‘Not yet but it will be no longer than a few months.’
‘Excellent. I bet you can’t wait.’
Juliette felt herself burning under his gaze as he stared at her.
He turned back to look at the house and then at her. ‘I don’t suppose you’d like to see my studio while you’re here?’
‘I’d love to.’ Her laughter was inwards this time. Danny would be envious that she’d got in there first. Besides, she was intrigued to see inside.
‘Well, come on round and I’ll let you in.’ He put a finger to his lips. ‘Although don’t tell Sarah. She’s not allowed in here when I’m working.’
‘Oh, I don’t want to intrude.’
‘I’m almost finished for the day. She’s gone out for the evening anyway.’
‘Anywhere nice?’
‘Just for a glass of wine with a few friends.’
Juliette walked around to the garden next door. She wondered who Sarah had gone to see. She hadn’t mentioned it, although she didn’t have to tell her everything. She hoped she was having a good evening. She deserved to get out more.
Richard was waiting at the studio door. He really was a nice-looking man when he smiled. A tan suited him too. He was ageing well, fitting out his overall just so. Flecks of blue peppered his hair.
‘Come on in.’ He waved an arm and she stepped inside. Paint and paraphernalia were everywhere she looked. Lots of wooden shelving and cupboards to hide away essentials. There was an easel with a drawing on it, two more that were empty. A stool was next to the one Richard was working on. A large window overlooked the rear garden, as well as towards the woods. The view was incredible.
‘What do you paint in?’ she asked, hoping her ignorance of his art wouldn’t show.
‘Mostly oils. I draw in charcoal too. Those are my main passions.’
‘You’re clearly talented. I-I looked at your website.’
‘Did you?’
She nodded, a little embarrassed as she wandered around admiring some of the drawings around the walls. ‘Are these commissions you’re working on?’
‘Yes. I’ve had a few orders in recently. It’s keeping me busy, and the wolf from the door.’
Juliette could never imagine him having money worries, not living in the property he owned.
‘Are you artistic?’ Richard asked.
‘I was particularly fond of making stamps out of potatoes with Emily and blobbing them over a piece of paper. And drawing matchstick people.’
He smiled.
‘I have a degree in media and art and wanted to do web design and marketing, but when it came to it, I found I was more of a numbers person, really.’
‘Wouldn’t do for us all to be the same. You have the most beautiful bone structure.’
‘Oh.’ Juliette’s hand went up to her cheek. ‘Thanks.’
Richard paused and then beckoned her towards the stairs. ‘Let me show you what I’m working on at the moment.’
She followed him up, gasping as she saw the sunset on the canvas in front of her. ‘Richard, that’s amazing,’ she exclaimed. ‘It’s like looking out of our bedroom window. I almost feel as if I could walk right into it.’
It was obviously the right answer as Richard beamed.
‘Have you always wanted to be an artist?’ she queried.
