Portrait of A LADY

Why was Meg drawn to the mysterious woman in the painting?

-  Deb Farnsworth

That's new. Well - new to us anyway,' Dave said from the hall, where he had probably kicked his work shoes off at the door and dumped his lunch bag next to them as usual. He stood in the doorway of the living room with an amused expression on his face, looking at the picture Meg had hung on the wall.

'What happened to the mirror?'

'I'll find somewhere else for it,' Meg replied.

The mirror, propped against the sofa, reflected both of them. Meg's dark hair and eyes contrasted with Dave's blond, blue-eyed-boy looks. They were so different in every way, yet after 20 years of marriage they were still together.

'I popped into that antiques place on the way home,' Meg explained. 'I just had to buy her.'

Dave looked bemused. 'I know you are an art teacher and you like all that stuff. But isn't it a bit odd to have a painting of someone you don’t know hanging up in your house?'

'I think she looks friendly, and it is beautifully painted.' Meg gazed at the oil painting in its gilt frame. It showed a woman with a kind face and dark hair piled up on her head. The lightness of the brushstrokes gave it a dreamlike quality that had instantly attracted her to it. Judging by the high-necked blouse the woman was wearing, Meg guessed the portrait was Victorian. She was surprised she had managed to barter the price down so low for something that was clearly an antique. It was almost like the seller had been glad to get rid of it.