‘I’ve not got a good feeling about this,’ said Bea, exhaling a shaky breath, her eyes brimmed with unshed tears, her mouth had gone bone dry, ‘Where is he?’
Nathan cleared his throat, ‘Like Nell said, he can’t have gone far.’ He moved towards the door and everyone followed him. ‘I’ll stay here in case he comes back,’ Gilly said, hovering by the counter.
Bea, Nathan and Nell spilled out of the deli on to the path. They all scanned the wharf in every direction but there was no sign of him. There were a few shoppers milling about and people cleaning the decks of their boats. ‘Hey, have you seen a boy – about this big?’ Nathan stopped a passer-by. They shook their head, ‘Sorry no.’
A huge dollop of fear descended all around them.
Nathan raked his hand through his hair, the anxious expression written all over his face.
‘Hey, where’s the fire?’ Guy shouted over, leaning against the doors of the boatyard.
‘It’s Jacob … he’s missing.’ Nell bellowed back.
Guy stared at her for a split second before quickly locking the doors to the yard and bounding towards them with Sam speedily following behind. ‘I’ll help you look. How long has he been gone?’ he asked, standing by Nell’s side.
‘Five minutes max, maybe?’
Tears were pricking Bea’s eyes, ‘He was here one minute and gone the next. It’s my stupid fault, I was so engrossed in talking to Nathan.’
‘It’s no one’s fault,’ replied Nell in a sympathetic tone, rubbing her arm, ‘He can’t have gone far.’ Thankfully she sounded a lot calmer than she felt and her voice didn’t falter.
‘What if he’s fallen into the water?’
They rushed towards the railings and each and every one of them scanned the water, but they couldn’t see anything. ‘Or worse, someone’s snatched him.’
‘Think rationally. He was in the kitchen, no one enticed him out,’ said Nathan. ‘Let’s split up.’
‘Good plan,’ Guy answered.
‘Guy can you check the shower block, mate? Nell, you check the laundry room, Bea …’ he grabbed both her arms, ‘I promise you, he’ll be okay.’
‘How can you promise me that? If anyone has hurt him,’ she pulled away from Nathan’s hold. The fear stabbing in the pit of her stomach.
‘You check up and down the jetty and knock on the boats, see if anyone’s spotted him.’
While Nathan was organising the party, Gilly had checked every inch of The Melting Pot. She popped her head out of the door, ‘He’s definitely not playing hide and seek in here.’
Bea’s knees began to tremble as she stumbled towards the furthest jetty and began to search. ‘Jacob,’ she wailed, her heart pounding.
They all hurried in different directions.
Nell heard Guy shouting in the shower block, but there was no sign of him. Nell darted towards the laundry room and frantically turned over every basket of washing and checked inside every washing machine, which she knew, deep down, was daft, but what if he was just playing hide and seek?
‘Are you in here, Jacob?’ But there was no answer.
‘Nothing,’ said Nell grimly, looking at Guy as they met back up on the towpath. ‘There’s no sign of him anywhere.’
‘We need to phone the police,’ Guy said with authority, ‘We can’t leave it any longer.’
Nell sobbed, she knew Guy was right and took her mobile phone from her pocket.
‘I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,’ she wept.
‘Is everything okay?’
Guy and Nell spun round and locked eyes with a wizened face which was staring back at them both. His face was a map of wrinkles, his blue eyes framed by thick white busy eyebrows and his stubble chin sprouted white whiskers. The old man was dressed in a flamboyant purple suit, sporting a bright-red checked cravat and was leaning on a cane.
‘My apologies, I recognise you … but I’m not sure where from?’ Guy racked his brains, but nothing.
‘I believe, young man, you saved my life,’ his tone was soft and friendly, ‘I can’t thank you both enough.’ He stretched out his hand, ‘Lloyd.’
Guy hurriedly shook his hand, ‘Lloyd, please, forgive us, I don’t mean to be rude but I’m just about to ring the police, a child has gone missing.’
‘Would that be a little boy in a pair of bright-yellow wellies?’
All eyes locked on Lloyd.
‘Yes, yes, it would. I’m Nell,’ she said, shaking his hand, ‘I was there with Guy, on your boat, when the paramedics arrived. Have you seen him … Jacob?’
