Whirlwind

She stood for several minutes gazing at the huge canvas.

It was as she was moving away that she heard his voice. “You get lost in him, don’t you?” Startled, she looked behind her. She said “Sorry?” “The artist I mean. You get lost in him.” She went back to the picture and nodded slowly. “Yes. You do.” He stood closer saying “I find that in all his work.”

That was how it started. A classic whirlwind romance really. It was as though neither of them expected it. They spent the whole afternoon walking around the gallery. They had so much in common, quite apart from their mutual love of paintings.

They left as the gallery was closing and he asked if she would like to go for a meal. She hesitated, saying that she did have some commitments, but finally decided that it was nothing that couldn’t wait. After all, blushing slightly, she said she had enjoyed the afternoon so much she didn’t want it to end.

After walking through the city, looking in shop windows, taking in the sights, and constantly talking and finding out all they needed to know about each other, they arrived at a restaurant he recommended. The evening was spent wining and dining. It was late when he paid the bill and they made their way out onto the street.

They stood for a while, his arm around her, breathing in the night air. He said “I don’t live far from here. Would you like to come back for a coffee?”

She looked a little embarrassed and said “Would you mind if I said no, not this time. It has been a wonderful day and I don’t want to rush things. Next time, you have my number”. She gave him a hug and kissed him. He smiled and reluctantly hailed her a taxi. When it pulled up she got in and blew him a kiss as it moved off into the traffic. He stood, watching it disappear into the night.

In the taxi she looked down at the wallet. It was fat. Not easy to lift. She was pleasantly surprised at how much cash it contained. It was only a short hop to the next city.

She could fly!