that really draws you in, makes you think – you know, about relationships, links between things. It’s got a real femininity, despite —’
‘Who is the “artist”?’ asked Hilary.
‘Oh, I’m sorry, I thought you must have known. JJ, of course.’
Neither Eve nor Hilary reacted to this revelation.
‘Reclusive, mysterious – never done an interview? True identity unknown? JJ’s work does polarise people, some think it’s too confronting, but —’
‘Confronting is one word for it.’ Eve dismissed the waiter by turning back to Hilary and picking up her wine glass. ‘Certainly not an artist I’d want represented in my collection.’
‘I just don’t see how you put up with it,’ Jack was saying.
‘And this from a man who’s living with his ex-girlfriend, pretending he’s still going out with her and lying about the whereabouts – and state – of his business partner?’
‘That’s completely different.’
‘She makes me laugh.’
‘You’re not serious.’
‘Not entirely. Although she is one of the world’s clumsiest women these days. Now, if she drank less, learned how to walk in heels … But I have it under control.’
‘Even if she doesn’t?’ Jack asked, with a smile.
‘She thinks she does.’
‘Don’t we all?’
‘What about you? How are you coping?’
‘Work, surf and music – best solutions there are. By the way, do you think Jess’s got a new bloke?’
‘Why do you ask? Wouldn’t you know if she had a bloke, anyway? You live with her.’
‘Nah, you know what she’s like. Something’s definitely going on though. She’s spending a lot of time in her study, door closed, which means that she must be on the phone, or the net, and she doesn’t want me to know what she’s doing. I hope it’s not a guy. I mean, she gets kind of obsessive when she’s working on —’ He stopped himself. ‘Things. When she’s working on things. But she’s not usually like this, not secretive at home.’
‘Didn’t you tell me she calls them “projects”? It’s a great word. It makes them sound as though they’re multi-purpose constructions, not just art.’
‘Don’t say “just art” around her! Social comment is a big part of what she does – and don’t, whatever you do, let her know you know about it. Nobody is supposed to know.’ Jack tried to remember when he’d mentioned the JJ business to Todd, but he couldn’t. He decided he should probably drink less – but wine was a hobby, not a problem.
Interpreting, correctly, Jack’s thoughts, Todd continued. ‘Don’t worry about it, who would I tell?’ Before Jack could answer, he added, ‘That was a joke. Really, don’t worry. But what’s your take on JJ, anyway? Why doesn’t Jess just use her own name?’
‘Too late to change? And – I don’t know – some of them are pretty full-on.’ Jack thought of the picture Alex had insisted they hang in the smallest room in the restuarant solely to provoke the patrons. Opinion about it was divided: some people specifically asked for the room, others asked for any room but that one. Personally, it wasn’t a work he’d want in front of him while he ate.
‘Interesting. You know, she might be finding having you in the flat harder than she thought.’
‘It can’t be that – I’m a delight, and I cook and clean. Anyway, she broke up with me – and then asked me to stay. She’s getting everything she wants. I’m the one who’s getting nothing out of this.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that.’ Todd gave Jack a quizzical look.
‘What’s that for? You think I think that if I stick around maybe we’ll get back together?’
‘I do think that.’
‘Yeah, well, maybe. Maybe.’
‘Why?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean that it’s a good opportunity to decide what you really want.’
‘Jesus, Todd, you’ll be suggesting I go and join Alex next.’
‘How is he anyway?’
‘Oh, you know. Same old, same old. I spoke to him last
‘Who is the “artist”?’ asked Hilary.
‘Oh, I’m sorry, I thought you must have known. JJ, of course.’
Neither Eve nor Hilary reacted to this revelation.
‘Reclusive, mysterious – never done an interview? True identity unknown? JJ’s work does polarise people, some think it’s too confronting, but —’
‘Confronting is one word for it.’ Eve dismissed the waiter by turning back to Hilary and picking up her wine glass. ‘Certainly not an artist I’d want represented in my collection.’
‘I just don’t see how you put up with it,’ Jack was saying.
‘And this from a man who’s living with his ex-girlfriend, pretending he’s still going out with her and lying about the whereabouts – and state – of his business partner?’
‘That’s completely different.’
‘She makes me laugh.’
‘You’re not serious.’
‘Not entirely. Although she is one of the world’s clumsiest women these days. Now, if she drank less, learned how to walk in heels … But I have it under control.’
‘Even if she doesn’t?’ Jack asked, with a smile.
‘She thinks she does.’
‘Don’t we all?’
‘What about you? How are you coping?’
‘Work, surf and music – best solutions there are. By the way, do you think Jess’s got a new bloke?’
‘Why do you ask? Wouldn’t you know if she had a bloke, anyway? You live with her.’
‘Nah, you know what she’s like. Something’s definitely going on though. She’s spending a lot of time in her study, door closed, which means that she must be on the phone, or the net, and she doesn’t want me to know what she’s doing. I hope it’s not a guy. I mean, she gets kind of obsessive when she’s working on —’ He stopped himself. ‘Things. When she’s working on things. But she’s not usually like this, not secretive at home.’
‘Didn’t you tell me she calls them “projects”? It’s a great word. It makes them sound as though they’re multi-purpose constructions, not just art.’
‘Don’t say “just art” around her! Social comment is a big part of what she does – and don’t, whatever you do, let her know you know about it. Nobody is supposed to know.’ Jack tried to remember when he’d mentioned the JJ business to Todd, but he couldn’t. He decided he should probably drink less – but wine was a hobby, not a problem.
Interpreting, correctly, Jack’s thoughts, Todd continued. ‘Don’t worry about it, who would I tell?’ Before Jack could answer, he added, ‘That was a joke. Really, don’t worry. But what’s your take on JJ, anyway? Why doesn’t Jess just use her own name?’
‘Too late to change? And – I don’t know – some of them are pretty full-on.’ Jack thought of the picture Alex had insisted they hang in the smallest room in the restuarant solely to provoke the patrons. Opinion about it was divided: some people specifically asked for the room, others asked for any room but that one. Personally, it wasn’t a work he’d want in front of him while he ate.
‘Interesting. You know, she might be finding having you in the flat harder than she thought.’
‘It can’t be that – I’m a delight, and I cook and clean. Anyway, she broke up with me – and then asked me to stay. She’s getting everything she wants. I’m the one who’s getting nothing out of this.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that.’ Todd gave Jack a quizzical look.
‘What’s that for? You think I think that if I stick around maybe we’ll get back together?’
‘I do think that.’
‘Yeah, well, maybe. Maybe.’
‘Why?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean that it’s a good opportunity to decide what you really want.’
‘Jesus, Todd, you’ll be suggesting I go and join Alex next.’
‘How is he anyway?’
‘Oh, you know. Same old, same old. I spoke to him last
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