"This is Trudy and Bernard. We're neighbors," Chloe explained to me.
"We're huge fans of Chloe's. The cookies waiting for us in our rooms are exquisite."
Trudy kissed me on each cheek.
"Welcome to Harrogate," I told them.
"We're excited to see what you have planned!"
"Speaking of," Archer said, "I think you're up."
"Thank you all for coming," I said, drawing their attention to the front of the room. "I'm the head of the art committee of the Harrogate Trust. It's a partnership between business, government, and citizens in our small town who want to make sure Harrogate is the best it can be. One of the things that makes our city unique and a good choice for the Art Zurich Biennial is the cooperation of all our stakeholders. Please grab some food from the Grey Dove Bistro. Chloe is bringing a franchise here. It's just one bellwether of the business and interest Harrogate is attracting."
I sat down next to Archer, and he squeezed my leg.
While people ate, we heard several presentations. The mayor gave a talk about the city and its transformation. Then Mace talked about the technology resurgence and new tech industries in Harrogate and the surrounding areas. Finally Archer stood up to talk about the conference center. The judges seemed impressed as he wove a story of the history of the chocolate factory, its closure, and his vision for it. He ended on the painting I had made.
"How'd we do?" Archer asked after the afternoon session had adjourned. The judges were going to have a couple hours’ break, then there was cocktail hour and dinner.
"I'm feeling really good about this," I told him.
"I had a joke about ceramic dildos," he said, "but I decided against it."
"Ceramic what?" Mace asked.
"You mean to tell me you don't have a handmade ceramic dildo?" Archer asked in mock horror. "You're so sheltered."
52
Archer
After a late night of cocktails, dinner, and after-dinner drinks with the Art Zurich judges, the next day started too early. I chauffeured Hazel back over to her café to prep breakfast with Chloe.
"You don't have to drive me. I can take my bike," Hazel said.
"What would the judges think, Hazel, if they saw you huffing and puffing down Main Street?"
"I don't huff and puff on my bike," Hazel said.
"You do, and it's adorable," I said. "Look at us. We're like Victoria and David Beckham, Bonnie and Clyde."
Jack was in the café already with Chloe. Hazel had given her a key.
"Sorry we're late!"
"Considering that you had to drag Archer behind you like deadweight," Jack said, "I'm surprised you even made it here at all."
"Do you have any inappropriate remarks to get out of your system around Jack?" I asked Hazel.
"No, I'm fine," Hazel insisted.
"See, Jack? Guess you're not that impressively attractive after all."
"You know, I see now why Greg is consistently amazed how you manage to function," Jack shot back. "I had so little faith in you, I even brought Liam here for reinforcements."
"Are you going to help, Archer?" Liam asked. I looked between him and Hazel.
"No inappropriate comments for Liam? Good. Heisthe least attractive Svensson."
