Читать книгу The Cosy Canal Boat Dream - Christie Barlow - Страница 8

The morning had passed quickly and by lunchtime the deli was pleasingly heaving with customers. There were the regulars who lived on the canal boats who placed frequent orders and those folks who were just passing by. Today everyone seemed in good spirits despite the miserable grey February weather outside.

Nell heard a clonk on the deli window and looked up to see her mum sliding from the saddle of her bike. She balanced the handlebars against the window and grabbed her purse from the basket. Catching Nell’s eye, she waved.

‘You’ve got to love the smell of freshly baked bread,’ she beamed, swinging open the door to the deli and sniffing the air. ‘Pop one of those bloomers in a bag for me, love.’

‘Good afternoon, Mum,’ said Nell, smiling, reaching for a lightly baked loaf. ‘Not too dark,’ she added quickly.

‘Are you trying to suggest my bloomers are burnt,’ Bea chuckled, scooting towards Gilly and kissing her on both cheeks.

‘Absolutely not, wouldn’t dream of it. Oh and one of those iced buns too.’

Nell reached into the glass cabinet, which was bursting with mouth-watering cakes and pasties while Gilly rummaged around in her purse.

‘They are on the house today, Gilly!’

‘Very kind of you, Bea, thank you.’

‘You’re welcome. I hear you’ve gone and gotten yourself some very cute additions to your household.’

‘Indeed, you must bring Jacob over, he’ll love them!’

‘I will!’ Bea touched Gilly’s arm before disappearing back into the kitchen.

‘You look tired,’ Gilly said, lowering her voice as she spoke to Nell.

‘Honestly, I’m okay.’

‘My guess is you barely slept,’ she narrowed her eyes and gave Nell her ‘she knows best’ look.

Nell gave her a weak smile, ‘A little bit of a restless night, that’s all, Mum.’

‘Understandable. Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries are always the hardest,’ Gilly raised her eyebrows knowingly.

Ollie’s first birthday without him flashed through Nell’s mind. She’d spent the day a blubbering wreck up at Bluebell Cottage, with only her mum for company. They’d been on a long walk, visited the lake and after dinner they’d curled up on the settee with a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates and watched a marathon of rom-com films. That day had felt hollow, but despite all the heartbreak, Nell knew she’d come a long way in the last two years; those feelings weren’t as painfully raw as they had once been and that was all down to the love and support of her mum and Bea.

Nell slid the bag over the counter towards her mum.

‘I’ll see you later,’ Gilly said warmly, before grabbing her bread and walking out of the deli.

Nell took a breather for the first time today as the deli began to quieten down. She wandered into the kitchen and quickly loaded up the dishwasher before washing her hands and hanging the tea towel over the rail of the stainless-steel oven. Bea was glazing a tray of sausage rolls.

‘I could murder a cuppa,’ said Nell, ‘Shall I put the kettle on?’

‘No need, I’ve read your mind. I was just about to bring you through a skinny cappuccino,’ she nodded towards the two steaming mugs.

‘Skinny, are you trying to tell me something?’ Nell brought her hand up to her chest in mock outrage, pretending to look hurt. ‘Do I need to go on a diet?’ she joked.

‘Ha no! It was my new year’s resolution to try and cut down, but you know what, sod that,’ she said taking hold of the mugs, ‘Wait there! Two luxury hot chocolates with the works coming right up!’

‘Now you’re talking!’

Five minutes later Bea and Nell were leaning against the counter, holding the most scrumptious-looking drinks, laced with marshmallows, cream and chocolate flakes.

‘Wow, I’m going to need an afternoon kip after this!’

Bea chuckled, ‘It’s calorific but, my gosh, it tastes good,’ she said, scooping up the cream with a spoon.

‘Look at this place,’ Bea flicked her eyes around the small café. ‘It looks like a bomb’s hit it after that mad rush.’

There were half a dozen empty tables that were littered with crumbs. ‘I’ll brush up after this and wipe the tables down,’ offered Nell.

‘You are a superstar. What would I do without you?’

The pair of them both cupped their mugs and sipped their hot chocolates while staring out over the marina through the window of the deli.

