Rather to my surprise, they’re back in less than half an hour. Alex carries the bag of paint pots into the hall.
‘You’ve been quick,’ he says, looking admiringly at the stretch of wall where I’ve sketched out the riverbank and several of the characters.
‘It’s quite a simple scene,’ I say. ‘I didn’t think we wanted anything too fancy.’
‘It’s amazing! What can I do to help?’
‘Why don’t you paint the river and the riverbank?’ I suggest. ‘Just be careful not to run them into each other.’
‘I’ll help you,’ says Suzy. She picks up a paintbrush and holds it well away from her. ‘I don’t want to splash these lovely jeans.’
She gives a twirl, obviously expecting Alex to look, but he’s engrossed in painting the river and doesn’t turn around.
‘Not the most sensible outfit to wear for an afternoon’s painting,’ is all he says.
Suzy looks annoyed. ‘We were only supposed to be here for an hour. It wasn’t my fault that Annie fell in the paint, then decided to do a mural.’
‘That was my idea,’ he points out. ‘We’re lucky to have such a talented artist on the premises. It would be a shame not to make the most of her.’
Mr. Martin finishes the walls while Alex and I paint the mural. Suzy stands well back and contents herself with giving us directions.
Alex straightens up a couple of hours later. ‘What do you think, Annie?’
I step back to survey the picture. ‘I think it’s pretty good. Hopefully, the children will like it.’
Mr. Martin’s face lights up when he sees what we’ve done. ‘That’s absolutely amazing. Thank you so much, all three of you.’
‘I only did the grunt work,’ says Alex. ‘You should really be thanking Annie.’
‘It’s fine,’ I say, embarrassed. ‘I enjoyed doing it.’
‘If we’ve finally finished, says Suzy, ‘can we please go to the pub? I’m absolutely starving.’
‘Sounds good to me,’ says Alex. ‘What about you, Annie?’
‘I can’t go in this state,’ I say. ‘They’ll throw me out.’
‘You should go home and have a bath,’ says Suzy.
‘Nonsense!’ says Alex. ‘Annie must need something to eat even more than the rest of us. It’s a warm evening. We can sit outside in the garden. No one will care that you’re covered in paint. You’ve managed to get some of that green paint on your jeans too. You’ll blend in with the scenery.’
I’m sure I see a look of annoyance on Suzy’s face, but I don’t care. Why should she have everything her own way? I have as much right as she does to get to know Alex. And for a wonder, even with Suzy around, he seems just as keen to get to know me.
We help Mr Martin to stack the remaining paint pots.
‘Tell your mother to come and see what you’ve done, Annie,’ he says.
‘Most likely, she’ll just say that I should have left well alone,’ I whisper to Suzy, who gives a snort of laughter.
‘Doesn’t your mother enjoy great art?’ asks Alex.
‘I’m sure she does when she gets the chance,’ I say. ‘But she tends to be quite critical of mine.’
We pull up outside the pub, and I climb out. ‘I haven’t left any paint on your father’s upholstery, thank goodness. I told you I didn’t mind walking.’
‘Youarea bit of a mess,’ says Suzy. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to go home and clean up?’
‘I’ll be fine as long as I don’t have to go inside,’ I say.