Stella couldn’t help but smile. ‘Yes, I most certainly do.’
‘Well, good. I do, too. Ineverfind myself down that nook of the city. Never ever. But I had a cancelled meeting this morning and somehow, I felt like something – or perhapssomeone– was dragging me there. And there you were.’
‘So it would seem. Well, to be completely honest, today’s been a bit of a headspin. I don’t know if I’ve really understood what’s happened yet.’
‘Of course. I can just imagine.’ She offered Stella a biscuit, which she graciously accepted. ‘Let me tell you a bit about the role, and I would like your input too, seeing as you’re the expert here.’
Expert? Did Gabrielle Belmont of the AAI just refer tomeas ‘the expert’?
Fuck.
Keep your cool here. You’ve got this, Stella. Now it’s YOUR turn.
The two sat in Gabrielle’s enviable office for two hours, sipping tea and chatting. Stella learned that the education department was due to open early in the new year. Working in conjunction with the largest museums and galleries in Italy, Gabrielle hoped that their new adventure would help teach children about the art world in a respectful, enjoyable and fun way. She needed someone who could nurture the new project, assist in hiring staff and teachers, and develop curriculum specifically for the Italian masterpieces at their disposal. The department would run in the neighbouring palazzo, and Stella would have her own office similar to the one they were in.
The salary was eye-wateringly good. Stella tried to keep her fidgeting fingers from view as they discussed the potential of bonus schemes and company perks.
All the while, as some of the information Gabrielle relayed faded to white noise, the image of Judith slaying ghastly Holofernes stayed imprinted on Stella’s mind. She’d done it. She’d slayed the beast of her past and forged a new future path. And in the moment, she felt immensely proud of herself.
Never again.
‘So, once we have done our usual background checks and organised the paperwork, we should be right to start in the new year. Does that work for you, Stella?’ Gabrielle asked, tucking into the last of the biscuits.
‘Yes, it does. This is all very generous and overwhelming.’
‘Excellent! It was lovely to meet you today, and I cannot wait for many more adventures to come our way. I think we are going to have lots of fun together.’ She buzzed Piero to come and escort Stella from the office.
‘Uhm, just one thing, if I may?’ Stella stopped short of the door. She didn’t want to ask the question, but a year of nonstop rejections and negative assessments had worn down her spirit. She justhadto know; she owed it to herself. She elongated her spine and stood a little taller. ‘Of all the incredibly skilled and expertly experienced art curators and specialists in Italy, whyme?’
Gabrielle gave her a warm hug and took Stella’s hands into her own, ‘You, my dear, have a kind heart, plenty of therightexperience, and you are great with children. You demonstrated today that you can think creatively on your feet, you aren’t afraid to push boundaries, and also,’ she leaned in for dramatic effect, ‘you don’t take things for face value. You trusted your artistic instinct. That’s why you knew that final painting wasn’t Early Renaissance. How could it be?’
‘I was right, then?’
She gestured to the view outside the window. ‘Is the Pope Catholic?’
trentatré
Marcella was wide-eyed. ‘And then she gave you the job?’
‘Yep.’ Stella took another long swig of her wine.
‘This is the best kind of karma.’ Marco loaded another handful of nuts into his mouth. ‘It was your time,no?’
‘That’s what my mum said when I called to tell her on the walk home.’
Rather than try to explain the day’s events separately over the phone, Stella thought it easier to do so over anaperitivothat night. The three met at Giacomino’senoteca, and he made them feel immediately at home in a cosy nook by the open fireplace.
Stella was happy to finally meet Giacomino, and she thanked him profusely for his support in Marcella and Carlotta’s plot against Vincent.
‘Allora, here’s to Stella,’ Marcella raised her glass, ‘who was definitely due something exciting to look forward to.’
‘Sì,assolutamente!Brava, Stella!’ Marco couldn’t restrain the power of his smile, relieved that Stella now had a means and purpose to stay in Rome. ‘What happens now?’
‘I gave my details to her PA, this really sweet guy called Piero. He’s going to organise the contracts, confidentiality agreements and such. All I need to sort out is a meeting with Gabrielle in two weeks to share some early ideas and long-term project plans.’ Stella popped a few nuts in her mouth before continuing. ‘In the meantime, they will send me their initial business forecast, budgeting – you know, the boring but important bits. And in around three weeks my salary will kick in.’
Shaking her head in disbelief, Marcella replied, ‘And, will you have an office?’
‘You won’t believe it! The building is on Viale Vaticano and I will have, wait for it . . . my own private office . . . which, wait for it . . . overlooks the Cortile della Pigna!’
