“I don’t know why you find fighting through crowds of tourists so fascinating.”
Owen shrugged. “I like the atmosphere, especially on a gorgeous day like today. And I know you enjoy browsing the stalls too so don’t pretend you aren’t looking forward to it as well.”
“Okay, okay. C’mon, there’s a coffee with my name on it out there somewhere.”
Sebastian almost bounced across the room in his eagerness to get going, and Owen found himself feeling equally light as he trailed in Sebastian’s wake. He grabbed his wallet, his phone, and the house keys on the way out the door. At the last minute he darted back in and grabbed the packet of ibuprofen that was starting to make a permanent home in his pocket. It only took a moment for him to lock up the apartment, then he was bounding down the stairs after Sebastian.
At least my legs still work.
Chapter Three
The Salamanca Markets wereheld every Saturday in Hobart. Hundreds of stalls, selling everything from crafts and handmade items, to gourmet food and fresh produce, covered the paved street that was lined with old sandstone buildings. The markets were popular with visitors and were one of Hobart’s most significant tourist attractions. Today they were even busier, being the weekend before Christmas. It seemed half of Hobart, and a thousand tourists, had all decided today was the day to visit Salamanca and complete their Christmas shopping.
The sun shone brightly in the blue sky, only a few wispy clouds dotting the perfect expanse of azure. The temperature was warm, but not too hot due to a light breeze that brought the scent of salt with it and rustled the leaves in the large trees. Jaunty decorations on the stalls added to the colour and mayhem. From the corner of his eye, Owen saw Sebastian stumble as he was jostled, the shove from behind nearly sending him flying into another group of people. Owen grabbed his arm and kept him upright, as a woman behind them apologised on behalf of her rambunctious son. The kid looked chagrined as he mutteredan apology before being dragged away by his flustered looking mother.
“And you love the hustle and bustle,” Sebastian snorted, as he righted himself.
Owen grinned, Sebastian rolled his eyes, and together they merged with the crowd perusing the various stalls.
Sebastian, as usual, was enamoured with the fresh produce. He stopped at every vendor, checking out what was in peak season, and filling a couple of grocery bags with whatever took his fancy. The canvas bags were overflowing with fruits and vegetables, a selection of cheeses, marinated olives, and some cured meats. By the looks of things, they’d be eating well tonight and for the rest of the weekend, if not into the following week as well.
“Hey, look at this.” Sebastian placed the laden bags at his feet as he stopped at another stall. He held up a large handmade glass bowl, the bright colours of the design catching in the light. Orange and yellow swirls trailed through the glass-like strands of sunshine captured in the crystal-clear glass. But the brilliance of the bowl couldn’t outshine Sebastian’s radiant smile. “What do you think? It’d be perfect on the bookshelf at the Adventure Bay house. You know, right under the window where it would catch the morning sun. And the colours are perfect.”
There was something so infectious about Sebastian’s joy that Owen couldn’t help but respond with happiness. It wouldn’t have mattered if the bowl was as ugly as hell, Owen would have had no hesitation in buying it, even if he had to re-mortgage the apartment. That ornamental bowl would be Sebastian’s, and it would take pride of place at their holiday house.
“I love it,” Owen replied. “You have great taste—“
“I do, don’t I?” Sebastian’s smile was broad.
Owen chuckled. “And you’re right, the bookcase is the ideal place for it.”
Sebastian held the bowl up in front of Owen. “See how fine the detail is? There’s so much strength in the design. The fragility of the glass with the vibrancy of the pattern.”
Owen took the bowl, feeling the weight of it in his hands. For something that appeared so delicate, it was surprisingly heavy. And Sebastian was right—it was gorgeous—and that gave Own another idea. “You know what, maybe we should talk to the vendor. I’m not sure where else they sell their stuff besides the markets, but I’m sure there’s a large market for decorative, hand-blown glass pieces. We haven’t moved much beyond selling furniture but maybe it’s time to expand a little. Perhaps we could look at taking some of it on as a sideline. These sort of unique decorative objects would complement our unique pieces of furniture.” Owen followed Sebastian’s gaze to the pony-tailed woman who was at the other end of the trestle table showing her wares to another customer. She was talking animatedly, waving her hands and gesturing to a series of glass globes Owen assumed were paperweights.
“Great idea. Let’s take a business card and we can arrange to contact her later. I don’t want to interrupt our morning with business talk.” Sebastian pocketed the small white card from the holder on the table. “In the meantime, I’m not letting this one go.”
“Definitely not,” Owen chuckled. “That’s yours.”
They waited a few moments and finally had the vendor’s attention. Sebastian listened enthralled as she spoke about the glass manufacturing process, and the inspiration behind the particular piece they were going to buy. Owen was more entranced with Sebastian’s fascination but paid enough attention to learn the story of the bowl—sunrise, new beginnings, bright starts, the fire of life. All-in-all very poetic, and Sebastian hung off every word.
When it came to paying for the sunrise bowl, Sebastian made to take his wallet from his back pocket. Owen forestalled the action, handing over his credit card to the passionate glass-blower. Sebastian didn’t argue, for which Owen was grateful. Instead, Sebastian gripped Owen’s hand, giving it a squeeze and letting his smile express his gratitude.
Once their purchase was securely covered with bubble-wrap, tucked tightly into a bag, and handed over to the excited Sebastian, Owen picked up the shopping bags of food from where Sebastian had left them. Worry clouded Sebastian’s eyes for a moment as Owen straightened, but Owen didn’t give him reason or time to voice his usual concern.
He bit back the grimace as the ache flared, instead schooling his features and making sure his voice was light. “C’mon, let’s get this show on the road.”
Owen led the way back in the direction they’d come, navigating through the crowd towards home. He ignored the flash of pain in his shoulder as he hefted the shopping bag higher. He’d have plenty of time to ice and rest the shoulder later when Sebastian was out kayaking with Matt. He swallowed back the twinge of jealousy at the thought of Matt and Sebastian enjoying an afternoon on the water.
Focusing on the physical pain almost felt preferable to dwelling on his recent doubts about his relationship.
Sebastian dragged the paddle through the water, relishing the resistance that caused the burn across his shoulders. The sun was warm against his skin, but the light breeze cooled the sweat that dampened his neck and back. Pulling through the water was strenuous activity but calming. Like meditation, it allowedSebastian to clear his mind. Sebastian silently counted each stroke as the kilometres disappeared under the small vessel. He focused on his breathing, on the stretch of his muscles, and the beauty of his surroundings. He loved the juxtaposition between the historic buildings on the foreshore and the green of the lush vegetation and the backdrop of the mountain. Plus, how many places were there in the world where you could spot seals and dolphins while enjoying an afternoon on the water?
Sebastian looked across, waving his paddle to get Matt’s attention. He inclined his head toward the shore, and Matt’s gave the thumbs up. They paddled in unison across the harbour. Once at the shore they hauled their kayaks from the water and secured them.
“That was awesome,” Matt said, as they made their way to the dock where a small fish and chip shop was guaranteed to provide an amazing feed. “I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon. Now to fill my belly and I will be one happy guy.”
His grin was wide, but Sebastian found it difficult to muster the same level of enthusiasm and returned a weak smile. “Yeah, there’s nothing like being out on the water.”
