Page 76 of Kate and Clara's Curious Cornish Craft Shop
‘Barbara Smith,’ Babs says, shaking it. ‘You’re one of them artist fellas, aren’t you, who hang around here? I’ve seen you painting.’
‘I am indeed.’
‘If you ever need a model,’ Babs says, flicking her blonde hair and puffing out her ample chest, ‘I am available to have me portrait done. I’ve been told I have a look of Jayne Mansfield about me.’
Clara visibly bristles at Babs’ overfamiliarity with Arty, but he just smiles in a kindly way. ‘Yes, I can see that, Barbara. You very much have the look of a Hollywood film star. What a wonderful model you would make someone. Sadly, I mainly paint landscapes, but if that ever changes I’ll be sure to give you a shout.’
‘Worth a try,’ Babs says, shrugging. She turns to Clara. ‘Same time tomorrow, Clara?’
‘Yes, if that’s all right? What have you two been up to today anyway?’
‘We went to see Freddie again,’ Maggie says, holding up a piece of wood. ‘He let me paint with him.’
‘Ah, I see.’ Maggie glances at Arty for a reaction, but his face gives nothing away. ‘That’s very good,’ Clara says, taking the wood from Maggie. ‘What do you think, Arty?’
Arty takes the wood from Clara. ‘Yes, indeed it is. Where are you doing this?’
‘With Freddie,’ Maggie says again. ‘He’s very kind to me.’
‘Freddie?’ Arty repeats. ‘I don’t think I know a Freddie?’
‘He’s that old geezer who paints in his cottage in down-along.’ Babs explains. ‘I don’t think he’s got two ha’pennies to rub together. He certainly don’t look like he has, but he manages to paint still. He uses bits of wood and stuff instead of canvases.’
Arty nods thoughtfully. ‘And what do you do, Babs, while Maggie goes to paint with Freddie?’
Babs shrugs. ‘I sit outside mainly, topping up me tan.’
‘Babs!’ Clara says sharply. ‘You’re supposed to be looking after Maggie. That’s what I pay you for.’
‘That’s all she wants to do!’ Babs protests. ‘I’ve tried doing other things with her, but she just wants me to take her to the old fella’s to paint.’
Clara looks at Maggie. ‘Is this true, Maggie?’
Maggie nods. ‘Don’t be cross with Babs, Mummy. I ask her to take me to Freddie’s. It’s not her fault.’ She hesitates. ‘If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s yours, Mummy. You stopped me painting with Arty.’
Clara glances at Arty, but to his credit he doesn’t look smug. Instead he simply looks with concern at Maggie. ‘And that’s all you do when you’re at Freddie’s, Maggie,’ he asks, ‘painting?’
‘Yeah,’ Maggie says, ‘Freddie, doesn’t say much. He’s very quiet, but I kind of like that. He doesn’t make a fuss of me like everyone else does. He accepts me for me and we paint together.’
Clara and Arty both breathe a sigh of relief at the same time.
‘Could you take me to see this Freddie sometime?’ Arty asks. ‘Perhaps tomorrow, instead of Babs taking you, I could? If it’s all right with your mother, of course?’
Clara nods.
‘Great!’ Maggie says excitedly, ‘I’d like that, and I’m sure Freddie would too. I don’t think he knows any other proper artists like him.’
‘Don’t worry, Babs, you won’t be out of pocket,’ Arty reassures a worried-looking Babs. ‘Will she, Clara?’
Clara shakes her head. ‘No. Just see it as a day off.’
‘All right,’ Babs says, shrugging. ‘Sounds good to me! I’ll be off now then, shall I? See you on Monday. Unless you need me Saturday?’
‘No, Monday will be fine, thank you, Babs.’
Babs heads off down the street, and Clara turns to Maggie. ‘Why don’t you go and get yourself an ice cream from the shop across the road?’ she says, pulling half a crown from the pocket of her full skirt.
‘On my own?’ Maggie asks, staring in amazement at Clara.
