Noah found Sam in his studio, sizing canvases. He spotted the portrait of Michael straightaway, lifting it and carrying it to the door to look at it more closely in brighter light. ‘Sam, this is grand. He looks so carefree.’ He turned to him. ‘It makes me want to weep.’ He grinned. ‘Though I shan’t, of course.’
‘Slippery slope and all that?’
‘What?
Sam laughed. ‘How did it go with Hal?
‘Well, I think. He says he’s grateful to you for it, anyway.’ He placed the portrait back against the wall. ‘We saw Pearl coming out of Michael’s room. Did you know about them?’
Sam nodded. ‘I saw her going in the night before last. So, it seems she must have liked him. Good.’
Noah looked down at the painting again. ‘Judging by the way he looks there, I’d say it’s been going on somewhat longer than tha
