over me, taking in every little detail as if she’s committing it to memory. After showing Carolina the contents of my wardrobe and trying on half a dozen dresses, we had decided that it was best to play it safe. I opted for a plain navy blue, cap-sleeve shift dress by Karen Millen. It’s my equivalent of a little black dress, but navy is more flattering to my skin tone. It fits like a glove and doesn’t crease, so it’s perfect for a business function. My only adornment this evening is a large silver bracelet and a pair of plain, silver stud, feather earrings.
Beatriz glances down at my gorgeous, pale blue Louis Vuitton sling-backs. They were a present from my parents for my thirtieth birthday. As her eyes sweep back up to my face, not a single muscle has moved. Nervously, I look away for a moment, scanning around the room in search of Reid, but I can’t see him.
‘We meet at last,’ Beatriz continues. ‘I’ve heard so much about you.’ Her voice is soft, her accent charming.
To our left, a man calls out ‘Filipe’ and I turn my head as Tomas places his hand on Filipe’s shoulder and they excuse themselves. I have no choice but to stand here and make polite conversation with Beatriz, but she’s simply staring at me.
‘I’m thrilled to be involved in the gallery’s latest project and the exhibition will be the highlight of the summer.’ I keep my tone light, but formal.
She raises a smile, but it’s the type of smile you plaster on your face at a party and it doesn’t come from her eyes. ‘It was good of you to come tonight. Especially as Reid isn’t able to make it and we are rather short-staffed.’