Rudiments

The clanging of the bell alerted Kate to Elizabeth’s return. “Elizabeth, hi, thanks for calling back, sorry I missed you.”

“No problem I had a couple of errands to run”

“Helen, will you be OK with things here for a little while if I pop out with Elizabeth?”

“Sure, I’ve got things to do anyway and Laurel and Hardy should be back with that elusive switch-box soon.”

“Thanks, are we still on for lunch?”

“You bet, and Melissa said she can join us, see you later.”

3

Kate and Elizabeth left Helen to look after the gallery, before heading round the corner to their favourite coffee shop.

“Has Helen always worked for you at the gallery?”

“Yes, but we’d been friends for years before that. I finished at the law firm three years ago and decided to have a go with the gallery. Helen was working as a P.A. for an executive at an advertising company in the City. She wasn’t very happy there and felt she needed a change. I needed somebody to work with me and could offer the same sort of money she was already getting so she left and here we are.”

“So you’re not partners?”

“No, Helen wanted it all official: employer and employee, but it doesn’t work like that. I do the more creative bit with visiting artists and choosing work for exhibitions and so on while Helen puts her P.A. skills to use with the organising, bills, invoices, manning the gallery, day to day stuff like that. I’m there most of the time anyway but free to come and go as I please. I don’t mind Helen having time off whenever she wants it but she rarely does, she’s very conscientious.”

“It all sounds like a friendly set-up, you must enjoy it.”

“It works out well and we do have a good time, yes. If it’s quiet we’ll go for a coffee or early lunch and put in extra time before exhibition openings and artist promotion days.”

On entering the coffee shop Kate chose some free seats in a quiet corner where they could talk without fear of being overheard. While Elizabeth went to order their coffees Kate reflected on their conversation the week before. Initially, she’d been reluctant to divulge her secrets and share the things that she hoped would become real, things that so far she’d not been able to experience. She’d been put at ease by hearing Elizabeth tell her of her own experiences. Kate couldn’t believe that she’d been sitting there discussing such things with a real person, somebody she knew, and not just reading an anonymous person’s experiences on a website.

She looked over to Elizabeth, waiting at the counter. Kate would assume her to be a year or two older than herself but obviously looked after her figure and skin. She seemed happy and confident. She was obviously successful as an artist and, as far as Kate knew, happily married. What made Kate so excited though was that she was looking at someone who lived her life the way that Kate has so far only dreamed about. Elizabeth had not just wished for it like herself, she’d gone ahead, taken the plunge, and actually done it. What’s more, she may also have the contacts who could enable Kate to do the same thing, and realise her own dreams.

Elizabeth returned from the counter and sat opposite Kate.

“I thought I’d hear back from you. Before I met Robin I went through exactly the same thing you are now. I thought what I wanted was impossible to achieve, a dream, and destined to remain that way. Thankfully it all changed and I don’t regret what I did one little bit. I felt so free; like this great cloud had dispersed. I saw a new future and I was desperate to experience it.”

“But has it had an effect on your marriage, your home life or your career?”

“Well yes, as with anything there are affects, but mostly positive, and I would hope that others see me as I feel I am, a confident, happy woman. I’m very happy with my artwork, it’s my creative outlet, something I’m in control of, and in all other ways, apart from the obvious, it’s the same with the rest of my life.”

“So you do still feel in control of things, you don’t feel…I don’t know how to put it…downtrodden?”

“Of course not, far from it. Robin doesn’t abuse me in any way, I’m my own person in all other aspects of my life and neither of us would want it any other way. And that brings us to your other consideration–Richard, and his views on this.”

“I know, and I’m sure that he’ll be okay with it,” Kate said, then added as an afterthought, “maybe not as keen as me though,” at which they both giggled.

Elizabeth continued. “It’s a big step for both of you and how to approach it is the important thing, but your marriage seems very strong and I am sure he’ll be more willing than you think.”

“Well I’ll soon find out. Richard’s away tomorrow for a few days so we’re going out tonight for a meal at our favourite Italian restaurant. I’m going to broach the subject then–definitely.”

