oOo
Edward excused himself from Sunday tea with the family. He knew that they'd think he was hung over, but this time, it wasn't the case.
When he'd returned last night from Bella's, instead of drinking, he had gone up to his studio, and had set up his easel. He had painted until the misty, grey November dawn had made him realize how tired he was. He'd only slept until midday though, had coffee, and returned to his atelier, where he'd taken up his paintbrush again.
It was now after five, almost dark again. He normally preferred daylight for work, which was the main reason he'd bought this house. The studio had overhead windows and was facing south. It also had a floor-to-ceiling window that looked out over the small garden that Milo had loved to frolic in.
He'd had special lights installed that almost resembled daylight, so he could work in the evenings, or on occasions such as this overcast autumn afternoon.
He remembered that he hadn't eaten anything since Bella's curry dish last night. He smiled at the thought of last night.
To imagine that she hadn't seen E.T.!
She'd looked so beautiful as she watched the movie, her huge eyes luminous with wonder at the cute little alien.
He fixed himself a sandwich that he ate in the kitchen. He typed out a message for Bella while he did.
"Hello, sweet Bella. I was just thinking of you, wondering when it would be a good time to call? I hope you're having a nice time with your family. I'm looking forward to hearing your lovely voice again. E."
Was that too corny?
But it was exactly the way he felt!
He hit send.
Her reply came twenty minutes later, when he was back to work.
"I'm home now, looking forward to our chat. B"
He wiped his paint-covered hands on a towel and grabbed his phone, sitting in the old armchair Irina had given him, years and years ago, for his birthday.
"Hello?"
"Hey. It's me, Edward."
"Hi!" She sounded exactly as he always thought of her: happy, relaxed, self-confident.
"So… what are you up to?"
"Just returned from my parents'."
"Lunch?"
"Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, and tofu for me." She laughed lightly. "Very traditional, aren't we?"
"I liked your vegetable stir-fry."
"Thanks. Even without meat?"
"Even without meat." He considered his hand, remembering how it had held hers. His nail beds were blue from the paint. He looked up at the picture he had started last night. It needed a lot more work, but he had a feeling it might be something.
"What are you doing, Edward?"
"Working, actually. I started last night."
"After you'd come home?" She sounded surprised.
"Yeah. Sometimes, I have an idea, or inspiration, and it takes root, and I won't find any rest until I do something about it."
"A new painting?"
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"Hmm. That remains to be seen. I'll tell you once I've figured it out."
"Okay," she said softly.
"Do you… do you have a busy week, next week?" he asked, feeling quite clumsy in his choice of words. Bella, with her passion for language, always seemed to be able to say exactly what she meant.
"Yes." She didn't seem too happy. "In addition to school, I took on three shifts for Jasper."
"Catering-Jasper?"
"Yes," she laughed again.
"Are you working on Saturday?"
"No. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It's a three-day conference at the Barbican."
"And…" he nervously cleared his throat. "Do you have plans for Saturday?"
"No. Why?"
"I thought maybe, we might do something together?"
God, he felt like a teenager!
"I'd like that," Bella simply replied, and Edward's heart did a small, girly dance.
oOo
Hmmm… what do you think about Edward's new painting? Any ideas?