‘I’m too young for him, although he didn’t actuallysay that. He said I was too young for Bastian, who I really like, but only as a friend. But they’re roughly the same age. If I’m too young for one, I’m too young for the other.’
‘You don’t think he was trying to put you off Bastian when he said that?’
‘Well, yes. He thought I was in love with him. He was telling me why it wouldn’t work. And that Bastian had a girlfriend. Which I knew.’
‘Don’t you think there’s a chance that he was doing that because he wanted you for himself?’
‘What a lovely dream that would be! But no. When he found me, after the second hurricane, he hugged me for ages and for a few blissful moments I thought I was in heaven. Then he put me down and started telling me off. He won’t ever fall for me, Eleanor. He thinks I’m a child – even though I am twenty-five. I can vote and everything!’
Eleanor laughed. ‘Don’t despair, Cass. There’s an Irish expression that says: “What’s for you won’t go by you.”’
‘We’ll see!’ said Cass with a smile she didn’t mean.
They drove in silence for a few moments and then Eleanor said, ‘Tell me about your drawing. I don’t think I knew that was one of your talents.’
‘I don’t know if I’d call it a talent …’
‘I’d definitely call it one. Why doesn’t Howard know about it?’
By the time they got back to the house, Eleanor had heard more about Cass’s drawing than either of her parents had ever cared to know.
‘Well, I think it’s wonderful. Of course, being a teacher is a safer option, but you need to be happy in your work,’ Eleanor said.
‘Thank you for understanding!’
‘It’s easier for me to understand than possibly it will be for your parents. I see you as a younger friend, not as someone I’ve brought up and looked after all your life.’
‘My mother isn’t thrilled about it, I must say. She thinks anything arty is insecure and she worries about me.’
‘Mothers do. My own children would say the same about me.’
They drove home in thoughtful silence.
As Cass finally said goodbye a couple of days later, Howard said, ‘I’ve put a few quid into your bank, darling. It may be a while before you’re earning again, and you changed all your plans for me. It’s a thank you.’
‘Dad! I was happy to go! You know that.’
Eventually, Eleanor said she had to get Cass to the mainland so she could start her journey down south. Father and daughter hugged. She was going to miss him and Eleanor and the island.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Cass had been back at her mother’s house for a couple of days when she took a trip to her favourite shop. It was the art shop and as a child she had taken her pocket money and bought special colouring pencils, one at a time, until she had a set. She loved everything they sold, from the watercolours in little cubes (half pans) to fit into metal boxes, the vast array of pencils, charcoal, brushes so fine you could hardly see them, and of course wonderful blocks of paper. There was every type of paint Cass had heard of and a couple she didn’t know about, and beautiful wooden boxes with spaces for everything, like treasure chests filled with colour.
Cass decided to spend a little of the money her father had given her to buy another sketch pad, some pencils and a really soft eraser.
She was queuing up to pay and noticed that only one till was in action. When it came to her turn, she said, ‘You seem a bit short-staffed.’
‘Yes!’ said the charming but harassed woman dealing with the till. ‘My colleague has had to go away and I can’t get cover for her, which leaves just me.’
‘I’ll do it!’ said Cass instantly.
The woman paused. ‘But it’s likely to be only for a couple of weeks – three maybe. And it’s part time – three days a week – not really worth—’
‘I’d love to do it. Working here has been my dream since I was a little girl.’
‘Oh,’ said the woman. She was in her early forties and she looked like an artist. ‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m between jobs. It’ll be fun to have my dream job just for a little while.’ Cass smiled, hoping she didn’t look too desperate. She realised this was just what she needed. She’d have to concentrate – there was a lot of stock to learn about – and yet she wasn’t committed for too long. If Austin summoned her to London to give her the camera she could probably be available.
