French Kissing by Lynne Shelby Page B

masterpieces that hung in the National Gallery with Alex, but what with Izzy’s flirting and Beth’s asking him questions, I’d not had a chance to exchange more than a few words with him all evening.
    â€˜Anna knows much more about paintings than I do,’ Alex said. ‘I’ve always enjoyed visiting art galleries, and as a photography student, I did study other visual media, but Anna’s the one with the History of Art degree.’
    Izzy, apparently not much interested in my academic qualifications, was examining the gallery floor-plan she’d picked up at the information desk. Alex and Beth crowded around her, and after some deliberation as to which painting they wanted to see next, they all headed off to an adjoining room, which was hung with works by artists of the Italian Renaissance. I trailed after them, catching up as they came to a halt in front of Botticelli’s Venus and Mars. Izzy and Beth gazed at the painting in silence, and then turned expectantly to Alex.
    He said, ‘The woman on the left of the picture, sitting upright, dressed in a white and gold nightdress, is Venus, goddess of love, and the naked man lying beside her is Mars, god of war. He has returned from the battlefield, removed his armour, and made love to her, kissing her and caressing her, taking her with him to the heights of ecstasy, le petit mort, as we say in France, the little death. And now, all passion spent, he rests, while she smiles serenely to herself, knowing the power she has over him. The meaning of the painting is that love conquers all.’
    â€˜Ooh, Alexandre,’ Izzy sighed, ‘I could listen to you talk about art for hours.’
    Beth said, ‘I never realised that an old painting could be so … could have so much in it.’
    â€˜Another way of describing Venus and Mars ,’ I said, ‘is that the man and the woman have just had a quickie, and he’s rolled over and gone to sleep. Take a closer look at Venus’ face – she doesn’t seem like a girl who’s just had great sex to me.’
    Izzy giggled. ‘I prefer Alexandre’s description.’
    â€˜So do I,’ Beth said.
    I gestured at the painting. ‘Do you see the wasps flying round Mars’ head? They symbolise the painful stings of love. Maybe the meaning of the painting is that the woman wants more than the guy is prepared to give.’
    â€˜There’s usually more than one way of interpreting a great work of art,’ Alex said. ‘Even the experts don’t always agree. It could be that it’s the guy who gets stung.’ He glanced at his watch, and then looked at me. ‘The gallery closes soon, so we’ve probably only got time to look at one more painting. What’ll it be?’
    I shrugged. ‘You choose. Since you know so much about art.’
    Alex frowned.
    â€˜If the gallery’s about to close,’ Izzy said, ‘I’d like to go straight to the gift shop and buy some postcards. ’
    â€˜Fine,’ I said.
    â€˜And then we need to decide where we’re going to eat,’ Alex said.
    â€˜Why don’t we go to a French restaurant,’ Izzy said. ‘There’s one in Covent Garden that’s had great reviews.’ She smiled at Alex. ‘I simply adore French cuisine.’
    I supressed the urge to slap her.
    â€˜Sounds good,’ Beth said, ‘but Alex will have to translate the menu for me.’
    â€˜Where would you like to eat, Anna?’ Alex said.
    â€˜Oh, I don’t know.’ My evening was already ruined, so I didn’t care. ‘Why don’t we just go home and order a takeaway?’
    â€˜OK,’ Alex said. ‘If that’s what you want.’
    I turned to Beth and Izzy. ‘You two are very welcome to come back to ours.’
    I’d so much rather they didn’t.
    â€˜I’d love to come back to yours for a takeaway,’ Beth said.
    â€˜Me too,’