A Rarer Gift than Gold by Lucy Branch

Author:Lucy Branch [Lucy Branch]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781909477568
Publisher: Clink Street Publishing
Published: 2016-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

My parents had flown into Venice and were travelling up with Terry and Thérèse. I was desperate to see them all and got to the gallery an hour before we were due to meet just in case they came early. I leant up against the rough stone walls at the entrance of the building and searched every car that passed.

I could see Sergio prowling the perimeter of the candlelit courtyard. He caught my eye warily and immediately ascended the stairs at some pace.

The courtyard had been styled. Flickering lanterns were set on the craggy stone sills of each archway. The fountain ran pink water and garlands of pink roses had been wrapped around the cloister columns and up the staircase. Petals were strewn across the floor.

Some young men in a car slowed down as they drove past. They hung their heads out of the window, tossed me kisses and yelled for my attention. The car behind hooted loudly.

I was glad I’d made an effort with my wardrobe. I wore a red dress the colour of wild poppies. It was the sort of delicate fabric that swishes when you move. I had piled my hair up, letting some rogue tendrils fall about my face, and kohl shaded my eyes. I wore a flashy eye shadow and finished with a heavy dark red lipstick. Last of all was a new pair of black satin gloves which ran the length of my forearms with my spectacular diamond ring to top it off.

I pressed my palms together and massaged the itchy surfaces while I waited. Pierro Ricco appeared from inside the gallery carrying two glasses of pink champagne. He offered one to me and lingered to chat at my look-out point.

As he passed the glass, he held onto it for a second longer than necessary and let his eyes run over me slowly. The look was very predatory and I felt the colour rise in my cheeks.

‘You look very beautiful tonight,’ he said in his soft, growly voice.

I was saved from making some trite comment by Luca, Sergio’s partner, pulling up in a cab and hopping out. He embraced Pierro.

He shook with nerves, which I thought was quite endearing; he must really care for Sergio. He fiddled with his heavy framed glasses as he spoke to Pierro in Italian. Next to Pierro, he looked slight like a whippet next to a Doberman.

Pierro handed Luca his empty glass to take inside and returned his attention to me.

‘I have arranged curators from all over the world to come and see this exhibition. I’m positive it will make Sergio world famous,’ he said.

‘Well, he is very talented,’ I said awkwardly.

I hated making small talk and felt completely distracted by my hands. Nerves were making them moist so they were stinging, and the fabric of the gloves was making it worse. I felt Pierro’s attention being drawn to my hands.

‘Sergio has left a bonus for you in the studio. I hope you will accept it. We were discussing his next project this afternoon.

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