‘Well, I’m glad I didn’t!’
‘Honestly, for a moment there, I thought … oh don’t worry, it’s my fault I never heard you. I was lost in my own thoughts. What are you doing down here?’ she asked, forcing herself to breath normally.
‘Walking Sam before we open up the yard.’ He was currently ferreting around by the water’s edge. ‘Why are you here?’
Nell felt her thumping heart settle, ‘Now you’ll think I’ve lost the plot, but I was sharing my news with Ollie.’ Nell stared straight at him, trying to gauge his reaction.
‘News?’
‘Having slept on it, I’m definitely going to bid for the Old Picture House.’
‘Nell, that’s great. All systems go, then?’
‘All systems go,’ she smiled.
‘And I don’t think you’ve lost the plot. I talk to my granddad all the time,’ he smiled, warmly towards Nell, ‘Shall we walk back? Are you ready?’
She nodded and stood up, ‘I am.’ Giving a last, fleeting glance towards the lake Nell felt a sense of calmness, the decision was made. She was going to do this.
Nell linked her arm through Guy’s and they ambled back over the bridge in silence towards the towpath. Sam ran up ahead, nose to the ground, running in and out of the bushes.
‘So the sleep did you good, then?’
‘Yes, but my heads a whirl with builders, plumbers, electricians … the list is endless.’
‘You have to win the auction first,’ Guy grinned at her enthusiasm.
‘Pah! That’s the easy bit, the hard work comes after.’ With a spring in her step Nell sounded ridiculously hopeful and she was pinning all her hopes on winning that auction. ‘And the flip of the coin never lets me down.’
Guy looked at her, confused.
‘When in doubt, flip a coin, best of three.’
‘Seriously.’
‘Yes seriously!’
‘You are a mad one, I’ll give you that!’
‘Heads I bid, tails I didn’t and heads it was, so I’m bidding,’ Nell said, beaming from ear to ear. The only slight niggle in the back of her mind was Gilly, but she’d made the conscious decision to go and talk to her mum about it as soon as possible and put whatever worries she had to bed.
Guy stopped walking and stared at her. He took both of her hands, his gaze bore deep into her eyes, ‘In my book everything happens for reason and I think it will be a huge success with the amazing Nell Andrews in charge.’
‘So you think I’m amazing, do you?’
Nell pressed her lips together with a secret smile.
He closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her, then squeezed her hand reassuringly. ‘I do indeed, amazing, gorgeous, funny …’ his words were soft in her ear and her whole body tingled in anticipation. He stroked her hair, then traced his finger along the side of her chin, finally tilting her lips towards his.
‘You’re not so bad yourself, Guy Cornish. Are you going to kiss me?’
‘I am,’ giving her a sheepish grin. He didn’t need to be asked twice.
‘You are just perfect,’ he said, lowering his lips to hers. Nell couldn’t wait any longer, she grasped his hair and their lips locked, gently at first, but then harder. She closed her eyes and basked in the pleasure of his touch. Her heart constricted at how gorgeous he was and swelled with happiness for the first time in ages. In such a short space of time, she was falling hook, line and sinker for Guy Cornish.
Chapter 22
An hour later Nell walked into the deli to find Bea dancing around the kitchen and miming to the radio. She stopped in mid-flow and clapped her hands when she spotted Nell, ‘Let’s get this deli open for business.’
‘You’re in a good mood!’ Nell exclaimed, raising her eyebrows while draping her coat over the back of the chair.
‘I’ve had a cream meringue for my breakfast and at this precise moment I don’t feel sick, which is a good start to the day.’
Nell heard her phone beeping from her coat pocket and quickly glanced at the message before tying on her apron. She flicked her hair over her shoulder, chewed her lip and smiled to herself before sliding the phone back into her pocket. Bea watched in amusement.
‘Mmm … what’s going on with you? You look different, kind of rested, happy, in fact absolutely glowing,’ she mused, ‘Anything you want to tell me?’
‘Me? No, I’ve got absolutely nothing to tell.’
Bea tutted, ‘You so have. I know that look! How was your dinner date last night?’
‘Dinner date?’ said Nell, acting coyly.
‘Yes, the dinner date with the gorgeous Guy.’
