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Bette had been in her gallery for an hour the next day when James gave her the news that she was not looking forward to
“Peggy is on her way up “
“Oh shit “
“Your cunning plan that she would get amnesia was never going to work Bette “
“I know – go out and get me a large coffee and a bacon roll “
“That’s hardly healthy eating – you won’t keep your svelte figure eating bacon rolls Bette”
Bette’s single eyebrow raise was enough for James to know that this was one of those days when teasing his boss was a short cut to the unemployment office.
“I am going “
“Good “ Bette replied “If I am not on the phone to you in half an hour tell my parents and Tina that I love them very much and I died in a noble cause “
“Yeah – cos its really valiant to be murdered by Peggy Peabody over a picture of an old bloody yacht “
“Its not just an old bloody yacht – its Peggy’s late husbands bloody yacht “
“Nice knowing you Bette “ James offered her his hand. Bette slapped him upside the head – he left laughing and left via the fire exit stairs so he didn’t give the game away by begging Peggy to spare Bette’s life.
Bette was sorting through her mail from the day before when Peggy walked in
“Bette dearest “
“Hello Peggy “
“James not around ?”
“He is a coward when it come to the sight of blood – namely mine “
That told Peggy without actually telling her that Bette’s trip had been in vain
“NO PICTURE ?”
“No – I failed Peggy and I am very sorry “
“Who the hell would want a painting of that yacht – I thought you said it was by a local artist who often painted pictures of yachts and ships around that marina ?”
“I did and that is true – the painting isn’t that brilliant you know Peggy “
“I know – but I didn’t want it for artistic reasons “
“I know that – and I really could not be more sorry for this “
Peggy sat down at James reception desk and looked at the desk before looking at Bette
“So who wanted a less than brilliant painting of a yacht that broke up 18 years ago ?”
Whether she was going to grass up Emma had been discussed by Bette and Tina the night before – Tina had been insistent – if Bette didn’t tell Peggy – she would. Tina wasn’t going to see Bette and her business suffer because of her mother’s actions.
Bette sighed “ Would you like a drink Peggy ?”
“Its 10am Bette – even by my semi alcoholic standards that is a little early “
“I was hoping a gin might soften the blow “
“I am sure that it cannot be that bad darling”
Oh it fucking well can Bette thought.
“Well – just remember that this is an art gallery – there are a lot of items that are breakable and are on loan to this gallery – my gallery. There are other items that are breakable and are mine and I have a lot of dollars invested in those pieces. I am insured against most things – your temper is not one of them “
“Just tell me darling “
Bette took a deep breath
“I had the promise of the dealer down there to sell me the painting for $10,000 – as you know I was hoping to get the painting for $8,000 but as soon as I put a bid in it started an auction – which was why I went down there. Unfortunately the other bidder – I suspect gave the dealer a sweetener to sell the piece to them “
“Who screwed us Bette ?”
Bette had seen that look on Peggy’s face before – and it never boded well for the person who had crossed the matriarch of the Peabody clan.
“Emma Kennard “
“WHAT !! “
“Emma wanted the painting for Helena’s 30th birthday “
“I have been fucked over by the woman who is fucking my daughter “
Oh shit – she’s not taken this well.
“You are telling me that I was done out of a painting by THAT woman “
“Yes “
“Did Tina tell her about the painting – or was it you ?”
“No “ Bette said forgetting her nervousness about Peggy’s rage “ Tina and I didn’t say a word to anyone. Tina went for lunch with Helena yesterday and when she asked where I was she just told her that I was away on business. It turns out that Emma has her own art and antique dealer – and she had told her to find some nice pieces for Helena’s birthday. I swear to you that Tina knows how important it is to me that my business is done discretely”
“I am sorry Bette but I am just shocked by this “
“So am I Peggy – I had the deal in the bag. Okay so there are dodgy dealing goes on a lot and I have been thinking about whether I could have done anything different “
“I don’t blame you Bette – I am sorry if I suggested that I did. All my dealings with you in the past have always been done with honour – it would have been easy for you to exploit the fact that you have been a family friend for so long. I am sorry “
“I am sorry that I don’t have the painting for you “
Peggy was silent for a few seconds “ So she’s bought it for Helena ?”
“Yes – and you want to know something that just made me almost weep ?”
“Pile it on Bette “
“She didn’t fucking well know the significance of the painting. She has a dealer “
“Hold on – you said that earlier on – she has an art dealer who is not you “
“Tina said that “
“I am sure that stings “
“She is free to go with who she wants Peggy “
“Not when she has a daughter in law who is as good at what she does as you “
“I don’t feel very good at what I do “
“This is the first thing you have failed to get in a long time Bette – tell me the rest of the story”
Bette slumped “ I got back last night – empty handed and I went to Tina’s apartment. I was fed up and needed a hug. Anyway – Emma was there -I started telling Tina what had happened and mentioned the dealer – that was when Tina saw the look of guilt on her mother’s face. She showed us the painting – she had bought it for Helena “
“That woman is becoming a serious pain in the arse Bette “
“I told her that it wasn’t going to make you like her any better “
“It makes me loathe her Bette “
“Helena told Tina that she thinks you hold Helena responsible for this – not Emma”
“You will find that my daughter is wrong about that like she is about the whole thing”
“I am pretty pissed off with Emma “
“I am very pissed off with her “ Peggy replied “I wanted that painting very much “
“It doesn’t mean anything to you that Helena will have it ?”
“No – my daughter and I are not getting on very well at the moment “
“She is still your daughter and you have forgiven her for way worse than this”
“As you pointed out – she is 30 in a couple of weeks – its about time she damn well grew up and took some responsibility for the Peabody name and for the future – she is the future of my organisation “
“You mean by finding a nice young woman and having a child ?”
“Among other things – she is shoddy at work – she doesn’t come out well compared to a new young woman that I am hoping will become a part of my executive team “
Bette smiled “ We both feel bad about this “
“It is not your fault Bette darling – why don’t two come to dinner with me next week. I may be seeing if there is any legislation to adopt both of you and disown Helena “
Bette squirmed – it wasn’t funny – especially as she knew that Peggy was more than capable of doing the latter.