Suddenly, Bea placed her mug down on the counter with a clatter and hit Nell’s arm. She nodded towards the window.

‘Who’s that? I’ve not seen him around these parts before.’

Nell’s eyes darted over to where Bea was looking and smiled at her friend’s sudden enthusiasm. The man standing in front of the deli window was the same man whose dog had knocked her clean off her feet this morning.

‘Put your tongue back in, Bea, you’re physically panting,’ she ordered, but not admitting to her that her own stomach had done a slight flip at the sight of him again.

‘The hot chocolate’s too hot. Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it,’ Bea giggled.

‘You’re married,’ grinned Nell.

For a second they both watched the handsome stranger, taking in his navy-blue jumper that clung to his toned abs, his overalls tied around his waist and wild, dark hair, which he constantly raked away from his eyes.

He flicked his head up and down the jetty and seemed quite anxious before spinning round and locking eyes with Nell for a split second.

Damn, he’d caught her staring.

‘It doesn’t stop me from looking, though. He’s …’ Bea grabbed Nell’s arm and gave it a squeeze.

‘Coming in,’ she smiled.

All eyes were on the man as they watched him push open the deli door, letting in a blast of cool air. ‘Hello again, I thought it was you,’ he said, in his soft Irish accent.

‘Hello again?’ Instantly Bea swung towards Nell, raising her eyebrows. She was itching to know who the stranger was.

‘This is …’

The man smiled and acknowledged Nell’s hesitation, ‘Guy,’ he said, thrusting his hand towards her. ‘Guy Cornish. I don’t think we introduced ourselves properly this morning.’

‘This morning?’ Bea queried.

‘Nell, Nell Andrews. Pleased to meet you,’ she beamed, shaking his proffered hand ‘And this is …’

‘Bea,’ Bea chirped, with a wicked glint in her eye, ‘So come on, what am I am missing? How do you two know each other?’

‘This morning Guy swept me off my feet.’

‘He did, did he? And how come I know nothing about this?’ Bea enquired playfully.

‘Well not Guy, technically, but his dog.’

‘And he’s the very reason I’m pacing up and down the marina like a mad man. The lolloping hound has run off. We’ve only been here a couple of days and I’ve no clue where to start looking for him.’

‘How long ago was this?’

‘About five minutes,’ he glanced at his watch anxiously.

‘Don’t worry. He can’t have gone far. I bet he’s headed up the path near the woodlands. He’ll have sniffed out a rabbit or something.’

‘I don’t think he’s that intelligent,’ he joked, but there was no mistaking the worried expression firmly planted on his face.

Nell stood motionless for a moment wondering what to do, then taking a deep, calming breath she said, ‘I’ll help you look. That’s okay isn’t it, Bea? We’re over the dinner-time rush now.’

‘Yes, of course. You go. This time of day it’s always quiet.’

He gave Nell a grateful smile, ‘You will?’

Nell nodded, ‘I know the back paths,’ she answered, thrusting her arms into the sleeves of her coat and quickly zipping it up. ‘Come on, I’m sure it won’t take long to find him.’

Once outside the deli they headed towards the far end of the marina and strolled past all the shops, before hitting the trail that led to the woodlands.

‘What’s his name?’

‘Sam,’ Guy replied, and began to shout the dog’s name and rattle his lead.

Speedily, they carried on walking along the path, ‘So I take it you aren’t from around these parts, then?’

‘With an accent like this?’ he laughed. ‘No, it’s my brother who owns the boatyard here. I’m helping him out for a while.’

‘Ed’s your brother?’ Nell said astounded.

‘He is indeed.’

‘Ahh, you’re helping him out because of his operation?’

‘Yes, he’s laid up for six weeks after a hernia operation, so I offered to come and give him a hand at the boatyard he’s always raving on about.’

Ed had owned the boatyard at the marina for as long as Ollie and Nell had moored the ‘Nollie’ there. He seemed a little older than Guy and, as far as Nell was aware he had no wife or children. He was always a happy-go-lucky fellow, nothing was ever too much trouble. During the past year, Nell had often noticed his light on in the boat shed until the early hours of the morning when she couldn’t sleep. He was always beavering away, restoring and painting boats and was well thought of at the marina.

