The OWLS Club
The story is about a group of people, an actual place, and a dream. While having a none too subtle dig at society in general. This is a work of pure fiction. None of the characters are real people, nor do they represent real people. It is a slow burn, a lot of romance and some gratuitous sex for those who need to get off on it. It is based in Australia so I have used local language. There is some Italian and French conversations, so if you want to really become attached to the characters I strongly recommend you use a google translator. It will help with the flow of the conversations. As I use the Queen's English, I will apologise in advance to my American friends for the correct spelling of some words.
Some of the place names are correct.
There is no underage sex involved.
***It has been pointed out to me, on numerous occasions that the inclusion of French or another language, is somewhat distracting from the flow of the conversation. I will leave them in the story, [I have now included the English translation after each French conversation, in brackets] as I want you, the reader, to engage with each of the different characters, form a bond with them. So please, use a French to English translator [I use Google] it adds to the story.***
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 sweet heart 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 I knew she 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 master pieces, 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 blue print 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."
