Page 26 of On The Edge

“OK!” Jess interrupted, “so, don’t mind me, but I see some people over there I know - thanks for the drink Paddy!” She winked at Cat and sauntered off with a grin.

Cat giggled a little.

“That girl gets odder and odder!” Patrick mused while Jess joined the rather loud group in the corner.

“I think she’s incredible,” Cat smiled to herself, realising suddenly that she couldn’t imagine not having the effervescent little artist in her life.

They walked over to an empty booth and sat inside. The bar started to get busier as more people came in for the next band to play. Patrick sat on the opposite side to Cat and nursed his pint.

“I actually can’t drink much tonight, I decided to drive after all.”

“Yeah we got a lift, though I don’t know if our driver is intending to go home!” She glanced over at the bar where Stephanie their driver sat drinking and laughing with friends. “It’s so insane out there tonight! I’ve never seen weather like it – and that’s coming from a Glaswegian, rain for us is pretty much a daily occurrence!”

“Orkney weather is the best. I love it when it’s stormy, I’m quite happy to go out on nights like these – getting blown about, it sets the creative juices going!” He said with a cheeky glint in his eye.

“Well I’ll let you go out on your own, I’m happy staying inside warm and dry!” Cat laughed.

They both went a bit quiet for a few moments, Cat suddenly felt awkward and very shy. Just looking at Patrick’s lovely warm open face, his glowing eyes and those lips, Cat felt her cheeks flush, then felt a pang of relief at the fact that they were in a dark club.

“I did really like the last song you sang, is it new?” Cat inquired. It was something to talk about, anything to talk about to stop her face going luminescent.

“It is actually. I wrote it only a week ago. It just sorta poured out of me. I never write songs that quickly. I’ve wrote a couple recently. There’s something really therapeutic about writing down your thoughts, especially if they can rhyme!”

“I wish I could be like that.”

“But you are, you paint. It’s in you. And your work is beautiful and intriguing-” He looked a little uneasy at what he’d just said.

“But I haven’t shown you my work”

“OK a little confession,” he scratched his jaw. “I saw your sketch pad when I was helping you with the house today. Cat you have a talent.” He looked directly into her eyes. Cat felt a little woozy and didn’t know if it was her drink or Patrick.

“Oh god, I’m so embarrassed.” She cringed and buried her head in her hands.

Patrick touched her hands. “Don’t be, I’m sorry I looked. Although I’m glad I did, you need to show people your work”. Patrick’s hand stayed on Cat’s, then went up to caress her cheek. Cat felt completely weak. His hand went to a stray hair and tucked it behind her ear. The moment between them lasted forever, both staring into each other’s eyes under some spell and unable to look away. But the spell broke when the next band finally appeared on stage and played rock music. Patrick looked around and everyone had crowded around the stage on the other side of the room. He slid out of his side of the booth and came over to Cat’s side. He gently moved towards her and sat next to her, all the while looking intently into her eyes. Cat sat motionless waiting for him. His hand went to her mouth and she could hardly bear the sensations she felt. She wanted to kiss him but at the same time felt utterly paralysed. Patrick moved his finger across her jawline and leaned in to kiss her. Deliciously soft at first and then with hard passion. He enveloped her in his arms and Cat was in heaven.