The Secret

Ellie was lying on the grass reading ‘The Moon and Sixpence’ by W.Somerset Maugham. The sun was shining and she was enjoying the feel of the heat on her hair. She had slipped off her shoes and was wriggling her toes in the grass, feeling the soft cold blades between her toes. She heard children laughing and looked up. On the lake, there were boats being paddled by tourists and natives alike, all of them enjoying the sunshine and this green space in the centre of the city. Ellie smiled. It was so lovely here. She sighed and went back to her book.

Alan watched her from the bottom of the hill. She looked very young and would have easily passed as a student. He paid for their ice creams at the small van parked at the edge of the lake and walked quickly up to where she was lying so they wouldn’t melt in the sun.

She saw a shadow moved between her and the sun and looked up at him. He handed her an ice cream and she laughed at him. Most of it had dripped in white rivulets down his arm and he licked it off with his tongue.

‘Thanks’ She smiled at him and licked her cornet. It was cold, sweet and creamy and perfect for such a lovely day.

Alan lay next to her, his long legs stretching just beyond hers.

‘How’s the book?’ He asked.

‘Really very good, actually. I like Maugham and Gauguin in my favourite artist so I guess this is the perfect book for me.’ She smiled at him. ‘Do you like Maugham?’

‘Some of his writing is very good. Although I have been distracted recently by other things, I haven’t had the chance to read anything for ages.’ He looked at her. She was far more intelligent than he would have given her credit for and he berated himself for judging her on her age and lack of knowledge.

‘Do you work, Ellie? I assumed you were a full-time parent but I’m guessing wrong, aren’t I?’ He looked at her with interest. Ellie was pleased. Pete was never interested in what she was doing and he certainly wouldn’t have wanted details.

‘I’m finishing a degree course in English Lit, actually.’ She smiled broadly at him She was very proud of her achievements so far and was close to finishing. It had been hard work, juggling everything but she had done it and enjoyed every minute.

‘Wow…’ he whistled slowly ‘ you are a clever thing!’ He smiled at her, his eyes squinting in the sunlight.

‘It’s been a great course. My tutor has been so helpful with my essays and I hope to write myself, one day. That’s my long-term goal, anyway. It depends how things go at home, I guess.’

‘I hope you get what you want out of it. It took me a long time to finally decide what I wanted to do.’ He finished his ice cream and lay on the grass, his arms beneath his head, eyes closed.

Ellie closed her book and lay down beside him and closed her eyes too.

‘What do you see when your eyes are closed?’ She asked.

‘What do you mean?’ He asked. The sun was warming his face and he felt a little drowsy.

‘When I close my eyes I can see all the colours of the rainbow’ Ellie told him.

‘Can you?’ He laughed at her a little.’ It’s just dark to me!’

‘Then you’re not looking properly!’ She laughed. ‘Go on. Close your eyes and see at the same time. I’m telling you, it’s a rainbow!’

Alan closed his eyes and relaxed, forcing his eyes to see without seeing.

‘Oh my god, yes!’ He laughed. ‘I never noticed that before!’

‘I always think people look, but they don’t see.’ Ellie stated.

‘What did you see when you first saw me, then?’ He laughed.

‘A grumpy prick…’ She giggled softly.

‘Thank you…’ He said slowly, laughing under his severe tone.

‘I was spot on, I think you’ll find!’ She laughed and poked him in the ribs.

‘Yeah, I was horrible, wasn’t I? Sorry about that.’ He smiled.

‘You have made up for it…’ She spoke quietly but she was smiling too.

Alan leaned in and kissed her on the lips. ‘I have a surprise for you… come on.’

He grabbed her by the hand, pulling her up. ‘Where are we going? It’s so nice here!’

‘It’s a surprise. But you will love it. I promise.’ He grinned and held out his hand. Ellie took it and they walked off together.
They took a tube ride and a short walk. Ellie had no idea where they were going and Alan had no intention of telling her. They were walking down a street lined with antique shops and art galleries and just before one of them Alan stopped.

‘We’re here. Now, close your eyes, otherwise it won’t be such a good surprise!’

Ellie could tell by his voice he was having a great time teasing her.

‘Ok…don’t let me trip up!’ Ellie closed her eyes and he guided her in front of a plate-glass window.

‘OK. Open them.’ He smiled at her as she opened her eyes and gasped, speechless. She looked at him and then back at the shop window.

There, on an easel, was a painting by Paul Gauguin. It was a series of Tahitian figures entitled ‘Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?’

‘Oh my god….’ Ellie couldn’t tear her eyes away from the painting. ‘ How did you know it was here?’

‘I know the gallery owner and when you said you liked Gauguin, I couldn’t not bring you, could I? She has a couple more inside. Come on.’ Her enthusiasm was infectious and he smiled at her as he held the door open for her to walk inside.

Ellie felt like a child in a sweetshop. The gallery was displaying a range of Ethnic art and had two further Gauguin paintings at the rear of the shop. She stood for a long time in front of them, drinking them in, memorising each brush stroke, each shock of colour against bright colour. She knew she would probably never have the chance to see them again and when it was time to leave, Alan had to almost drag her out of the shop.

They walked down the street and Ellie was quiet for a long time. She was mulling over the paintings in her mind but also that Alan had heard what she had said, taken notice, surprised her to make her happy. To have another person pay so much attention to her feelings and her opinions was very rare and her self-confidence was growing by the second.

‘Alan…’ She finally spoke, turning to look at him, her eyes shining with happiness.

‘Yes, Ellie?’ he grinned at her.

‘Thanks.’