Love & Other Dramas: 'A brilliant book'--an uplifting, witty must-read, perfect for fans of Marian Keyes by Ronali Collings

Author:Ronali Collings
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bonnier Publishing Fiction
Published: 2022-06-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Helen

Art Appreciation

Helen tried to appreciate the grand religious paintings at one end of the room from the vantage point of a circular padded bench but found herself wondering what on earth she was doing there with his man she hardly knew.

They’d travelled into London together on the Tube, the noise of the carriages crashing and squealing on the rails through the tunnel, making communication difficult unless shouted. There was nothing worse than trying to manage a conversation with someone you didn’t know well in front of other people you didn’t know at all.

But the silence between them was comfortable as they ambled through the beautiful deep-hued rooms, lulled by the peaceful ambience and the beauty of each piece. Her art appreciation classes had been useless. As far as she was concerned, art was part of the soul, not to be analysed and critiqued, but to be loathed or loved. Oscar had stolen glances at her as she’d stood in front of each painting, gauging her reactions. They’d exchanged a few words as they traversed the rooms, but nothing more. It was as though the confidences they’d shared that day at the food bank had forged a deeper connection that didn’t require nervous conversation about inconsequential matters.

She thought about her recent conversations with Tania. She was different these days. It wasn’t pity exactly, but she made more of an effort and was less prickly whenever Helen visited. And she’d given her a new key. There were text messages during the day, and phone calls to check on her. She liked it.

But she was eaten up with guilt for not telling Tania about Stephen and Holly. Every time she’d tried, they’d been interrupted or distracted and now it felt like it might be too late altogether. As though she were holding back the information until she could release it with maximum impact. Maybe she was worrying over nothing. Surely, Tania wouldn’t take him back after all the heartache she’d endured?

Despite their deepening trust, she didn’t want to tell Tania about Oscar. Not yet. She wanted a little part of her life for herself. One where she could be the Helen who wasn’t betrayed. The Helen who didn’t anger someone with her sharp comments. The Helen who didn’t flinch.

When she’d had enough of their near silent contemplation of Old Masters, she stood and joined him.

‘Let’s go to lunch.’

Twenty minutes later, they were seated side by side at a table in Hoppers that abutted the wall of windows looking onto the street, pushed up next to each other in a way that would have been avoided at a more traditional face-to-face table for two. She basked in the warmth of him as they brushed arms, inhaling the fresh citrus scent of his aftershave as she adjusted herself in her seat.

The colours in the restaurant were muted ochre and the tables and chairs simple wood. Music played in the background, sadly not baila, but something altogether more cultured. The clientele was eclectic, and she

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