‘You don’t mind helping, do you? I know you need to build up the photography and the painting.’
‘I like helping,’ she said softly. ‘I was always changing something or other in my house. It was a bit of an addiction. And anyway, we get to spend time together.’
‘We certainly do. Although you are quite distracting. In a very nice way.’
‘Am I now …?’ Alice laughed, and stood up. ‘We’d better work in different rooms then!’
Luis’s phone buzzed. ‘No rest for the wicked,’ he sighed. ‘I’ve got to take this, sorry.’
‘I’ll carry on pulling the tiles off the wall in the lounge, shall I?’
‘Great, thanks.’
‘Yes, sir. Will do, sir.’ Alice walked slowly into the house, wiggling her bottom.
Luis laughed and answered the phone.
Alice walked inside and began to prise a tile off the wall. It fell to the floor with a satisfying crack. She imagined it was Adam’s head. Staring at it for a moment, an idea began to form, and she began to get drawn into it, her problems dissipating as she began to lose herself in bringing it to life.
‘Well, good news and bad news,’ said Luis from the door as Alice examined the patterns on the tile.
‘Oh, you surprised me.’ She laughed. ‘I was miles away.’
‘Yesterday my solicitor told me that he thought the buyer for my last house was going to pull out and I should look for another option.’
‘Oh, no … is that going to be a big problem?’
‘No, no. I’m sure it’s not. It’s not confirmed yet. I’m still hopeful. But any extra cash to help get over the glitch will help.’
‘Absolutely,’ said Alice.
‘So the call was from the shop I supply in Sintra – the owner has asked for more photographs. But different. So that’s good.’
‘Yes, that’s excellent.’
‘And I’ve negotiated that he’ll pay half up front rather than just a percentage on sales. So that’s good.’
‘That is good news. What’s the bad news?’
‘I’ve got to spend a day taking photos, then developing and mounting them. So that’s a couple of days away from here.’
‘Needs must,’ she said.
‘Although …’ Luis walked outside and stood thoughtfully for a moment. ‘I’ve got it!’ he said. ‘Here. It’s beautiful. The view’s beautiful, the garden’s beautiful, the house is old and decrepit and beautiful. I’ll take photographs here.’
‘That’s an excellent idea’, said Alice. ‘Um … I’ve got an idea, too, and a favour to ask.’
‘Go ahead.’
‘You see these tiles I’ve pulled off the wall … can I use them for a project I have in mind?’
‘Of course, you can.’
‘And can I do that here? I just don’t want to do any harm to the apartment, and I think it might get messy …’
‘Now?’
‘Yes please.’
‘Good, we can keep each other company. Now, back to work Miss Matthews please. Elvis, follow me.’
Alice picked up some of the tiles and carried them outside in a bag, excited at the prospect of trying something new. She emptied it onto the ground and checked what tools she had with her. ‘Do you have any cement?’ she said as she sorted through the pile of broken tiles on the grass.
‘I’m not really at the stage of making things yet. I’m still at the pulling everything out and destroying it stage,’ said Luis. ‘What do you want it for?’
‘I’m going to make some mosaic pictures. I’ll try the adhesive I’ve got in my bag.’
‘Adhesive in your bag?’
‘It’s my special “I am an artist and am prepared to ‘art’ at any time” bag,’ said Alice. ‘Stop laughing. I am being very serious.’
‘I’m sure you are,’ laughed Luis. He held his camera above his head. ‘And this is my special, “I am a photographer and am prepared to photograph at any time camera”.’
‘Ha, ha. Very funny,’ said Alice. ‘I’m going to make some bracelets, too, with other bits of tiles. The muse is upon me. Must be this place.’
‘Right,’ he said, suddenly business-like. ‘The light is great so I’d better get working. Don’t mind me, I’ll be roaming around photographing things.’ He stood and stared at the horizon to the west. ‘I can see some clouds coming in. So I’m going to have to work quickly. See you in a bit.’
Alice looked up to say something, but he was already striding off into the distance with Elvis close on his heels.
