The Artist
This cat is a complete menace, Ellie! You need to get rid of him! Margaret wrinkled her nose in disgust, glaring at the one-eared ginger tom winding about her sisters feet.
What are you saying, Maggie? Ellie gasped, shocked. Hes a living creature, you know!
Creature is the right word! Does it not occur to you, Ellie, that you let him get away with far too much?
Almost as if to prove Margarets point, the cat suddenly arched his back and, with a sidelong glare, padded menacingly closer to the disapproving visitor.
You see? cried Margaret, jabbing her finger at the tom and involuntarily stepping back. Didnt I tell you?!
Ellie started and called out to her defender: Artist, sweetheart, thats enough! Everythings fine!
The cat glanced back at his owner and, as if mollified, relaxed. He sidled back to Ellies leg, gently brushed against her poorly ankle, then sat down beside her, all the while making it quite clear he was still keeping watch.
Scoundrel! Margaret sniffed, keeping a wary distance. And you feel sorry for him!
Someones got to, havent they? Ellie sighed.
Artist had turned up at Ellies three years ago, during one of the darkest chapters of her life. Shed barely had time to mourn her husband before tragedy struck again: her only son died, leaving her almost utterly alone, save for her sister and a handful of acquaintances. She had never really had close friendsjust Margaret. Her older sister.
There wasnt much age difference, but their parents never missed a chance to point out: Maggies our eldest! So responsibleyou can trust her with anything! And Ellie oh, shes our angel, our sprinkle of comfort, our darlingbut so scatterbrained! Bless her.
The girls grew up believing these rolesMargaret was clever, beautiful, and always the centre of attention, while Ellie was the hapless but adored one.
Why do Mum and Dad praise you? I dont get it, Margaret would complain whenever Ellie brought home a good report from school. Doing well at school is just normal. Why celebrate that?
But Im not as clever as you, Maggie! You always get top marks. Mine are all over the place.
Exactly! Yet theyre always singing your praises! Margaret would grumble, but Ellie just smiled to herself, careful not to provoke her.
Margaret aced her exams and soon was off to university, hardly ever home any more.
Hows it going, Maggie? Ellie would try to catch a moment to hear about her sisters life.
Going, but not as quickly as Id like. Not enough hours in the day!
What for? Not enough time to study? Ellie would ask, concerned.
Study? No! Not enough time for a personal life! Hows a girl meant to meet someone decent when shes running ragged and busy trying to build a solid career base?
Oh, Maggie I never thought of that
Did you ever, darling? Margaret would laugh, not noticing her little sister flinch at the jibe. Thats grown-up stuff. Not for you, little one!
Ellie would leave the conversation, swallowing her hurt and quietly rejoicing for Margarets successes. Stars were meant to shine, after all. All Ellie could do was admire from the sidelines.
By graduation, Margaret was still single. Young men avoided her daunting, sharp manner, and her mothers constant pleas to soften never took hold.
Mum! What do you want me to do, flutter my lashes in the corner like a Jane Austen heroine? Nonsense! Leave that to Ellie! Not my style at all!
No one is asking you to be someone youre not, darling. Just be a little gentler, you know. Boys like that.
Oh Mum, how would you know what boys like nowadays? Things are different now!
Maybe youre right, Maggie
Then the sky caved in for Margaret the day Ellie, who everyone said was wasting her time in further education and ought to learn a useful trade, brought home a fiancé.
This is Simon
Simon won over Ellies parents almost at oncecharming, clever, and already making a name for himself in local television journalism. But, most of all, he was madly in love with Elliesweet, unremarkable Ellie, who studied sewing at tech college.
Ellie had always loved designing clothes, so it was natural she chose a trade that let her bring beauty to others.
Ellie, honestlyseamstress?! Margaret was openly dismissive.
Maggie, I just want people to feel good in beautiful things Ive made.
Is that even anything to aspire to? Ellie, theres no rhyme or reason to your ideas.
Didnt you like the dress I made for you? I thought it turned out just right.
Right for whom?
For you! For me! For everyone! People will look at you and think, ‘Doesnt she look wonderful!’ Isnt that good enough?
Hmph Some people reach for the stars, and my sister well, you, Ellie
Still, Margaret always wore Ellies dresses with delight, never admitting who made them. Ellie never copied. She designed all her own patterns, working late, her needle sketching flowers on Margarets skirts, grinning when she saw her sister twirl before the mirror.
People asked again and again where Margaret bought her clothes, but shed just murmur, Thats a secret! and let others imagine an exclusive label.
But when Simon swept into Ellies life, Margaret was floored.
How? How did HER, who had neither degree nor dazzling looks, find a fiancé before Maggie herself? Impossible!
At the wedding, Margaret sat stony-faced. But Ellie, radiant in her self-made gown, drew delighted admiration.
Gorgeous! And what a handsome young man. Theyre made for each other!