‘It wasn’t a dinner date,’ Nell avoided Bea’s inquisitive stare as she piled the freshly baked scones on to a tray and tried not to smile.
‘Did he cook you dinner?’
Nell smiled remembering the state of the kitchen and Guy’s attempt at muddling together the venison pie.
‘He did,’ Nell carried the scones over to the counter and slid them into the glass cabinet, ‘They smell delicious. Have those ones got chocolate chips melted into them?’
‘They have and stop trying to change the subject,’ Bea said, switching the deli sign to open.
‘I wasn’t.’
A flash of annoyance passed over Bea’s face, ‘You are trying to avoid my questions.’
Nell suppressed a smile, ‘I’m not,’ she answered as her whole body tingled remembering the kiss she’d shared with Guy.
‘There’s more to this than meets the eye.’
‘There isn’t!’ Nell was reluctant to share how she felt – she didn’t want to tempt fate and it was all very new for her.
‘I’ve seen the way he looks at you!’ Bea insisted.
‘What do you mean?’ Nell asked her.
‘You like him as much as he likes you.’
‘Maybe.’
‘I knew it, I knew it!’ squealed Bea.
‘Or maybe we are just friends?’ Nell teased.
‘Just friends? No man and woman are ever just friends. Name a man who you are just friends with?’ Bea stuck her hands on her hips and waited for Nell to answer.
There was silence for a couple of seconds.
‘See you can’t!’
Nell racked her brains then wagged her finger at Bea in jest, ‘A-ha! Yes I can … Nathan!’ Nell stuck out her tongue at Bea and looked smug with her answer.
‘He doesn’t count, I’m married to him!’ Bea laughed and smacked Nell’s arm playfully. ‘So, what did Guy cook you?’
‘Beans on toast.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous!’
Nell laughed heartily, ‘I swear it’s the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!’
Bea rolled her eyes, ‘What time did you get home?’
‘Eleven … ish.’
‘How many bottles of wine did you drink?’
‘Two and a bit.’
‘Did he walk you home?’
‘Yes.’ Nell could feel herself blushing. Guy had insisted he walked her back to the ‘Nollie’. They’d walked side by side along the towpath when Nell had stumbled slightly. Guy had simply stretched out his hand and grasped hers and they had carried on walking. They’d paused by the railings just outside the picture house and stared up at the stars in the clear night sky.
‘Quite something, isn’t it?’ said Guy, pulling Nell in close, his arm draped around her shoulder as he pointed out the different star constellations in the sky.
‘Yes’, Nell had whispered back, feeling the first flush of love.
‘Let’s get you home,’ he’d said, and when they’d arrive at the ‘Nollie’, he’d kissed her and watched her climb safely on to the boat. Once her head had hit the pillow she’d fallen into a contented sleep.
‘Have you kissed him?’ Bea carried on with her questions.
‘Bea, I feel like a teenager answering to my mother!’ Nell objected.
‘Have you kissed him?’
Nell rolled her eyes, laughing.
‘I knew it! I knew it! I’m so pleased for you. It’s about time you put a smile back on that face of yours.’
‘You know nothing, we talked figures …’
‘Oh, I bet you did!’ chuckled Bea.
‘Bea! Stop it! Figures as in costs for the Old Picture House.’
‘Ha, I’m only teasing you. I’m just jealous. I spent the night browsing through the Mothercare website looking at prams, which was mind-boggling.’
‘I know you’re teasing,’ Nell paused, ‘Talking of mothers, where’s mine?’
Gilly was already half an hour late, which wasn’t like her and Nell wandered over to the door and peered up the towpath.
‘Here she is, cycling up the towpath now,’ Nell said relieved. She heard her mum ring the bell on her bike and wave at Guy, who was talking to a man outside the boatyard.
‘You’re late,’ Nell jokingly tapped her watch.
Gilly pulled on her brakes and climbed off her bike.
‘You look awful,’ Nell said, her heart pounding with anticipation. ‘Is everything all right?’
‘I need a good strong cuppa,’ she said, ‘It’s not been the best morning so far.’
Gilly leant against the counter and took a deep breath, ‘I know there was nothing I could do, but when I checked on the kittens this morning, I found Rosie dead in the basket.’
