Page 52 of An Unholy Affair
‘The first thing is for me to meet everyone who wants to be involved,’ he said. ‘Once I know how many faces we’re dealing with, and what landmarks or events they want in the picture, I can sketch a scale drawing for your approval.’
He’s so amazing! Thank you, God!
‘Once that’s been signed off, I’ll transfer the sketch to the wall,’ Jack continued. ‘Big areas can be blocked out with base colours, such as the sky, buildings, clothes and so on. After that, I can outline everything. That way, people can paint-by-numbers if they don’t feel confident or go to town if they do.’
Erica appeared to be champing at the bit to grapple Jack into a thank you hug. Instead, she threw her arms around Eveline, squeezing tightly.
‘This is so exciting! Thank you, Jack!’
He smiled at her. ‘I haven’t done anything yet.’
‘Oh, but I know it will be fabulous. You’ve got the hands of an artist.’
‘I do?’
Erica let go of Eveline to take Jack’s hands. Jealousy stabbed at Eveline’s stomach.
‘Yes,’ Erica continued, running her fingers over his skin as if she were a palm reader, getting a feel for his future. ‘I bet you can do incredible things with these.’
His cheeks flushed. ‘Er…’
Erica glanced up and cackled. ‘I didn’t mean like that.’ She turned to Eveline and winked. ‘Although…’
Feeling far too hot, Eveline pulled Erica away from Jack. ‘Behave!’
Erica playfully slapped her arm and did a terribleAustin Powersimpression. ‘Oh behave!’
‘Yeah, baby!’ Jack replied with a grin.
Erica snorted with laughter and high fived him.
A loud throat clearing drew their attention. Gladys was staring daggers and shaking her magazine at them.
‘This is supposed to be a quiet time,’ she rasped.
‘Sorry, Gladys,’ said Erica. ‘We’ll keep it down. But don’t forget the tea dance is in a bit.’
Gladys gave a loud harrumph and peered back at the papers in her hand.
‘Right-o,’ whispered Erica. ‘I’m going to round up the residents who’ve expressed an interest in the mural and put the word out that we’ve got a handsome young artist in to help us. That should swell the numbers.’
Eveline rolled her eyes.
‘Oh, come on, Eveline,’ Erica said, squeezing her arm. ‘You know men are in very short supply around here, especially ones under seventy.’ She turned to Jack. ‘And if you think I’m a flirt, wait till some of our more feisty ladies get a load of you…’
As the roomfilled up and Erica introduced more people to Jack, Eveline hung back, watching him. She knew it took a certain skill to draw people out, and Jack seemed to possess it in spades. He was a natural with the women, maintaining eye contact, listening attentively, and encouraging them to share their stories. Soon he was surrounded, but appeared to take it in his stride.
A handsome older man entered the room and stood just inside the door, his hand resting on a cane. Eveline hadn’t seen him before. A new arrival?
Approaching, she held out her hand. ‘Hello, I’m Eveline Shaw, the vicar at Saint Saviour’s.’
The man transferred the cane to his other hand so he could shake hers. ‘Robert Lang. I arrived a few weeks ago.’
‘Oh, I haven’t seen you around. Are you settling in okay?’
He gave her a smile. ‘Everyone is very friendly. I’m just not used to this kind ofenvironment.’
There was a cackle from the women clustered around Jack.
