‘I’ve got a marketing degree,’ Anastasia said, ‘and my first job was at an art gallery in London doing the marketing and publicity. I did that for several years until I moved up here.’
‘Whitsborough Bay’s a bit different to London. How did you end up here?’
‘Usual story – followed a man here who promised the earth and didn’t deliver but it took me a long time to realise that he was the problem and not me. I did think of moving back to London after it ended but, even though I’d fallen out of love with him, I’d fallen in love with Whitsborough Bay and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.’
‘I’m sorry it didn’t work out as you’d hoped.’
‘Life rarely does but, you know what, it often turns out even better. Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself. As to whether it’s worked out better for me, jury’s still out although I can’t help thinking that’s my fault. I don’t push myself forward for anything. I tend to settle for whatever I’m given. There’s nothing like a landmark birthday for a spot of reflection and I’ve decided that pushing myself forward is something I need to work on now that I’ve hit forty.’
‘Strewth! So it’s not just any old birthday today – it’s the big four-o?’
‘It is, but don’t feel bad. Like I said, I don’t push myself forward for anything and not mentioning it’s my fortieth is classic me.’
‘I’m so sorry. Iwillget you a card at lunchtime and?—’
‘Aw, Jed, there’s no need for that.’
‘There’s every need! But I have a birthday gift for you which, considering what you’ve just said, I think you might like. It’s the second thing I wanted to talk to you about, although both areclosely connected. I love coming down here and I’d never stop doing that but this…’ I swept my arm around the gallery, ‘…wouldn’t exist if I wasn’t upstairs creating. My biggest buzz comes from sitting in front of an easel with my charcoals so I’d prefer to spend my days in my studio, only coming down to cover breaks and busy times. What I definitely don’t want to do is spend loads of time on social media. I know how important it is but it doesn’t excite me like it does you. So how would you feel about a promotion to sales and marketing manager or marketing and publicity manager or whatever job title you prefer?’
Anastasia’s jaw dropped and she grabbed my arm. ‘Are you for real?’
‘One hundred per cent. I need someone to do that stuff so I don’t have to.’ I handed her a piece of paper from under the counter. ‘It’s a proposed new job description. We can tweak the wording but it would be a salaried position and I hope you think that salary’s fair.’
Anastasia’s eyes glistened as she scanned down the page and, when she spoke, her voice was shaky. ‘Oh my word, Jed, this is too generous.’
‘The salary or the job offer?’
‘All of it.’
‘You deserve it. Would you like to accept?’
‘Would I ever? This is the best birthday present ever. Thank you so much. I won’t let you down. My head’s buzzing with ideas. Can you give me a week or so to pull together a strategy?’
‘That would be great, thanks, and don’t put any restrictions on yourself. Be as out there and creative as you want. I’m open to trying all sorts.’
‘That’s music to my ears. Gosh, Jed, this isa dream job for me.’
The door opened and a woman rushed in, breathless, and dropped her dripping umbrella into a bucket by the door.
‘I need a birthday present for my sister. I’ve lost track of the years. I had it in my head she was turning fifty-nine today but she’s sixty so I need something special.’
‘Lots of special things in here,’ Anastasia said, taking charge. I watched with admiration as she asked the customer about her sister’s tastes and interests and guided her through various options. The woman chose a framed print with a matching card and left looking relieved.
I wanted to go back to our previous conversation. ‘If you’ve worked in galleries since graduating, have you always been interested in art?’
‘Yes. As a kid, I was never without a sketchpad or a colouring book. My grandad worked for an auction house, specialising in art, and he was always sketching. I learned loads from him and nearly did a degree in art history but I had an eleventh-hour wobble and changed to marketing. I still know a lot about art history – made it my hobby rather than my career.’
‘I’m impressed! And do you still draw now?’
Anastasia’s cheeks flushed and she looked down.
‘You do!’ I cried. ‘You’ve kept that quiet.’
She grimaced. ‘I never tell anyone and I can’t believe I’ve told you – a real-life super-talented artist.’
‘I’m just a normal bloke who’s lucky enough to be able to draw and I’m honoured you’ve told me you do too. What sort of things do you draw?’
‘I do watercolours but don’t ask me if you can see them because they’re not very good. My ex-husband told me a five-year-old could do better.’
