A Picture of LOVE

Kate yearned to own the painting – but someone else was just as determined…

As the auctioneer’s gavel fell, so did Kate’s hopes of owning the original painting. Kate had long been an admirer of Amy Hetton’s work, a well-known local artist who had begun with small commissions for greetings cards and posters, often to be found in gift shops. As her career continued, her popularity increased, making her now a nationally renowned, collectable artist.

Kate already owned some of Hetton’s watercolour prints, but the opportunity to own an original oil painting was something else. So she arranged her day off in order to attend the auction and hopefully combine it with lunch and a shopping spree.

The auction estimate had been £500, a great deal of money. But as Kate pondered over the idea, she felt she couldn’t resist bidding for this piece of work by her favourite artist. She reasoned she would pay no more than £700.

The starting bid began at £200, and Kate’s heartbeat accelerated with every bid, her adrenaline fuelling a desire to outbid anyone else.

There was a lull at £400, and Kate smiled, feeling certain she would be taking the picture home. She had even chosen the place it would hang in her lounge.

Then the bidding resumed, this time with a fresh bidder who seemed intent upon increasing the stakes.

The acceleration of the bids occurred suddenly and, against her better judgement, Kate nodded to numbers she had never intended to.

But at £950, she finally shook her head and the gavel fell.

With little to interest her in the shops, she decided to take an earlier train home. It wasn’t one of the rush-hour trains crammed with passengers, but the carriages were filling quickly.

A window seat looked inviting, a place where she could just gaze out at the passing scenery.

‘Excuse me, is this seat free?’

Kate nodded and gestured for the stranger to sit opposite her. She watched him carefully position a large wrapped parcel in front of his feet, and instantly she knew what it was.

‘I hope this is not in your way. Please just say if it is.’

His eyes fell upon her, his gaze lingering as he suddenly recognised her. An apologetic look appeared on his face. ‘I’m sorry, I hope there are no hard feelings.’

‘No, the highest bid won. I was upset, but it’s just one of those things. I realise Amy Hetton is a popular artist.’ ‘Yes, she is. I have many of her prints.’ ‘So do I.’ Kate gave a brief smile. ‘Well, we’ve established we have at least one thing in common. I’m Ben, by the way.’

‘And I’m Kate.’

*****

Soon the train left the sprawl of the city behind as it travelled into open countryside. ‘Do you work in the city?’ Ben asked. His question made Kate stare at him momentarily.

‘Sorry if that’s too impertinent,’ he added. ‘Not at all. I work at a solicitor’s. I travel in each day by train. What about you?’

‘I’m new to the area and have just moved to a new practice. I’m a dentist, would you believe?’ He began to laugh, then covered his mouth with his hand. ‘People always look at my teeth the minute I say what I do.’

‘I know what you mean. People always think I’ll sue them if I’m not happy with their work. Plumbers and electricians beware!’ They continued to chat and laugh until the train began to slow to a halt.

‘Well, this is my stop. Lovely to meet you, Kate.’ Ben looked deep in thought.

‘You too. And this is also my stop.’ Ben looked relieved at Kate’s remark.

They walked from the station to a small car park, before stopping at Ben’s car. He searched for his key in his jacket pockets.

‘Let me hold the painting for you while you find your key.’ Kate grinned and added, ‘You can trust me… I won’t run off with it.’

‘I know you won’t. You’re far too nice for that.’

Kate smiled, then handed the painting back to Ben as he opened the car boot. ‘Just promise me you’ll look after it.’

Ben nodded. ‘I’ll give it a good home. Can I give you a lift anywhere? Or is your husband or boyfriend picking you up?’

‘My car’s over there.’ Her eyes twinkled before she added, ‘Just for the record, there’s no husband or boyfriend.’

‘That makes us even, then. There is no wife or girlfriend for me.’

They were still giggling as they got into their respective cars. Then Ben suddenly leapt out of his car and shouted,

Her heartbeat accelerated with every bid

‘Which train do you get in the morning?’ ‘I’ll be on the 8.15am,’ was the answer.

