‘Yes, and?’
‘Well, there’s a fashion show being held at Elizabeth Castle next week. It’s for charity and Paige’s shoes are being featured. Seb has offered us tickets. What do you think? Want to come?’
Daisy didn’t have to consider the offer; she’d never been to a fashion show before. ‘I’d love to go, thanks.’
Fi smiled. ‘Cool, I’ll let him know.’
Daisy glanced at the calendar. She hadn’t returned to Lydia’s garden since seeing Gabe there the day before he’d left the island. The thought of going there andknowing he’d gone didn’t appeal to her. Thankfully the hotel was full, so she’d been able to work extra shifts and keep busy. Unfortunately her painting was a little behind because of her working hours and she needed to rectify that if she was to build up enough canvases to exhibit somewhere.
‘Don’t suppose you have any ideas for where I can go and paint?’ she asked Fi.
‘Um, millions of ideas,’ Fi said. ‘Like what sort of thing are you looking for? Beach views, landscapes, fit blokes jogging?’ She giggled.
Daisy couldn’t help smiling at her friend. ‘Somewhere I haven’t been before.’ Daisy tried to be more specific. ‘I was thinking of a wooded place, or somewhere with water.’
Fi laughed. ‘Er, we’re surrounded by water, or hadn’t you noticed.’
Daisy picked up her notepad and swatted Fi with it. ‘Are you going to be helpful, or not?’ she teased.
‘How about Queen’s Valley?’
Daisy shrugged. ‘What’s it like there?’
Fi took a tentative sip of her coffee and sat back in her chair. ‘If you ever watchedBergeracthen you’ll remember he had a farmhouse in a valley.’
‘I’ve caught it on TV a couple of times.’
‘Well, that farm was in Queen’s Valley. In the late eighties, or maybe the early nineties, the authorities flooded the area to make a reservoir.’
Daisy was fascinated. ‘So, is his farm still there? Could I visit it?’
Fi shook her head. ‘No, it’s underwater now, which I think is a shame. I sometimes see re-runs of the series and like to see how the island has changed since it was filmed. I’d have loved to go to that farm and have a nose about.’
Daisy agreed. ‘There must be other locations to visit that are still around though,’ she said. ‘Maybe we couldgo and see a few of them when we’re next off work together?’
Fi nodded. ‘Great idea, I’d like that.’ She thought for a moment. ‘Francesca was telling me one day how people used to come here and try to find out where they were filming the series. I think she was in a couple of episodes and I know Rick sang in one or two of them.’
Daisy decided she should pay more attention to the programme when she next caught an episode on television. ‘I suppose having worked here we might actually recognise some of the actors, or the extras, if we look really hard.’
Two more guests arrived and cut short their chat, but Daisy couldn’t help thinking that her and Fi’s friendship was probably going to get stronger. She liked the prospect of having a close female friend.
‘Good morning, girls.’ Lydia walked into the hotel, a smile on her face and a bunch of freesias in one hand. ‘I thought these would smell lovely behind the counter on your desk.’
Daisy took the flowers and sniffed. ‘What a gorgeous scent,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’ It was good to see Lydia again and she immediately felt guilty not going up to see her at the house. All she’d thought about was missing Gabriel. It hadn’t occurred to her to think of Lydia and how she’d feel without her grandson there to keep her company. ‘I’m sorry I haven’t been around lately.’
Lydia shook her head. ‘Don’t be silly. It would be lovely to see you painting in the garden again at some point though,’ she said. She turned her attention to Fi. ‘This young lady is an excellent artist. Did you know that?’
Fi shook her head. ‘I knew she liked to paint, but I haven’t seen any of her pictures yet,’ she said, in a mildly accusatory tone. ‘I thought we were friends.’
‘We are, but I’m not so sure I’m happy enough with whatI’ve done yet to show anyone.’
‘Rubbish,’ Lydia said. ‘The problem is that your comfort zone is here.’ She held her hand next to her own stomach. ‘But in order to succeed you have to force yourself to work outside your comfort zone, here.’ She moved her hand further away from her stomach. ‘Trust in yourself and take a chance. After all, art is subjective. Not everyone will like your work, but having seen it, I can’t imagine that many won’t. It’s excellent.’
Daisy could feel her face reddening at the compliments coming from Lydia. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘Maybe I should take your advice and be a little bolder.’
‘Of course you should,’ Fi said. ‘I’ve always thought that if someone doesn’t like me, or something I’ve done, then it’s their problem. You should feel the same way about your pictures.’
Lydia laughed. ‘Yes, Fi. However, you’ve been blessed with an inordinate amount of self-confidence and not all of us are lucky enough to have that.’
