Hearts On Fire Episode 06


Characters from Hearts On Fire.

LUNCH lasted an hour and a half, leaving Julia sated and drowsy from the unaccustomed midday glass of wine. But sleep was not an option.

The guests drifted out of the shade of the awning which ran the length of the house, and on to the sunny patio, or terrazza, as Marianna called it.

Some disappeared down steps into the gardens and groves below – areas Julia had yet to discover.

She steadied herself for the first challenge of the week: discussing her pupils’ hopes and wants.

She planned to chat with each guest for half an hour at a table set in one corner, shaded by an umbrella.

It provided some privacy from other guests who were chatting in directors’ chairs or relaxing on loungers on the other side of the terrazza.

A cooling breeze brushed her bare arms in the heat of the afternoon while she awaited Charlie.

Julia wanted to interview her first, partly to get it over and done with, but also in the hope that Charlie would assume she had primary status amongst the painters.

The older woman, with her orange hair and strident voice, sat in one of the other chairs, clutching a glass of Orvieto Classico.

“Thanks for going first, Charlie,” Julia said. “It must be daunting.”

“Not at all. I’m not sure why we’re doing this. I don’t expect to learn anything from you.”

Charlie sipped her wine and gazed past Julia to the distant view.

The voice of Jason, Julia’s ex-husband, whispered, “She’s right. Have you seen how well she paints?”

Julia forced herself to look at Charlie.

“I’ve checked your website. You have enormous skill and talent. You used to make your living by selling portraits of horses, didn’t you?”

The paintings Charlie showcased on her website were astonishingly lifelike.

Julia recognised excellent photorealism, where the artist recreated her subject so faithfully that the result was indistinguishable from a photograph.

Charlie waved a hand dismissively.

“I was in great demand. It’s more difficult now. Portraits of one’s best hunter are out of fashion.”

“That must be difficult,” Julia probed, hoping Charlie would say more.

“I get by. And I have my friends.”

Presumably she meant Wizzy and the ousted Connie, with whom Charlie used to spend a month at Villa Davide every year.

“Well, let’s talk about the coming week,” Julia suggested brightly. “I understand it will be different without Connie.”

“That is the understatement of the century, my dear. Connie is Royal Academy trained, you know.”

Julia ignored both the slight and the heat that threatened her cheeks.

“I want everyone to take something positive from their time at Villa Davide.

“I can’t teach you anything about portraiture. In fact, you could teach me a thing or two.”

Charlie sipped her wine but said nothing, as though the comment was not worthy of a response.

Julia was running out of ideas to draw her potential nemesis out.

“Do you paint in any other styles?” she tried.

Charlie paused, as though the question had taken her by surprise, then finally made eye contact.

“Why would I?”

“For fun?” Julia replied.

“My dear, painting was my vocation. It wasn’t fun. It was hard work. Each portrait required hundreds of hours of dedication.”

“But you must enjoy painting, else why are you here?”

Charlie stared at her.

“Perhaps you could start selling again,” Julia continued. “If you tried a different style or –”

“Miss Morton,” Charlie interrupted with a glare. “I am not about to dash off sentimental birthday cards.”

This was a direct insult. Part of Julia’s barely adequate income came from working as a freelance graphic artist for a greetings card company.

“That wasn’t what I –”

“Nor am I about to fill my paintings with feet,” Charlie added, referring to Julia’s most well-known painting of the beach at St Andrews with a flip-flop.

“No.” Julia chuckled. “I can’t see that being your style.”

Nevertheless, Charlie needed to broaden her scope. But how might that be achieved?

Julia moved to her last avenue of approach.

If this failed, the month ahead promised to be utterly miserable for her, and a business disaster for Marianna.

“Perhaps you’d consider sharing your expertise,” Julia suggested. “We have a mixed group this week, from almost complete beginners to commercially successful artists.

“Perhaps you might advise on those areas where you have more experience than me.”

“Teach, you mean?” Charlie stared at her for a moment. “You want me to do your job for you?”

“No.” Julia’s heart thumped at the challenge, but at least she had got a reaction. “More share your skills where relevant.

“I see my role here as a facilitator – helping guests to achieve their individual goals. Several guests would benefit from your knowledge of detail work.”

Charlie continued to stare and Julia held her breath.

It was the make-or-break moment, and she had no inkling which route Charlie would choose.

To be continued…