Meant To Be (20 page)

But she couldn't stand here all day admiring the view and looking lost; there was shopping to do. She'd printed a map she'd found online, but was now struggling to see which way she had to go to find the lighting shop. She turned it around in her hands, searching for a landmark, but the harder she looked and the more she concentrated, the more disoriented she got. Finally she decided there looked to be more going on to her left. She'd wander in that direction and see what she found. She could have driven over to the shopping mall on the other side of town, but she was afraid she might not find the Civic Centre again. Anyway, she told herself, it might be nice to explore a different part of the city.

Just a few hundred metres down the street, Emily came to a small cluster of shops. She almost let out a whoop of joy at the sight of a window jam packed with lights in all different sizes, styles and colours. There was also a variety of desk lamps and floor lamps on display. Everything seemed so modern, though, and she was after something more classic in design. She took a deep breath, mentally crossed her fingers, and pushed the heavy glass door open.

A woman of about Emily's age greeted her from behind a large counter. ‘Is there something specific I can help you with, or are you just browsing?' she asked in a friendly tone.

‘Bit of both, actually,' Emily said with a light laugh. ‘I'm looking for a floor lamp, but a bit more old world in style than what you have in the window. I'm not sure exactly what I want, just that I don't want anything in chrome,' she added apologetically.

‘Well, that's a good start. Come with me. I have a feeling you might find just what you're looking for out the back,' the lady said, getting up. As she stood, Emily noticed the name Karen on her name tag.

Emily followed her down a short hall that opened into a room that was possibly even larger than where they'd come from. Emily's mouth dropped open slightly as she took in the display of older style desk lamps and floor lamps. Above their heads, dozens of magnificent chandeliers, pendants, and glass light shades hung from the ceiling.

‘Wow,' she said, looking around her.

‘Thanks,' Karen said jovially, ‘I'll take that as a compliment. I love the older styles.'

‘I'm struggling to take it all in, to be honest,' Emily said, frowning.

‘You said you wanted a floor lamp,' Karen said. ‘Do you want to create mood lighting in a corner or have it over an armchair to read by?'

‘Both,' Emily said. ‘I'm putting a reading corner in my study.'

‘Sounds lovely,' Karen said, as she made her way over to the far left corner where there were tall lamps lined up.

As Emily followed her, she began to see the method to the layout, which at first glance had just looked like everything in together. But now she could see banker-style desk lamps and an assortment of small, delicate lamps displayed on white melamine cubes of different heights in another corner.

She turned her attention first to the floor lamps. Some were just tall, straight sticks with shades and without, and some had hooks that the shades hung from. On a shelf, rows of glass shades were arranged by colour. There was also a selection of ruched and plain shades in all sorts of fabrics. They were all gorgeous; how was she going to choose?

‘Would you like me to leave you alone to have a good look, or would you like some help?' Karen asked.

‘Oh, I would definitely like some help please,' Emily said.

Karen beamed. ‘Great,' she said, putting her hands together. ‘What colours do you have in your furniture and paintwork? That's usually a good place to start. It's often easier to begin by eliminating anything you don't like at all, and any colours that won't work,' she explained.

‘I've got some photos on my phone,' Emily said, fossicking in her handbag. She brought up the first of the photos she'd taken and leaned towards Karen to show her.

‘Oh, it's gorgeous,' Karen said. ‘That chair is divine. And is that carpet original? It looks like nineteen fifties or roundabouts.'

‘I think so.'

‘I love it.'

‘Thanks.'

‘Now, I'm sure I have the perfect lamp here. Just give me a sec to think it through,' Karen said, putting a finger to her lip and tapping thoughtfully. After a few moments she silently grasped the base of a tall lamp and set it in an empty space.

‘I think you'd be better with this style. That one, as lovely as it is,' she said, pointing to another, ‘won't be high enough. And the gooseneck style might take up too much space. I'm guessing you don't have a huge area to work with.'

