‘Yes, it’s interesting.’
‘Are you from Birmingham?’
’I am.’
‘Do you like it there?’
‘Not as much as I used to. Do you like living in Picklewick?’
‘I don’t live in Picklewick. I live in Thornbury. It’s a town about nine miles away.’
‘I know it.’
‘Yes, I do like it there. As towns go, it’s not too big and it’s got everything I need.’
‘Like what? Pubs, restaurants, shops?’ she guessed.
‘A canal and good links to the countryside.’
‘Do you live on a boat?’
He chuckled. ‘No, I live in a regular house, but the canal is a brilliant place for wildlife.’
‘Why photography?’
He put the camera down to his side. ‘Why so many questions?’
Carla shrugged. ‘Just making conversation.’
‘I love photography because I can’t paint and I want to capture some of the magic. Most people see a sunset, but few see a kingfisher or an otter in the flesh.’
‘You’re incredibly good. You’ve got a real talent.’
‘Meh, anyone can take a decent photo.’
‘I can’t.’
‘I bet you can.’
‘Seriously, I can’t. I’ve got a pretty good camera on my phone, but the photos usually come out blurry, or I’ve not noticed a lamp post coming out of someone’s head.’
‘You can teach yourself how to compose photos.’ He pointed to one of the goatlings who was on top of the climbing frame. ‘See that little one? If you took a photo of it now, it should be good because most of the animal is visible, and there’s grass and sky for the background.’ He slipped his hand out of the camera’s strap and offered it to her. ‘Give it a go.’
‘Me?’ Carla was incredulous. ‘What if I drop it?’
‘You won’t.’ He sounded certain, so she took the camera, holding it tightly. Then she relaxed her grip, fearful she’d break something with the strength of it. There were so many dials, buttons, and numbers, and she had no idea what they were for. Was she supposed to do something with them, or could she just point and shoot?
‘Go on,’ Ashton urged.
‘Just like that? I don’t have to twiddle or turn anything?’
His smile was indulgent. ‘You can, if you want, but let’s take one step at a time, eh?’ He leant in, and she caught a whiff of his aftershave. He smelt lovely. ‘Just look through there, and press this button,’ he said.
‘That’s it?’
‘Pretty much.’
Carla glanced around. What should she take a photo of? The goat on the climbing frame had jumped down and she bit her lip uncertainly. One of the animals was lying in the sun, its jaws working from side to side as it chewed. Hesitantly, she brought the camera up to her face and closed one eye to peer through the viewfinder. She gasped as she zoomed in on the goat’s nose.
