Page 136 of Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt

I gave a small round of applause. ‘Very well deserved, too.Please pass on my sincere congratulations when you see him next.’

Monsieur Landowski gave me a wry smile. ‘I’m sure he’ll be very glad to receive them.’

As I told my story, Monsieur Landowski sculpted, and I assisted him, somehow slipping back into the old routine of a quarter of a century ago. He hardly reacted to anything I said, from the pain of Kreeg breaking my arm and destroying my musical career, to the drama of saving the men from the mineshaft in Coober Pedy. He was focused intently on his work. Evelyn, on the other hand, gasped and gesticulated at every twist and turn.

‘Oh Bo,’ she said when I had finished my story. ‘I’m so sorry for all that has happened. Life can be very unfair.’

‘I suppose I need not ask if Elle has been in touch with either of you?’ I asked. Landowski shook his head. ‘What about Monsieur Brouilly? Do you think that’s a possibility?’

‘I converse with him regularly,’ Landowski replied. ‘He has progressed to Head of Sculpture at the École des Beaux-Arts. I assure you, he would have mentioned it.’

‘Equally, I am still in touch with Madame Gagnon,’ Evelyn added. ‘She is retired now. But we go for tea occasionally. There has been no mention of Elle. I am sorry, Bo.’

‘And what of Kreeg? Do you not fear him any longer?’ Landowski asked.

‘I do not know what he could take from me that I have not already lost,’ I replied honestly. ‘This was my last hope. I do not know where else Elle might be. I thought that if I revisited the locations of our past, she might have returned to one of them. But now, I do not know what I am to do.’ I ran my hands through my hair.

Landowski stared at me. ‘You are purposeless.’ He clapped his hands together. ‘So, would you like a job?’

His offer caught me off guard. ‘Oh, Monsieur Landowski, you are very kind, but I am not sure I could assist you here in the atelier as before.’

‘I meant something much more temporary. This commission needs to be transported to Sacromonte in Granada. As I mentioned, it’s late. You could take it via train to get it there as quickly as possible. Otherwise it will have to travel by boat, which will take far longer.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘You would be doing your old friend a favour.’

I thought about his proposal, and was unable to fathom a reason why I could not do as he asked. ‘Very well, Monsieur Landowski. I would be glad to accompany your piece.’

‘Good. I can’t imagine that sitting alongside it in a freight train will be particularly comfortable, but I’m sure you will cope.’ He looked out of the atelier window at the bench. ‘You know, a sculpture of mine hasn’t had a personal escort since Brouilly took theCristoacross the waters to Brazil.’

‘It seems a lifetime ago,’ I replied.

‘Because, boy, it was.’ He returned to his work. ‘Anyway, go down to Sacromonte, enjoy the Spanish sunshine. Rest and reflect. I predict it will be just the thing.’

‘Who is the commission for?’

‘The trustees of the Alhambra Palace. Apparently, it is famous for some sort of dancing competition. What was the name of it, Evelyn?’

‘TheConcurso de Cante Jondo,’ she replied.

‘Yes, that’s it. Anyway, there was a young Gypsy girl who won the competition and went on to achieve fame. She has become somewhat of a symbol for the region after the Civil War.’ He shrugged. ‘One thing is for sure. She is very beautiful. Here.’ Landowski handed me a photograph from his workbench. ‘This is what I have been working from.’ The imagewas of a stunning, dark-haired woman in a red dress, captured mid-twirl by the camera.

‘What was her name?’ I asked.

‘You embarrass me, boy! My mind is as firm as a plate of jelly.’ He clicked his fingers in rapid succession. ‘What was the woman’s name, Evelyn?’

‘Lucía Amaya Albaycín.’

‘That’s it. She’s very big in South America, apparently.’

‘How interesting. Well, it will be an honour to escort the stone version of Lucía to her permanent home.’

‘Good. You will be paid for your efforts, of course.’

I held my hands up. ‘No, Monsieur Landowski. I could never accept payment for this. As I told you, I am not short of money these days. Please, allow me to pay you back for my conservatory tuition, and the cost of housing me for all those years.’

Landowski sighed and rolled his eyes. ‘Don’t be ridiculous, boy. You had nothing! Now, Evelyn, would you telephone the freight train companies and make the appropriate arrangements?’

‘Yes, Monsieur Landowski.’ Evelyn looked like she was struggling to lift herself out of the ancient sofa, so I provided a hand. ‘Evelyn, forgive me. I realise I have not asked about Louis. How is he?’

She gave me a sad smile. ‘He achieved his dreams, and is now high up in the Renault manufacturing business.’