“I wouldn’t pick a fight with her,” said Joey. “She looks pretty stern.”
“It’s from a similar time as the other pictures – 1928,” said Vanessa, who also noted that the artist, Marisa Roësset,was a woman. Its name, translated into English, was ‘Rest’. “Do you think it’s a self-portrait?”
“I don’t know, but I love how the artist has made that shirt look so life-like, and the woman so feminine and yet so strong.” Joey was interrupted by Dani rushing in, her face pale.
“I’m so sorry, my uncle’s had a stroke. I need to go to the hospital at once.” She looked panicked. Vanessa immediately put her arms around Dani.
“Can we do anything for you?” she asked.
Dani pulled away, wiping an errant tear from her cheek. “Thanks. No, I think I just need to get going. I’ll get on the metro now – that’s the quickest way.”
“Oh Dani, I’m so sorry,” said Joey. “Let us know how he is, how you get on, please.” She reached out a hand and rested it on Dani’s shoulder.
“Thanks, guys, yes I will.” Dani gave them a tight smile before hurrying away.
“God, poor Dani,” said Joey, as they watched her retreating figure. “Her family is small, and she’s been caring for her uncle for a while now.”
“Maybe we should go with her?” suggested Vanessa, desperate to help.
“She’ll be fine, but she may need us later or tomorrow,” said Joey. “One thing I’ve learned about Dani is that she asks for what she wants, and she’s pretty forthright. She’ll tell us when she needs us.”
Vanessa was struck how she and Joey seemed to have become an ‘us’. She didn’t hate it. In fact, it made her smile. She also appreciated Joey’s thoughtfulness. She was beginning to learn that while Joey didn’t always say much, what she did say tended to be considered.
She walked through the gallery towards the next painting.This one was a portrait of a woman called Pilar. It was quite angular, and Pilar had her eyes closed. “She looks a bit cross,” said Vanessa.
“Hmm. Maybe she’s just tired?” said Joey.
“Yes,” giggled Vanessa. “Sick and tired of all this shit.”
Joey looked at Vanessa and grinned. “You’re bad,” she said, before walking back towards the main dome. “Come on, wait until you see the view from the roof!”
“The roof?” Vanessa hurried to keep up with Joey’s striding pace.
There were still more steps to climb, but in a few short minutes they were standing on the roof of the palatial building, following a walkway that took them around the dome and afforded incredible views over the city.
“See over there?” Joey pointed at what looked like an old concrete structure. “That was the 1992 Olympic Stadium.” It was difficult to estimate how far away it was from them, but given the ups and the downs of the hills in the area, it was likely a few miles on foot.
They continued to explore until they came to a viewing platform at the front of the building. “Wow,” said Vanessa. It really was an impressive sight. They could see down the hill they had climbed to reach the museum, and then on to the fountains and the main road, large buildings and the city unfolding before them for miles.
“See there?” Joey pointed to the right. “That used to be a bullring. It’s been turned into a shopping mall now.”
“Not as romantic. But also perhaps less dangerous,” said Vanessa as she looked down on the circular domed building.
Chapter Twenty-Five
JOEY
The restaurant in the museum was one of Joey’s favourite places, and once she’d shown Vanessa the best view in Barcelona, it seemed only right they have some food. It was a smarter place than Joey was usually to be found in, but it had amazing views across the city, and her stomach was grumbling.
“Now this is incredible,” said Vanessa, looking up from her food into Joey’s eyes. Vanessa was irresistible. There was something about her zest for life, her interest in everything, that made Joey want to show her every part of the city she loved.
“I’m glad you like it,” Joey replied, with a smile on her lips that reached all the way to her heart.
“This is an amazing restaurant,” said Vanessa. “I mean, and I don’t mean this in a weird way, it’s really romantic. The views, the food, the high ceilings and the atmosphere. You must have brought someone here and impressed them before now, right?”
Joey wasn’t sure how to respond. She opted for honesty. “Only you.” She felt her cheeks warm. “Can I say that?”
Vanessa’s eyes widened for a moment before she spoke. “Of course. But I feel like there’s a story here, right?”