‘I saw a little boy about this high,’ he gestured with his cane, ‘jumped on to that boat about five minutes ago.’
Nell and Guy swung towards ‘The Old Geezer,’ and there were Jacob’s wellies strewn on the mat on the deck of Fred Bramley’s boat.
‘Look! Are they Jacob’s?’
‘Yes,’ Nell’s heart thumped, ‘Bea, here, Nathan,’ she yelled as loudly as she could.
Nathan and Bea’s footsteps came thundering up the wharf. ‘You got him?’
‘Thank you so much,’ Nell enthused, relief flowing through her body as she smiled up at Lloyd.
‘No problem at all, young lady. You go and get the boy.’ With that Lloyd waggled his cane in the air, turned and walked away.
‘Thanks again,’ Guy shouted after him.
Just at that moment the deli swung open, Gilly was clutching the phone, ‘It’s Fred. He’s with him, on his boat. He’s just phoned me.’
‘Yes, Lloyd spotted him,’ shouted Nell as Bea and Nathan pounded the jetty and jumped on to the narrowboat, quickly followed by Nell and Guy, leaving Gilly staring at the man who’d walked off up the wharf and disappeared around the side of the boatyard. Fred opened the door and there was Jacob beaming back at them, wearing Fred’s fishing cap and holding his rod.
Bea’s heart soared with love for her little boy, the relief was written all over her face as she scooped him up and pressed her lips against his cheek, then hugged him so tight he could barely breathe. ‘Don’t you ever do that to me again,’ she sobbed, her voice wobbly.
‘What’s the matter, Mummy?’
Bea swallowed and brushed away her tears.
‘You disappeared without a word. I’ve never been so scared.’
‘I saw Mr Bramley fishing and wanted to know if he’d caught anything. He thinks I’d make a very good fisherman, especially with my bright-yellow wellies.’
‘That you would, without a doubt,’ she said smiling at her little boy.
‘I telephoned the moment he stepped foot on the boat.’
Nathan touched his arm, ‘Thanks Fred.’
Nell crouched down in front of Jacob, ‘You had Aunty Nellie worried there for a moment. Promise me you’ll always tell someone where you’re going.’
‘I promise, Aunty Nellie.’
She cupped her hands around his face and kissed him on his forehand.
‘Here lad, you take these,’ Fred handed him a pile of fishing magazines, ‘You have a look through the pictures and learn all about the fish in our waters.’
‘Yes, Mr Bramley. Will you show me how to fish one day?’
‘I know a better man for the job,’ Fred tipped a wink towards Nathan. ‘I think you need to take your son fishing,’ Fred said, slapping Nathan on his back.
‘Can we, Daddy? Please.’ Jacob’s eyes were wide with excitement.
‘We sure can, son, we sure can.’
Chapter 24
‘Well, that was an afternoon and a half,’ exclaimed Guy, locking up the yard and turning towards Nell.
‘Oh no! You’re all teary – come here,’ he said.
‘I can’t stop feeling emotional. I know Jacob’s safe but I’ve never felt panic like that in my life. Goodness knows how Bea must have felt. I was so afraid.’ Nell’s voice faltered.
Guy clutched at her elbows and could feel her shaking. He moved closer and grasped her hand, ‘It’s the shock. Let’s get you back to th
e Nollie.’
‘I’m thinking we should row across and see Lloyd.’ Nell gazed towards the narrowboat on the other side of the marina, ‘I felt a bit rude cutting him short like that before, especially when he came to thank us.’
‘I know what you mean, but he’ll understand … does that mean you want me getting in that boat again?’ Guy looked towards the boat bobbing about in the water.
Nell smiled towards him, ‘Let’s go and see him.’
Guy sighed, ‘The things I do for you, Andrews!’
‘I’ll make a sailor out of you yet! Shall we take Sam?’
‘Best had, he’s the real hero here. Come on then … but let me borrow the life jacket again.’
‘I best check with Fred that’s it’s okay to borrow his boat first. Meet you back here in five.’
As the little rowing boat set sail towards the other side of the marina Nell looked at Guy with amusement, ‘See, it’s not that bad. Your knuckles aren’t as white as last time.’
