Page 43 of On The Edge

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Jess rushed into the gallery waving a newspaper “We made front cover!”, which made Cat wake up immediately, after a rather groggy start recovering from the many glasses of wine she had drunk the previous night. The opening had gone extremely well. Cat had sold her largest piece to a couple who were staying with local friends, and she had another two potential commissions, including one from Monique to hang in the hotel. Jess had also sold a small canvas sketch and the large piece of Cat, to Cat's embarrassment, both to a buyer who was on holiday. Jess spread the newspaper on the front desk before them and read aloud as a customer was viewing the exhibition.

“Talent comes to Orkney: Meet the two young entrepreneur artists Catherine MacGregor and Jessica Morgan; each bringing their own unique style, wowing the locals with art that stands up against the modern-day greats. Opening night showcased work from the two ladies, alongside other local artists, which proved a resounding success on all counts. Exhibition runs until November.” Jess continued reading the smaller font, as Cat looked at the photo of them both standing in-front of her large canvas.

“I’m amazed it’s out so quickly!” Cat read over the article again unable to stop beaming at the words 'talent' and 'unique'.

“Oh they don’t mess about here!” Jess laughed. “This is awesome, I’m going to have it framed!”

Cat stipulated that the good news called for a bacon sandwich, and she popped out to the local café to procure some. She walked with confidence, passing by friendly locals en-route who congratulated her on the article. News gets about town quickly! She grinned all the way back, with a spring in her step. Walking up the cobbled street, passing the white harbour cottages, she felt at home. The local cats roamed around in their usual spot, and Cat stopped to pet them. “Hello wee guy!” she said to the tabby cat she had seen the day before, who meowed gently and frolicked indolently in front of her. Within moments more cats were wandering around her, emerging from under cars and leaping down from the stonewall to greet her. Cat was a little concerned at the spectacle, only then realising that she had a bag of bacon sandwiches on her, and jogged laughing back the rest of the way, lest she be carried away by the hungry mob.

Over the next few days, Cat returned to her normal shift pattern at the pub and every morning Johnny would walk to the school and help Mrs White in class. Whenever he saw Cat, he would chat about the kids and his lunch breaks hanging out with the other teachers. Each night Johnny cooked, and with every meal surpassing the previous one, Cat relished the task of being his taster.

“I could get used to this,” she said, as Johnny handed her a glass of wine on her arrival home from the pub early one evening.

“I know darling!” He smiled, the smell of roast chicken wafted out from the kitchen and Cat’s mouth watered. “It’s been heavenly here. I hadn’t read a full book in years, and since I’ve been here I’ve already read three!” He beamed with pride, and took a hearty gulp from his own glass.

Cat laughed. “Well that’s what happens when the WiFi is so crap it’s basically non-existent!

“I’ve also had a lot of time to think too, of what I want to do with my life, and I've been speaking to Mark about it the last few days too.” He bit his lip a little. “I don’t want to be one of those people who die and regret not spending enough time with their loved ones. I see how much I was working, instead of living, and it affected my relationship.” He gestured for Cat to sit on the sofa as he sat down on the other side. “I’ve loved it here, Cat.”

“I’ve loved having you here J!” Cat went to pat his hand and he took it in a firm clasp.

“You’ve helped me so much, I don’t think you realise just how much.”

They both sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments.

“I’m leaving tomorrow.” Johnny looked over to her, his eyes serious.

“Oh…. so soon!” Cat was taken aback, she loved having the company of such a charismatic friend, and had been sure Johnny would stay longer.

“Yes, I’m meeting Mark in Inverness. We’re going to spend a couple of nights there and see what our next steps could be.”

“Oh. That's wonderful, J.” Cat paused and realised this was good news; she had to get on with her own life, and really learn to stand on her own two feet. “How do you feel about things?” She asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

“I feel sad to leave you to be honest. We have a good time together, eh?”

“The best.” Cat felt tears wanting to surface but suppressed them.

“You've always been there for me, no matter what, and I feel stronger for it. You're a gift, Cat!” He took a sip from his wine and looked down at their intertwined hands. “But I feel cleansed, rejuvenated, I feel as though I can think clearly again, and I realise now how badly I treated Mark. I want more from my life than just work. It’s not about that really, is it? Life is not about making money, working all the hours that are humanely possible just to be successful. I mean what even is success?” He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “Life is to be appreciated, to gain experiences, and be surrounded by friends, family, love…” He trailed off, running out of ways to put his feelings into words.

“Oh Johnny, I’m so happy for you!” Cat cried aloud, and hugged her friend.

They both enjoyed their last night together, watching movies, drinking wine and gradually packing Johnny’s things for his journey back home.

The next morning was full of mixed emotions for Cat. She was happy to see Johnny so excited, and his determination made her swell with pride. But she was also devastated to see her old friend go – the one person on the island who knew her inside out.

“Come back soon, and bring Mark next time!”

Johnny laughed. “Definitely. Mark would love it here. I can just see him joining committees and baking in the village fetes!”

“Then come really really soon!” She smiled inwardly at the idea of having them both live nearby.

“I’ll be in touch”.

Cat cleared her throat. “You better contact me soon, I won’t be impressed if you go back to your old ways and screen my calls!”

Johnny raised his hands in a mea culpa gesture. “That won’t happen again, you’ll hear from me, I promise.” He put a hand on Cat’s shoulder. “Now remember you always have a spare room in Glasgow.”

“Thanks, I think I’m happy to be away from there for the time being. But I will need to go down there at some stage to see mum.” Cat gave a grim smile.

“Let me know when - I’d like to come to her grave too. Sheila was so good to me, such a beautiful woman.” He stroked Cat’s hair affectionately. “You know, you look more and more like her.” And with those final words, he kissed Cat on the cheek, squeezed her hand and left. As he boarded, Johnny looked back at Cat and smiled, his bag thrown casually over his shoulder. His immaculate clothes were now creased, and along with his messy hair gave him the look of a wandering poet, rather than the successful businessman he was. What a change, thought Cat, smiling. And then: I wonder... have I changed as much too?

Cat stood watching the ferry leave, and couldn’t help it; she cried uncontrollably and continued to do so for the rest of the afternoon, thinking of both her friend and her mother leaving her. She drove back to her cottage with tears streaming down her face. She rushed inside its comforting walls, locked her door and grieved for the rest of the day. She spent the vanishing hours looking at photos of her mother and her childhood, wishing she had a family again, and wondering, her heart aching, of what the next few months on the island would bring.