“Great, good luck and let me know how it goes. I’ll be waiting to hear.”

The two said their goodbyes, kissed and left the café. Kate returned to the gallery to find the electricians nearing the completion of their task. By half past one Harry and Keith had finished the work, tested the new lighting, cleaned up their mess and left. Helen was up to date with her list of jobs and Kate was hungry. Maybe it was turning out to be a good day after all.

“Shall we close up and go to lunch, Helen?”

“I thought you’d never ask, come on.”

Lunch with Helen and Melissa turned out to be as enjoyable as ever. Kate ate very little, which may have been for sensible reasons, as she was going out later with Richard or it may have been because her stomach was a little fluttery due to the uncertainty of how things would turn out during the evening. Helen never had a lot to eat or drink during the day; like Kate she saw going to lunch as a social event rather than an opportunity to gorge herself. Melissa on the other hand could eat for England. Fortunately for her, at the age of only 26, she had the metabolism to cope and never seemed to put on weight.

They both loved Melissa; everybody loved Melissa. Her bubbly personality and endless ability to see the positive side of everything made her good company. She loved to share the gossip about the latest victims from her never ending stream of boyfriends, and get into long discussion of the traits which made them unsuitable. The conversation never got depressing though as the next one was usually lined up ready for the slaughter.

4

The warm summer evening confirmed their decision to walk to the restaurant. Richard had returned from work early, so they had plenty of time. They had made the journey numerous times, it was their favourite place for Italian food.

As usual they strolled along hand in hand, taking in the sights and sounds of the city as it closed down for another day. During the winter months they would have taken the car and been there in five minutes but the twenty minute walk that night seemed to go just as fast to Kate. Her mind whirled, considering the various starting points she might use for the conversation she needed to have, or was it a confession she knew she had to make.

There had to be a reaction of some sort, it could be one of hurt or curiosity, or maybe Richard would just be repelled by her lack of inhibition and reckless suggestions. She would know by the time they left.

One of the two regular waiters showed them to a small round table in the far corner, next to the window. After exchanging pleasantries they ordered a bottle of House Red wine and glanced at the menus. It wasn’t really necessary, they always chose their favourite pasta dish and placed the order as soon as the waiter returned with their wine.

Richard wanted to tell her about his trip and what it could mean for future business if it proved to be a success. He even tried to explain the working of the new product. Kate doubted she would have totally understood on a normal night but she went through the process of listening and nodding in what she thought were the correct places. Fortunately there were no questions which tested her attention.

By the time Richard had finished the food had arrived. The pasta and sauce smelled and looked delicious, coupled with the rich, full bodied red wine they savoured every mouthful. The portions were not oversized, as found in many restaurants, so their hunger was satisfied without feeling uncomfortably full.

It didn’t take long for the waiter to reappear and take away the plates. After declining the offer of desert they were left alone to enjoy the rest of the wine.

“You seem rather distracted this evening darling, is everything okay at the gallery,” Richard asked. “Did the electrics get finished?”

Kate relayed the day’s events with Harry and Keith, using the shortest version she thought she could get away with, one which wouldn’t provoke too many questions.

“Actually Richard, there’s something that I want to talk to you about.” To Richard that phrase usually meant that he’d done something she wasn’t happy with, she wanted to buy something very expensive–and knew he wouldn’t agree that it was necessary–or she had a confession. He assumed it would be the most common of the options.

“Oh yes, what have I done?”

“Don’t be silly, you haven’t done anything.” She put her hand on his.

“It’s just rather awkward where to start. You see…well, I…” Her hesitancy made him curious as to where she was heading but he knew that she’d get to the point when she was ready; he just had to be patient. Kate started again. “It’s awkward for me and difficult to put into words. It’s about us and our relationship.” Richard’s eyes widened rapidly and his jaw dropped. “Oh, no darling it’s nothing like that,” she assured him, realising how that must have sounded. “There’s no problem with us, between us, I love you and always will.”