You Are Cordially Invited !

A month passed and the events of those three Saturday mornings spent posing for Audrey had receded to the back of Debbi's mind. They were brought shudderingly to the forefront again, however, when she walked into her office to find a gold embossed invitation card on her desk. It read 'You are cordially invited to a champagne reception to mark the unveiling of a major new exhibit by Audrey Masters entitled The Ascent of Woman From Classical Times to the Present Day. 07 30 pm at the Seymour Gallery. Dress smart / casual.'

Debbi was still coming to terms with this when Carol came in. "Are you going to Audrey's showing ?" she asked eagerly. "Um, er, well, I guess" said Debbi, who did not want to go but figured she might as well know the worst. "Are you going ?" she asked Carol. "Sure thing. Free champagne ! We've all got invitations" her assistant answered cheerily. Debbi's heart sank.

Debbi was shocked to see how many people there were when she arrived at the gallery at the appointed time. She guessed the lure of free champagne was at least as great as that of The Ascent of Woman ! Debbi hurriedly looked around for any sign of the paintings she had posed for. She could not see them but did notice an ominous section of wall that was curtained off at present. Debbi was further discomfited to see among the throng so many people that she knew and that knew her. Most of her team were there, along with a few people from the HR, sales and accounts departments of the company. She recognised some clients and , oh no, was that her neighbours ? How did they know Audrey ? And, oh shit, there was Scott Underhill. And weren't those people talking to him people that she had been at college with back in the day ?

Debbi was already feeling uncomfortable as some of these people approached her and began to exchange pleasantries. Not all of them had any inkling of what they might see when the curtain was pulled back but Debbi suspected that some of the others might have some idea ! She was accosted by the group with Scott. "So nice to see you again Debbi after all this time" said one of the girls from her college days. "I hear we'll soon be seeing a lot more of you ?" laughed another.

It was at this point that Audrey and the gallery owner began to make their way towards the curtained off wall and called for everyone's attention !