YOU'VE GOT TO HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY CHAPTER 1 ELEANOR RIGBY

Jude left the gallery in a state of excitement. He couldn't wait to tell Lucy and the others. A wealthy art connoisseur had agreed to buy his work for a considerable advance. It meant he would get his work exhibited in several East Coast galleries. It was the biggest break of his art career.

As he walked through Central Park Jude felt a rush of inspiration. He pulled out his sketch book and drew several pictures. He drew the scenery and several figures. A few people even came over and bought their portraits. Jude's sketchpad was a little lighter as he made his way home.

When he let himself into the apartment Jude was surprised to see that Lucy wasn't yet home. He knew she had a meeting at the newspaper office on a freelance article she was doing for them and their four year old daughter Julie was at kindergarten. They had been planning to collect her together but it looked like he would have to do it himself.

When he brought Julie home Jude was exasperated to find that Lucy still hadn't arrived. Maybe she had been delayed but then why the hell hadn't she rang him? He was bursting to tell her his good news.

Just then he heard the key grate in the lock and Lucy came in.

"Hi," she said nonchalantly. "Sorry I'm late but George (the editor) kept me a bit late to discuss something. There's a strike on at Rigby's Construction Company and he wants me to write about how it affects the families." She came over and kissed Jude then bent to kiss Julie.

"Great," smiled Jude. "I've got some good news too." He paused. "I met this art dealer today. She's going to sponsor me and buy my work and exhibit it."

"That's fantastic," exclaimed Lucy. "So it looks like we'll have to open a bottle of wine to celebrate. And you can have a soda," she said to Julie who beamed at the prospect.

"What did you say the construction company was called again?" asked Jude as they sat sipping their wine.

"Rigbys," replied Lucy.

"Oh – the art dealer's name is Eleanor Rigby," exclaimed Jude. "That's a coincidence."

"And is she young and beautiful?" teased Lucy.

"No – she's plump and middle-aged. Don't worry, love, she's got no chance of stealing me away from you. No-one has." He kissed Lucy on the lips.

Eleanor Rigby had invited Jude and Lucy to her house that evening. Jude didn't really want to go as he didn't enjoy formal socializing but if Mrs Rigby was going to help him he couldn't afford to offend her. He felt awkward in a suit and tie although Lucy assured him that he looked very smart. She herself looked gorgeous in a dark blue dress which brought out the colour of her eyes.

As they approached the mansion Jude and Lucy stared in amazement.

"It'll be interesting to see how the other half live," remarked Lucy. "Today I interviewed a family who are living on welfare after the guy lost his job and they're wondering how the hell they're going to pay their rent. I saw about two dollars on their mantelpiece – probably all they have to live on. I added a few coins of my own when they weren't looking." She paused. "We may not be rich but there are people much worse off."

"Yeah, well, we'll be better off if Mrs Rigby agrees to sponsor me," replied Jude optimistically. The grandeur of the house intimidated him but he had to impress its owner. If he got this sponsorship it would take him one step closer towards becoming an established artist.

They were shown into the drawing room by the housekeeper. Eleanor Rigby sat on the sofa, dressed in black silk. The room was full of expensive antiques and paintings. Jude started to feel uneasy. He had dealt with quite a few art promoters but none this wealthy. She was probably a rich widow or divorcee who dabbled in art as a hobby.

"So this is the girl in some of your pictures," said Eleanor after greeting them in a perfunctory manner. She looked Lucy up and down. "I must say she makes an interesting subject." Her look was almost envious. A beautiful young woman when she herself was well past the first flush of youth.

Jude and Lucy sat side by side, feeling awkward. Eleanor did not engage them in small talk and she seemed too withdrawn to start a conversation with. Neither of them had a clue what to say to her as they sipped their drinks, wishing she would break the ice.

Finally Eleanor said "So, now, Mr Feeny, we must discuss business. The deal is that I buy your work and arrange its exhibition. Then we will split the proceeds from sales 60-40."

"That's right decent of you, Mrs Rigby," smiled Jude.

"60-40 in my favour," said Eleanor sharply. "I am making considerable investment here and I am already being more than generous in the advance."

Jude nodded, not wanting to antagonize her. It seemed unfair but he was somewhat at her mercy.

Eleanor, who had all but ignored Lucy, now looked at her.

"Do you work in the arts too, Mrs Feeny?" she asked.

"Well, not as an artist," replied Lucy. "But I do write articles."

"A journalist! Ghastly profession!" exclaimed Eleanor rudely. "Looking for scandal and gossip."

"Well, excuse me, Mrs Rigby, but that's not what I do," said Lucy firmly but politely. "In fact at the moment I'm writing about how strikes affect families and -,"

"Oh, don't talk to me about damn strikes," snapped Eleanor. "My company workers have had the audacity to go on strike, damn them. They complain they're not paid enough. Hah! I expect they want mansions and rolls royces. They're lucky to have a job. And if they don't stop this nonsense I'll sack every one of them."

It was falling into place for Lucy – and Jude. Eleanor Rigby was the boss of the construction company. She was sacking and cutting wages and causing misery for workers and their families. Lucy felt sick. Surely Jude wasn't going to accept help from this monster of a woman! She cast a look at him but couldn't catch his eye as he listened to Eleanor as she continued "It was my late husband's company which came to me. It's a burden. I'd sell it tomorrow but I wouldn't get a good enough price now." Then she paused and said abruptly

"Well, it was interesting meeting you. If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone now. My housekeeper will see you out."

With pleasure, thought Lucy bitterly. You deserve everyone to leave you alone, you heartless bitch.

It was a great effort to take Eleanor's limp hand but she couldn't resist saying

"Workers have a right to protest if they feel they're being badly treated, Mrs Rigby – and it isn't just workers affected by unemployment and poverty. Their families suffer too."

"I run the company the way I see fit, young woman," said Eleanor with a stiff coldness. "Just the way you see fit to write what you like in your deluded articles."

"I write the truth," bristled Lucy indignantly. "And that's too bad if it hurts some people."

Lucy saw Jude shake hands with Eleanor and she hoped it was the last they would see of the woman. It would be a disappointment for Jude, of course, but it wasn't the first let down he had had. He would get his break one day, he was so talented. He was better of away from Eleanor Ribgy, there was something about her that was utterly poisonous.