‘OK, but the coffees are on you.’
‘It’s a deal.’
Charlotte was thrilled to see a couple of art galleries in the main town on their walk as well as several art supplies shops. There hadn’t been anything like this on the other islands, and she wasn’t that interested in buying clothes; she had more than enough.
She stopped outside one gallery with a stunning window display. It called to something inside her, far more than a collection of dresses and tops ever could.
‘You two go on. I just want to pop in here. Let’s meet in an hour in the main square. Decide on a coffee shop and message me the location.’
‘OK, if you’re sure.’
Sofia barely looked back. Nothing and no one was going to get in her way when it came to shopping.
Charlotte went through the door of the gallery, housed in an old building, which felt as familiar to her as entering her own house. The spacious room opened right up at the back and was hung with brightly coloured abstracts.
At one end, in a light-filled glass conservatory, a woman sat painting at an easel.
The smell of the oil paints made her head swim. She’d missed this so much. Why had she allowed Doug to take this from her as well as her sense of place in the world? Her art wasn’t his to toy with. Charlotte watched in silence for a long while until the woman beckoned her over.
‘You are also an artist?’
Her accented English made Charlotte think she was Scandinavian.
‘Yes, how did you know?’
‘You looked so at peace. And you stayed still for so long.’
Charlotte looked up at the glass roof with the dazzling blue sky beyond and out at the white houses climbing up the hill.
‘What a gorgeous place to paint.’
‘It really is. I’m Astrid, the artist in residence here.’ The woman pointed to a set of stairs in the corner. ‘I live in the flat above, with a roof terrace overlooking the sea. It is simple, but it has everything I need.’
‘I’m Charlotte. Pleased to meet you.’
Charlotte’s head was blown by the idea of actually living and working in such a lovely place. It was something she’d never considered. She had to find out more. If she was late for coffee, so be it.
Maddie was now officially bored stiff by the number of shops they’d visited and dismissed after a few minutes. Unusually, Sofia couldn’t find anything she liked. They were back on the street once again.
‘Nothing in there either?’
‘No. It’s to wear to meet Adonis’s mum. It’s got to be just right.’
The wrong image could send everything crashing down before they’d even started.
‘But you’ve got loads of clothes with you. Your suitcase was massive. I made do with hand luggage.’
‘Nothing I’ve brought is suitable. It’s got to be tasteful and a bit conservative with a small c.’
‘Really? Why can’t you just be yourself?’
‘Because I know this woman will be all judgy. Did you hear Lydia calling him “mummy’s little treasure”. I want to make a good impression.’
‘For someone who’s saying it’s only a casual thing, you seem very bothered about what his mother will think. I don’t have to dress up as well, do I?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous.’
Maddie pointed at a shop with a big gold C on the front.
