Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It was half past seven and a glorious evening. Juliette wiped her brow as she walked down the garden back towards the house. The weather had been hot again and she was sad that Danny wasn’t here to share it with her. Knowing their luck, it would probably rain by the weekend when he was home again.
There was a noise to her left and she turned her head just in time to see Richard heading into his studio.
The wooden building stood proud, the size of four single garages with a roller shutter door at the far end.
There was a mezzanine up into the eaves, where Richard did most of his work apparently.
Behind it, she could see a barn, old and dilapidated. She remembered it from their walk the other evening but forgot to ask him what he used it for.
As she stood thinking, Richard knocked on the window and beckoned her to him. She sighed: trust her to get caught out. She went over to the hedge to greet him.
‘Hi there. Another grand week we’re having, although I’m getting tired of having to water everything twice a day.’ He smiled. ‘How are you? Everything good next door?’
‘Yes, fine thanks. I’m still not used to the silence. It’s quite eerie at times.’
‘How’s Danny?’
‘He’s looking forward to coming here permanently.’ She grinned. ‘He’s counting down the days.’
‘Do you have a date yet?’
‘Not yet but it will be no longer than a few months.’
‘Excellent. I bet you can’t wait.’
Juliette felt herself burning under his gaze as he stared at her.
He turned back to look at the house and then at her. ‘I don’t suppose you’d like to see my studio while you’re here?’
‘I’d love to.’ Her laughter was inwards this time. Danny would be envious that she’d got in there first. Besides, she was intrigued to see inside.
‘Well, come on round and I’ll let you in.’ He put a finger to his lips. ‘Although don’t tell Sarah. She’s not allowed in here when I’m working.’
‘Oh, I don’t want to intrude.’
‘I’m almost finished for the day. She’s gone out for the evening anyway.’
‘Anywhere nice?’
‘Just for a glass of wine with a few friends.’
Juliette walked around to the garden next door. She wondered who Sarah had gone to see. She hadn’t mentioned it, although she didn’t have to tell her everything. She hoped she was having a good evening. She deserved to get out more.
Richard was waiting at the studio door. He really was a nice-looking man when he smiled. A tan suited him too. He was ageing well, fitting out his overall just so. Flecks of blue peppered his hair.
‘Come on in.’ He waved an arm and she stepped inside.
Paint and paraphernalia were everywhere she looked.
Lots of wooden shelving and cupboards to hide away essentials.
There was an easel with a drawing on it, two more that were empty.
A stool was next to the one Richard was working on.
A large window overlooked the rear garden, as well as towards the woods. The view was incredible.
‘What do you paint in?’ she asked, hoping her ignorance of his art wouldn’t show.
‘Mostly oils. I draw in charcoal too. Those are my main passions.’
‘You’re clearly talented. I-I looked at your website.’
‘Did you?’
She nodded, a little embarrassed as she wandered around admiring some of the drawings around the walls. ‘Are these commissions you’re working on?’
‘Yes. I’ve had a few orders in recently. It’s keeping me busy, and the wolf from the door.’
Juliette could never imagine him having money worries, not living in the property he owned.
‘Are you artistic?’ Richard asked.
‘I was particularly fond of making stamps out of potatoes with Emily and blobbing them over a piece of paper. And drawing matchstick people.’
He smiled.
‘I have a degree in media and art and wanted to do web design and marketing, but when it came to it, I found I was more of a numbers person, really.’
‘Wouldn’t do for us all to be the same. You have the most beautiful bone structure.’
‘Oh.’ Juliette’s hand went up to her cheek. ‘Thanks.’
Richard paused and then beckoned her towards the stairs. ‘Let me show you what I’m working on at the moment.’
She followed him up, gasping as she saw the sunset on the canvas in front of her. ‘Richard, that’s amazing,’ she exclaimed. ‘It’s like looking out of our bedroom window. I almost feel as if I could walk right into it.’
It was obviously the right answer as Richard beamed.
‘Have you always wanted to be an artist?’ she queried.
His face darkened for a fraction of a second before he was all charm again. ‘Yes, but I never really got the opportunity to paint professionally until my father died.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ Juliette gave out a sigh.
‘Please don’t be. We didn’t get on that well. He had a farm which was passed on to me. I was working on it until then, but after his death I sold it and bought this place. It was then I decided to try and sell some of my earlier work, and I’ve never looked back.’
‘Gosh, every cloud and all that.’
He smiled. ‘Indeed.’ From behind him, he pulled out a bottle of whisky. ‘Join me?’
‘I’d better be getting back soon.’ She paused. ‘Just a little one.’
He poured her a finger, himself two. They clinked glasses and looked out at the sunset.
‘I love it here,’ he said.
‘I think I’m getting there,’ she replied.
‘We were worried when we heard the house had been sold. It had been empty for so long and we’d got used to having no neighbours close by.’
‘Well, I hope we won’t be too noisy for you. Do you and Sarah plan on having children?’
He shook his head. ‘I’m not sure that would be a good idea.’
Juliette grimaced, wondering if she’d put her foot in it again.
‘Sarah has a mild form of ME. She doesn’t like to talk about it, but she struggles with day-to-day tasks and she’s forever tired. That’s why you don’t see her out much.’
‘That’s a shame.’
‘I’m hoping she won’t be too tired once she gets back this evening. I offered to drive her into the village, but she insisted on walking. I know it isn’t far for us, but for her, she will probably be in pain tomorrow.’
‘Has she tried cognitive behaviour therapy? A friend of mine in London said it practically transformed her life. She’d tried over-the-counter medicine, even antidepressants but she said CBT made her more aware, therefore more in control of the symptoms. Perhaps Sarah could look into it.’
‘I’ll mention it to her, thanks.’
Juliette glanced at her watch and knocked back the rest of her drink. ‘I have to go. Danny is ringing me in a few minutes.’
Richard nodded, taking the empty glass from her. ‘It’s been nice to have some company this evening, Juliette.’
She smiled and made her way downstairs. She said her goodbyes and wandered back to her home, feeling his eyes on her. At the gate, she turned back and Richard was still watching her. He waved to her and she returned it before going inside.