Page 32 of The Gift Of Life

Chapter 23

Harper

After such a beautiful weekend, I’m still on a high, but it only continues today because I pick up my keys for the gallery in less than twenty minutes. I cannot wait. My head is buzzing with so many ideas that I feel like I’m about to combust.

Drew is working today, but I’m not going to be alone; Pete is joining me. However, in true Pete fashion, he’s running late.

I can’t wait any longer. I get out of the car, walk across the car park, and make my way to my new venture.

Even on a dull day, Culross is such a beautiful village. I can’t wait to be here every day. Anyone who visits here must leave with a smile on their face.

I notice that the door to my new gallery is already open. Now I can remember what excitement as a child feels like because oh my God...

“Harper.” The estate agent spots me coming. “Hi. Welcome to your new space.” He dangles the keys in front of me and I clap my hands.

“Thank you so much. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

“I think I have a pretty good idea. Now, if you need anything at all, you have my number. Now, I’m going across the road to show someone a quaint little property that has just come on the market. It’s all happening in Culross this month. We go months with nothing coming up here, then in the space of four weeks, we’ve had a commercial property and a residential.”

“Wow. Well, good luck, not that you’ll need it. Anyone would be stupid not to move here."

“Indeed. Take care, Harper.”

I watch Tom walk across the road and head towards the properties that line the waterfront. I can’t help but be curious. I’ll be sure to look up which property is on the market.

I walk into my gallery and stop. I turn around and take in the area. It needs a lot of modernisation, but it will be worth the blood, sweat, and tears when I'm finished.

“Sorry I’m late, but look who I found outside.”

I turn to see Drew walking in behind Pete, and behind Drew is his work partner, Carl. I try not to focus on Carl because I’ve not seen him for a long time. Thankfully, Drew in his uniform is a distraction I can’t ignore.

“Hi, beautiful,” Drew walks straight over to me and kisses me on the lips so softly it feels like a feather. It’s the first time I’ve seen him since he left my parents’ house yesterday afternoon after Sunday lunch.

“Hi,” I say shyly.

Heat rises in my cheeks.

“Wow!” Pete fans himself dramatically, and I just roll my eyes. “You two seriously need to get a room.”

“Beautiful space you have here, Harper,” says Carl, completely ignoring my friend’s dramatics. “Nice and bright and open. Perfect for what you want it for.”

“Thanks, Carl. Do you know a bit about art?”

“A bit. My mother dabbled. My fondest memories are of my mum in her paint-covered apron sitting at the conservatory window so she could maximize the natural light. She has dementia now, but her carers still get her to take part in arts and crafts.”

“She sounds like a wonderful woman.”

“She is. Anyway, I just wanted to pass on my well wishes. I’ll go grab us a coffee, Drew. I’ll be at the car.”

“I’ll do the same,” says Pete, but he turns before he exits. “I mean the coffee bit, not the meeting you at the car bit.”

He waves and then he’s gone. I giggle. I can’t help it. Pete is one of those guys who doesn’t even need to try to put a smile on someone’s face. His brain and mouth aren’t connected and I never know what will come out of it.

“Where do we begin?”

Drew turns me in his arms and rests his hands on my hips. “I honestly have no idea.”

“Good job I do then.” The voice behind us startles us.

---