Possessed hearts - стр. 24
– Nice, very nice. So what do you reckon? – Bernard muttered, still contemplating every detail of the photograph.
– To what? – I asked, waiting patiently for Mr. Editor-in-Chief's excitement to subside and his brain to start working.
– The exhibition.
– You're not kidding? – I marvelled. What a twist! My own exhibition in London!
– Your work is damn good, Miss Mroczek, and I don't want you to go looking for recognition in another magazine.
– I'm all yours, Mr. Attick," I said jokingly. – In what time frame?
– For now, our gallery is busy with Najada Olivecka's exhibition. Fathers and children. Are you familiar with her work?
– You bet! As far as I know, she's recognised as the most influential photographer in Eastern Europe.
– Her exhibition ends in a fortnight. It'll take about a week to organise yours.
– That's a three-week wait. That's not so bad!
– But I need to show your work to our sponsor. He'll have the final say," Mr. Attick said suddenly.
I grinned. Shit. It's always like this – just when you're excited, your joy is killed with just one sentence.
– Who's your sponsor? – I asked. – The same one who sponsors Najada Olivecka? Then he has excellent taste. By the way, can you tell me where I can meet Najada herself… – And at that moment my smartphone rang loudly in my purse. – Damn, I'm sorry. – I took the smartphone out of my bag. – I'll just be a minute, it's an important call.
– Don't trouble yourself, Miss Mroczek," Mr. Attick smiled benignly.
I smiled back and went out into the corridor.
– Yes, Mum, hi," I said quietly into the phone. – I'm busy right now, is it an emergency?
– Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bother you. It's just that you haven't been calling, and I want to know how my girl is doing.
– Your girl's business couldn't be better. I'm in London and the editor-in-chief of Colour world wants to put on an exhibition of my work! – I said with a note of happiness in my voice.
– Oh, that's great! Congratulations! When? Me and my dad will definitely fly down for the opening!
– That's great. But let's talk later. I'll call you back when I'm free.
– Yes, of course. But that's great news! Congratulations.
– Thank you. I'll call you later.
– Yeah. Kisses.
I smiled. No doubt Mum would be calling all the relatives now.
Back in Mr. Attick's office, I found the latter drafting the contract.
– I've called our sponsor. He'll be here in a couple of hours to look at your work. – Mr. Attick smiled broadly. – 'But between you and me, Miss Mroczek, I'm absolutely certain of a positive decision.
– That would be delightful," I smiled too, still not happy that my work needed some mortal's approval.
– So, if you don't mind, I'll ask you to leave your pictures until this evening, and at six o'clock you can pick them up.
– Well, if those are your sponsor's terms, then of course I will come back for them later.
– I promise in return that all your thirty pictures will be safe and sound. And naturally I would be pleased and pleased to co-operate with you, Miss Mroczek.
We shook hands, and Mr. Attick suddenly smiled confusedly.
– Oh, please forgive my oversight! I should have ordered coffee or tea for you …
– No, I'm not cold, believe me," I hastened to interrupt him.
He was gentlemanly enough to assume that the coldness of my hands was, however trivial, a matter of coldness.