She sat in the morning light, cooled by a soft mountain breeze, working to a soundtrack of birdsong and the occasional buzz of a small plane flying above the beaches. For a while nothing else existed apart from the patterned shards of porcelain tiles and the shapes they made on the wood. A distant bark finally broke the spell and Alice looked up. The midday sun was high in the sky, and the breeze had dropped to nothing. A bead of sweat trickled down her back. Standing up unsteadily, she stretched and scanned the garden for Luis. The bank of rainclouds hovered close over Guincho beach.
‘Think we got the best of the day,’ shouted Luis.
Alice spun round to see him leaning out of an upstairs window, camera in hand. ‘How long have you been up there?’ she said.
‘Not long. Got some great photos. How have you done?’
‘I’ve made the first one,’ she said. ‘I’m going to stop now. My back is beginning to hurt.’
‘Is that a tile picture of this house? It’s good. I’d put it on my wall.’
‘Do you think so? That’s a relief. I’ve seen a few others in the past, so it’s not exactly original, but it is original because it’s mine. My interpretation.’
‘I took some photos of you. I hope you don’t mind.’
‘Me? I’m not—’
‘You are beautiful. It was as if you were part of the landscape. I couldn’t help it.’
‘Oh, I …’
‘And now you’re lost for words.’
Alice giggled. ‘Mmmm,’ she mumbled.
‘Come. I’ve bought some bread and cheese for lunch. Picnic at the old table round the back. See you there!’
‘So how do you feel now that you’re a professional artist then?’ asked Kathy as she and Alice walked slowly towards the square.
‘One part of me is very excited,’ said Alice. ‘Another part of me knows that I can’t make a living out of it and I need to start looking for work at home again. And I sort of have.’ She felt strangely guilty saying it.
Kathy stopped walking and stood in front of Alice, her face serious. ‘I know I keep saying you should face up to Adam, but actually I wish you could just enjoy yourself and stop worrying just for a little while, too.’
‘I have been enjoying myself’ sighed Alice. ‘More than I’ve done for years. But that nagging voice always comes back. Usually after something wonderful has happened. I got some post forwarded from home today. My electricity is going up next month. That reminded me that there’s no money coming in.’ She decided not to mention Adam.
‘Apart from your big chunk of redundancy.’
‘That’s true,’ said Alice, starting to walk again.
‘And what about Luis?’ said Kathy. ‘It’s not just a fling is it?’
Alice looked at her. ‘But that’s what’s it’s supposed to be. It’s all happening very quickly, and I can’t seem to stop it. I don’t want to. But I can’t stay here for much longer. Life was much less confusing when it was just me hiding in my house.’
‘But much less fun.’
‘True. And I don’t really want to go back yet. I want to live this bit for a little while longer.’
‘I don’t want you to go back,’ said Kathy. ‘It’s lovely having you here.’
Alice glanced into a shop. ‘There’s that gorgeous dress,’ she said.
‘Stop pressing your face against the window. If you want to buy the dress we have to go into the shop’
‘I was only admi
ring it. I didn’t say I was going to buy it.’
Kathy held the door open and pulled Alice in.
‘It’s a lot of money,’ she whispered. ‘I’m living on my redundancy money, remember?’
‘I need to remind you that you are living rent free in a wonderful apartment in Cascais,’ said Kathy quietly.
‘God, you know, sometimes I forget,’ sighed Alice.
‘Alice Dorothy Matthews. It is your thirty-eighth birthday very soon. Live a little. You’ll stay until after that, won’t you?’
‘Of course, I will,’ said Alice. ‘The dress is beautiful though, isn’t it?’
‘You need to celebrate your life as a successful artist and buy it,’ said Kathy.
Alice lightly brushed the blue silk dress and took it off the rail. Holding it up against her she danced coquettishly in front of the mirror.
‘Would madam like to try it on?’ The sales assistant appeared by her side.
‘Yes, she would,’ said Kathy. ‘And shoes. Do you have any shoes that would go? And a wrap or a light jacket or something?’
‘Of course,’ said the assistant guiding Alice to the changing room. ‘Give me a few minutes and I will come back with a selection.’
