Page 72 of A Christmas Celebration
‘And this one,’ he said, apparently not hearing and moving along. ‘I love the marks you’ve made here.’
He reached forward and for a second, I thought he was going to actually touch the canvas, but he pulled back at the last moment. As frustrated as I was that he was ignoring me, I was curious too. Not about the marks on the canvas, but about him.
For a man more used to handling bank notes than a sketch book, he was utterly absorbed by the image in front of him. I might have still been smarting over my disappointment that we weren’t compatible, that I had complicated baggage he still wasn’t aware of and that I’d read him all wrong, but I was beginning to wish I’d stayed in The Mermaid long enough to hear more of Brodie’s life story.
‘And this…’ he said, darting off to examine another painting.
There was clearly more for me to discover about both him and Albert, but that didn’t alter the fact that he was currently oblivious of, and therefore ignoring, Albert’s wishes.
‘Brodie,’ I said warningly.
‘They’re my sister’s,’ Albert said at exactly the same time. ‘She was the artist and I’d appreciate it if you’d leave her work alone now, young man.’
‘Stella painted these,’ I breathlessly said.
I didn’t know what Stella had looked like, but with her penchant for flowery scent and fussy doilies, I couldn’t marry her up to the image of creating such bold paintings at all.
‘I think you’ve got quite close enough,’ Albert added.
There was something in his tone which finally broke through Brodie’s enchantment and he turned bright red and took a step away.
‘I’m so sorry,’ he apologized. ‘I didn’t mean to—’
‘I’m sure you didn’t,’ Albert cut in, ‘but it’s time you went.’
‘I’m sorry too, Albert,’ I said, moving to stand next to him. ‘We really didn’t mean to intrude. I was just so worried about you.’
He nodded, but didn’t say anything.
‘Shall we go back to the cottage?’ I tried again.
‘I’ll go back when I’m ready,’ he said, neatly dismissing me.
‘I’ve got that information I said I’d look out for you,’ I told him, desperate to make amends and not have things spoiled between us again.
‘You can leave it on the side,’ he said, with a nod to a table. ‘Thank you.’
I did as he asked, still wishing I could convince him to head back to the safety of the cottage but knowing he wasn’t going to budge.
‘Brodie,’ I then snapped, because he was edging his way towards another painting.
‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I just want to…’
‘Come on,’ I growled, making for the door.
‘It was a pleasure to meet you, sir,’ he said to Albert, once he’d torn his eyes away.
His tone was full of regret and it was obvious he didn’t want to leave. Given the chance I knew he would have stayedand asked a million more questions, but Albert looked no way inclined to give him that chance and I couldn’t blame him. Oh, how I wished I’d left Brodie stranded and soaked on the side of the road.
‘Your sister had an incredible talent, Albert,’ I softly said as I opened the door to go back out into the wind.
Albert nodded.
‘Would you consider…’ Brodie started again and with a groan, I quickly reached out and pulled him by his sleeve through the door.
‘I’ll call you later, Albert,’ I said, as he ambled off towards the chairs next to the fire.
‘No need,’ he said, but not unkindly. ‘And there’s no need to mention any of this to anyone either. I hope you can make that clear to your friend out there?’
