Caged (3 page)

“Gabrielle Porter?”

“Yes?” The door opened into the reception area and she held
her breath as her name was called. This was it.

“Hello, Ms. Porter, I’m Cindy Hu. We’ve talked a few times
on the phone.” The woman smiled and offered polite conversation as they walked
down a hallway, eventually entering a large room. “I’m the lead organizer of
the project and we invited you here to talk about it and a few details. Please,
have a seat and let’s get started.”

Despite being a director and curator for a world-renowned
museum, Cindy Hu gave the impression she was an everyday woman. She looked
professional, but without a load of makeup, posh jewelry or designer clothes.
Thinking about the other woman as one she might see shopping in Marks &
Spencer helped Gabby relax a bit further.

“Thank you.”

Once she sat down, Gabby carefully rested her portfolio and
briefcase against the side of her chair, keeping them within easy reach. Under
the table, she wiped her moist hands over her navy-blue skirt. Even though it
hadn’t been when she got dressed, her coat was too tight around her upper arms.
She knew it was nerves making her feel bigger than her clothes. She’d chosen to
wear her favorite suit and it had fit her perfectly when she’d tried it on
yesterday.

The meeting she was about to have could, if her work was accepted,
send her into a new realm of the jewelry-making world. She hadn’t known she
wanted the exposure being in a world-class museum would bring, but she had
realized it once the invitation was made.

Trying to boost her confidence, she made sure to think about
the things she should do to make a good impression.

She made eye contact, smiled and nodded at each of the four
people sitting around the long antique table as they were introduced to her.
Her breath still hadn’t fully returned since the door had opened and she’d been
ushered through. She had only enough air to appear competent and not pass out.

It wasn’t simply the meeting they were about to have making
her hands and knees shake. The room itself was intimidating. As with the entire
museum, the room reeked of history, the British Empire and the world they’d
once controlled.

Looking around, she quickly took in her surroundings. One
entire wall was full of windows, facing another wing of the museum over an open
courtyard. It was clear to her exactly how vast the historical building was. Of
the remaining three walls, two and most of the third had shelves running from
floor to ceiling and were filled with leather-covered tomes resting behind
glass doors.

In a corner was a furnished vignette. It was odd to see a
perfectly set scene and she was able to erase some of her nerves. There was a
large, overstuffed leather chair, with a reading lamp and table beside it.
Those three pieces could be in any home. They looked out of place in the
decadently antique, filled-with-the-past room and she breathed a sigh of relief
at the odd tableaux’s presence.

“I suppose I should start by giving a bit of background.
You, Ms. Porter, were brought to our attention a few years ago because you’re a
jeweler who, and I quote, ‘has great technique, skill and an abundance of
creativity’. The source was a well-respected designer we were working with at
the time. It also happened to be when we were in the beginning stages of
putting this show together. A short time later an award-winning milliner I know
well made a similar comment. We in the Fashion, Jewelry and Accessories
department were intrigued enough to look at your work.”

“Timing is everything and it was shining your way,” offered
one of the other directors with a cheeky grin. Gabby believed her name was
Susan Armstrong, but wasn’t confident enough to do anything more than smile in
return.

“A few of us have been watching your progress for some time.
We’re thrilled to have an opportunity to work with you.” Cindy said with a
smile.

“Thank you. I’m honored to be on the V&A’s watch list.”

“Well, compliments won’t get us the answer we want. Let me
get specific. Opening in eighteen months will be a retrospective covering over
seven thousand years of jewelry from around the world. Our chosen theme
connecting the timeline and vast geographic spread is flora and fauna. You have
a series of collections and possibly some private commissions falling within
these two areas, correct?”

“Yes, I do. Would you like to see the drawings?”

“Absolutely, get them out and let us have a look. We’ll move
down to the other end of the table. I think the light’s better there.”

Cindy and the other curators’ excitement for her work shook
her to the core. Their words injected spirit and energy to her ego. They knew
of her and her work, and had watched how it had flourished. She couldn’t wait
to tell Max.

Wait a minute, where’d he come from?
She hardly knew
the man and yet there he was, blending in with one of the most thrilling
moments of her life. Later, she’d have to think about how he’d made his way
into the mix. Right then she had a meeting to get through and possibly be
offered a place in a monumental show.

Standing, she picked up her portfolio and moved down to the
other end of the table with everyone else. Opening the folder, she started to
pull out sheet after sheet of her work, from rough sketches to the polished,
finished drawings of rings, bracelets, necklaces and a few other unique pieces.
With pride, she shared unique details and actual facts.

The more she focused on her work, the quicker feelings of
unease slipped away. Finally, her nerves were all but forgotten. She was in her
element, talking about her jewelry.

Gabby spoke clearly and with the enthusiasm she had for each
piece. While sharing the drawings, she told them where her inspiration came
from and how it moved into fruition. Last, she confided what she’d hoped to
accomplish with the final piece.

