As their teacher gave tips for adding the lining to a kilt, Alice leaned over to quickly whisper to Annie and Peggy. “Brianna would be wonderful to have for a Hook and Needle Club event, don’t you think?”
“Yes!” Peggy whispered back, while Annie nodded zealously.
“I’ll ask her when the demo’s over,” Alice said, and then the three turned their full attention back to linings and waistbands. After a discussion on giving the kilt the finishing touches and some additional hints she had gathered over the years, Brianna wrapped up the demonstration.
She picked up a pile of stapled worksheets and began handing them out to the students. As she extended one toward Alice, Alice took the opportunity to ask, “Brianna, do you live in Maine?”
“Yes, I do,” the instructor answered. “I live near Bath.”
“We’re part of a needlecraft club in Stony Point, and we were wondering if you’d be interested in doing an extended session for us?” Alice went on to explain about Ian’s plan for a Robert Burns Dinner. “I think many people would be interested in learning how to make their own kilts, if the town board approves the mayor’s idea.”
Brianna put up a finger to ask for a minute and quickly handed out the rest of the worksheets, thanking each of the women for coming. Once the others had left the room, she returned to Alice and her friends.
“Stony Point, you said? That’s not too far. I’d love to help.” Brianna paused, thinking. “I’ve been toying with the idea of developing a needlecraft exchange. I could come help with kilt making or knitting, which is another love of mine, and your group could send someone to teach something to Bath’s crafting community. Do you think your club would be interested?”
The three women looked at one another, trying to think like Mary Beth. “The club’s leader is Mary Beth Brock, Annie said, “and while I can’t speak for her, this sounds like something she would love to do. May we have your contact information?”
Brianna plucked some business cards from a stack on the table and handed one each to the three adults, giving Annie an extra one. “I do travel to several Highland Games around the country, but I’m sure we can easily work around them. I’ll be looking forward to hearing from Mary Beth.”
“Thank you so much,” said Alice. “We really enjoyed your demo.” She turned to her friends. “We’d better hurry. The guys will be wondering where we are.”
They said their goodbyes to Brianna Kincaid and left the building, wondering what might come from the demonstration as they hurried to meet up with Ian and Wally.
13
“I hope Mary Beth likes the idea of the needlecraft exchange,” Peggy said as she took Emily’s hand.
Annie looked around her to make sure they were heading in the right direction for the athletic fields. “Can’t you just picture Kate being a hit in Bath, sharing her amazing crochet designs?”
“Absolutely.” Alice gave a quick nod. “And if the town board does approve the Robert Burns Dinner, I think we might increase our Hook and Needle Club membership with a kilt workshop.”
“Stella might find that disconcerting,” suggested Annie, “but I dare say she’d survive.”
Alice chuckled. “The real question is will the newcomers survive Stella?”
“If I can survive as a transplant,” Annie said, her smile turning into an outright laugh, “surely Stony Point natives will.”
“With a little help from the rest of us,” Peggy added. The sound of harp music diverted her attention. Looking around, she saw the source in a nearby building and pointed it out to the others. “Hey, I think we’ve found the harpers’ building.”
Emily snapped to attention at her mother’s words. “Harpers’? Eli talked about that, didn’t he, Mama?”
“Eli?” Alice asked.
“The fiddler without a kilt pin. I told you about him this morning,” Peggy reminded her.
“Oh, that’s right—the young lovebirds.” Alice shook her head. “It feels like you told us the story months ago, instead of just this morning.” The three women shared a rueful look amongst themselves.
“It’s probably too early to see Eli and Linley, but do you mind if we just pop in for a quick glance around?” Peggy said, appealing to the romantic side of her friends.
“As long as you promise to be the one to explain to Wally and Ian why we took so long to meet them,” answered Alice.
Annie added, “And we’ll be fast—right?” She quickened her pace toward the sound of harps. Her friends followed her, Emily skipping in excitement.