‘And why is that, Ms Chiaro?’ Gabrielle asked directly.
‘Because that painting is not of the Early Renaissance period.’
For the first time, a wry smile formed in the corner of Gabrielle’s mouth. ‘Tell me how you came to that conclusion, Ms Chiaro.’
‘Well, the central figure here,’ she indicated to a young woman, ‘is sat in the half-turned pose, similar to that of Da Vinci’sMona Lisaof 1503, though is very much facing the onlooker. I would suggest that this should follow on from that time period. Furthermore, the scaffolding effect of these archways here behind the woman reminds me of the archways of Raphael’sThe School of Athens. I think this was painted by a student in Raphael’s studio, sometime post-1511, but certainly pre-Reformation and the work of Martin Luther. The religious symbols are still depicted in quite a positive light, so I don’t think the artist had yet been influenced by the social challenge to Catholicism.’
Stella tucked her hands under the table as they had begun to tremble. She had thrown her heart and soul and all her gut instincts at the task. Could her immediate reading of the work have been wrong? Of course. But there wassomethingto the simplicity of the task that had caught Stella’s cautious eye. Identifying characteristics of an artwork was beneath the skill set of all three of them, despite what Prof Villette had to say on the matter. There had to be more to it and Stella had learned the hard way not to take things at face value.
‘Thank you. The interview has concluded,’ Gabrielle said firmly. ‘Piero, please show Ms Chiaro out. I would like a word with Dr Wang and Prof Villette.’
Straightening her papers, Prof Villette gave a smug glare to Stella, feigning collegiality as she shook her hand.
Well, there you go. Not thedestinoyou had hoped for, after all.
Stella, deep down in her heart, had expected this outcome. Dr Wang and Prof Villette clearly had decades of rich and varied experience, and perhaps her ideas had been too outlandish, or even incorrect.
While her stomach was knotted with disappointment, she was still chuffed with how the afternoon had turned in her favour. What an incredible experience. And the chance to actually meet Gabrielle and step foot in the AAI? Those were two exceptional opportunities, no matter what happened in her career from here. So, with a gracious and thankful handshake with Gabrielle, Stella followed Piero from the room.
Instead of leading Stella back through to the reception, Piero took her into a different office. It had large windows with an enviable view of St Peter’s Basilica. Unable to hide her delight, a romantic sigh escaped her.
‘Bellissimo, no?’ Piero smiled brightly, opening the blinds even more to reveal a glimpse into the rear courtyard of the Vatican Museum. ‘We have the best neighbours,’ he said.
‘Who gets to work in this amazing office?’ Stella asked, turning on her heel, absorbing her surroundings.
‘DottoressaBelmont, of course.’
Stella suddenly snapped to attention. ‘What?’
‘Congratulations. Take a seat.’ He pulled one of the leather-appointed chairs out from under the desk. ‘She’ll be in soon.’ He gave her a playful wink and left the room.
Jubilation rushed through Stella like a cascading force, feeding every artery, vein and capillary in her petite little body with life. ‘What the . . .?’ she said aloud, and her jaw continued to hold its low-slung position.
Suddenly, Gabrielle burst into her office like a ray of sunshine on a winter’s day, unexpected yet glorious. ‘Thank God that’s over!’ she cried. ‘Piero! A fresh pot, please, and bring us those little almondy sugary things you picked up this morning.’ Taking a seat, she leaned back in her chair, arched her back and yawned loudly and dramatically. ‘Aaaaahh. God, Ihatebeing a cow, but sometimes, it’s totally called for! That Prof Villette – for heaven’s sake! And Dr Wang, a lovely man, but please!’ She kicked off her expensive designer heels, allowing them to loudly crash to the floor under her desk. The refined educated brushstrokes to her previously worn accent met the same fate, slamming unexpectedly to the tiles.
Stella’s wide eyes couldn’t contain her surprise.
The woman in front of her was not the woman she had met at Bar Luna e Lupa, and she was certainly different from the cold severe character from the interview.ThisGabrielle radiated positivity. Her smile was wide and inviting, her cheeks flushed a rosy glow, and she gesticulated animatedly as she spoke.
Sensing Stella’s confusion, she said, ‘Sorry about the cold-hearted bitch routine, Stella. I need to maintain a particular public demeanour in order to continue to assert my power in this field. You should know this now so it doesn’t startle you in future. I know, I wish things were different, but sadly, it’s the world we live in.’
Piero had arrived with a serving trolley, upon which sat an ornate teapot, two rose printed tea cups with matching saucers, and a little plate of icing sugar-dustedbiscotti.
‘Voilà!’ He gave a flamboyant flourish of the wrist and proceeded to pour them both tea. ‘Sugar, Ms Chiaro?’
‘No, thanks. And please, just call me Stella.’
‘Of course.’ He handed her a cup and added a little milk.
‘Don’t worry,’ Gabrielle reassured, ‘it’s imported. Not like the rubbish they drink here. I’ll never understand! Now, please, sit!’
Piero rearranged the white tulips which sat in a vase on the edge of Gabrielle’s desk before disappearing with a dramatic bow.
‘I don’t know what I would do without him. Bless.’ Gabrielle smiled kindly after Piero, taking a long sip of her tea, sighing contentedly. ‘Please, kick off your shoes, you’ll be more comfortable.’
Embarrassed, Stella thought of her black and white polka dot socks with a hole at the big toe currently hiding in her cropped boots. ‘It’s ok, I’ll leave them on for now.’
‘Now, I have brought you here to offer you the role of Director of Education at the AAI. I know, I know, it’s all a bit sudden, but the moment I saw you this morning in that bar, chatting away with those kids, I just thought to myself, “Gabs, she’s your girl!” And well, naturally, the fact that you have a history in art and education, well, that’s just a sign from God.’ She gestured out the window to the Vatican. ‘Do you believe indestino, Stella?’
