Page 38 of On The Edge

“The little ones can be too!”

“But a lot cuter!” Johnny countered.

“Well that’s true, they can get away with an awful lot more if they're loveable with it!” Mrs White smiled then shook her head. “They’re actually all very good children I love seeing them grow and learn day by day!”

Cat took off her beret and coat. “So thirty years teaching, I’m sure you know a lot of people here!”

“Oh yes!” Mrs White chuckled. “I still see my old students, some with children of their own now, and those children I teach.”

“That’s incredible.” Johnny smiled. “I think teaching is one of the most worthwhile jobs out there, and to be part of the community here must be special?”

“Oh yes,” She took the cup of tea that Jess presented her with. “I’ve lived here all my life, well apart from a brief period living in Australia for a few years. I knew it was here that I belong, and I haven’t looked back since.

Cat thought of Billy, and how he had moved halfway across the world too, still returning home eventually. “Wow Australia to Orkney, what a change!” Cat said, “What made you go to Australia?”

“Oh it was the sixties,” Mrs White glowed. “I decided I wanted an adventure, so I saved some money working in the local bank and went over on the ship. They called it a 'ten pound pom' in those days.”

The two girls and Johnny were enraptured, and listened to Mrs White talk of her travels in the quiet echoing gallery. Cat was fascinated; she missed that about not having any family – the stories, and the advice. When she was younger she would daydream about having a grandmother to take her out on picnics and trips out to museums. Her mother's parents had passed when she was very young, so she had few memories of them. It was just her mum and her growing up. The vision of having grandparents tucking her in bed at night and telling her stories had been a fond thought.

“If it would be alright with you, may I take the children next time? I think they would love it, and I’d make sure they were on their best behaviour.”

“Of course!” Jess exclaimed. “We’d be happy to see them, wouldn’t we Cat?”

“I’d love to meet the class!” Cat enthused, looking over to Johnny. “Maybe we could talk about different styles of art, techniques and maybe some information on our artists. Oh - and give them a questionnaire to do too?”

“I’ll let you take care of that, my friend!” laughed Jess.

“I’d like to help too,” Johnny said.

Mrs White excitedly invited them all to the school for a visit in the near future, and left the gallery, putting on her blue hat and gloves as she walked out the door into the cold.

“Oh, she’s so sweet!” Cat went up to the window to wave the old lady goodbye as a few other islanders strolled past carrying bags of shopping.

“She’s a darling,” Jess agreed. “She’s in here every month to see what new pieces I have on display. She’s an art lover.” She picked up a box under the front desk. “Johnny, could you help a girl?” Johnny who was also looking out the window, came out of his daydream and marched up to help Jess with a couple of small boxes.

Cat continued to look out the window, and in a trance, watched people go about their daily life. An older man in a red scarf and black wool coat stood and talked with a younger man, with his dog on a lead. The dog looked around, straining madly to get away, while his owner talked in the cold. The two men laughed like old friends and Cat's eyes drifted over to a tall figure coming into view. It was Patrick. He was talking on the phone, eyes down, his expression one that Cat hadn't seen before. He paced back and forth, preoccupied with his conversation, as he ran an agitated hand through his hair. Then he froze still, his face pale. He looked at his phone momentarily, then held it back up to his ear again; the caller must have hung up. He kicked a loose stone on the ground and glanced around, before his eyes met hers, Cat broke out of her trance immediately.

“Are you OK?” Jess asked, seeing her stiffen.

“Yeah,” came a small voice, with a sigh. “Now, what can I do for the exhibition?”