Everyone was delighted to see them and Cass was charmed to see Bastian looking so elegant in his suit, a contrast to the casual shorts and shirts he wore in Dominica.
Cass in particular was something of a heroine. It was her account of finding the petroglyph and marking its location for Bastian that had saved Bastian’s work as well as that of his father. His father’s lifetime of scholarship was going to be repaid at last.
There was talk about Austin, too. Apparently, the previous day, he had come in with slides and a PowerPoint demonstration trying to prove that his was the true account and there was no petroglyph. Although he’d already lost the prize by then.
The older man (who was called Michael) said, ‘He had obviously done very little research himself and was mostly relying on the work of other people. Bastian here, and of course his father before him, had studied everything to do with the islands and knew the history, the flora and fauna, the traditions, the folklore, everything. He was an obvious choice for the prize.’
Cass found herself with a glass of champagne in her hand. ‘And this is the heroine of the hour!’ declaredBastian. ‘Without her cunning with the map, redrawing it so Austin would go off track, and actually spotting the petroglyph, I might well not have won.’
‘I’m very interested to meet you,’ said Bastian’s friend. ‘I’m Loretta. I live on Barbados. I’ve heard a lot about you.’
Cass returned this woman’s friendly smile. She had the distinct impression that Loretta had felt a bit threatened by her but now she could see how young Cass was, she was happy to be charming.
‘I’ve heard about you too,’ said Cass, feeling far less shy now she had a glass of champagne in her hand. ‘How you won’t live on Dominica and how Bastian won’t live on Barbados.’
Loretta laughed. ‘That’s true, but it’s a way of life that works well for both of us.’
Next, Cass found herself next to a young man with glasses that had one round frame and one square. It wasn’t a surprise to discover he worked for the art department.
‘Your drawings are amazing!’ he said, possibly a little extra enthusiastic because of the champagne. ‘Somehow they’re more realistic than the photographs Bastian took.’
‘Don’t say that to my dad!’ said Cass. ‘He’s Howard Blakely and quite well known.’
‘Oh my goodness! He’s really famous, I’d say. But you’re not a photographer yourself?’
‘I would have been if my dad had had his way. But really, I prefer drawing – and watercolours, but that’s just recent.’
Cass found herself chatting to this pleasant young man until Bastian appeared at her elbow. ‘There’s a table booked for lunch. Hennings would be thrilled if you and Ranulph would join us. If you hadn’t had to be somewhere else, you’d have been invited anyway.’
Across the room, Ranulph gave her a questioning glance. Then he came to join her. ‘Do you fancy lunch? Or do you have to get back?’
Cass thought she’d told him she didn’t have to go back. ‘Lunch would be lovely.’ She glanced at the clock on the wall. ‘Although it’s late for lunch.’ It was nearly half past two.
‘I think it’s been booked for three so it will be fine.’
Ranulph put his arm round her as they left the room. She had never felt so happy.
Lunch was a long table covered in dishes. There were cold meats, exotic charcuterie, salads, pasta, smoked salmon, oysters, prawns and heaps of crisply fried vegetables. At the centre was a plate of fried plantain.
‘This is our gesture to Dominican cuisine,’ said Michael, the publisher.
‘I’m touched,’ said Bastian.
Cass found that she was suddenly quite weary. She enjoyed the food but had only had one glass of wine since the meal began, although bottles were circulating. As the volume of the conversation increased, she felt worn out entirely.
She had learnt that Hennings hadn’t provided the money for the prize that Bastian had won, but wereonly administrating it. However, they took their duties very seriously and had read all the entries submitted very closely.
She had chatted to the art director who had really liked her drawings and she had had a long talk with Loretta about how important Bastian’s work was to him – which of course she knew already.
Ranulph caught her eye and came over to her. ‘Would you like to leave?’
Cass got up immediately and in no time had located her straw basket. Then she and Ranulph said goodbye to everyone.
Out on the street, Ranulph summoned a black cab. When they were in it, he said, ‘Do you have a train you want to catch?’
Cass was totally disorientated. ‘Erm, I can’t remember which trains I can catch on my ticket—’
‘Or you could spend the night here. You must be tired?’
