Chapter 17: A Wild Time Ahead

We sat there looking at the paintings and Jean-Paul looking at Emily. She could see his mind ticking over.

Kathleen sat back and said to him. “Have you had any more thoughts of how you would like to present these masterpieces to the world?”

“I have Kathleen and I have spoken with my colleagues in Paris, just this morning. We thought that if we have the three finished pieces in Paris for a grand opening of our spring season, in two months’ time, that would be our preferred option.” He stated. “The unfinished piece could be displayed here in your building, or in the gallery of the South Australian Arts. That we think is very fair and reasonable, no?”

Kathleen smiled at him, looked at Mia and Emily and then to Michelle, who had a fierce look upon her face. “I think not Jean-Paul. But I will offer you and your Galerie Tokade the unfinished work, plus our Mary Ambrose on her knees with her sweetheart holding onto her leash. Complete with one of their love letters, of your choosing. Also as your special guest for one week, Emily Ambrose a direct descendant of Mary, and her partner Mia. The girls will only travel first class to and from Paris, of course, and stay at a 5-star hotel for the week. All expenses paid.” She told him.

“And you may display the paintings and the letter, for the full spring season. But only after we have opened our new club, after all, it is a family affair. So after our official opening, we shall organise for the girls to visit you in Paris.” Kathleen told him.

“Oh Kathleen, that is not fair, that is way too much for us to carry.” What if the ladies can stay for a few days, say three days, and we have all of the letters?” He replied.

The girls were smiling at the haggling going on between us, all except Michelle, she was agitated, to say the least. Kat wanted to ask why but she knew that Michelle would not be discrete and may blow up and say something that might ruin what we were planning. I looked closely at her and made a gut decision.

“Michelle, would you like to add something to the conversation?” I asked her.

“Thank you madam, Monsieur Jean-Paul. These women are not silly, I am not silly, my Mistress has been very tolerant of your ‘proposal’ I will offer my Mistress this advice,” then turning to me. “Mistress, dismiss this gentleman, there are many galleries in Paris who will desire these masterpieces, and will not insult you with their petty offerings. Your original offer was way too generous and I am dumbf ... eeerrr confused, as to why you have not asked this man to leave.” She said this with a complete straight face, with such a direct tone, and in a clear decisive voice.

“Thank you Michelle, you have always given me good advice, and this morning is no different.” I went to stand up when Jean-Paul put up his hand and asked for one second to collect his thoughts.

The tension in the room was obvious. But it was fleeting.

“My apologies Kathleen, yes of course your conditions will be acceptable. I will get our office to draft up a formal proposal and email it to you. Then once it is signed we can all move forward.” He told us.

Turning to Michelle, “Sweetheart, there is another bottle of Champagne in the refrigerator, can you bring it in with flutes for all.” Without hesitation, she got up, smiled at me, run her fingers down my arm and disappeared.

We all stood, and Jean-Paul started to look around the room when his eye caught the framed blueprint of #7 Divitt Street. “That is interesting, is it an original?” he asked.

“Yes that is the building we are renovating at the moment, I think we have one of the actual space where we found the paintings, don’t we Mia?” I asked as I turned to her.

She was standing next to Emily, and nodded, “Yes, we do Kathleen.”

He went closer to have a look, “this is well done Kathleen” He told me.

“I tell you what Jean-Paul, to show you we are good people, I shall include one with the two paintings and a letter, for you to display. You could show the people who visit your gallery, exactly where the paintings were found.”

Michelle returned with a bottle of Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2011, Which Jean-Paul was suitably impressed with. Michelle opened the bottle not spilling a drop and poured us all a little into our flutes. “A Toast.” Said Jean-Paul, “To Toulouse Lautrec and the Ambrose family, may they shine on together.” We all joined in, “Toulouse Lautrec and the Ambrose family” and took our sips.

Just as we were finishing there was a knock at the front door and Jean-Paul explained he had arranged for the Art Gallery of South Australia to come and pack the paintings to take them to be cleaned. He produced a document listing each painting as a possible original Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, an unnamed painting to be authenticated and cleaned and returned to the Ambrose family. Kathleen signed as did Jean-Paul to be witnessed by Emily and Mia.

“Once I am almost certain that they are original Henri Toulouse Lautrec after we have concluded some minor tests on them, I will issue a letter or certification to that effect. But my colleagues in Paris will also need to be certain. I think what I am saying is, that it may take a little while. Once we have confirmed everything I will ring you.”

“Thank you, Jean-Paul I look forward to your call,” Kathleen replied.

After handshakes and kisses, all around he bid us farewell as the art gallery people carefully packed the paintings and left.

Kathleen took a deep sigh, as she slumped back into her favourite armchair and Michelle came a sat on her lap, trying without luck to hide herself as her T-shirt rode up to disclose her red thong. Mia discretely looked away, Emily I noticed looked on and took a deep breath.

She whispered into her ear “Go put some clothes on sweetie.” Then kissed her head and watched as she slide off of my lap and trotted out of the formal lounge room. Kathy looked at the two girls and told them. “Get your passports in order and pack your bags, you 2 are off to Paris for a week, all expenses paid.” They stood up looked at each other, hugged and then kissed each other deeply. So romantic. “Enjoy it.” they were told. “Soak it all up. Visit as many places as you can. I’m sure Jean-Paul will keep you busy at the Gallery, but in your own time, get out a enjoy it all. AAAARRRRR Paris the eternal city, or is that Rome?” Kathy asked all confused. She looked at the girls, and while in deep thought said, “You know for him to have turned around a whole 180 degrees, so quickly, I am thinking he already knows they are legit.”

“That’s Rome by the way Kathy,” said Mia with a smile, “Paris is the City of Lights, the romantic city, the city of love. LRB even sang about it the Seine City.”