Page 106 of Fe
“I won’t.”
The meal was excellent, course after course of elegantly presented food. Several people complimented Cressida.
“Did she cook it?” Fen whispered.
“No. They use the same caterer every year.”
“So all she did was choose a menu?”
Ripley shrugged.
Fen tried everything, but didn’t eat much, nor did he drink a lot but he enjoyed listening to people talking to Ripley and didn’t care too much that no one talked to him. In any case, they were discussing things he knew little about. Politics and the law.
“I didn’t know you could get grapes that small,” Fen said quietly when they brought out the cheese, which he’d refused.
“They’re called champagne grapes.” Ripley moved them from his plate to Fen’s side plate. “Tiny, seedless and very sweet.”
“Like me.”
“Just like you.
Fen put one in his mouth and hummed. “Oh they’re lovely.”
“So what do you do for a living?” someone said.
Fen had just put more grapes in his mouth so he quickly chewed and swallowed.
“Matthew’s talking to you,” Ripley said.
“Sorry,” Fen said. “I was in grape heaven. I repair and restore antiques.”
Fen became aware the noise level in the room had lowered. Was everyone listening?
“Isn’t repair the same as restore with an antique?” Cressida asked.
“When I’m restoring, as far as I’m able, I bring an item back to its original state. Repairing is making something functional again without major regard to its value as an antique.”
“Which do you prefer?” she asked.
“Repairing. People are too quick to discard things they no longer see any need for when a little work can make them useful again. Whereas in restoration, damage can be part of an antique’s charm; the wear on a walking stick handle, the faded patina on a table top, circular marks made hundreds of years ago by mugs and glasses. The real value in an antique is in the work of the person who first created it. Restoration mostly lowers the value.”
“So you shouldn’t restore?” she pressed.
“It depends. If you plan to resell, then the less you do the better. Heavy cleaning can damage a piece of furniture, or destroy a hallmark. But if it’s something you bought because you liked it, you can do what you want with it, though you should take into account you might adversely affect its value. A tarnished silver plate might be worth more discoloured than brought back to its original shine.”
“What do you think is the most valuable thing in this room?” Matthew asked.
“Your wife,” Fen said instantly and there was a ripple of amusement.
“Good answer.” Matthew kissed Cressida.
Fen had been gripping Ripley’s hand tighter and tighter, though his grip eased when people laughed. Someone else took up the conversation and Fen relaxed.
“Well done,” Ripley whispered.
Fen hadn’t wanted to let Ripley down. He knew he was out of his depth.
Orders went in for post-dinner drinks though Fen didn’t want one. Ripley asked for a sambuca and when the waiter set light to the glass of liquid topped with coffee beans, Fen froze.
