Page 89 of A Christmas Celebration
I felt my eyes fill with tears.
‘I suppose I was ashamed.’ I shrugged. ‘My actions put other people’s lives at risk and I was mortified. I didn’t want anyone to know what I had done. I’d rather not dwell on the details now, but I can promise you I am finally beginning to accept what happened, although I’m not quite ready to completely forgive myself just yet.’
‘But no one was hurt?’
‘No,’ I said, ‘thankfully not. The situation was quickly andsafely resolved but I decided it was time for me to bow out as a result. There most likely wouldn’t have been a renewed contract because of the funding cuts, but I wouldn’t have been going back, even if there was. At the time I thought I’d lost my edge, but now I’m beginning to think that it was simply time for me to move on and find something new.’
‘Or someone old.’ Albert smiled.
‘Quite.’ I nodded, blinking hard.
‘Well, we’re delighted you decided to come here,’ said Catherine. ‘And I hope you’ll find your something new to go with the old, in the vicinity.’
‘Me too,’ I agreed, then, feeling that I had said more than enough for one evening, asked, ‘So when exactly are you going to start painting again, Albert?’
‘And more to the point,’ added Angus, ‘when can I come and see what you’ve already done?’
‘In answer to your question, Paige,’ Albert announced, ‘I’ll be picking up a paintbrush tomorrow.’
‘That’s fantastic!’ I smiled, raising my glass again.
‘And as for your question, Angus,’ Albert then said, looking at my godfather, ‘I’m afraid you can’t see it. I’m not going to share any of it, but if I ever change my mind, then you’ll be the first to know.’
Angus looked exceedingly disappointed and I felt relieved he didn’t have Albert’s address. I would have to ask Mick to keep it under his hat.
‘That’s fair enough.’ He nodded, but I got the feeling that cogs were beginning to whir.
I hoped they wouldn’t whir too fast because I still had to find a way to call a halt on his and Brodie’s connection and I didn’t need something else to worry about on top of that. It was just ten days until the Winter Wonderland and less than a fortnight until everyone returned to the fold and I was determined to have everything on track, with none of the hall’s finances jeopardized, in time for that.
‘How are we doing in here?’ asked Mick, popping his head around the door.
‘Very well,’ said Angus and Catherine gave him a look. ‘How’s it doing out there, Mick? Is it freezing yet?’
‘No,’ he said. ‘I don’t think there’ll be a frost tonight.’
‘Good,’ said Catherine. ‘It’s the greenery gathering tomorrow so the milder the better.’
‘That reminds me, Angus,’ I said, only just remembering. ‘Brodie dropped by earlier and said to tell you that he’ll be here tomorrow and that there’s something he needs to talk to you about, in person.’
His gaze shifted to Catherine for the briefest moment before he answered.
‘That’s great news,’ he said. ‘Many hands and all that. Isn’t that right, Mick?’
‘Absolutely,’ he agreed. ‘The more the merrier.’
‘Well,’ said Albert, putting down his glass and shifting forward in the armchair, ‘I would offer to help, but I’m not as sprightly on my pins as I once was.’
‘And you’ll be busy tomorrow anyway,’ I said with a wink as I helped him stand up.
‘I certainly will,’ he agreed. ‘So, don’t worry about calling in.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Absolutely,’ he insisted. ‘I’ll have plenty to keep me occupied.’
‘Perhaps you might consider coming with me to town on Saturday though,’ I suggested. ‘I’d love to get you a tree for the cottage from the auction.’
‘Ooh,’ he said, ‘I’ll think about that. I didn’t have any decorations up last year.’