For the first time, Margaret tasted envysharp, insistent, gnawing. Her sister with a wonderful husband, her parents talking about grandchildren, and everyone smiling at Ellie as though shed become the familys brightest star.
Margaret slunk out early, went home, and sobbed into her pillow, hating her lot.
But by the time her mother came through the door, Margaret had composed herself.
Are you alright, love?
Perfectly! Dont worry about me.
Half a year later, Margaret married the first eligible bachelor she could finda man older than her, a bit balding, rather portly, and shrewd. He saw through Margarets ambitions instantly.
I can give you what you want. On one condition: you give me a child, maybe two. You can pursue your careerIll provide the meansnanny, cleaner, whatever you need. No questions, and keep a pleasant home for me, nothing else. And there must be no question of betrayal. Agreed?
Margaret barely hesitated: Agreed!
Oddly enough, this practical arrangement worked. There was none of the affection that suffused Ellie and Simons home, where love made everyone entering smile, but Margarets marriage was steady, predictable, safe.
She fulfilled their agreement, providing a son and a daughter. The children were tended by a nanny, their days timetabled to foster education and decorumMargaret herself had little time for them. Dissertation, work, and social events, at which Maggie always shone, kept her busy. No one ever knew where her exquisite outfits came from.
Ellie took her time, sewing from home through the years of economic uncertainty. Clients passed her name in whispersShes the best, but rarely takes new clientshas her hands full already! MPs wives and opera singers sought her out, and soon she even dressed half the BBC studios and some West End stars. No two pieces were ever alike, for she knew the disaster if two clients arrived in the same dress.
When the world finally settled, Ellie opened a small shop, which quickly became something of a boutique salon. Though it was a place for gossip and deals and for those wishing to slip in unseen, everyone felt at ease in those old converted rooms that Maggie found for her.
Margaret provided the funding, lending her sister the means and urging, Dont fret about the money. Well settle up.
It was important to Margaret to support Ellie. When she reflected on her sisters misfortunesher ill son, her husband’s troublesMargaret was haunted by the jealousy shed once felt. She feared her envy had snuffed the light in her gentle sister.
Still, Margarets own children grew strong and hearty under their nannys watchful eye, while poor Ellies boyher long-awaited, precious sonwas weak.
They called him Sunshine, after Margaret picked up the nickname and ran with it. My sweetheart! My little Sonne! Ive brought a present for you! shed say, greeted by his unguarded, loving smile, one that could melt the world for his happiness.
You adore my Harry more than your own children! Ellie would say in wonder when her son, usually wary of affection, nested in her sisters hug.
It was only partly true, but Ellie needed to believe her boy was loved.
Margaret organised nannies, helped set up the shop, and pushed her sister to keep going. You need this, Ellie! Simons always away. No sense in moping at home.
I cant, MaggieHarry needs me!
Youve got a lovely, big space. Set up a playroom for him, hire workers, Ill sort the nanny. So you can keep working and Harry will always be nearby.
What would I do without you, Maggie?
What else are sisters for? Now hush or youll have me in tearsI spent nearly an hour on my makeup for my meeting today!
And so life went on.
Margaret watched after Ellie and her son, searching endlessly for new specialists. Harrys health never improvedhis heart was weak, his body fragile.
I dont understand Ellie would weep in the deepest hours, alone with Margaret. Why did my boy get all this suffering?
Its not your fault, darling! Its just fate, if you like. But lets not mourn. We cant restore his health, but we CAN make him safe and loved. Isnt that what matters?
Perhaps it is
Then chin up! Ive found a new neurologisttop of his field, though the queues a mile long. Ive already made an appointment. Lets see if he can help.
Maggie
No tearsput the kettle on! And fetch me a sandwich! Ive not eaten all day.
Margarets husband supported her devotion to her nephew. Its awful theres nothing we can do for the lad, but if you need anythinganything at alljust say. Ill help.
Those few words meant more to Margaret than he realised. Shed grown to love her husbandnot wild youthful love, but the solid affection that comes with patience and trust.
Children grew, parents aged, misunderstandings vanished. Sisters shared sorrows like no one else.
Not that it was all one-sided: when Margarets husband faced career trouble, Ellie quietly urged Simon to investigate. The process was long and risky, costing Simon dearly, but eventually justice prevailed, and Margaret declared with rare sincerity, You and Simon will never want for anything while Im alive. Thats a promise.
She kept her word.
When Simon fell ill, Margaret stood shoulder to shoulder with Ellie, day after day, reminding her to carry on for Harrys sake. And later, shed hold her shattered sister when Harrys heart finally failed, and together they walked all the way home across the city, silent, hands tightly clasped.
A yellow football shirt and those red trainers
Yes.
No words were really neededthey knew what mattered for saying goodbye.
