"Just Comparing !"

Debbi stayed staring with horrid fascination at the paintings. She did not want to interact with anyone but people kept coming up to her. Audrey's arty friends were mostly complimentary. 'So brave of you', 'You're making such a significant statement all about the independent woman'. Debbi managed a few remarks in response centred around Audrey's supposed concept. Her neighbours took a different tack. 'Didn't know you got up to that kind of thing on your time off Deb', 'Er, I was just helping a friend with an important artistic idea that I agreed with', 'Yeah, right. Nothing to do with it being the boss's wife !'

Carol sidled up. "Blimey Deb. Quite an exposure" she began. "I didn't know what Audrey had planned" replied Debbi. "And hard to say no to Jeff's wife, I get that" her assistant continued. "Wonder who'll buy them and where they'll end up ?" Debbi hadn't considered that angle. It was bad enough seeing them here on display in the gallery. She shuddered at the thought of them on permanent display somewhere. Oh god, now her team were lining up for selfies in front of them and for course they were all picking painting number six to stand beside !

Scott and those other idiots from college beckoned Debbi over. "Hey Debbi. We're just comparing the paintings with the real thing" one girl said. And Debbi saw on their phones the photos Scott had taken in the conservatory, both those of the official poses that Audrey had wanted and others that Debbi had been unaware of him taking. She had known deep down that he was unlikely to have deleted them as promised but it was still a shock to see them being shared and bandied about among those whom she had previously regarded as beneath her.

Debbi was just about to make a bolt for it and head to the exit when Audrey called her up to the front. "People have been pointing out that we have not really had a proper chance to thank my model Debbi here" Audrey announced. "I hope you can all see the likeness that I've captured" she gestured. "We can with her face but we have to take the rest on trust" one joker shouted. "Not necessarily" said one of Scott's group, waving a phone. "Anyway, I do want to offer up my sincere gratitude, so a round of applause please for Debbi" Audrey interrupted the developing banter. Debbi was left standing awkwardly in front of the vivid portrayals of her naked body as colleagues and acquaintances voiced their approval !