CHAPTER NINE
‘This is a pretty small town,’ Gareth remarked, admiring the scenery as Delphie drove them along the country road to the farmhouse. ‘But I don’t see you settling down here. You’re like me. We thrive in the city.’
She explained about looking after her grandparent’s property, and that her intention was to go back to Edinburgh.
Gareth nodded as the sunlight flickered through the branches of the trees, and the road cut through the lush landscape. ‘If I’d known that you were stepping back into your dancing, I’d have tried to partner you with someone in the city. But I thought you’d put dance aside to forge a career in graphic design and art.’
‘I had, and art is first and foremost my aim. Helping Wil with the dancing only came about because he bought one of my paintings and wanted more for his studio. Then he found out I could dance.’
Gareth nodded thoughtfully.
‘That’s Wil’s house over there,’ she said as they drove past it.
‘Nice house.’
‘And the farmhouse is up here,’ she added, driving further along the road.
‘You’re neighbours. That’s handy.’
Delphie threw him a glance. ‘I told you. I’m not romantically involved with Wil. I’m concentrating on my art. ’
Gareth made no further comments or insinuations, and admired the farmhouse as they drove up and parked.
They stepped out into the fresh, country air.
‘This is a beautiful farmhouse,’ said Gareth. It was far more picturesque than he’d imagined.
‘The barn is over here.’ Delphie led the way and opened the door wide. She flicked the lights on, illuminating the barn with the twinkle lights and the lamps on her artwork table.
Gareth nodded as he walked in, clearly impressed. ‘Now this is what I call an art studio. I can see why you’re so productive and spend a lot of time here.’
She waited on him commenting about the dance floor. The canvas sheet only covered her artwork area. But Gareth’s attention was on the paintings and the whole art set up.
He saw the drawings she’d been working on for the stage show and picked up her sketch pad.
‘I was going to show you the roughs for the stage designs before I started adding details and colours.’
Gareth flipped through the drawings, nodding enthusiastically. ‘These are fantastic. I can feel the sense of the winter snow. I love the theatrical atmosphere.’
‘If you’re okay with these designs, I’ll start adding colours.’
‘Do that. Send me copies so I can let the show’s organisers and director have a look at them.’
‘Okay,’ said Delphie.
Gareth then admired the paintings on her easels, depicting dancing couples. ‘These are magnificent. Do you think you’ll have your own studio when you go back to Edinburgh?’
‘I don’t know. I’m just concentrating on the paintings.’
He wandered around, studying her artwork, and they discussed ideas for the show.
Gareth checked the time. ‘I’d better get back to the hotel. I’ve some calls to make. But thanks for the tour.’
‘I’ll drive you back down,’ she said, switching the lights off in the barn and heading out to the car.
It was a short drive to the main street, and Gareth still hadn’t mentioned the barn’s dance floor, so Delphie didn’t bring it up in their conversation.
She dropped Gareth off outside the hotel, and then drove past the dance studio. On impulse, she decided to pop in to see Wil before going home.
Music sounded from inside as she walked through the reception. Piano playing. She peeked in and saw that Wil was talking to someone on a video call on his laptop.
She hesitated, not wanting to interrupt, but overheard part of their conversation as the piano music stopped.
‘Remember,’ Wil said to the man, ‘don’t tell anyone about this.’
‘I won’t,’ the man confirmed.
Delphie went to leave unseen, but Wil caught a glimpse of her.
‘Wait, Delphie!’
‘I didn’t mean to intrude. I was driving by and thought I’d come in for a few minutes.’ She heard herself babbling, feeling she’d heard something she wasn’t supposed to.
Wil closed the laptop. ‘Come in. I was just finishing up for the day.’
He was up to something, and trying to hide it. She was sure of it.
‘I was dropping Gareth off at the hotel,’ she explained. ‘He wanted to see my studio in the barn.’
‘I bet he was impressed.’
‘He was.’ Then she frowned. ‘But he never noticed the dance floor.’
‘It was one of the first things I noticed in the barn,’ said Wil.
‘I guess you and Gareth have different views of the world,’ she surmised.
‘I think we do,’ he confirmed. Except when it came to Delphie. They both liked her.
‘Well, I’d better be heading home now,’ she said.
