A Trick of the Light by Ali Carter (surface ebook reader txt) 📕

‘I’ll give it a wee go, Susie.’

‘Okay, thanks. Right, everyone, you can either start by drawing a very light outline in pencil or go straight in with watercolour.’

‘Which would you suggest?’ said Felicity.

‘I’d encourage you to do whatever you feel most comfortable with. Have you all used watercolour before?’

Only Minty said ‘yes’.

Dammit, what a pain. I’m tired and lacking enthusiasm to run a step-by-step class. But I must, so when Lianne asked, ‘Do you think you could show us, Susie? You can use my paper, I’ve got loads more,’ I picked up a pencil and ran through the steps.

‘That ain’t look anything like her, Miss.’

‘It will, I’m not worried about getting a likeness at this stage.’

Lianne handed me a brush. I dip-dabbed it in water and paint, and began building an impression of Cailey’s colourful face.

‘I reckon I can do that, Miss.’

‘Well, there you go, but it’s very important you only put down what you see. So, look hard and don’t rush like me, we have all morning.’

‘Can we play some music?’ asked Lianne.

‘As long as it’s not ghastly modern junk,’ said Rupert.

‘What about jazz?’ suggested Louis. ‘I can get my iPod and speaker if you want?’

‘If everyone’s okay with that?’ I looked around the room. ‘Then Louis, do you mind if I go get it? I don’t want you to fall behind.’

‘Sure. It’s on the dressing table in my room.’

Louis’ bedroom, the Blue Room replete with light blue peely-wallpaper, curtains to match and a very ropey tasselled blue canopy over a mahogany four-poster bed, was like walking into a sensual cloud. The huge space was filled with the most delicious aftershave. I inhaled deeply. I love aftershave.

The iPod and speaker were next to a lovely old three-part mirror in a gilt frame. I bent down to try it out. The depth of reflection in this is so much better than modern equivalents. Ow, I blooming well stubbed my toe on something very hard. It was behind the curtain under the table.

I dragged it out, a big black case with a sophisticated camera and three lenses inside. It was nosey of me to have a look, but I wanted to know. I pushed it back in place, and with iPod and speaker in hand, I left the room.

The corridor felt cold so I put the things on the console table and rushed to my room to get a jumper.

I don’t think it was the speed I was going that made me trip and I don’t think it was my trip that loosened the floorboard in my room. It caught me unawares and I’m now a crumpled heap on the floor. The board stuck up like a wobbly front tooth, so I grappled my fingers round the front edge and, easy as pie, it came free. I can’t actually believe it was that easy to do. If it had always been loose, I would have tripped up days ago. So, who’s been in my room?

I pushed my hand into the shallow hole. There was nothing in it but dust, which I brushed off my fingertips as I popped the board back in place. After repeatedly stamping it down with my foot, failing to get it flush, I gave up and rushed back downstairs to the music room.

‘Great,’ said Louis, ‘just press play, no need to change the soundtrack.’

Rupert was staring at my knees. ‘Did you fall?’

‘Just tripped on a loose board in my room.’ I looked around the class. No one gave a flicker of guilt and as I bent down to brush the scuff marks off my tights Felicity made a concerned sound and Louis raised his eyebrows as if to say ‘Are you okay?’

Break arrived and Cailey had a good shake, stretching out her jaw, relieved not to have to hold still a moment longer. I looked at everyone’s pictures and as the talent varied considerably I decided not to open a discussion at this point – I didn’t want to put anyone off.

‘If you’re all happy carrying this through till lunchtime then let’s continue.’

Cailey nodded and the class resumed.

‘We’ll be stopping at half past twelve today as we’re going up on the moor and we need to get back for an early dinner.’

‘Youse all coming to see me show?’ said Cailey.

‘Yes,’ I smiled. ‘We’re going to bring our sketchbooks too.’

‘Youse’ll have plenty of nudes to draw.’

‘Lush,’ said Giles and a few people giggled. Crumbs, I thought, maybe burlesque is different in Scotland.

The class was quiet, everyone was working hard, so I decided now would be a good moment to go and sketch Haggis. I don’t need long, ten minutes or so to get an impression.

‘I’ll be out in the hall for the time being. Come find me if you’re really struggling.’

The dog was slumped against the front door, basking in a spot of sunlight shining down from the cupola. This seemed to me a rather good pose, so I took the risk of not moving him in the hopes no one would enter for the time being. All I need is a sketch and some photographs. I much prefer to finish a pet portrait at home.

I crouched down and my rubber slipped from my hands, bouncing across the hall, disappearing behind an empty umbrella stand. Thankfully Haggis didn’t flinch and when I went to retrieve it, I found lying next to it a spirit level – the perfect instrument for drawing an even-sided frame on my piece of paper. An outline helps such a lot with composition. So, sitting cross-legged, I began to draw. What a sweet dog he is. His left ear was raised, his head slightly cocked and his eyes glistened as I worked.

I scribbled down the composition and even managed to take several photographs before he moved.

‘Good doggie,’ I said as I placed the spirit level on the hall table and then bent down to stroke his soft coat. Haggis followed me