‘It is a decent-sized room,' Emily said, ‘but as you can see, it's also got a bed and desk and chair in it. And, I'm hoping to put high bookshelves in when I find some I like.'

‘The bed is just across from your reading corner, isn't it?'

‘Yes.'

‘Well, I think this would be perfect,' Karen declared with her hand around the slender brass stem. ‘The base comes in a few different colours and finishes. This is solid brass, but it's lacquered over so you'll never need to polish it,' she added.

That had been a question on the tip of Emily's tongue. She ran her hand up the base, which had some engraved swirling detail.

‘They're really well made. The base is nice and heavy so you won't have a problem with it toppling over, no matter what shade you put on,' Karen explained. ‘It also comes in a simple fluted design, which I can show you in the catalogue. But I personally like this one for a more feminine room. The fluted one is a bit heavier set and tends to be more masculine looking.'

‘Okay. I like it,' Emily said. ‘What sort of shade would you suggest?'

‘Can I take another look at your colours again?' Karen asked.

Emily found the photos again and handed the phone over. While Karen studied them, Emily took in the range on the shelves above them.

‘I think you'd be best off with a glass shade; they give a gorgeous ambient glow as well as the targeted light for reading.

‘Okay,' Emily said, nodding.

‘You'd think the obvious choice is pink, which it would be if you want the lamp to blend in. But if you want it to be a bit of a feature, I'd be inclined to go with green. It would tie in very nicely with the carpet and the chair. Of course, it's entirely up to you.'

‘I'm not sure,' Emily said, frowning. ‘I did have my mind set on pink. But that might just be because it seems the obvious choice,' she hastened to add. ‘I'm sure you've got a much better eye than me.'

‘Well, I have put together quite a few lamps over the years. Sometimes it's what you almost dismiss that turns out to be the
perfect choice. Anyway, if you take something and then get it home and don't like it, you can always bring it back and change it,' Karen said with a warm smile.

‘Oh, that's great, but I live near Wattle Creek.'

‘That's no problem. I've got plenty of customers from over your way. I'm forever popping things on the bus or in the post,' Karen said with a dismissive wave of her hand. ‘How about I set up one with the green and one with the pink shade – they take on a totally different look when they're on,' she offered, already starting to take the navy-blue shade off another lamp in the same style.

Emily looked back and forth between the two lamps and then closed her eyes to imagine each lamp in her setting. After a few moments she opened them and looked at Karen. ‘You're right. Definitely the green one,' she said with a decisive nod.

‘I think so. But seriously, you are allowed to change your mind,' Karen said.

‘Um, how much is it?' Emily asked tentatively. She felt terrible asking, given how helpful Karen had been. If only she could just say, ‘I'll take it!' without even asking. But that just wasn't in her nature.

‘It's very reasonable,' Karen said. ‘All up, two hundred and seventy-five dollars.'

‘Oh, that
is
reasonable,' Emily said, her surprise evident. She'd seen some lamps in Port Lincoln at nearly double the price, and not nearly as nice.

Next they looked at practical desk lamps. They were all much the same design, but in a range of colours, none of which Emily was really taken with. ‘There's one in antique brass that should be in a box that came in this morning, but I haven't had a chance to unpack it yet. Bear with me and I'll get it out. If you're in a hurry and have other shopping to do, I can call you when I'm done, if you like,' Karen offered.

‘That's okay, I'm happy to wait. Don't rush, I'll just have a bit of a wander around,' she said, making her way to the far side of the room where a selection of crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Hanging right above her was just what she had in mind for the gallery's entrance hall. She held her breath as she turned the price tag over. Two thousand dollars! Wow! Her eyes bugged slightly.

‘It's genuine Italian crystal,' Karen called out from her spot nearby on the floor surrounded by boxes and bubble wrap.

‘It's beautiful,' Emily said.

‘I'll turn it on when I finish here. It's really quite spectacular. The genuine crystal makes a huge difference. I'll be there in a sec.'

‘Please, don't hurry. I've got plenty of time,' Emily said, and then checked her watch to make sure. She was surprised to find she had already passed an hour in this shop.