‘Now. Are you feeling better, Kathy?’ Alice pulled the dress over her head and wiggled it onto her body.
‘Today, yes. Yesterday, no. If it comes back tomorrow I will definitely go to the doctors. I must have picked up a bug or something. It can’t just be Mary’s tea.’
‘No. I was fine after a day—goodness me. I love this colour.’
‘Come on then,’ said Kathy impatiently. ‘Give us a twirl.’
Alice pulled back the curtain dramatically and jumped out. ‘Ta da!’
‘Wow!’ said Kathy. ‘That so suits you. You look gorgeous.’
‘I do like it. Love it actually.’ Alice twirled around again.
‘Ahh madam. That is stunning.’ The sales assistant had reappeared with four pairs of shoes and two wraps.
‘They’re all lovely,’ said Alice picking up each shoe in turn. ‘But these are too high for me and these are too low. I love the blue silk ones and love, love, love these.’
She put on a pair of light blue leather sandals with tiny blue flowers on the sides.
‘Perfect,’ sighed Kathy.
‘Excellent choice,’ said the assistant.
Then Alice picked out the bright blue silk wrap with shots of silver and gold thread weaved in and put it on.
‘It is from Morocco, madam,’ said the assistant.
‘It is spectacular,’ said Kathy. ‘Awww, Alice is all grown up. I’m so proud.’
Alice walked past the mirror a few times, smiling at her reflection.
‘Stand still for a minute. I’m going to take a photo.’ Kathy took her phone out of her pocket and pointed it at Alice.
‘I’ll take them. All,’ said Alice. ‘All of them. Happy early birthday to me.’ She felt slightly giddy with the excitement of buying it all despite worrying horribly about money only half an hour before. Then she remembered last year’s birthday – a slightly low-key visit to the pictures, followed by a drink with her parents. She deserved this, she definitely did.
‘Just a sec,’ said Kathy. ‘I want to show you something. Here.’ She held out the phone and showed Alice an old photo.
‘That’s me a few months ago isn’t it?’ she said. ‘Gosh, I look tired and pale.’
‘Well, look at this.’ Kathy held up another photo. ‘That’s the one I just took.’
Alice’s eyes widened. ‘Are they both me?’
‘Yes, they are. Before and after. Remember that. Remember how far you’ve come and how much you’ve changed.’
‘Gosh, I thought I looked shocking today, my hair’s all tangly and I forgot to put on my make-up … and dear God I still look better now!’
‘Being here. All of this. It suits you.’
‘I must have looked awful for years.’
‘No you didn’t, you’ve always looked lovely. You just look a lot better now.’
‘I used to think I looked alright. No supermodel but alright. But I didn’t realise I looked that bad!’
‘Well that’s a trick I won’t be using again,’ sighed Kathy putting the phone back in her purse.
‘I’m definitely buying this outfit then,’ said Alice. ‘It’s worth every penny.’
That evening Alice watched the sky slowly turn from blue to pink to pitch black. She had sat on the balcony immersing herself in the colours, photographing every change, Aphrodite purring at her feet. Everything she saw had become something she could create another piece of art with. She couldn’t remember when it had started, but she knew it made her happy. Taking something beautiful and making it into something else that was another kind of beautiful.
‘I feel like I’ve been dipped in colour, Aphrodite,’ she said eventually. ‘I have said it before and I will say it again. It’s like I left my monochrome life in London and flew into a palette of paint.’
Aphrodite stood up and stretched.
‘Time for food, then?’
The mosaics she had made the day before were leaning against the living room wall. Luis had suggested she approach the owner of a craft stall near the station with them. She paused for a moment, inspecting her handiwork, excited and nervous about the prospect. Luis had told her what to say and how to negotiate. Her stomach fluttered when she thought of him, and she smiled, but she remembered the problems he had with the sale of the house and wondered how he was. How he really was, not just what he chose to tell her.
Aphrodite mewed irritably.
‘Okay, okay, food coming.’
