Virtually Perfect Read Online Free PDF Page B

landscapes, but it seemed Ben did mostly portrait work.  There was a fabulous black and white shot of a Big Issue salesman.  There were famous faces.  Pop icons, movie stars.  A shot for a De Niro poster she used to pass every day, at the tube station in Clapham.
    There were nudes.  Quite a few nudes, actually.  They were mostly black and white.  They were striking, but not lurid; more quirky.  There was nothing particularly sexual about the poses.  Outrageously attractive models, chiselled faces, languid limbs. 
    Eve was a pro.  She didn't get jealous. 
    OK, maybe a bit.
    Eve went back to her Google Search.  An image caught her eye.  She clicked on it. 
    It was a book cover, a monochrome of a little Japanese girl.  Eve had seen it before.  Her gaze fell on the description in the sidebar.
     
    Chasing Butterflies
    Jacket design by Muriel Sanders
    Front jacket photograph by Benjamin Macy
    Printed in the UK
    Copyright © 2007 Faber & Faber
     
    Eve quickly dragged the white arrow to the little blue cross, clicking on it, closing the window.  She slammed her laptop shut, her hand across her mouth.  The blood had drained from her face.
     

CHAPTER 11
     
    'Holy shit!  What the fuck is that?'
    Ben's eyes were wild with excitement.  Mr Bojangles gawked back.
    'He's a Maine Coon,' Eve told him, wandering out to the kitchen.
    'He's a fucking horse!  ...Can I touch him?'
    '...Pardon?'
    'Can I pick him up?'
    'I wouldn't.  He doesn't like men.'
    'He's incredible!  Have you ever thought about getting him an agent?'
    '...His singing isn't that good,' called Eve.  'And he only performs when next door's queen is in heat...  How do you take your coffee?'
    'White please, one sugar.' Ben sat down next to Bo. 
    'No but seriously Eve, I've got contacts in advertising I could put you in touch with.  They'd be falling over themselves for a monster like him.'
    Bo looked up at Ben with his bright green eyes. 
    'Stick with me, kid.  I'm going to make you a star!'
    '...Pimp him out, you mean.'
    Eve shuffled in like a geisha, carrying the tray, trying not to slosh the coffee into the saucers.
    'Oh...'
    She was surprised to find Mr Bojangles sprawled across Ben's lap like a ragdoll.  Ben was rubbing his little pot belly.
    'I can't believe he's letting you do that,' said Eve, setting down the tray on the coffee table, sitting on the sofa beside them.
    'This one mine?' asked Ben.  Eve nodded.  She watched him pick up his cup, take a sip. 
    ...Thank God. He isn't a slurper.
    'I hope you don't mind me turning up early.'
    Eve sipped her coffee.  Ben smiled, noticing her outstretched little finger.
    '...Were you trying to catch me out?' 
    She did mind, a little.  She hadn't wanted him to see her like that.
    'He's so heavy,' complained Ben.
    'He isn't fat...'
    'He's just big boned,' grinned Ben.  '...Seriously, he's crushing my legs.'
    'Try waking up with him on your chest.' 
    Ben turned to Eve.  He smiled at her, raising an eyebrow.  His gaze flicked to her black v-neck and back.  Eve felt her cheeks getting hot.
    Bo twitched his pink nose, suddenly flipping over.  With a thud, he went off to demolish his lunch. 
    'You've got a really nice place,' said Ben, getting up and dusting his jeans off.  'Bloody hell!  How old is that TV?'
    '1980s, I think.'
    'We had one like that!  Is it... yes, Panasonic!  I used to watch The Flumps on it!' he grinned.
    If you'd said 'The Flumps' to Dan, he would have thought you were talking about marshmallows.
    'I loved The Flumps!' grinned Eve.
    'Does it still work?' asked Ben.
    'I think the tube is going.  The red's gone really bright.'
    Ben pressed the silver rectangular button.  A ridiculously orange Vernon Kay materialised on the screen. 
    'How can you watch that?'
    Ben shuddered and switched it off.  Eve smiled and shrugged.
    'That's the general idea.'
    Ben shook his head with a confused smirk.
    Eve watched him wander over to the rosewood bookcase, sipping his coffee.  She