Page 119 of The Version You Hide

“What? You didn’t mention that before,” I say. “What does that mean?”

“It means that all businesses on the premises – ” Claire launches into an explanation but is abruptly cut off by Grace.

“It means,” my grandmother interrupts. “That I’m going to have to find a new location for the studio.”

“But you love this studio.”

I remember how Kristen had mentioned that the Abstract Palette had been here since she was a young girl. Grace had been running this studio here for more than half her lifetime. Even before I knew she was my grandmother, I had known it meant everything to her.

“I’m so sorry,” Claire says, her tone genuinely sincere. “I only found out just this morning that the contract had been drawn up. Our father has plans to turn this building into a boutique hotel. Dylan blames himself.”

“Why would he blame himself?” I ask.

Surely, this has nothing to do with him. He wants nothing to do with his father’s company anymore.

“He mentioned that you were here at the studio last week,” she explains. “I remembered that this was where the Elmwood building was, and the name attracted our father’s interest. He obviously had done some research after Dylan returned to Cliff Haven and sought out the property for the project. Dylan feels that if he’d never mentioned the town at all, you wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“Oh my god.” I can see why Dylan would take responsibility for this but the idea that he’s blaming himself has my heart hurting. And so does the fact that Grace will no longer be able to run the studio here. “Grace, what are we going to do?”

“Oh, developers have been sniffing around here for years wanting to turn this place into a cinema, a bowling alley and now a hotel.” She casually waves her hand, seemingly unbothered by this news. “The residents have always fought hard to petition against them, but I guess the times are changing. After tonight’s exhibition, I’ll be closing down the studio.”

“But you love art. It’s in your blood. It’s in our blood.” I wait for a frown that doesn’t come. Instead, a smile brightens Grace’s face. “Why aren’t you upset about this?”

“Like I said, this isn’t the first-time investors or developers have threatened to take the studio, but this is the first time I feel ready to let it go.”

“I still don’t understand.”

She takes my hand in hers, her demeanour reasonably calm for a person who is about to lose their livelihood. “I’m ready to move on. I’ve secured a new location. It’s a beautiful spot right across from the beach.”

“You have?”

“I have.” She nods, beaming back at me. “In Cliff Haven.”

“In Cliff Haven,” I repeat dumbly. “Really?”

“Yes. I’m going to sign the lease tomorrow morning. So, to answer your question, we are going to open up a brand-new studio.”

“We?”

She nods again. “That is, if you’d like to help me run it.”

My eyes go wide as I stand there in complete shock. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say what’s in your heart,” she tells me.

When I’d moved to Cliff Haven, my priority was to get a job. Any job. I’ve never had time to wonder about what my dream career might look like. Only now that Grace is offering it right up to me do I realise that being an artist is my ultimate ambition, and to be able to share my love for art the way that she does, that would be a dream.

“I’d love to.”

She pulls me in, squeezing me in a hug as Claire’s voice breaks through the air. I’d forgotten for a moment that she was even standing there. “This is so not how I thought this conversation would go. I’m relieved though.”

I let go of Grace, my focus now on the man that has put me first every time. The man that now needs me to assure him everything is okay. “Where is he? Where’s Dylan?”

“I dropped him off near the Cliff Haven marina,” she replies. “He said he needed time and space to think about what his next move would be. He doesn’t even know that I’m here.”

“Wait. What next move?” I ask, stepping toward Claire. “What are you not telling me?”

She breathes out a long sigh. “Dad told Dylan he would drop the Elmwood Building if he came back to the company.”

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