Page 297 of Double or Nothing

Mercer bids nine fifty.

The next number is the one that matters.

A million isn’t simply another increment. It’s a headline. A big fucking headline.

A declaration that will make the market scream for more.

Bryce catches my gaze.

He gives the smallest shake of his head.

We agreed seven, and I’m already two hundred thousand past it.

I lift the paddle. Fuck it. I’ve got this.

“One million pounds at the back!”

The room changes. A murmur breaks through the restraint.

Heads turn towards Alice.

Camilla remains perfectly composed, but pride flashes in her eyes.

The auctioneer repeats the figure.

“One million pounds for Alice Rose Parker’s The Shape of Things Unbound.”

Alice closes her eyes.

There it is.

Her name.

Her work.

One million pounds.

Whatever happens next, William Parker can never take this moment away from her.

Mercer’s adviser places his hand over the catalogue page. He points to something. Previous values, probably. Comparisons. Reasons. But Mercer isn’t listening.

Her eyes are still on the yellow panel.

Her paddle raises.

One point zero five, she offers.

I answer with one point one.

Bryce is glaring now. I can feel the flames from here. He’s shifting in his seat like he’s got ants in his fucking pants, and I’m glad he’s not at my side playing Mr Rational.

Mercer doesn’t counter.

Not yet. Her paddle rests against her knee.

The room waits as she looks towards me for the first time.

Mistake.