‘Right, here it is,' Karen declared. ‘What do you think?' she asked, putting a brass version alongside the other coloured desk lamps.

Emily went over. She closed her eyes briefly and tried to picture it on her desk. It was traditional enough to blend in, and with the two joints on its arm, practical too. By attaching it to the lip of her desk, she wouldn't lose valuable working space. Once she put a stack of document trays, a computer monitor, a pen holder, a mug of tea, and perhaps even a laptop, she might be struggling for somewhere to work.

‘Perfect,' she said. ‘I'll take it.'
And without even asking the price!

‘It's ninety dollars.'

‘Fine.'

‘Now let me show you how gorgeous that chandelier
really
is,' Karen said, going over to a bank of light switches on the far wall. ‘There you go,' she said, as the chandelier suddenly lit up.

‘Oh, wow,' Emily said breathily. She stood back for a better look, and put her hands to her face. It was truly breathtaking.
In a hallway as a feature, without the distraction of all the other lights in the shop, it certainly would make a statement. Just the sort of classy impression needed for the entrance of a successful art gallery, she thought.

‘I've got one at home. I couldn't resist after putting it on display. I'm in an old house, but it would work equally well in an old or new space,' Karen said. ‘Are you thinking for a hallway, or somewhere else?'

‘It's a bit soon, but I'm planning to rebuild a stone building on my farm and turn it into an art gallery. My architect-builder thinks down lights in the ceiling would be best for my rooms. I've agreed, but only if I can have a nice big chandelier in the hall.'

‘Sounds perfect. Down lights can take a bit of getting used to, especially if you generally like old-style things. But they are great for providing a well-lit space relatively energy efficiently, and with less shadowing. And with most of them you can change the direction of the light, which is perfect for a gallery space. When is it opening? I'd love to see it.'

‘We're a way off yet – still in the planning stage,' Emily said apologetically.

‘If you have a launch, please send me an invite. I love art exhibitions and, as I'm sure you're aware, the Peninsula doesn't have a lot on offer. Perhaps we can stock each other's brochures, since we won't be in competition? Here, take one of my cards. And do keep in touch. I'm Karen.'

‘Okay, great. I'm Emily. I'm afraid I don't have a business card yet.'

She'd travel
that
far for an art exhibition opening?! Wow, that's keen!
Her mind began trying to work out how far people would travel. Simone would be sure to come from Melbourne if she was exhibiting, but would any of Jake's friends travel that far? And what a great idea to swap brochures. That would really help each other
broaden their customer reach. She'd mention it to Maureen at the antiques shop too.

‘I'll do you a good deal on the chandelier since you're buying so much. And perhaps we can help with the down lights and anything else electrical when you start building? I'd appreciate the opportunity to quote. We've got a shed full of trade supplies out the back,' Karen said, distracting Emily from her thoughts.

Emily stared up at the chandelier. Part of her wanted to say, ‘I'll take it,' but her cautious side held her back. She didn't want to get too far ahead of herself. She already had a desk and four mantelpieces for the gallery taking up space and not being used.

‘As I said, we're a bit far off yet,' Emily said heavily. ‘Perhaps in a few months, if it's still here.' She thought about what Jake had said about snapping up antiques on the spot.

‘No worries. I always keep at least one of these in stock and I can order more. As gorgeous as they are, they're not one-offs. But they come from Italy so they do take a little while to arrive,' Karen warned.

‘Oh, that's great,' Emily said, sighing with relief. ‘I think I'm spending enough for one day,' she said, smiling warmly at Karen.

Suddenly the noise from the cars passing outside in the street become louder as the main door of the shop opened. Emily turned to see a tall, lean man in his late thirties or early forties with blondish-grey hair walk in, followed by…

‘Jake! What are you doing here?' she cried.

‘Here she is,' Jake said jovially, coming over and wrapping his arms around Emily. ‘Em, this is Tom Green, my mate I've been telling you about. Our meeting finished early.'