2. In the pub

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[RECAP: Sera just had her first art evening class, where she ended up being mistaken for the model and posing naked]

"Anyone for the pub? I think we could all do with wetting our whistle," the man in the purple cravat suggested as they walked out into the car park. His name turned out to be Jasper. "You more so than any of us, after that wonderful performance," he said to Sera.

Sera, who was catching the bus, blushed. "It wasn't quite what I was expecting," she said.

"It was absolutely marvellous, wasn't it Barry? Certainly more dramatic than any of dear Elsie's classes."

The elderly lady and the bearded man politely declined the invitation to the pub and went their separate ways. That left Sera, the frizzy-haired woman Elizabeth, Jasper and Barry.

They went to the Norfolk Arms which was just across the road from the community centre. It was the kind of quiet pub that didn't bother to check ID, fake or otherwise, to Sera's relief. At this hour on a Thursday night it was relatively quiet.

Jasper insisted on buying the first round so Sera chose a vodka and coke.

"Thanks."

"We must thank you, for putting that arrogant if very talented young man in his place." It was true that the teacher seemed incredibly talented. He had been able to glance at their sketches and immediately suggest adjustments to restore the correct proportions. His manner with Sera had been formal to the point of cold, but she was so embarrassed after the initial adrenalin of the confrontation had worn off that she was only too happy for him to keep his distance.

Also, every time he had stood near her easel, she had been so disturbed by his presence that it was hard to keep her hand steady.

"He was terribly rude to you, I wouldn't have known what to do with myself in your place," Elizabeth said. "I certainly don't imagine he was expecting things to turn out quite as they did."

"I imagine a boy with his looks rarely gets refused anything," Jasper said. "Wouldn't you say, Barry?"

Sera was amused to hear him call their art teacher a boy. He was very much a man: he looked at least thirty.

"Indeed," Barry said.

Sera wondered if the two elderly gents were a couple or merely friends. They clearly knew one another very well. Jasper was the more flamboyant and outspoken of the two: she wasn't surprised to learn that he was a retired actor.

"Theatre mainly, my darlings. But my old bones became a bit creaky to keep treading the boards. And I've always been a dabbler, haven't I Barry? Barry's the real artist among us." He revealed that Barry had been a theatre set designer, which was how they had met.

"I did think he owed you a rather more sincere apology than he gave you," Elizabeth said to Sera. The others agreed.

Sera said that she really didn't mind. "It was an educational experience. Now I know what it's like for the models. I could barely manage ten minutes, goodness knows how they sit still for hours."

"We thought you were quite charming, didn't we Barry? Very professional. Besides, most models move and take frequent breaks. Is this your first time in a life drawing class?"

Sera confessed that it was. "I study art at school but what I really want to do is portraiture. We don't get any opportunity to have actual models in art lessons so that's why I signed up here. I also thought the extra classes might help with my college application."

"After tonight, I should think you're owed a glowing reference," Jasper said. "Talented young artist, displays fine form in class." He lifted his wine glass in toast to Sera with a roguish wink, and she blushed.

She hoped she wouldn't lose her nerve when it came to attending next week's class. The reality of what she had done was only just beginning to sink in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm hoping to update this one twice a week, so fingers crossed I can write quickly enough!

The first chapter is also now complete so you may want to go back and read that again if you only read the preview version.

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