‘Are you working this evening?’
‘I’m planning to make some more progress with the show’s artwork. Why?’
‘I was wondering when you’ll give me my next painting lesson.’
‘Come along this evening if you want.’
‘I’ll drop by after dinner,’ he said brightly.
‘See you then.’ Delphie smiled and headed out.
As she drove home, she rewound what she’d overheard at the studio. Obviously, Wil’s work involved chatting to lots of dancers about their choreography. But there was a sense of secrecy about the call she’d heard.
She didn’t plan to pry, but hoped he’d tell her later .
Wil made himself an easy dinner of a bowl of Scotch broth and bread.
He sat in the kitchen eating his broth and wondering if he should tell Delphie what he was planning.
Undecided, he then showered and changed into his clean, but paint stained top, ready for his art lesson.
A welcoming glow shone from the barn as he drove up and parked.
Delphie was already working on her paintings, but she’d set up an acrylic canvas on an easel for Wil.
‘There’s an apron for you on the back of your chair,’ she said as he walked in.
Wil tied the apron on.
‘I’ve drawn a dancing couple on a canvas. Just a sketch,’ Delphie explained. ‘And prepared a palette with acrylic paint.’
‘Ah, so it’s acrylics tonight instead of watercolours. I’m up for that.’
‘I’ve arranged your palette with warm tones, cool tones and neutrals to help you learn how to use them to add interest and contrast to your painting.’
She handed him a couple of brushes. ‘Try these brushes. Use the finer one for smaller details. There are other sizes of brushes if you prefer. See what suits you.’
Wil looked at the paints on the palette, wondering how to mix and use them.
Delphie instructed him, showing him the basic techniques and then let him get started .
‘Just have a go,’ she encouraged him. ‘Blend the background with neutral tones. It’ll let you get used to how the paint feels on the canvas. Then paint the figures.’
‘I like the smooth, thick texture of the acrylics.’
‘You can add a wee bit of water if you want, and remember to keep rinsing your brushes in the jars of clean water so you don’t muddy the paint on your palette.’
She continued to work on her painting.
‘I think I’m better with the acrylics than the watercolours,’ he said.
‘Yes, you seem to have taken to them well.’
They chatted while they painted, about dancing and art, but Wil didn’t reveal his secret.
And Delphie didn’t ask.
After Wil painted most of the background, he was keen to paint the figures.
‘The photo album is open at the picture that I based the design on,’ said Delphie.
Wil put his brush down, cleaned his hands, and had a look at the album that was on one of the tables.
‘My grandparents were dancing in the barn. It was a party night years ago.’
Wil studied the photo. ‘The barn looks great all done up for the party. You really should think of holding a dance night here.’
Delphie wasn’t so quick to dismiss the idea this time. ‘Maybe. But it would take quite a bit of organising.’
‘I’d help, if you decide to do it before you go back to Edinburgh,’ he offered .
And there was that reminder again, the drawing to a close of her stay at the farmhouse even though there was still plenty of time left to enjoy being there.
‘I’ll think about it,’ she said, and then instructed him on painting the figures. ‘Use the darker colours on them first, and start to add details with the mid range choices on your palette, then add the highlights.’
Wil tried to follow her advice.
‘Use the photo as a guide for the highlights and shadows,’ she added.
He noticed the sketches she’d done for the show when he went over to get more white from the tubes of acrylic paint. ‘Are these your designs for the show?’
‘Some of them. I wanted to make a start on the artwork.’
‘That was fast,’ said Wil.
Delphie shrugged. ‘You know what I’m like.’
He did.
‘I haven’t forgotten your paintings, or the one for the bakery shop. I just had ideas for the show and wanted to sketch them for Gareth’s approval.’
‘Multitasking has its merits,’ he conceded.
She sighed resignedly. ‘Sometimes. But I don’t want to paint myself into the same type of corner I was in when I worked in graphic design. I’d no time for anything else.’ She glanced at the sketches. ‘Though I do love to create new pieces of art, so it doesn’t really feel like hard work.’
‘I find myself tempted to add more tasks to my schedule,’ he said, almost revealing what he was secretly up to. But he buttoned his lips and concentrated again on his painting .
