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

his way round the side of the house. ‘Where are you going?’ I flapped my hand to get him back.

‘I’m getting my camera. I don’t want to paint.’

‘Okay. Fine, but you could have said.’

‘Sorry,’ he teased and off he went.

I started my rounds with Giles who was all the way down the far end of the garden looking out over the ha-ha.

‘Are you going to paint more trees?’

‘Yes, I thought I’d do a picture of this field with those ancient ones at the end.’

I helped him steady his canvas as he tightened the easel. ‘I hear from Minty you have friends in common?’

‘Yes,’ he beamed. ‘When I told Mummy who was here this week she knew all about the Froglan-Home-Mybridges.’

‘Has she met them?’

‘No but apparently they’re some sort of cousins with my godmother. Once we established that, we tied up connections left right and centre.’

‘How amusing.’

‘It’s funny, isn’t it. Like you bumping into your friend last night. Small world.’

I fell silent. So far today I’d managed to block Toby out of my mind. But now, thanks to Giles, I began to dread his turning up tonight. The only incy wincy consolation is he hasn’t been invited to dinner.

‘Susie, how long do we have?’

‘At least a couple of hours if the weather holds.’

I set off back towards the house.

‘All right, Shane? Nice spot here on the paving.’

‘Yes. All good, thanks, Miss.’

Minty was next, hovering by the fountain yet to put her easel up.

‘Have you decided what you’re going to paint?’

‘The fountain. But I don’t want to paint so I’m going to do a pen and ink wash drawing instead.’

‘What a nice idea. In sepia?’

‘Yes. I think the brown will work brilliantly with the stone.’

‘Would you like me to help you set up?’

‘No, I’ll be all right, thanks.’

‘You won’t mind if I disappear for a bit, will you?’

‘Where to?’

‘I have to take my car to the garage.’

‘What a bore for you. I hope it goes okay.’

‘Thanks. See you later.’

Rupert, Jane and Felicity were gathered in a little trio on the top step of the house; goodness knows what their plan was.

‘We’re all going to paint the Beinn Eighe hills,’ came a rush of enthusiasm from Felicity and Rupert.

‘Can you see them clearly enough?’

‘I think so, come up here and look for yourself.’

‘Just.’

Jane was leaning against the wall with a frown on her face.

‘Are you on board with this?’

‘Well,’ she said, ‘I was under the impression we’d be painting landscapes and, without putting too fine a point on it, the garden is not a landscape.’

‘You could join Giles down there and paint a picture of the field.’

‘I’m fine here,’ said Felicity. ‘I’m going to paint the sky.’

‘Jane?’ I wanted to make her happy again.

‘What?’

‘Why not head down the end of the garden? There’s a very nice view of some old oak trees.’

She looked at Felicity, who encouraged her to go. So, with Jane carrying her basket and me carrying her easel and canvas, we stomped across the lawns to join Giles.

‘You’re right,’ she said. ‘That is a pretty scene.’

‘And I bet you’ll do a good picture.’

‘I hope so as it’ll be my last.’

I felt winded. Was she giving up for good?

‘What about tomorrow,’ I said, ‘and Friday?’

‘I’m trying to change my flight. A week up here is such a long time and, just between us, I’m ready to go home.’

‘Oh no, I’m sorry.’

‘Not your fault, Susie. I’ve enjoyed it enough to be glad I came.’

‘There are only two more days.’

‘I’ve made up my mind, so don’t try and persuade me otherwise.’ Her firm expression said it all: this woman was not for turning.

‘Haven’t you heard there’s more snow on the way?’ she said, and I realised since being here it hadn’t once crossed my mind to check the weather.

We’re in Scotland. Time’s only wasted looking up the forecast. Rain, sun, wind and (at this time of year) snow will all be on their way, interchangeable and wholly unpredictable. Not that natives take this attitude. Every Scottish household swears by a different weather app, and each time you visit they’ll have discovered another. Always assuming it’s better, rather than none of them being any good.

‘I assure you there’s more snow on the way,’ she said. ‘I should think you’ll all be leaving early.’

Jane had one thing right: there’s no way we’d ever be leaving late. For, as a visitor to a Scottish seat, lingering isn’t an option. Just look at the efficiency with which the Muchtons addressed my flat tyre. If bad weather looms, I have no doubt they, like others of their sort, will have an array of strings to pull. You see, Scottish gentry are as good at filling their houses as they are at emptying them. Come Friday night, Auchen Laggan Tosh will have waved us goodbye. There’s no such thing round here as outstaying your welcome. Invitations in advance give the dates, and most couples, however much they look forward to their friends arriving, always look forward to their departing more. You’ll know this if you’ve experienced a north-ofthe-border goodbye. The host family line up on the lawn in front of their house and frantically wave handkerchiefs as you sail down the drive. Then the moment before you lose them in your rear-view mirror, there’s a mad performance as with outstretched arms they swoop around each other loop-the-looping, almost as if in celebration of your departure. There’s nothing Scots enjoy more than having their ‘hoose to themselves’.

I watched Jane wipe a rag across her palette, making doubly sure it was as it looked – clean.

‘Are you happy painting here this afternoon?’

‘Oh yes. I can manage one more stint, Susie. You can leave me now. Thank you.’

‘Great.’

I turned and saw Louis, some distance away, pointing his camera straight at me. I rushed towards him. ‘Oi,’ I pushed my hand against his lens.

‘We’ve got to have a picture of the tutor for Zoe.’

‘Very funny, but there’s no way to tell I’m a tutor.’

‘You’re Susie Mahl, everyone knows the great