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‘I rather fancy living with an assistant keeper of paintings, even if I’m not sure what they do’

‘I’ll be responsible for organizing special events, like the Van Eyck exhibition next month, and I’ll report directly to Mark Cranston, the keeper’

‘With a rise in salary?’

‘Not so you’d notice But to be fair, I didn’t even knoas being considered for the position’

‘Your parents will be so proud of you,’ said William

‘I phoned ood news’

William was surprised, but didn’t comment

‘And I have another piece of news: Jez is leaving me’

‘For another man?’

‘Yes, he’sfor a new lodger And before you ask, the answer is no’

22

WILLIAM AND BETH left the house together on Monday s wanted to be early on her first day, and William needed to write his report on the trip to Italy

They parted coton tube station, before Beth went on to the ht about the weekend they had spent together It couldn’t have gone better, and he was now more keen than ever for Beth to meet his parents He had asked her if she could join theain put hi that she had already promised to visit a friend in hospital that afternoon, and didn’t feel she could cancel at such short notice Perhaps next Sunday, Willia flashed into hisbefore now He would double-check the postcards froht

When Willian of either Laan to write his report, thinking he must remember to call Monti and thank him, because without his back-up and assistance, Carter would have cashed in his chips and now be living off his ill-g

otten gains