‘What do you think about the place so far?’ Nell asked, while Guy carried on beckoning for Sam in between chatting to her.

‘I can see the attraction,’ he snagged her eye and she didn’t know why but she felt herself instantly blush. He paused for a second, ‘Ed was always what my mum would call a tinkerer. Always up to his armpits in grease and oil.’

‘Just like my Ollie.’

‘Ollie?’

‘My husband,’ she answered, traipsing alongside Guy. ‘Was my husband,’ she exhaled.

‘Was?’ Guy commented, not making eye contact but looking up ahead for Sam. ‘Divorced?’

‘Widowed. He passed away. In fact it’s his birthday today.’

Immediately Guy stopped in his tracks and swung towards her. ‘I don’t know what to say. Are you okay?’ he asked kindly.

Nell offered him a warm smile, ‘What can you say? Life was difficult for a while but it’s becoming more bearable. I’m getting there, as they say.’

‘What happened? Do you mind me asking?’

Nell shook her head, ‘Ollie was involved in a motorbike accident, and eventually his life-support machine was switched off and you know what?’ she touched his elbow, ‘This is the first time I’ve spoken about it without bursting into tears.’

‘It sounds like it’s been a very difficult time for you.’

They carried on walking in silence before stopping a little further up and leaning against an old rickety fence. The pair of them stared at the stunning scenery. The fields stretched for miles and miles.

In the last twenty minutes or so the temperature had dropped dramatically and Nell shivered.

‘It looks like it’s threatening snow,’ said Nell, ‘Let’s hope we find Sam soon.

Guy nodded, ‘You’re cold,’ he said, ruffling a hand through his hair before slipping off his scarf and handing it to her.

‘Thanks,’ she replied, wrapping it tightly around her neck. ‘It doesn’t look like he’s come this way. Let’s head back towards the marina.’

They both turned around and began to quickly walk back up the path, ‘I can’t help but ask,’ she said, curiosity getting the better of her, ‘about your accent.’

‘Irish.’

She nodded, ‘Ed doesn’t have an Irish accent.’

‘That’s very true. We have different fathers. He’s ten years older than me. My mum and his dad split up years ago and then she met my father, Niall.’

‘Whose name sounds very Irish!’

‘Yep, hence the accent. Ed moved across here some time ago after meeting a girl at work. She was on a short-term contract at a firm he used to be employed at over in Ireland, but she was from around these parts and when her contract was up, she moved back home and he followed her.’

‘I didn’t even know Ed had a girlfriend.’

‘He doesn’t now. They split up a couple of months later, but he liked the place that much he never came home and has been here ever since.’

‘What about you?’

‘Me?’

‘Yes, have you got any family of your own?’

His eyes seemed to harden for a moment, ‘Only my dog, who seems to have done a complete runner on me.’

‘Don’t worry, he can’t have gone far, we’ll find him.’

They hurried back towards the marina and the whole place looked deserted on this cold grey day except for a van parked up at the far end of the towpath. Then, out of the blue, all they could hear was a sudden continuous banging that seemed to echo all around them.

‘What’s that noise?’ Nell asked, glancing up the wharf.

‘That man over there. He’s hammering a sign on to the front of that building.’

She squinted ahead to see the man throw his tools into the back of the van, start the engine and drive off.

‘What’s that place?’ Guy asked as they carried on walking towards it.

Nell paused outside the building and a small wave of sadness washed over her. She was rooted to the spot and stared up at the sign. ‘For Sale,’ she murmured despondently.

‘It looks like it’s been empty for a while. Shame, it looks like it was a beautiful building.’

Nell had forgotten how much she adored this place. Some of her favourite memories were made right there, inside that building.

‘It was. It’s the Old Picture House.’

‘Picture house?’

She nodded, ‘A cinema with a difference. In it’s heyday, on a Friday night, it used to be packed to the rafters. It really was the place to go. Ollie and me had our very first date there, must be over twelve years ago now, and when I was a kid I’d spend my Sunday mornings here with my dad watching films. This place was the heart of the community for years.’

‘I bet you were a cute kid,’ he smiled at her.

Nell laughed, his words taking her a little by surprise. ‘Adorable my dad said, but he was biased.’