After a while, they both finished painting, and Wil helped her clean up the brushes and the palettes.
‘How did I score this evening?’ he said. ‘Is there a third lesson on offer?’
‘There is.’ She studied his painting on the easel. ‘You’ve done well with the acrylics. We’ll try another round with those.’
‘Nothing I paint is ever going to see the light of day hanging up in my studio,’ he said. ‘But I’d like to keep this acrylic painting as a memento.’
‘We’ll let it dry on the easel and you can pick it up another night.’
Wil liked that his lessons and time with Delphie weren’t finished. While she put the tubes of paint away tidily where she stored them in an old–fashioned dresser, he took his apron off and wandered over to the bar area.
‘If you decided to hold a party night in the barn, I’m sure Catriona and Kian could provide the catering and drinks for the bar.’
‘I suppose they could,’ she agreed, thinking this was a good idea. ‘Then all we’d need is the music.’
Wil pressed a button on a control panel behind the bar. The sound system kicked into gear, playing a song they both knew.
Wil bowed playfully. ‘Would you care to dance?’
Delphie laughed and played along, placing her hand in his and allowing him to lead her on to the dance floor. The canvas sheeting covered a sliver of the floor, so they were soon waltzing around under the twinkle lights .
Every time Wil held her in his arms, she felt her heart react in ways that could lead her into trouble. But tonight she thought it was worth it, and waltzed with him until the music stopped.
They finished in a close hold, and again he fought the urge to kiss her, but stepped back.
She sensed the underlying feelings between them and a blush rose across her cheeks.
‘We’d need a poster to advertise the party night locally,’ said Wil, forcing all his attention back to the makeshift plans.
‘I wonder where we’ll find a graphic designer to make it?’ she said.
Wil smiled. ‘Callum could print a few copies of whatever you design and we could pin them up in the local shops and the new community hall.’
Suddenly, it seemed feasible to have a dance party at the barn. Delphie smiled brightly. ‘Local gossip would soon spread the news too.’
‘It could be a popular night.’
Delphie switched the lamps off and glanced around at the barn aglow with twinkle lights. ‘Yes, it could.’ She went over to the bar and pulled out a large biscuit tin. ‘These are tickets from previous parties. The ticket sales cover the basic costs.’
‘Can I take one of these with me?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’d like to talk to Catriona and Kian in the morning, to see if they could handle the catering and the bar,’ said Wil.
‘Okay. ’
As he was leaving, Wil noticed the quickstep watercolour painting. ‘This is gorgeous. Do you want me to take it to the art shop for framing?’
Delphie had secured the watercolour to a light board to keep it flat. ‘Yes, I’ll put a sheet of tracing paper over it for protection.’
Wil carried it carefully to his car and got ready to drive home. ‘Thanks again for the art lesson. And the painting. Send me your details. I want to buy all the paintings you’ve done for me.’
She nodded, and breathed in the night air as she waved him off. A sense of autumn wafted in the breeze, and she hurried over to the farmhouse to make a hot cup of tea.
Wil drove home, leaving the painting safely in the car ready to take to the art shop in the morning.
In his bedroom, he took off his top and got ready for bed. And he thought about Delphie, and the fun he’d had again in her company. Shaking away his feelings, he tried to get some sleep.
Tiredness kicked in after the hectic events of the day and the evening, and he fell sound asleep and didn’t stir until the dawn.
Delphie was in night owl mode, sitting up in bed, sketching by the glow of her bedside lamp. She’d lots of ideas for the show, and drew outlines that she planned to work on in the morning.
And she thought about Wil...dancing with him again in the barn. Her grandmother had called earlier to enthuse about the tango video. Now she’d enjoyed another night in Wil’s company, culminating in waltzing with him.
Forcing herself to put aside the sketch pad and pencil, she turned the lamp off and settled down, snuggling under the quilt and gazing out at the night sky.
She rewound what Gareth had said... ‘ I don’t see you settling down here. You’re like me. We thrive in the city .’
But here she was living in a large, rambling farmhouse that had plenty of extra rooms, including her bedroom, that she was welcome to stay in. Her grandparents often told her she could stay with them for as long as she wanted. But she’d never taken them up on their offer.