*****

Kate soon became accustomed to Ben waiting for her at the station each morning. His tall, athletic build was easy to spot. Their journey would always pass quickly as they chatted effortlessly, getting to know one another.

Both in their early 30s, they’d had previous relationships but none of significance. Both were buying their own homes in quiet country villages and both loved walking, pub quizzes, travel and music, as well as art. Their appreciation of life was very similar. They discovered they’d attended the same concerts, one on the very same evening!

In the evenings, they often travelled home together on the same train, waiting for each other after work. Their colleagues grew accustomed to seeing them together and soon realised they were a couple in love.

Any free time was spent together, often in one another’s company at home. They shared similar tastes in décor and a keen appreciation of art. Kate would often gaze at the painting she had so wanted at that auction. She had to agree it looked splendid in Ben’s lounge, but she still missed having it hanging on her own wall. She reconciled her disappointment with the thought that if she couldn’t own it herself, she could at least see it on Ben’s wall.

*****

When Ben invited Kate for a meal one evening, she assumed they would be eating out. As always, she took care with her hair and make-up and selected a new dress she had bought recently. Ben always admired the way Kate looked – stunning even without much make-up. She was always discreet with its application.

This evening Ben opened his front door and his eyes sparkled with excitement. He pulled Kate swiftly towards him and kissed her on the lips. ‘You look beautiful,’ he said. ‘Thank you.’ A coy smile ran across Kate’s face as she hoped she had pitched her dress appropriately for the evening. She was about to ask where they were going, but the appetising aroma from the kitchen made her stop and look quizzically into Ben’s eyes.

‘I thought we would stay in tonight. For once, I have cooked for you. Let me show you to your table.’

With a theatrical gesture, he pulled out a chair from a table he had especially positioned in his lounge. Normally they ate in the kitchen, but not on this night. The table had been set for two, with wine glasses, candles and a red rose in a vase. ‘Would you like a glass of Pinot Grigio?’ Kate smiled and nodded appreciatively as Ben poured the wine. Kate knew she had been in love with him for some time now, but he still continued to surprise her.

She smiled as he darted into the kitchen and returned with two prawn cocktails. ‘I know you love seafood.’

‘I certainly do. This looks wonderful.’ ‘Well, try it first.’

‘I can’t believe you have gone to such trouble. This is delicious.’

Ben smiled with relief. ‘Wait until you see the next course.’

Once again he dashed into the kitchen, this time for a longer period. Kate heard pots and pans being moved around. ‘Can I do anything to help?’ she called out. ‘You can top up the glasses if you like.’ Kate replenished each glass and took a sip. Her gaze fell upon the painting she had lost at the auction. The artist’s use of colour, introducing subtle tones of light, made it come alive. It was easy to see why Hetton’s work was becoming so collectable.

The scene was a familiar one captured by numerous artists, but this depiction made the onlooker want to actually step onto the pavement itself and gaze across the River Seine, entranced by the structure in the distance. No scene could be more romantic than Paris and its Eiffel Tower.

‘I hope you like Beef Bourguignon,’ Ben said as he put the plate in front of her.

‘I love it and this smells delicious.’ Kate beamed as she tasted the dish.

‘You still love that picture, don’t you?’ Ben asked, directing his eyes to the painting. ‘You know I do.’

‘What do you especially love about it?’ ‘The colours are stunning and it’s so realistic. For me, it’s also an aspiration. I’ve only visited Paris once, on a school trip. But hopefully I’ll return one day.’

‘I bought it for similar reasons, and also because I admire the artist’s work. But now I love it for another reason… because it brought us together. It’s a picture to love, and one that has led me to love.’

Ben reached across the table and took hold of Kate’s hand. ‘How would you feel about me giving you the painting as a wedding gift? Kate, will you marry me?’

Silence fell as Kate stared in bewilderment before voicing her reply.

‘Of course I will. But there’s one condition – I choose the honeymoon destination.’

Ben beamed with delight. ‘Would that be Paris, by any chance?’

THE END Joanna Joslin, 2022

‘You still love that picture, don’t you?’