Ink and Ivy by Sara Martin

Author:Sara Martin [Martin, Sara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Westwell Press
Published: 2018-08-09T16:00:00+00:00

I slunk off to school the next day without so much as a word to my mother. I just couldn’t face her. Nor could I face her after school. Instead of going home, I went straight to Opulence to see Priscilla. She would make me feel better.

When I entered the shop, Priscilla swept towards me. “Lovely to see you, Ivy.”

“Thanks for letting me come over.”

“Oh, that’s fine. Is something bothering you?”

“I told my parents I want to study creative writing.”

“Oh dear. And they didn’t take it too well?”

“No. They didn’t.”

Priscilla hugged me. “Everything will be okay.”

A customer entered the shop.

“Why don’t you go make yourself comfortable upstairs? Julian’s not here. I’ll bring up tea later.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

I went upstairs while Priscilla attended to the customer.

The sunlight was already beginning to fade. I turned on the light in the studio. All was still. I looked at the easel to sneak a peek at Julian’s work-in-progress—a picture of a beautiful girl sitting with a distant expression on her face. I admired the picture for a while before realising she looked familiar. Finally, it clicked.

It’s me.

It was the finished version of the portrait he had been working on.

Is this how he sees me? I thought, somewhat surprised.

The more closely I looked at it, the more I could see the resemblance. I studied it for some time before going to Julian’s desk. I pulled out my iPod and put my headphones on. While listening to music, I flicked through my notebook, cringing at the writing within.

Priscilla came up momentarily, carrying a silver tray. On it, were two teacups, a pot of earl grey and two slices of chocolate cake. “I’ve locked up downstairs.”

“You didn’t need to do that.”

“I wanted to.” She poured me a cup of tea. “Tell me everything.”

I relayed everything to Priscilla while she listened attentively. When I had finished, Priscilla asked what I intended to do.

“I’m going to apply to the Elias Institute,” I said, firmly.

“So, you’re not going to back down?”

“No.”

“And how do you feel about that?”

“Relieved, I guess.”

“Then you know you’ve made the right decision.”

“And my parents?”

“They’ll get over it. If they love you, they’ll understand.”

I sighed. “It feels like my mum hates me right now.”

“Just give her some time. She’ll come around. I promise.”

Talking with Priscilla made me feel much more at ease.

Heavy footsteps approached up the stairs. Julian entered. His hair was a mess, his eyes were red, and he hadn’t shaved.

“You’re back,” Priscilla said.

“I left early. Ivy, what are you doing here?”

“Sorry, I was just…”

Julian grinned sheepishly. “Don’t worry about it. You can come anytime you want.” He sat down on the couch and yawned, stretching his arms above his head.

Priscilla checked the time. “I’m having guests over at my house tonight, so I’d better get going.”

Julian nodded.

I started gathering my things.

Julian stopped me. “You can stay, if you want.”

“Well, okay.”

Priscilla left with a goodbye and a hug for each of us.

Before an awkward silence could pervade the room, I spoke. “I haven’t heard from you in a while.

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