Absolute Depth: A short story

A young student student of art history, Andrew Ashton, makes a long trek to a Greek island to visit Ben Burgess, son of famous artist Royston Burgess, a painter of vast, mysterious canvases that sell for millions now, in the hope that he will interview him and complete his university thesis. But he has to get past Susan, his housekeeper, and her daughter Miranda, who are determined to protect the old man from harsh enquiry and too much publicity. But as Andrew begins to ask his questions, Ben begins to remember and to share his long-forgotten experiences of his father, and in doing so realises Andrew is more than just a visitor. He's the component that has been missing from his life - just as Ben becomes for Andrew.