‘The mother?’ Nell swallowed her own sadness, ‘That’s awful.’
‘Oh God, I feel a bit emotional, what an absolute shame,’ Bea said, standing beside Gilly and Nell. ‘The poor thing.’
‘What are you going to do now?’
‘That’s why I’m late. I’ve just cycled over to the vet’s to ask for advice.’
‘And?’ Nell asked.
‘He said I need to keep the orphaned kittens warm, make a nest in a small box and line it with towels to help them conserve their body heat. I’ve left them mewing in a box, which I’ve placed at the foot of the Aga.’
Nell nodded, ‘Good idea.’
‘Then he’s given me some kitten formula and syringes. I have to feed them that way until they can go on to solids next week some time, which isn’t that long now.’
‘Is that when I can take one off your hands?’ Bea asked, picking up the deli phone, which was ringing.
‘If you’re sure, Bea?’
She covered the mouthpiece, ‘Yes, very sure.’
‘Anyway, there’s nothing I can do now except my best.’ Nell gave her mum a hug and an offer to help in any way she could.
‘Right, let’s get my coat hung up,’ Gilly said, throwing it over her arm and walking around the back of the counter.
They both looked up towards Bea, who’d placed the receiver back down and was now staring towards Gilly and Nell.
‘You okay?’ Nell asked, noticing that Bea had turned a ghastly white colour.
She hesitated, ‘That was my sister.’
‘Fern? Have you spoken to her since that night?’ Nell said, stopping in her tracks.
Bea shook her head, ‘Over four years ago now.’
‘What does she want?’
‘It’s my mother, she’s dying …’ Bea took a breath, ‘She’s asking to see me one last time.’
Nell knew everything about that night four years ago. Bea and Nathan had been so distressed, especially when they’d made the decision to never speak to either Fern or her mum again. Nell knew Bea would be feeling apprehensive but knew she wouldn’t forgive herself if she didn’t see her mum one last time, even if this did mean crossing paths with Fern once again.
‘Whatever you decide, I’ll be here for you,’ said Nell. And if you need to take some time off, I can keep this place afloat in the meantime.’
‘Thanks, Nell. I don’t know what I’d do without you.’
For a moment, Nell felt a pang of guilt. Here she was getting excited about fulfilling her own dreams and hopefully renovating the Old Picture House just as Bea needed her support. Nell knew the next few weeks were going to be a strain for all of them.
Chapter 23
Jacob stood rooted to the spot on the jetty and stared up at ‘The Old Geezer’. Fred Bramley was sitting on a blue-check deckchair on the deck of his boat, his rod cast in the water while his hands were cupped tightly around a mug of tea.
Jacob’s watchful eyes followed Fred’s every move as he reeled in his line and leant forward to examine the hook.
‘Have you caught anything?’ Jacob shouted towards Fred, who spun round and locked eyes with the little boy.
He tweaked his cap from over his eyes, ‘Not this time,’ he grumbled, casting the line back in the water. ‘These fish must be still sleeping under those river banks.’
Jacob chuckled.
‘Shouldn’t you be at school, young lad?’
Jacob shook his head, ‘I’ve been poorly.’
‘You best get yourself inside then, lad, keep yourself warm.’
Fred noticed Nathan talking to Guy outside the boatyard and watched for a split second as Jacob clomped back towards his dad, who was now walking towards him. He grasped his hand and they pushed the door open to the deli and disappeared inside. Jacob hovered in the deli window and waved at Fred, who tipped his flat cap once more in acknowledgement.
‘What are you doing here?’ Bea was amazed to see Nathan and Jacob up and out so early. Immediately she pressed a hand to his forehead, ‘Oh, you do feel a little better.’
‘What’s up, little man?’ asked Nell.
Nathan and Jacob followed them into the kitchen.
‘I’m poorly, Aunty Nellie. I feel hot, but Daddy wanted an English breakfast muffin and promised me a doughnut for later.’
‘Oh, he did now, did he?’ Nell laughed, reaching for the grill pan, ‘I’ll get to work on that in a moment.’
‘Cup of tea too?’ asked Gilly, holding up the kettle.
