They instal themselves in the Hookah Lounge with mint tea and mezze until six, then wander back down the lane to camouflage into the first crowd, waved through by Andriana.

Ollie nods at the boys from Vinyl and gives a small salute hi. How come they were invited and we weren’t?

Jeanie glances over the work. Made by the sort of people who think Turps Banana is cool.

Wait, Turps Banana isn’t cool?

Do try and keep up, Lots.

Ooh look, says Ollie, it’s a free bar.

Stationed in a corner, within strategic reach of the bar, they drink and look at the crowd, assessing who has been invited, who might not have been and why.

Lottie gets out her phone and begins to tap.

You make the notes in your head, Lottie, says Ollie.

I’m not making notes. I’m live-tweeting. She nods across the room. Who are those people?

Jeanie looks across. East End old guard. Robin Klassnik, Matt’s Gallery. Cathy Lomax, Transition. Guy called Tim, ex-Vyner Street, now got his own thing in Peckham, keep meaning to look him up. Oh look, Jeremy’s here. I thought he might be. I’ll just go over and say hello.

Ollie follows at a distance and loiters a few feet away, looking at the work, as she greets Deller.

Deller looks at the lapel of her denim jacket. She is wearing a Fuck Art Let’s Dance pin badge.

Wanna see my new tattoo, Jeremy?

No thanks. You’re not allowed to smoke in here.

Rules are for fools.

A pause.

She takes the cigarette out of her mouth. What are you working on, Jeremy?

I’m thinking of making some kind of pond.

Cool.

Yeah. Maybe a few frogs, some newts. People could go pond-dipping. I need to think about it some more. I’d quite like to do another bat thing. Maybe in a belfry. I’ve been talking to Giles Fraser.

He’s got a lot to answer for.

Yes, he has. So what did you think of the show?

Bit vacuous actually.

I did. I did too.

A flicker of interest.

So you gonna stick around here, Jeremy?

Think I’ll go home.

Don’t suppose you want to come back to mine for a cup of tea?

He shakes his head. No.

Line of something?

Goodnight Jeanie.

Jeanie turns around and meets Ollie’s eyes.

Unhinged, mouths Ollie.

She turns away and studies a deconstructed painting.

Ollie walks over to her. Coming back to mine then?

No. You can come over if you like.

Gotta see to the cats.

Suit yourself.

Give me half an hour.

*