‘You’re not funny,’ he grinned, watching the oars glide gently through the water. In no time at all the little rowing boat bumped against the narrowboat and Nell tied up the rope on to the wrought-iron ring, to stop them from floating away.
Sam bounded out of the boat on to the deck, leaving Nell steadying Guy as his nerves sprang back into action by the rocking motion.
So much for being the macho man, Guy thought to himself.
‘See, you’re in one piece,’ smiled Nell.
‘Just about – like I said before, the things I do for you.’
Nell rapped on the door and within seconds Lloyd opened the door.
‘Sorry,’ apologised Nell, ‘I hope we aren’t disturbing you?’
‘No, not at all, come in … come in,’ he said in a jolly manner, ‘You are the first visitors to the boat, except for the paramedics, that is. Let me get you both a drink and some water for the dog.’
‘This is Sam, the real hero of the hour.’
Lloyd turned round and patted Sam on the head, ‘I can’t thank you all enough. Have a seat, cup of tea?’
‘Only if you have time,’ said Guy.
‘I have all the time in the world.’
Lloyd placed the kettle on the gas and took the mugs out of the cupboard.
‘We’ve not seen you around these parts before,’ said Nell, distracted by all the film posters pinned to the wall of the boat.
‘I’m here on business, just for a few weeks.’
‘It’s a very interesting boat you have here,’ said Guy, intrigued.
‘Ah-ha, the posters. I’m a huge fan of the film industry.’
‘And the photographs,’ Guy pointed towards the wall.
‘My wife, she was an actress, starred in the West End.’
‘How fabulous,’ said Nell, ‘Is that her there?’
Lloyd flicked a glance towards the photo that Nell was pointing at.
‘Yes it is.’
‘She’s beautiful.’
‘Does she still perform?’ asked Guy.
‘Unfortunately not. Annie passed away nearly thirty years ago but I couldn’t bear to part with any of her possessions.’ Lloyd slid two mugs of tea towards Nell and Guy before placing a bowl of water next to Sam, who’d flopped down under the table.
‘Have you always lived on this boat? It’s got a very theatrical name.’
‘No, I’ve lived abroad for a while, but always kept this little thing ticking over. A friend of mine has been looking after it, but when I knew I was coming back home, me and my boat had to be reunited, and then I go collapsing, worrying the locals.’ Lloyd rolled his eyes, ‘I’m so sorry about that, I didn’t mean to frighten you.’
‘We’re just glad you are alright.’
‘I am indeed,’ he said, loosening his cravat from around his neck. ‘So where are you from, lad?’ he directed his question at Guy, ‘You don’t sound very local to me.’
‘Ireland, I’m here for a short visit. It’s my brother Ed who owns the boatyard, but Nell here, she’s a proper local!’
‘Yes Little Rock Marina, born and bred,’ she smiled towards Lloyd. I work in the deli – my friend Bea owns it. And I live on the Nollie, jetty number ten.’
‘Interesting name for a boat.’
‘Nell and Ollie put together. My husband Ollie passed away.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that, lass.’
Nell smiled towards him, ‘Thank you.’
‘I know you said you were here on business, but were you originally from around these parts?’ asked Guy,
‘I was,’ smiled Lloyd, ‘Many moons ago.’
‘Nell here is thinking of bidding on the Old Picture House.’
‘The one in the marina.’ Lloyd sat up with interest.
‘That’s the one,’ answered Nell, sipping her drink.
‘Not to bulldoze, surely,’ Lloyd narrowed his eyes at her.
‘Of course not! It holds some great memories for me and I want to restore it in my husband’s memory – maybe make it a place for the community to share.’
‘Well, I wish you all the luck in the world. That sounds like a wonderful idea, a great community project, something all generations can enjoy.’
‘That’s my thoughts exactly.’
‘And if you ever need any contacts in the film industry I still have a few I could put you in touch with. They could help with the décor of the place, it’s the least I can do.’
‘That would be brilliant, thank you. Fingers crossed I win first.’
‘Fingers crossed,’ Lloyd crossed his fingers and smiled towards Nell.