After Harrys passing, Ellie faded. She worked by rote, leaving the business mostly to her staff, and time and again Margaret would find her, slumped at her desk, staring blankly at her sketchpad, unable to draw even a single line.
Ellie
Im just resting, Maggie Just for a bit, alright? And the life seemed all gone from her eyes.
That wont do! Margaret was ready to burst into tears.
Im allowed to now Ellies sad smile hinted at finality. Everythings done.
Everything changed the day a cat turned up at the shop.
Where he came from, dirty, battered, with a torn ear, no one knew. It was a busy roadstrays were rare.
He tried the door, got shooed away. So he collapsed dramatically on the top step, splaying his paws and head over the edge, looking like a heap of rags.
That was how Ellie found him, turning up late that day.
Girls, whats this?
A cat, Miss Eleanor! Came and refuses to budge!
Is he even alive? Ellie gently prodded him with her shoe. In answer, he half-opened one eye, sighed in very human despair, and lolloped out his tongue: Just my luck! On deaths door, honestly! And no one even caresno name, havent eaten in a week! You lot have no heart, no honour!
For the first time in months, Ellie smiled. Oh, what a little actor! Girls, look at him perform! Stanislavski would be jealous. Alright, enoughcome here, youll get lunch and a bit of affection.
She scooped him up and shook her head, noticing the ear. Nostraight to the vet with you! That ear wont do at all.
The cat didnt resist, settling on the car seat, docile with the vets except for one sharp protest at a particularly painful jab. He accepted his post-vaccine treat from Ellie with regal grace and marched proudly after her out of the surgery.
I never had a cat before. So hows this going to work, Artist?
He assumed the pose of a Sphinx, coolly watching the traffic out the window, and Ellie smiled again.
Right then, well get along, you and I. Lets see if Margaret approves of you
Of course, Margaret didntat least, not openly. She scolded, finding fault at every turn, but increasingly noticing the spark returning to Ellies eyes. Ellie, he looks at you so strangely!
Let him! Its been years since anyone looked at me like that.
Like what?
With love, Maggie!
Hes just a charlatan! Hes tricking you!
Maybe so. At least he keeps my feet warm in the evenings and watches telly with meyou wouldnt believe it, hes completely engrossed!
Its your own faultshould have called him something silly like Whiskers or Tom! What sort of name for a cat is Artist anyway?
It suits him! Ellie would laugh, and the sound warmed Margarets heart.
Her sister was finally smiling again. That alone made her willing to forgive the cat anything.
She accepted Artist completely after nearly losing Ellie.
It was a Saturday. Margaret hadnt planned to visit, but, being in the area, just popped by. Ellie had started working late again since the cats arrival; the queue for her new collection was as long as ever.
She let herself in with her key, calling out, Ellie? Its me!
A ginger streak shot under her feet. Startled, she yelped when the cat latched onto her ankle, tearing her tights.
Artist! Whats gotten into you?!
Artist looked wild, his eyes shining oddly in the light. Margaret actually took a step back.
Dear Godare you rabid?!
She seized a yardstick from the cutting table, prepared to fend him off, but Artist suddenly let go a plaintive mew and darted between her and the door to what had been Harrys nurserylocked since his death.
Whats there? Margaret whispered, heart pounding. Wheres Ellie?
She rushed for the door, forgot about the cat, and gaspedEllie was on the floor, clutching her sons photo to her chest.
Ellie!
Paramedics. Hospital. Nearly a day in intensive care.
Margaret paced the hospital corridors, desperate, praying with all her heart, Please, not her! Let her live!
Later, shed hear how Artistd been locked in the back room but had howled all night, only falling silent when Ellie awoke, curling up at last in the corner, finally taking water but still refusing food.
Ellie came home three weeks later.
Maggie, first stopthe shop!
Ellie, really? Ill bring the rascal to you myself.
No, I want to see him.
With difficulty, Ellie made her way up the steps. The girls at the boutique giggled to see the ginger flame streak down the hall, wrap itself round Ellies legs, and purr so loudly even Margaret couldnt help grinning.
Oh, Artist!
Ellie scooped him up, stroked his healed ear, and confessed, He called me, Maggie. I heard him First him, then your voice. When I was still before the hospital. Even there.
What do you mean, there?
I just I cant explain it. First Simon, then Harry, but then the cat Only his voice finally brought me back. And then you
Thats so strange, Margaret said, lost for words.
But Artist seemed to know what to say. He touched Ellies chin with a velvet paw, looked meaningfully at Margaret, and curled up, purring away all their sadness.
I suppose Ive finally been acceptedfor something, at least, Margaret said with a reluctant smile.
Artist opened one eye, shot a spark of green, and purred louder, promising peace. Ellie smileda little, but realwarming Margarets heart for the first time in ages. After all, isnt that what everyone wants? Family nearby, peace in your soul.
So little. So very much.
