Meg and Gary had to find this painting a home at any cost . . .
BY MARIAN MYERS
IT might be my fault,” Meg said, gazing in horror at the painting in front of her. “I only said I liked it to encourage Libby. I never dreamed she’d give it to us.”
Her best friend had sent Meg and Gary the picture as an anniversary present.
As Gary stared at the garish colours of the painting, he asked Meg the obvious question.
“What’s it meant to be?”
“I think it’s the Eiffel Tower,” Meg replied. “I was too shocked to ask.”
“The Eiffel Tower?” Gary snorted. “It looks more like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Meg replied. “Don’t be silly.”
“It’s definitely leaning.” Gary laughed, putting his head on one side to match the picture. “The Eiffel Tower doesn’t lean.”
“It’s the wrong shape to be the Leaning Tower,” Meg pointed out. “It’s the right shape to be the Eiffel Tower.”
“Let’s be honest, it doesn’t look like either of them,” Gary replied. “And those awful colours are giving me a headache.”
Libby certainly hadn’t been restrained when she’d painted the picture. A mix of pink, orange, blue, green and mauve paint had been daubed over the canvas.
“No, I’m positive it’s the Eiffel Tower,” Meg decided. “Remember that Libby was supposed to have gone to Paris for her honeymoon?
“I think this might be her way of expressing her anger at what happened.”
“Even so, why did you tell her you liked it?” Gary asked. “If you hadn’t, she’d have probably kept it herself.”
“I had to say something,” Meg returned. “I couldn’t just stand there in silence! Don’t forget I was the one who suggested art classes to her in the first place.”
When Meg had gone to stay with Libby some months ago, after Libby’s fiancé had abruptly broken off their engagement, Meg had noticed a poster advertising an art class.
She’d thought it sounded like a good way for Libby to get out of her flat in the evenings and start mixing with different people.
It appeared to have worked because, when Meg had been to stay with her again, just two weeks ago, her best friend had seemed much happier.
“I’m still glad I helped her,” Meg said. “It’s just a shame that it’s backfired on us!”
“Well, be careful how you help her next time, that’s all,” Gary teased. “Meanwhile, I’m not sure that I can cope with seeing this on our wal
