Kelsey

The story of Kelsey is set against the backdrop of the scenic south west of Scotland in Kirkcudbrightshire. The narrative focuses upon Kelsey, a beautiful and talented artist, the only child of a Norwegian mother and a local laird. Kelsey is portrayed as having a loving, nurturing home, together with attendant social advantages of wealth and education. The story moves from her formative years, to seeing her development as an artist and owning an art gallery/workshop in the artists’ colony in Kirkcudbright. This brings her to a relationship with Georgio, an Italian art student from Florence with whom Kelsey is infatuated and eventually falls in love. The narrative unfolds around their relationship, which Kelsey finds exciting and yet disturbing, as she seeks to understand this complex man and his motives. Kelsey is frequently heard in attempting to do this through “Dotchy” her imaginary childhood friend, since she feels unable to share this with her parents or friends especially as Georgio frequently borrows money, the purpose of which, although at times plausible is not always disclosed. Kelsey always had the uncomfortable sense that as loving as Georgio was at times, there was “something missing” in their relationship. Kelsey made friends with other young men who were attracted by her, but she had Georgio always on her mind. Georgio would sometimes travel to London or Florence with little explanation to Kelsey. She gradually realised that he contacted her only when it suited him and often when he needed money. Things came to a head when after careful thought Kelsey decided to go to Florence and confront Georgio about his behaviour and their relationship. On flying to Florence and meeting with Georgio’s friends Kelsey was shattered when she discovered that he was in prison, but to compound matters she learned that Georgio was in a long term relationship with Sebastian. As on many occasions Kelsey reflected upon how she could have been so stupid with all her advantages. On her return home to Kirkcudbright Kelsey who was pregnant with Georgio’s child decided to make the most of things and pull herself together. She wanted to have the baby. Kelsey was only able to meet briefly with her parents who were about to go on holiday as she arrived home. Thus she was unable to discuss her situation with them. During that week she accepted an invitation from Nathan her mentor at the School of Art in Glasgow and travelled by car to meet him. She was excited to see a large portrait of her painted by Nathan, which was to be entered for the national exhibition. Before she made the return journey home Kelsey immediately phoned her parents in Norway and her friend Simon in Kirkcudbright about the portrait. Sadly on her way home Kelsey and her unborn child were involved in a head on collision with another car and tragically killed. .It was left for Simon to pick up the pieces and disclose to the grief stricken parents the details of Kelsey’s predicament and her subsequent untimely death.