The Girl from the Hermitage by Molly Gartand

Author:Molly Gartand
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Eye Books
Published: 2020-04-13T13:58:36+00:00

7

The following day, Galina returns to the art academy and slips on her painting smock. She selects a variety of brushes from a canister and slides her thumb through the hole in the palette smeared with warm and cool tones which she blended in her previous painting session. She studies the portrait. Sveta is so similar to Elena. The more Galina works on the portrait, the more she sees the resemblance.

Galina has not been back to the dacha since the day she discovered them together and she has not spoken to Dima since the funeral. The portrait is a welcome distraction. While she is busy painting, she can avoid sorting out her marriage. And the painting gives her more time with Boris. It is as if she can feel him at her side, encouraging her while simultaneously lightening the atmosphere. Glancing at the clock on the wall, she feels the pressure of time. She must deliver it to the exhibition hall in two hours. There is no time for delay.

Galina focuses on the study and returns to the day by the lake. The geese are paddling and squawking. Sveta’s cheeks glow in the warm sunlight. The oil paints glisten. Boris is nearby, settled on the blanket. The air is tinged with the scent of feathers and mucky soil. Taking a brush loosely between her thumb and index finger, she gently touches the bristles to the palette and lifts it to the canvas. The dance continues.

The paint is still wet when Galina delivers the portrait to the exhibition hall. She has only just completed the final, finishing touches.

‘My dear, we have been waiting for you.’ Tatiana Nikolayevna ushers Galina towards the wall at the entrance of the exhibition. She stands back, hand on hip.

Galina leans the painting against the wall and takes her place beside Tatiana Nikolayevna.

Sveta shines.

Her face, aglow in the sun, conveys a relaxed, healthy girl. Carefree. Well-nourished. Strong and healthy.

‘What a beauty,’ says Tatiana Nikolayevna. ‘There is an innocence in her face. An angel. Obyazatelno, she must come to the exhibition opening.’

Galina has not given any thought to the opening and she certainly has not invited Elena and Sveta.

‘You have invited her, haven’t you?’ Tatiana Nikolayevna does not wait for her response and motions to a handyman, who scurries over, carrying a tool box. ‘This portrait must hang here,’ she instructs. ‘It will be the first painting of the exhibition.’

He nods and goes to fetch a ladder.

‘Are you satisfied with it, Galina?’

She tilts her head. ‘Boris was with me that day, when I painted by the lake. And...’

‘I completely understand.’ Cutting Galina off, Tatiana whisks her hand to the side, as if dismissing her words.

But of course, Tatiana Nikolayevna does not know the whole story. She does not have any idea who Sveta is. She is unaware that the long walk to the lake probably killed Boris. She looks at the portrait and sees a girl on a beautiful day. She does not see what Galina sees.

‘After the exhibition, we’ll get your new studio organised.

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