The waves lapped against the shore and further out early morning surfers were catching the current. Penelope and the girls were having breakfast on the balcony after Kayo had gone out to buy pastries before the other two had woken up and Natasha looked out at the beach.

"So do you want us to bid?" Natasha asked.

"If you really want, but we're mainly there as support."

"We can make it fun," Kayo smiled sipping her tea.

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes Melissa, the guests can browse the other artworks whilst drinks are served, then we make an announcement and the curtain will rise."

"Alright Pierre, I just hope we raise enough money from this," she sighed looking at a covered portrait, "what time is it?"

Pierre looked at his watch, "9:30, the guests begin to arrive at 11," he sighed, "it'll be fine."

The shadows stretched from the morning sunshine and guests began to arrive at the Coconut Gallery. Lady Penelope, Parker and the girls were among the small crowd who had their phone tickets scanned and approved as they approached.

"Lady Penelope, it's so good to see you, how is your father?"

"Melissa Colm," Penelope kissed her cheek, "thank you for inviting me. My father is very well thank you. Let me introduce you to my friends, Natasha Howard and Tanusha Tracy."

"Pleased to meet you. Thank you for coming to support the auction. My husband is so excited."

Kayo nodded, "our pleasure."

"The auction will be starting in an hour, just relax and enjoy the event."

"Thank you, Melissa, good luck."

Natasha took a glass of champagne off a tray passing by, "I feel underdressed next to some of these gowns."

"You look fine. I say they're overdressed. I would've much preferred to wear my causals, but I guess a fancy jumpsuit works."

Pierre approached the podium and cleared his throat, "ladies and gentlemen, we will start auctioning in half an hour. But now, as a special treat, I give you, the Green Parrot. My love?"

"Yes Pierre," she pulled the rope beside the portrait and the cloth fell away to clapping as the bird came into view.

"Wow," the crowd awed and Pierre grinned.

"Merci beaucoup," he left the podium and thanked those around him.

A man approached in a dark blue suit and Penelope noticed how similar he and Pierre looked, she was snapped out of her thoughts by another guest and she looked away.

"Pierre, that is truly wonderful. Please join me for a drink."

"Thank you, Charlie."

"How much are you hoping it goes for? You know how much mother loved it."

Melissa nodded, "Pierre told me about your mother's recent parting, I'm so sorry."

"Thank you, it was hard but she went peacefully," Charles took a champagne glass for himself and one for Pierre, "down the hatch, brother."

"I'm so pleased for Pierre," Penelope smiled watching him clink his glass, "I told you it was a masterpiece."

Kayo nodded at the painting, "it's certainly vibrant."

"Oh, he's coming over," she smiled, "Pierre, it's exceptional!"

Pierre closed his eyes with a nod, "too kind your ladyship. I think we should start auctioning, don't you think?"

Penelope shrugged, "no time like the present. Let's sit down."

All of the lesser-known paintings were sold off to other galleries quickly and the mayor of Sainte Marie stepped back from the podium.

"Mr Colm, perhaps you would like to take the bids in for this last one yourself?"

Pierre smiled, "thank you, Mayor Bourdais," he stood up to applause and took her place on the podium, "well so far we've raised over 500,000 dollars, thank you so much. And now, I open the bid for Marie's Green Parrot at 50,000."

Kayo gasped at the paddles going up, "that's incredible."

Natasha nodded, "has Virgil ever sold his artwork?"

"He sold one once but stopped after he was criticised on a piece. I wish he hadn't."

"The bidding stands at 100,000 dollars, anymore? Ah yes, 120…140…180…200…"

"Still going, Pierre will be thrilled," Penelope beamed catching Melissa's eye.

"Sold for 300,000 Dollars! Thank you so much Mr Frankinson owner of the Salamander Gallery in Montpellier," Pierre's brother clapped reluctantly which was unnoticed by all but Parker standing by the bar, "thank you, everyone, the auction is now finished so please relax and enjoy our gala," he nodded to the pianist to strike up playing again and left the podium to let people admire the parrot up close.

Kayo walked out onto the veranda overlooking the sea as she heard her communicator buzz and spotted Charles Colm walk round to the garden before her attention was snapped away by Scott's voice, "yeah, I'm here, sorry a little distracted."

"How was the auction?"

"Amazing, well in terms of how much money it raised."

Scott smiled, "so, are you glad I forced you to go?"

"One point to you."

"How many do I have now then?"

Kayo smirked, "I wouldn't be surprised if you were actually keeping count," she paused just to gaze at his hologram and he chuckled.

"What is it?"

"I miss you, that's all. Not being with you reminds me of how much I actually enjoy your company."

"A compliment, wow. Are you sure it's just that?" Scott smiled, his dimples turning to craters.

Kayo looked back at the party, "I should probably re-join the event, how is everyone there?"

"Just me and dad here, Virgil was needed on a mission and he took the terrible two, they were giving dad a headache. He doesn't need a squabble at 9 in the evening."

"This time difference is doing my head in," Kayo sighed shaking her head.

"Call me anytime sweetheart, I'll be around."

"FAB. I better go, enjoy your evening."

"Tracy Island out," he signed off with a kiss and Kayo smiled before heading back inside.

"Kayo, there are you. Have you seen Melissa? I want to offer her my congratulations," Penelope looked around the room but the young woman wasn't in sight.

"I thought I saw her go out with Mr Colm but that could have been earlier."

"Pierre?"

"No, his brother."

"He's over there. Has been since you went out." Natasha excused herself, "I'll be back in a minute, could one of you look after my drink please?"

Kayo nodded, "sure Nat."

"Thanks," she walked through the house and round to the bathroom when she caught sight of someone lying awkwardly on a sofa in the hallway, "are you alright, miss?" She walked over and gasped in shock, it was Melissa. She ran back to the party and grabbed Pierre's arm, "monsieur, your wife, she's collapsed in the hallway," Pierre clutched Natasha's arm to show her and told someone to call an ambulance.

"Aller! Do it now!"

Penelope and Kayo along with Pierre's brother followed them worriedly and Parker held back the rest of the guests, Natasha felt for a pulse as Pierre begged his wife to wake up, then paled.

"Nat, what is it?" Penelope asked.

"She's dead."