The Indigo Studio – Part 2: Second Dip

"I would like that," said Sofia. "At some point. Soon."

Dinner was grilled sardines on a rooftop terrace, with a view over the tiled rooftops and the shining river, a bottle of cold green wine and a loaf of bread still warm from the oven. The sun went down in orange and pink. A tram ground past below.

"You are not what I expected," said Anneke.

"What did you expect?"

"Someone who would hate the smell."

"I love the smell." Sofia smiled. "It smells like the inside of a very old, very wise thing."

"That is the nicest thing anyone has said about indigo."

They walked back to the loft through the steep tiled streets, under the lamps, shoulder to shoulder. At the old factory door, Anneke stopped.

"May I kiss you now?"

"Please."

The kiss was soft and tasted of wine and a faint, earthy sweetness. Anneke's blue fingers rose to Sofia's cheek, and left, unmistakably, a smear. They both laughed. Sofia pulled her closer, and kissed her again, and the laughter softened into something warm and slow.

"My flat is above the studio," said Anneke. "It has a bed and a view of the river. I have a spare towel, for the blue."

"The blue won't come off."

"It rarely does."

The flat was bright and cluttered, with swatches pinned to every wall and a bed under a skylight. They undressed slowly in the evening light, laughing at stained cuffs and a stubborn hook, and their love-making was gentle, unhurried and curious, with the sounds of the city drifting through the open window. The lamplight turned the cloth on the walls to sapphire.

In the morning, Sofia woke to find the sheet beneath them printed with faint, ghostly blue handprints. Anneke, in the doorway, held up a mug.

"We have ruined my bed."

"We've made art."

"Then I shall hang it." Anneke grinned, and sat on the edge. "Sofia. Would you like to stay another week? For the advanced course?"

"What does it cover?"

"Deep indigo," said Anneke, softly. "It takes a great many dips. And a great deal of patience."

"I have plenty," said Sofia.

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