Of Light and Love by E.V. Bancroft

Author:E.V. Bancroft [Bancroft, E.V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Age Gap, Artist, Contemporary, Forced Proximity, Grumpy/Sunshine, Ice Queen, Latinx/Hispanic, Lesbian Romance, Loss/Grieving, Mature Lead 40+, Opposites Attract, Small Town
Goodreads: 61473730
Publisher: Butterworth Books
Published: 2022-09-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

“Wow, this is amazing,” Laura said, staring at the picture in the National Gallery.

Caro bubbled with laughter at her enthusiasm. Joy shone from every pore and in the gleam in Laura’s eyes. How refreshing to be around someone who expressed their delight and fun and didn’t care about behaving in a serious way around fine art. That they were both drawn to the Gentileschi Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria was not surprising.

“Her use of light is ace,” Laura said, leaning forward over the ropes to take a closer look.

Artemisia gazed out of the painting with a wistfulness that was so hard to recreate. “It’s the expression that gets me,” Caro said. Light seeped in from the glass ceiling in the long gallery, bathing the room, picking up the warmth of the terracotta walls, and offsetting the gilt of the frames. Caro had been here many times but never with such an enthralled companion before.

She needed the distraction. It was a great idea of Laura’s to make a day of it before the opening of Caro’s retrospective this evening, but maybe they should have done the tourist parts after the exhibition, because Caro’s attention kept drifting to the impending opening, the crush of people, the expectations and small talk, and her speech. Would they like the exhibition? They should do, given that it comprised her old works, or was it out of vogue now?

Laura placed her warm hand into the crook of Caro’s arm. “Are you okay?” Laura asked.

Caro inhaled sharply and pulled Laura closer. A heavy lump settled itself in her stomach. “How do explain I can’t paint anymore? I don’t want to talk to anyone. And Rebecca’s still pissed off with me because I’m not staying with her and doing the rounds of our old college friends. I can’t stand their pity and the discomfort of not knowing what to say.”

Laura squeezed her arm, and the warmth of her touch settled the buzzing in Caro’s stomach.

“What’s the minimum you have to do that will keep you clear of Rebecca?”

“The only thing I have to do is give a small speech, I suppose. Freddie and Rebecca can do all the sales talks. And Rebecca will probably want to push her new artists.”

“Do you want to practice your speech now?”

Caro shrugged loose of Laura’s grip. “Not really, but we ought to go. Do you mind if we walk? I need to clear my head.”

That Laura understood Caro and sensed her anxiety was a revelation. Yvonne could never comprehend how Caro hated being the centre of attention and just jollied her along with “Smile on, tits out” as a pep talk. But Laura seemed to be watching Caro’s creeping dread with close attention, ready to protect. “Thanks for understanding, Laura.”

They locked gazes, and Caro was drawn into Laura’s deep brown eyes, keeping eye contact for a few seconds longer than expected between friends. Because they were really friends now. She looked forward to early morning tea and chats about art and politics and Laura’s project.

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