Beach Combing Read Online Free PDF

Alfred Wallis?’ he asked.
    ‘Of course I have. I’m studying art history at uni. And I want to run my own gallery one day.’
    ‘That’s great,’ said Ed. ‘The thing is, I’ve always found Alfred Wallis’s story really inspiring. He was a fisherman by trade and only started painting after his wife died. He never had any training but I just love the simplicity of his work, the way he captured the boats and the sea. We’ve been studying his work, and some of the other St Ives artists, so I thought if I brought the kids here they’d be inspired to try out their own style.’
    As Lara opened her mouth to reply she felt a sharp jab on her ankle.
    ‘Can we go now, La-wa?’ demanded Alfie. ‘We’ve been here for ages …’
    ‘I know we have, sweetheart, and you have been so patient. This is my friend Ed, by the way. Will you say hello?’
    Alfie closed up his book and stood up. ‘Hello Ed,’ he said. ‘Are you La-wa’s boyfriend?’
    Lara’s face went pink but Ed didn’t bat an eyelid.
    ‘No, I’m not,’ he said. ‘We’re just friends. Have you got a girlfriend yourself by the way?’
    Alfie giggled. ‘Don’t be silly. I’m only five. You have to be ten before you have a girlfriend.’
    ‘Silly me,’ chuckled Ed. ‘I forgot about that.’
    ‘Did you say there’s a café here?’ asked Lara. ‘I think Alfie’s flagging a bit and I could do with a coffee.’
    Ed nodded. ‘Come on, I’ll show you. The view is to die for. I’m going to get my art class to sketch it when I bring them here. There’s something about the quality of the light and the backdrop of the sea… I just know it will inspire them.’
    He led the way up two flights of stairs and into a sunny café with views across the patchwork of St Ives rooftops to the ocean beyond.
    ‘That’s Porthmeor Beach down there,’ said Ed, pointing at the curve of sand below. ‘When you’ve got your confidence up it’s a great place for surfing. And what’s even better is that you can combine a trip to the gallery with a surfing session. The Tate has to be the only gallery in the country with a rack for surf boards. How was the surfing lesson with Ollie? Are you hooked yet?’
    ‘It was OK,’ replied Lara noncommittally. ‘But I’m working all hours looking after Alfie so I won’t have time to book another. Not any time soon, anyway.’

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    ‘I’ve had a brainwave,’ announced Jago at supper that night. ‘I can’t think why I didn’t come up with it before.’
    The three of them didn’t usually eat together in the evening but tonight Jago had insisted on it. ‘I haven’t seen much of Alfie over the last couple of days,’ he told Lara. ‘And I know he’d like it if you were there too. He’s very fond of you, you know. You must stay in touch after the summer. He’d be heartbroken if you disappeared out of his life.’
    Lara didn’t say anything. Even though she was touched by his words – and a little embarrassed – she couldn’t help thinking that Alfie would prefer it if Jago and Camille made more effort themselves. Her own parents were pretty flaky, but at least they’d been there for her.
    ‘What, Daddy? What?’ said Alfie, flicking his fork by accident and sending peas flying in all directions. A couple landed on Jago’s lap and he roared with laughter.
    ‘Good shot, Alfie,’ said Jago. ‘The thing is, I think we should have a party. A party for everyone we know in St Grace. A wonderful, glamorous, champagne-popping knees-up of a party.’
    Alfie could hardly contain his excitement. He gave up on his shepherd’s pie and peas – Jago was big on nursery food and always asked his cook in Cornwall to serve up old favourites like bangers and mash and apple crumble and custard – and threw himself on to his father’s lap.
    ‘And can we have jelly and ice cream and games and party bags?’ yelled Alfie.
    ‘Do you know what?’ said Jago. ‘That isn’t half a bad idea. What do you think,