“These are the drawings for the Rosebud collection, designed
exclusively for the Tiffany & Co. London store. I chose to originally
sketch them in pencil, but later I redrew them with color.” She passed the
pages to her right for everyone to view them at their leisure and continued.
“As you can see in these photos, they come in both gold and silver. Recently we
agreed the precious and semi-precious gemstone charms would be stocked in all
stores for both the necklaces and bracelets.”

“Which piece in this collection would you say has sold the
most?” She preferred to talk about design over salability but would tackle the
discomfort to answer Mr. Harvey’s question. Maybe she was turned off by the
sour look on his face, except Gabby believed he simply had a sour disposition.
It looked as if he’d swallowed something bad, but she wouldn’t let it affect
her. She’d prefer to think it was simply the way his face was constructed and
move on.

“If I remember correctly, the numbers currently show the
silver bangle set with diamonds is the best seller. However, as the charms are
being rolled out worldwide, the black onyx rosebud with a long silver chain
necklace is showing the most growth potential. I think it will soon become the
strongest seller.”

“Simple and elegant, these pieces look timeless.” The
tallest and quietest woman in the group, Ms. Ralston gave her the compliment.

“Thank you, Ms. Ralston. I feel they’ll be as relevant today
as they will be in a hundred years. At least, I hope they will be because I’ve
designed them to stand up to time,” she said with a serious look she gentled
slightly with a smile. The woman had offered simple words, but they were the
goal she tried for with each design.

Personally, she was pleased with the path her career was
following. To hear someone else address what she was trying hard to accomplish
gave her validation a boost. Beaming, she continued on to the next grouping she
believed might interest them. This group fell within a nature category, only
not specifically flora and fauna.

“This is a key fob I designed for a university up north.
They’ve recently modernized their over a hundred-year-old official seal. The
school’s goal was to offer an inexpensive item, both modern and different, for
people to buy in the school catalogue. The owl is the city symbol. We chose to
work with it and the design grew from there.” By no means was this a favored
piece in her portfolio, but it was one she believed showed another level of her
work. She wanted them to see she could do something appealing to for both men
and women and from all socio-economic groups. Besides, she knew they’d be
seriously wowed by the next piece. It was good to show the diversity in her
work.

“Yes, nice. Functionality is bonded with style in this
design.”
Okay, it looks as if mister sourpuss prefers practicality.
Unfortunately, thinking this way didn’t work for her. Jewelry was meant to be
frivolous and speak of the owner’s personality, not be sensible.

Never mind, she knew what to do to keep his attention and it
wasn’t going to happen with what she planned to show next.

“Here is one of my commissions.” She walked back to where
she’d left her briefcase and pulled out a square red leather box. “The Earl and
Countess of Haywood’s youngest granddaughter will be married this summer. Here
is the tiara I’ve designed for her. Even though it’s not complete yet, I wanted
to show you something tangible.” While she spoke, Gabby carefully lifted the
crown from its padded resting place and held it out for them to see.

“Oh my goodness, it looks fragile and yet the solid base
construction is obvious. Beautiful.” The last word Cindy offered was the one
she held onto most.

“Thank you. It’s heavy because of the solid platinum
structure created to look similar to tree branches. The next step is to add
pearls with gold wire threaded through the various loops. They will all swing
freely from the branches with movement by the wearer. And if these three
latches are undone, the entire bottom drops out and can be worn as a choker.”
After she demonstrated releasing the necklace, she lifted a section of chain
from a pocket in the lid of the box. The length wasn’t long but it would help
with achieving the perfect fit around any neck.

“Simply stunning,” Ms. Ralston claimed as she ran a finger
over the section left sitting on the table.

“What a beautiful tiara. The bride is going to be lucky to
own such a piece. May I?” Ms. Armstrong held out her hands for the tiara and
Gabby carefully presented it to her.

“You are extremely clever, Ms. Porter. Tiaras are not
particularly useful, but a young woman today would appreciate the duality of
use you’ve designed.” It seemed as if Mr. Harvey had been won over to her side
after all.

“Do you think the family would make it available for the
show? I know the piece would make an impressive public draw.”

Surprised, she quickly reminded herself they hadn’t actually
offered her a place, merely voiced an interest.

“Yes, Ms. Hu. In preparation of our meeting, I contacted all
of my commission clients who have jewelry falling within the flora and fauna
category. A few have special requests if their item was to be included,
particularly the Lascelles of Haywood. However, they were all thrilled for me
and happy to have something of theirs in a show at the V&A.”

“Enough, Cindy, tell her the news and let’s get started for
real.”

“Ms. Porter, Gabrielle, today’s meeting was merely a
formality. We asked you to bring your portfolio to allow us to start working on
what we want in the show.”

“I’m sorry?” Was the other woman actually saying what she
wanted to hear? Was her jewelry 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?