Page 226 of Double or Nothing

That’s all this ever started out as. All it was ever meant to be.

But it’s anything but that anymore.

We fall asleep on the sofa together after playing dirty for hours on end, with Netflix on in the background. Bryce’s bastard upcycling show has made its way into the autoplay list, which shows a strange kind of domesticity that takes it to another level of home.

I don’t even try to switch channels this time, just watch it through half closed eyes, snuggling in to him as he snores his head off beside me.

Please, if there is a Lord up there, I’ll gladly take fluffy socks and suffer upcycling shows, just so this doesn’t have to end.

But the Lord doesn’t answer me.

Instead, my eyes close to dreams of Alice, being burned at the stake by her torch wielding father.

Of Bryce, held back by Christopher bastard Otley, the executioner ready with his blade to take Bryce’s head clean off.

And of me, standing naked in the auction room, thrusting my paddle in the air as everyone laughs at me.

Fuck, I’m glad I’m not a dream analyst.

I keep my nightmares to myself and paste on a cheery good morning face.

Bryce leaves for work on the Friday morning with his shoulders as tight as I’ve ever seen them. The last day at Parker Capital before Christopher bastard Otley is back in town.

The Hammersmith catalogue proof arrives at just gone midday. The official seal of what’s up for grabs at the auction.

Alice sends it to our group thread from her studio, with nothing more than an EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I open the attachment immediately, heart pumping in my chest.

Lot 47.

The Shape of Things Unbound.

By Alice Rose Parker.

Acrylic, heavy gel, fine marble dust and gold leaf on canvas.

Three panels.

Estimate set £300,000 to £400,000.

The photographs make the gold look alive. Kudos, the guy did a good job of taking them. It looks absolutely fucking epic.

Bryce responds first.

It looks incredible.

Alice sends a heart. Another EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Very impressive, I say Who knows? The Gilded Table may even place a bid.

Her reply is immediate.

You do spoil me, Mr Art Connoisseur.

I stare at the page, still taking in the details.

Something about seeing the official listing makes the whole thing real. Bullyboy Bill Parker can sneer as much as he likes about the power of his surname, but he can fuck off.