Chapter 26

Claire was relaxing at home early one evening a few months later when the doorbell rang. On opening it she found a courier with five parcels which were addressed to her, along with a note, which she opened first. It and the parcels were from Lisa.

Satisfied that the unexpected delivery was safe she told the driver to take them to her study.

As well as the letter there was a note attached to the first parcel.

Claire, please open parcels 1 to 3 in that order, then read the letter before opening the last 2. L

Opening the largest parcel first as directed, she discovered a smaller copy of the painting of a semi-nude Lisa that was in her bedroom. The two other smaller parcels were similar in nature except one showed a clearly naked Lisa. The way they were painted disguised the true identity of the model, but those who knew her and looked carefully would know it was Lisa.

Claire was stunned and wondered what these gifts and they were obviously meant as gifts signified, turning to the letter she found out.

Claire, when things started a couple of years ago I was forced to discover that everything has a price attached to it, even people and morality. But now I also understand that saying thank you can have a different form of price and that is the pleasure in saying thank you.

I wanted to give you these as a thank you, for both understanding and not taking things any further than we did, but I also discovered a side of myself that I had kept long suppressed, and you brought that out.

I knew from an early age that I had a wild side to my nature and that if unleashed it would run unchecked and lead me into trouble. That is one reason I held myself pure until I was married, but also I earnestly believe that we should be faithful to one person.

I know that isn’t for everyone, but it is for me. I’ve broken that vow, but intend to keep it from now on, as much as I’ve been very tempted to reach out to you again, but only you.

As I said to you on the phone when I called you to set things up. I only intended to strip but something came over me when I saw how you looked at me, something tripped in my brain and I couldn’t stop myself. I’d also spoken to my dearest friend from my University days and told her of my dilemma. She said the same as you. My dreams were telling me what I had to do.

By the time you’ve received these gifts Justin and I will be on a flight back to London where we intend to stay. Our last discovery has made us very rich, even allowing for the payoffs and inducements that you know are an integral part of business out here. I am going to concentrate on my painting from now on. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be famous, and these daubings might be worth something to you and the boys, but in the meantime enjoy them for what they are.

The large one is for you and is a working sketch of the one you liked so much. I’ve signed it and there is a provenance letter to go with it. There are a few differences to the finished one but I don’t think they are significant. My boobs aren’t showing as much in this one.

The two smaller ones are for Craig and Peter and again are both signed and provenanced. I’ll leave it to you to decide who gets what, or maybe they can swap them around. I ... We both know that’s something they like to do.

Claire realised that Lisa had made no mention of the two packages so quickly opened them as well. Again they contained pictures. The larger was an oil of two naked women standing side by side, hands almost touching. Like the other ones the style was impressionistic in nature and although the women’s faces were not clear, they were obviously Lisa and Claire.