‘You read my mind,’ he smiled.
‘Jacob, go and sit at the desk. Do you think you can manage some toast?’ asked Bea, retrieving the emergency colouring book and pencils from the desk drawer and putting them down in front of him. ‘Here, do some colouring.’ Jacob nodded and sat down quietly while Gilly, Nell and Bea congregated in the middle of the kitchen.
‘Are you okay? You look a little upset,’ Nathan narrowed his eyes towards his wife.
‘I was going to give you a quick ring mid-morning when it had quietened down.’
‘Why what’s up?’
She took a breath. ‘Fern rang.’
Immediately Bea could see the look on Nathan’s face change, ‘What does she want?’
Bea hesitated and shuffled Nathan to the other side of the kitchen away from Jacob, ‘It’s Mum,’ she took a deep breath, ‘She’s dying and wants to see me one last time.’
Nathan raised his eyebrows, ‘How are you feeling about that?’
‘I don’t actually know,’ she said, staring into Nathan’s eyes.
Nell tapped Bea on the arm, ‘I’ll go and help Gilly in the front.’
‘Thanks, Nell.’
Bea turned back towards Nathan.
‘I have to admit I wasn’t expecting that,’ he said.
‘Me neither.’
‘How did she sound?’
‘Very matter of fact and straight to the point. Mum’s at home.’
Bea wrapped her arms around Nathan’s waist and he hugged her tight, kissing the top of her head.
‘I remember that night like it was yesterday.’
‘I do too. I vowed I would never speak to her again.’
‘Is she still with Pete?’
‘I’ve no idea, I never asked. It took me by surprise just hearing her voice again.’
‘How long has your mum got? I’m assuming it’s cancer.’
Bea nodded and wiped away a tear.
‘Hey don’t cry, none of this is your fault.’ Nathan reached inside his pocket and handed Bea a tissue.
‘I know, I just wish it could hav
e been different. I always thought Mum becoming a grandmother might have mellowed her a little. If Dad was still here I think he would have seen sense about this whole situation.’
‘But he’s not and we made the decision not to speak to either your mum or Fern again after that night. We made that choice together.’
‘I know,’ Bea sighed. ‘But she’s only got days left to live, Nathan. She’s deteriorating by the second, Fern said.’
‘Then you need to make a decision sooner rather than later, then if you want to see her one last time you’ve still got the chance. Whatever you decide, I’ll stand by you. You know that, don’t you?’
Bea gazed into her husband’s eyes, ‘I couldn’t imagine life without you.’ She kissed him tenderly on the lips.
‘It’s a good job you don’t have to, then, isn’t it?’ he said warmly.
‘Come on, I’d best help the girls. I’ll mull it over and make a decision tonight.’
‘Okay, now keep that chin up.’
‘I will, I promise,’ said Bea, turning back towards Jacob.
‘Where’s he gone? Where’s Jacob?’
Bea’s eyes spun around the room but Jacob was nowhere to be seen.
‘He’ll be out the front with Nell and Gilly. Come on, let’s check. Oh and I never did get my breakfast muffin,’ he said, looking longingly towards the grill pan.
‘Always thinking of your stomach,’ she said grinning, swiping the tea towel in his direction.
They pushed open the kitchen door and saw Gilly and Nell standing behind the counter, ‘That was a mad five minutes, already the pasties and Danish pastries are dwindling.’
Nathan looked around the shop, ‘Where’s Jacob?’
‘In the back with you,’ Nell answered, chucking some money in the till.
Nathan met Bea’s worried stare, ‘He’s not wandered out here?’
‘I’ve not seen him,’ Gilly answered, ‘Is everything okay?’
‘I’m not sure, I’ll check the toilet,’ said Bea, hurrying towards them. ‘He’s not in here,’ Bea’s urgent tone rang out.
Everything seemed to stand still for a moment.
Gilly shot Nell a quizzical look, ‘Where is he?’
Nell shrugged but was determined not to panic, ‘He can’t have gone far,’ she said in a calm voice. As much as Nell sounded in control, nothing was going to calm Bea’s thumping heart.
The Cosy Canal Boat Dream: A funny, feel-good romantic comedy you won’t be able to put down! Page 14