Fluffing her pillows, she tried to settle down. She still tended to agree with Gareth, but she knew she’d miss living at the farmhouse, and she’d miss Wil.
The main street was blinking awake as Wil carried the painting along to the art shop. Callum was open for business and was happy to frame the watercolour to match the others in the dance studio.
‘I heard that you and Delphie were swimming in the sea,’ Callum remarked. ‘And then dancing at the ceilidh.’
‘No secrets in this wee town,’ said Wil.
‘Nope. Everyone knows everyone’s business. But that’s what I like about living here. Folk help each other. Gossip is handy. Mind you, city types are always secretive. But we soon find out what they’re up to. ’
Callum meant well, but his comment jarred Wil.
‘Oh, you’re looking like a man with mischief on his mind,’ Callum joked lightly.
‘Just a lot on my mind.’
‘I’ll phone you when the painting is ready to be collected,’ Callum said chirpily.
‘Thanks, Callum.’
Wil headed out and walked along to the bakery shop that was already busy with customers sitting at the tables having breakfast.
‘Are you in for breakfast, Wil?’ Kian said to him with a cheery smile.
‘Eh, no, but...maybe...’ The aroma of fresh cooked Scottish pancakes made him wish he hadn’t skipped breakfast.
‘It sounds like you’re needing a cup of tea and something to eat,’ Kian advised. ‘Sit down and I’ll rustle up a tasty breakfast for you.’
Easily persuaded, Wil sat down and allowed Kian to serve up a mug of tea and a plate of pancakes.
‘They’re hot off the girdle,’ said Kian. ‘Help yourself to butter and jam.’
‘Thanks, these look delicious.’
‘Was there something else you wanted, Wil?’
‘Yes, I wanted to talk to you about catering for a party night at Delphie’s barn.’
Kian’s eyes lit up with interest. ‘Are you having a dance night, like her grandparents hold?’
‘We’re thinking about it.’
‘It would save a lot of folk in town from wondering what to do for the annual celebration night. ’
Wil tucked into his breakfast and frowned up at Kian.
‘Did you not know? Every year, the town has a party to celebrate the start of the autumn. Usually Delphie’s grandparents hold a special dance night at the barn. I’ve heard customers talking about it not being on this year because they’re away.’
Catriona overheard their conversation as she went by with a plate of hot buttered toast. ‘Is there going to be a party night at the barn?’ She sounded hopeful.
‘Yes, Wil and Delphie are organising it,’ Kian announced, delighted.
‘Oh, that’s great. People have been wondering where to have the celebration this year. The hotel function rooms are booked for a wedding and an anniversary on the Saturday night, and the community hall is booked solid too,’ said Catriona.
‘Wil wants us to deal with the catering,’ Kian told his wife.
‘We’d be glad to do that.’ Catriona grinned at Wil. ‘We’ll plan a buffet and stock up the drinks for the bar.’
Wil ate his breakfast while Kian and Catriona stood beside his table organising everything.
‘Delphie’s grandparents have a stack of napkins, glasses, plates and cutlery behind the bar,’ Kian reminded his wife.
‘Remember the big jugs filled with whisky cocktail?’ said Catriona.
‘That was strong stuff. We’ll make sure that’s on the drinks menu,’ Kian told her .
Catriona hurried away to serve up the toast to a customer.
Kian took out his phone and started to scroll through it. ‘I’ll check the exact date for the party. Yes, here we are.’ He held up his phone to show Wil the Saturday night it should be held.
Wil had a mouthful of buttered pancake and nodded that he agreed with the date.
‘Okay, I’ll start planning the food and drinks menu,’ said Kian, sounding in full efficiency mode. ‘I can’t wait to let people know there’s going to be a party at the barn after all.’
And off he went to start spreading the gossip.
Wil took a sip of his tea and phoned Delphie. ‘The party night is on.’
‘Did you persuade Kian and Catriona to help with the catering?’ said Delphie.
‘Apparently, we’ve solved a problem for the town...’ Wil explained the details.
Delphie laughed. ‘So we’re really going to do this?’
‘Oh, yes.’
‘You’re a bad influence on me,’ Delphie said jokingly.
‘A party and dancing at the barn, organised by a bad influence and a troublemaker. It sounds like a fun night to me.’