As the cat gobbled her food hungrily, Alice stood at the door of the study, pondering the computer. Should she? Shouldn’t she? She did. As it flickered into life, Alice took a deep breath and typed in Adam’s name on Facebook. The name she had typed in so many times in the past couple of years with no results, was suddenly visible again. Rows of his girlfriend’s pots were assembled decoratively in professional-looking photographs. And this time Alice did not feel sick. Not at all. Switching off the computer, she poured herself a glass of water and got ready for bed.
I am now an artist, Adam. Despite you, she thought, and tomorrow I am going to sell my work without the aid of a safety net. I mean without Kathy or Luis being around to hold my hand. But as she climbed into bed the image of Adam dropping one of her bracelets into a drawer and slamming it shut, his face full of contempt shot into her mind.
‘I know you said you’d been making these things since you were seven,’ he’d said. ‘It’s for little girls really, isn’t it?’ Through the open bedroom door, Alice contemplated the bag of tiles on the table for a few minutes.
Then she stood up, opened her wardrobe, took out an old blue work dress she had brought to Portugal by accident, grabbed a pair of scissors from the kitchen and set to work. Four hours later, Alice had five bracelets made with smoothed out shards of tile, white and blue beads, and little scraps of her dress. Then she went back to bed, sticking another two fingers up at Adam as she did.
Ignacio opened the door of his car for her and bowed. ‘Madam, please.’
Picking up her samples, Alice began to struggle into the seat.
He tutted, taking them off her and putting them in the boot.
‘Are you well?’ he said finally as they drove off.
‘Yes I am, thank you. In fact, I’m quite excited.’
‘You have recovered from whatever it was that affected you the other day?’
‘What? Oh, Mary’s tea … yes, I’m fine thank you. Won’t be drinking that again.’
‘Tea?’
‘Tea. And one glass of wine. They don’t mix apparently.’
Ignacio pulled out onto the sea road and sighed.
‘Is everything okay, Ignacio?’ asked Alice.
‘Yes, well. If you have to know. I think you should be careful about your behaviour.’
Alice fel
t a sudden dull ache in her stomach. ‘I haven’t done anything.’
‘Word spreads easily here, and not everybody is friendly. Those girls …’
‘What girls …. oh them … what about them?’ She slumped into the seat, her heart beginning to beat faster again. Please not today, she thought. Not when she was fighting back and feeling hopeful. Not today. She didn’t want to hear it. Not today.
‘Carlos heard them talking. They are silly young women. But one of them … her father has a lot of money and she thinks she can always get what she wants.’
‘What has that got to do with me?’
‘She wants your boyfriend.’
‘What? He’s nearly forty for goodness sake.’
‘I’m just passing it on. They were not nice about you.’
‘Oh.’ Alice felt uneasy. ‘I feel like I’m back in school.’
‘I don’t want to upset you. But just be careful. Luis, he—’
‘—has a reputation, I know.’
They sat in silence for a while, Alice’s mind turning over and over, wondering why no-one would just let her be.
‘I think all that is behind him,’ said Ignacio eventually. ‘But sometimes people don’t let go of those ideas. I think those girls haven’t. She sees him as a trophy.’
Alice stared out of the window, wondering why she just couldn’t have some fun without someone commenting on it.
‘So, what are all these paintings and jewellery?’ he asked, trying to change the mood.
Alice sat up, defiant. ‘I’m going to try to get a craft stall to stock them. Luis suggested it. I’ve got some of my photographs in some shops at the moment.’
‘That is good news, Alice.’
‘I never thought in a million years I’d be doing this. I mean this time last year I was just looking ahead to years and years of the same job in the same place.’
‘Well, it is Paradise,’ smiled Ignacio. ‘And when in Paradise ...’
‘Beware the Wicked Witch of the West. Or the north,’ muttered Alice.
‘Sorry?’
‘Nothing.’ She took a deep breath and smiled. ‘Thanks for the warning. But today is going to be a good day!’
The car pulled up next to the beach, and Alice got out determinedly. But as she walked towards the craft stalls, her confidence began to dissolve. Hovering next to the stall that Luis had suggested she approach, she pushed herself forward, holding on to her portfolio bag containing her mosaic houses and bracelets as if it was welded to her hand.
The House That Alice Built Page 16