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‘Amber tells me you’re a jewellery designer. I’d love to learn how to make a ring, or a bracelet, or a pair of earrings.’
Suzie smiled. ‘And I’d love to learn how to create stained glass or throw a pot.’
‘Then we’ll teach each other! It’s a deal.’
They continued their stroll around the gallery, pausing frequently to discuss a particular painting or sculpture, sharing anecdotes about the origins of their inspiration for the designs they had created, and realising how much their respective fields had in common. Finally, they completed the circumnavigation of the space and came to a standstill in the ceramics part of the gallery where, amidst the hand-painted crockery and tiles, was a small glass shelf that Suzie hadn’t noticed when she’d conducted her recce the previous night.
‘Did you make these, too?’
She indicated the menagerie of colourful knitted creatures – cats, dogs, mice, fish, dragons, and unicorns – along with a selection of what looked like fruit and vegetables; lemons, oranges, tomatoes, aubergines, and something small, green, and spherical that she didn’t recognise.
‘Is that a sprout?’
‘No, I believe it’s an olive.’
‘And this?’ Suzie picked up a larger, oval-shaped object whose outer “skin” sported a thick layer of pointed spikes that looked like they’d been cut from a sweeping brush. ‘Is it a coconut?’
‘No, that’s a durian fruit; you know, the tropical fruit that smells like the bottom of a gym bag.’ Katerina giggled. ‘What you are looking at is my friend Heidi’s most recent project. She’s a budding entrepreneur but doesn’t seem to be able to decide in which direction she wants her undoubtedly sparkling future to go, so she tends to flit from one ingenious idea to the next. Last week it was wine glasses decorated with glitter paint, and the week before that it was tiaras made from olive branches and brown string, and don’t get me started on the combed wool tapestries she made last month. However, while she’s waiting to make her first million, she’s working as a waitress atTaverna Giorgoson the outskirts of town. I can’t wait for you to meet her; you’re going to love her. Okay, that’s the full tour. Do you have any questions?’
Suzie hesitated. She wondered whether she should ask about the dark, moody paintings in the anteroom at the back of the store, just so she was armed with any necessary information should a potential customer enquire about them. However, Katerina had omitted to include them in her “whistle-stop tour” of the gallery, and she didn’t want to get into a conversation about what she thought of them. She knew her expression would give her away and she didn’t want to offend her new friend.
‘No, I don’t think…’
Katerina caught her eye and burst out laughing. ‘You’ve been in the back room, haven’t you?’
‘Yes, I…’
‘Don’t worry they’re not mine.’
Suzie expelled a sigh of relief.
‘I’m pleased to hear that. They are a little…’
‘Off-brand?’
‘Yes, that’s what I was going to say.’
‘They are the complete antithesis to the bright, uplifting atmosphere I strive to create at the gallery.’
‘So why are they here?’
Katerina sighed. ‘Unfortunately, they’re a non-negotiable condition in the lease I signed when I took over the shop. I tried to ask for it to be removed, explaining my vision for the gallery, but the real estate agent informed me that the artist is a relative of the person who owns the building, and they insist on the paintings being on public display, or something like that. Anyway, Amber refused to have them on show in the window, frightening away any passing trade, so she moved them into the back room. I only hope that the artist, whoever it is, doesn’t decide to pop in and visit their beloved creations, and I’m pleased to report that we’ve been lucky so far.’
‘How long have you had the gallery?’ asked Suzie, picking up the knitted durian fruit Katerina had carelessly discarded in one of the painted ceramic bowls and replacing it on the glass shelf with the rest of the fruit.
‘Just over five years,’ said Katerina, dropping onto the white-leather-and-chrome chair in front of the gallery’s stylish glass desk. ‘Feels like I’ve been here for ever, though.’
‘Did you grow up in Santorini?’
‘Oh no, no, my family are from Thessaloniki.’
‘So what made you relocate to Oia?’
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Suzie knew she’d strayed into a taboo subject, and she chastised herself. What was she thinking? For a woman who valued – no,neurotically protectedher own privacy – why had she asked someone she had only just met such a personal question? Heat flooded her cheeks.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—’
‘It’s fine, but do you mind if we shelve that story for another day? Suffice to say that I love it here; it’s like I’mstarringin the movie of my life, instead of being forced to take the role of “background extra”. I can honestly say that my creativity has blossomed ten-fold now that I’m free to pursue my dreams in whatever way I wish, without judgement or criticism.’ Katerina gave Suzie a meaningful look before saying, ‘And I hope you will be able to do the same.’
