The Pier Arts Centre in Stromness in Orkney has recently been extended and modernised in a truly exciting fashion. Before this took place the upstairs galleries were reached by a central staircase which had half a flight one way, then turned round on itself and continued with another half flight to the creaking, sloping floor-boarded landing. From this landing, to right and left were small galleries, each with a window at the back, overlooking the harbour, the right hand one also with a window overlooking the narrow slabbed street, across which was a flower shop owned by a Czech called Borek. As well as selling flowers he tuned pianos and sang in the choir ...he was also hugely attractive in a rugged, dark haired, beautiful voiced sort of way.
I was alone in the gallery one afternoon, leisurely enjoying the latest exhibition of sensuous and sensitive small paintings and plaster pieces by Will MacLean, based on writings, maps and sea journeys and very suited to this sea girt and beautiful room. Up the stairs came two smartly dressed women who strode resolutely into the room and, completely ignoring the paintings, went to the window overlooking the street “Ohhh” moaned one, quietly, “no Borek ...” and they stood silently contemplating the shop where he was not for several minutes, before leaving as quickly as they had come.
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