‘I could sit and talk for hours, but we mustn’t keep you,’ said Nell, not wanting to outstay her welcome.
Lloyd got up and shook both of their hands, ‘It was great to meet you both and thanks again for calling the emergency services.’
‘I’d say anytime, but let’s hope it doesn’t happen again,’ grinned Guy.
Lloyd cupped his hands around Guy’s and shook his hand heartily.
As they climbed back on to the boat, Lloyd waved them off.
‘What a character,’ exclaimed Guy, saluting Lloyd as he sat down on the slats inside the boat.
‘And what a lovely offer of help for the Old Picture House – if I win of course.’
Within a few minutes they bumped lightly into the jetty on the other side of the marina. Nell climbed out and steadied the boat for Guy.
‘Where have you two been?’
Nell spun round to see Gilly poised on her bike staring at them.
‘We’ve been to visit Lloyd – you know, the man who Guy found collapsed.’
At the mere mention of his name, Gilly stiffened.
‘I thought I said it was best not to disturb him.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with introducing ourselves and making sure he’s okay.’
‘You can’t go bothering folk.’
‘Mum, there’s nothing to worry about, he was glad of the company. His wife used to be an actress and the boat is packed with all photographs of her way back in the day, not to mention the film posters. He’s offered his help if I win the Old Picture House. He still has contacts in the industry.’
‘You’re not still toying with that idea, are you?’
Nell bit her lip, frustration battling through her body, ‘What’s up with you, Mum?’ she asked defensively, still not understanding why her mum was so dead against the idea.
‘Nothing,’ she mumbled, putting her foot on the pedal of her bike, ‘I must get back to the kittens.’
Nell and Guy watched Gilly ride off up the wharf.
‘It’s not just my imagination, is it? She’s definitely against this auction,’ Nell turned towards Guy.
‘Maybe she’s just worried you are biting off more than you can chew.’ He put his hand in the small of her back and guided her through the railings.
‘I’m not convinced,’ she answered, watching Gilly disappear out of sight. ‘I’m not convinced at all.’
Chapter 25
After Jacob was found safe and sound the only thing that was preying on Bea’s mind was the phone call with Fern. She’d spent the whole time mulling over the situation and was still no nearer to making a decision. She lay in bed with the early-morning sunlight poking through the gap in the curtains and sighed.
‘That’s a big sigh,’ Nathan said, popping her a cup of tea on the bedside table.
‘I’m just torn.’
‘I know,’ he sat on the edge of the bed next to her and gently pushed her hair out of her eyes, ‘You tossed and turned all night.’
Bea sat up, pulled her knees to her chest and cupped her hands around her drink.
‘Why is life so complicated?’ she paused, ‘We were trundling along quite nicely and then, wham, another drama.’
‘Blooming families, eh? Just think, we’ve managed without them for the past two years,’ said Nathan softly.
‘I’ll never forgive Fern, never.’ Bea’s eyes were full of turmoil.
‘Neither of us will. It’s us now. It’s this family that means the world to me.’
‘Me too, but I think I need to see Mum one last time. I’m not sure I’d forgive myself if I didn’t.’
Nathan nodded. He’d had a feeling that would be the case. ‘So, the question is when, and do you want me to come with you?’
‘Do you mind?’
‘Of course I don’t mind.’
‘I’m sure Nell will look after Jacob for us.’
‘I’m sure she will. Are you going to let Fern know you’re going?’
Bea shook her head, ‘No, I don’t want to increase my chances of bumping into her.’
‘When do you want to go?’
‘Tonight, after work, get it over and done with.’
Nathan kissed his wife lightly on the top of her head before standing up, ‘I’ll ring Nell now and ask her if she’s free.’
‘Thanks, Nat,’ she said, as she watched him disappear out of the bedroom.
Bea sunk back under the duvet and exhaled. Her stomach was already twisting in a thousand knots and she felt anxious about even setting foot in that house again.
She brushed away a tear from her face. Bea was the younger of the two sisters and Fern had always been the golden child in her parents’ eyes. A straight-A student with plans to go to Oxford University.
The Cosy Canal Boat Dream: A funny, feel-good romantic comedy you won’t be able to put down! Page 15