Caged Read Online Free PDF Page A

seriously going to be in an exhibition at the
Victoria & Albert museum?
    “Be assured, I will formally follow our offer up in writing.
We’ll work out all the contractual details, but obviously we’re eager to get
the process going. Please accept my rambling words as our informal invitation
for you and your work to be included in our Bejeweled Flora and Fauna Over
7000 Years exhibition.”
    “Wow, I don’t know what to say.”
    “‘Yes’, would be a good place to start.” Ms. Hu held out her
hand with a big smile on her face.
    “Oh, yes, of course. I mean yes, I accept. Of course I
accept.” Laughing, she used the hand not holding the necklace to shake the
woman’s. Excitement was filling her up and Gabby knew there was no hiding
exactly how pleased she was with the news.
    “Fantastic! Now let’s ditch the formalities and get down to
work.” Cindy smiled and they talked business. “There will be two cases for your
work, possibly three, as well as three busts or mannequins wearing your
creations. We’re looking to include some of the drawings beside the jewelry.
What we want is for viewers to be able to see the finished object and the
process involved in the making.”
    “In most cases I have an actual item that inspired a piece
of jewelry. I would be more than happy to include those as well.” They were
treasured pieces, but she would be thrilled to include them in the show. Who
knew, maybe one item could encourage someone to try their hand at the creating
process—at least she hoped for a similar outcome. She wasn’t a teacher but
she’d like her work enough to persuade someone to try.
    “Excellent. Gather all you have for each item we request,
including any raw materials you may still have, then label and box them. We
already have the historical pieces lined up and many of them have supporting
items. It would be best if we had some continuity from the historical to the
present. A great show is a cohesive show.” Frowny-face Mr. Harvey was
realistic, but his words showed more excitement than she’d expected.
    She seriously needed to stop referring to his negative
facial features whenever he came to her mind. It might get verbalized and she
would be mortified if anything slipped out.
    “The show will have an accompanying book, postcards and
other items. We haven’t completely settled on what to specifically offer, but
will soon. It’s an area we’ll start looking at in earnest once we have
everything on hand. Anyway, we’ll go over the finer details later. Right now
we’re all anxious to see what else you brought. I want to nail down what pieces
we want to show, plus a handful of alternatives.” With a few words, Cindy
overwhelmed her. Was she actually going to be a part of a major V&A
exhibition?
    It was going to take her some time to accept the change her
professional life was about to undergo. The group was moving fast. Around the
table they discussed, debated and chose which pieces they’d like to include in
their exhibition. She was thrilled by their excitement.

Chapter Four
     
    The rest of the morning went by in a haze—a pleasant, blurry
haze. Sharing the rest of the pieces and drawings she’d brought helped Gabby
accept it was happening. Her work was actually going to be in a show at the
Victoria & Albert Museum.
    Once they came up with a tentative list of what they wanted
to show, they went for lunch in the museum café. From there, the discussions
had turned in a more detailed direction.
    They’d bantered back and forth about where particular pieces
would show best. Notes were taken as to whether specific items were better
suited for a mannequin, bust or in a case. The last thing they did was tour the
V&A space reserved for the show. It was hard to imagine with another show
on the floor, then she reminded herself they were the experts and knew what
they were doing.
    By three she was walking through her front door. Dashing for
the phone, she dialed Max’s mobile number. She