Page 54 of Tears of Glass

It’s Abi and Adam. Gerard, Saskia... Dan... The kids from Bowsley. They all start to clap and cheer. Damien, Angela.

“What the fuck?” My legs almost disappear from beneath me and I’m going to crumple until Elijah steps up and places a supportive arm around my back. “This is your first exhibition.” His breath brushes along the skin under my earlobe and a shiver not caused by shock or nerves runs through me.

“Did you organise this?”

“With help.”

Just then music starts to play, and I laugh until tears squeeze out the corner of my eyes. Take That’s ‘A Million Love Songs’ plays and Elijah guides me to where a space is clear in the middle of the gallery.

“And this, is our first dance which we should have had weeks ago.” I’m shaking my head and laughing, but he ignores me and pulls me into his chest, his cheek brushing mine until his scent is rich and evocative and filling my head.

“I’m so embarrassed,” I murmur.

“Don’t be. Everyone knows you’re a genius here.”

I look up and stare into his handsome face, meeting his gaze. “I’m not a genius.”

“You also don’t see yourself very clearly.”

“What will your mother say when she hears?”

He twirls me around, pushing me further out of his grasp and then reeling me back into his chest. He moves like a dream, but then I knew that already—I’ve had sex with him. “I would say it’s gallant of me to be at the exhibition of the artist the Fairclough family discovered. Wouldn’t you?”

His words should sting, but strangely they don’t. This is better, without his family involved... this...

I can’t. I can’t even think about this...

“Smile for the camera, Faith, make it beautiful for my mother.” A photographer steps up and Elijah twirls me again as he turns us towards the outstretched lens. As I come back in and bump into his chest, I grin, and he smiles and clutches me tighter. The flash blooms capturing the moment forever more.

“Your audience awaits.” Elijah lets me go and the distance between us runs like cold water over my skin. He doesn’t leave though; he stays one step behind me, securely close, as I launch myself towards Abi and Adam and wrap my arms wide around both their necks, squishing the three of us together. “Abi, what are you doing here? I’ve been trying to call you all day.”

“Secrets, sister. I don’t have to tell you everything.”

A tear leaks out of the corner of my eye. Take That is still playing in the background filling the room with cheese, and Elijah places a glass of wine in my hand—wine and cheese. I cry and laugh at the same time which isn’t an easy combination. I swipe at my eyes. “I can’t believe this,” I say to no one in particular.

Dan is stood a little way off, watching me casually. My discreet cry turns into a sob as I throw myself at him. “Thank you for coming.” I whimper into his neck, my tears splashing against his skin.

“Always for you, little Faith.”

I push away and check him over, but he scowls a little at my searching look. “Don’t mother me.”

“I’m not. You okay?”

“Fine.”

He softens and smiles. “Dad would have been so proud of you, and I am, too. You’ve got some amazing stuff here. If I’d known, I would have got you to make something for me ages ago.” He chuckles, but I bolt down alarm when it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I thought you were still on terrible ashtrays.”

I swat him with my hand, but he pulls me in tight, planting a scattering of kisses along my forehead. From the corner of my eye, I get a flash of black tux and I’m all too aware of Elijah watching. Not that it should matter—but it does; in an odd, unsettling way, I will never be able to explain.

Eventually, I extract myself from my oldest friends, making sure they have drinks, and then I start to circle and meet the other people gathered. Angela grabs me and starts to introduce me to a whole host of names I have no chance of remembering. I can all too easily focus on where they are from. The press, galleries, there are some big movers and shakers, and commentators who influence so much.

This was what Elijah was trying to give me at the ball.

I get that. Now.

I’ve been smiling and greeting so many people my face hurts. Elijah is across the room talking to an older gentleman in tweed. I can’t keep my eyes off him—Elijah, not the man in tweed.

“Have you looked at all the pieces?” Gerard says as he and Dylan sidle up with Tabitha and Lewis. I’m pleased to see people I don’t have to grin inanely at for a couple of minutes. I let my face fall and wiggle my cheeks around, moving my mouth side to side. “I think my face is going to fall off.” I slide my arm around Tabitha and give her a squeeze. “You okay, chick?”