44 Scotland Street - Alexander McCall Smith [155]
he said. “But I was thinking – you could still try to sell this as an abstract Vettriano. That’s what it’s become, you see. Vettriano put this paint on this canvas, and it certainly looks pretty abstract now.”
Matthew smiled. “Perhaps.”
Angus Lordie placed the abstract Vettriano down on a table and fetched another bottle of champagne from the fridge. Domenica,
Gain, Loss, Friendship, Love
325
who had been silent since Angus Lordie had returned to the room with the news of the restoration mishap, now said: “Angus, you’ve been a rotten restorer, but you remain, in my view, a rather more competent poet. Cheer us all up with one of your impromptu pieces.”
“Something Chinese?” asked Angus Lordie. “Late Scottish-Tang?”
“No,” said Domenica. “Not that. Something else.”
“Why not?” he said. “How about this?”
He moved to the window and then turned to face his guests. Together again he began.
Here in this place,
Of angled streets and northern light,
Under this particular moon, with Scotland Quiet and sleeping behind and around us;
Of what may I speak but friendship,
And of our human wish for love – not just for me But for friends too, and those who are not my friends; So if you ask me, now, at this moment,
What is my wish: it is for love over Scotland, Like tears of rain – that is enough.
Scotland Street
Document Outline
Preface
1. Stuff Happens
2. A Room with a Smell
3. We See a Bit More of Bruce
4. Fathers and Sons
5. Attributions and Provenances
6. Bruce Takes a Look at a Place
7. A Full Survey
8. Hypocrisy, Lies, Golf Clubs
9. SP
10. The Road from Arbroath
11. The Origins of Love and Hate
12. Chanterelles Trouv�
13. You Must Remember This / A Kiss Is Just a Kiss
14. The Smell of Cloves
15. 560 SEC
16. Irrational Beliefs and the Mind of the Child
17. An Educational Exchange
18. The Works of Melanie Klein
19. A Modest Gift
20. The Boys Discuss Art
21. A Daughter�s Dance Card
22. Bruce Comes Under Consideration
23. Goings-on in London
24. Unwelcome Thoughts
25. Dinner with Domenica
26. A Room, a Photograph, Love and Memory
27. The Electricity Factory
28. Thomas Is Electrocuted
29. Friendship
30. Things Happen at the Gallery
31. The Lothian and Borders Police Art Squad
32. Akrasia: The Essential Problem
33. Peploe?
34. On the Way to the Floatarium
35. Latte Interrupta
36. Bertie in Disgrace
37. At the Floatarium
38. Mother/Daughter Issues
39. The Facts of Life
40. In Nets of Golden Wires
41. Your Cupboard or Mine?
42. Gallery Matters
43. The Sort of People You See in Edinburgh Wine Bars
44. Tales of Tulliallan
45. More Tulliallan Tales
46. Humiliation and Embarrassment
47. Irene and Stuart: A Breakfast Conversazione
48. Plans for the Conservative Ball
49. Tombola Gifts
50. Bruce Prepares for the Ball
51. Velvety Shoes
52. Silk Organza
53. Bruce Fantasises
54. Supporting Walls
55. Discovered
56. At the Braid Hills Hotel
57. The Duke of Plaza-Toro
58. Catch 22
59. The Dashing White Sergeant
60. The Tombola
61. Bertie Begins Therapy
62. The Rucksack of Guilt
63. Irene Converses with Dr Hugo Fairbairn
64. Post-analysis Analysis
65. A Meeting in Valvona and Crolla
66. Mr Dalyell�s Question
67. Playing with Electricity
68. Boucle d�Or
69. The Turning to Dust of Human Beauty
70. An Evening with Bruce
71. At the Scottish National Portrait Gallery
72. Angus Lordie�s Difficult Task
73. A Dissident Free Presbyterian Fatwa
74. A Man�s Dressing-gown
75. News of a Loss
76. Remembrance of Things Past
77. Into Deep Morningside
78. Steps with Soul
79. A Meeting on the Stair
80. Male Uncertainty, Existential Doubts, New Men etc
81. Morningside Ladies
82. On the Way to Mr Rankin�s
83. But of Course
84. An Invitation
85. In the Cumberland