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"Is that what you call it? A charcoal?" I asked Marie-Helene, as the students around us shuffled around to look at each other’s progress, beers in hand Nathaniel was deeply engrossed in a girl’s work on the far side of the rooain, and people were beginning to put on their coats The night was almost over

"No" Marie-Helene frowned at my sketchbook "Simon, it’s been an hour Everyone else has drawn the still life" She didn’t need to finish the thought My page looked like it had developed chicken pox

"It’s experi my chin "VeryPicasso-ian My tutor always said my as reminiscent of his Blue Period"

Marie-Helene made a face I couldn’t blame her, really Simon was a pretty awful person

SOS can you draw, I texted Holmes under the table I’m about to be exposed as a fraud Are you busy? Can you come?

The response was instantaneous Not busy, she said Have experienced abject failure Auctioneer steadfastly denies any idea of stolen work bought/sold, even when persuaded to speak (I didn’t want to knohat sort of persuasion she meant) Cannot draw but can fake it better than you Address please

She was there tenover h for everyone to hear, "are you still shy about drawing in front of people? He can be so self-conscious Don’t tell‘experierated slowness, Holmes shook her head at Marie-Helene "Men They’re such self-saboteurs Can you shohere the wine is? I just had the worst night"

Nathaniel had been listening, because as Holmes led Marie-Helene away, he came over to me with a concerned expression "Is that true, Simon? It’s okay--I know it’s a lot of pressure to work in front of more experienced artists Do you want to talk about it?"

"Yes," I said, "verymy whole FUBAR undercover op in about thirty seconds

Nathaniel ledspace, brick walls and a concrete floor, but the kitchen only held a sink and a "

"I’m not much for it," I said, as Simon "I’m already a bit nervous A pint never does much to help that, forfro it ater "You’re a nice kid"