They both stared up at the building. The roof looked worn and the grimy bricks were streaked by the rainwater that had dripped from the broken gutters. Half of the windows had panes of glass missing and the other half were boarded up. Worn heavy velvet curtains still hung in the upstairs windows, but they looked as if they were clinging on for dear life. What was once a magical building was now badly in need of some tender loving care.

Out of every inch of Nell’s body poured the memories of her early dates with Ollie. They were good memories and magical moments she’d never forget. She could still remember the thousands of anxious fireflies dancing around in her stomach on their very first date, the smell of his aftershave and the feeling that surged through her body when he had held her hand for the very first time. That night he’d offered to pick her up from Bluebell Cottage and just before seven o’clock there’d been a rap on the door. Nell had waited a moment at the top of the stairs, not wanting to appear too keen, until her dad shouted ‘I’ll get the door.’

How embarrassing.

She’d sprinted down the stairs quicker than an Olympian and threw open the door to find Ollie standing on the doorstep, timidly smiling back at her. It was early autumn and the sun was still shining in the early evening sky. He’d stood shyly, with his hands in the back pocket of his jeans, and she couldn’t help but notice his tanned muscly arms on show.

‘Hi,’ he’d said, then nervously raked a hand through his unruly hair. They’d walked to the marina, and she could remember looking back over her shoulder as they wandered up the garden path, only to notice her mum and dad peeping from behind the curtain. At that time of year the walk to the marina was a pleasant one, along the towpath. Honeysuckle still festooned the hedgerows and the narrowboats slowly glided past them up the canal. They’d ambled side by side, their elbows banging against each other’s. Her heart was thumping and she forced herself to breathe calmly. Feeling his presence so close to her had made every ounce of her body tingle. His eyes sparkled and met hers, then, finally, he’d stretched out his hand and their fingers had entwined. They’d strolled hand in hand for the rest of the way.

At the end of the evening he’d walked her home. They’d lingered on the doorstep for what seemed like hours before he’d taken her hands in his. She’d shivered in anticipation as he tilted her chin up and lowered his head towards her and kissed her gently. Her heart had been beating so fast that she honestly thought it was going to explode and that was the moment she knew, she wanted to be Ollie Andrews’ girlfriend.

A sigh escaped her and she met Guy’s eyes.

‘Are you okay?’ he asked.

‘Sometimes I wish I could turn back time and have my life again,’ but Nell knew standing there looking up at the building she couldn’t turn back the clock. She’d lovely memories of the Old Picture House and ones she would cherish forever.

‘What happened to this place? Why did it close down?’

‘I’m assuming financial difficulty. I suppose these days people watch films online and less and less people began to use the place. It never really moved into the digital age, it continued to run exactly how it had done since the day it opened, with its projectors and ice-cream sellers in the foyer.’

‘There was a little place like that in Ireland. It kept going and going and soon it was all the rage again. The Vintage Cinema, you even had waitress service to your seat.’

‘That sounds just like this place. When you walked inside the foyer it felt like you were a Hollywood film actor. There was a beautiful chandelier and floor-to-ceiling posters of the latest films as well as the old classics. You should have seen it. Then there was … Gladys, I think that was her name. She was the woman who sat behind the wooden box taking your money. Oh and I can’t forget the plush velvet red bucket seats, once you sank into them there was no getting out, well not with much dignity, anyway. It was a very sad day when the doors closed for the final time.’

‘Such a shame the magic can’t live on.’ Guy added, ‘And now it’s up for sale.’

Nell felt saddened by the ‘for sale’ sign, but it was only a matter of time before the property was sold on. ‘I’m surprised it’s not been sold sooner.’

‘It’ll be more than likely snapped up by a builder, then flattened for houses.’

She felt a sudden pang in her heart at the mere mention of Guy’s words.

They stared for a moment longer until they were interrupted by a distant yelp, then a bark.

‘Sam,’ Guy shouted, ‘Sam, where are you, boy?’

They both stood rooted to the spot, waiting for him to bark again.

‘Sam,’ he boomed again.

The next bark came from somewhere behind them. They both spun round. ‘Over there, I think,’ said Nell, hurrying towards the water’s edge.

She strained to look between the moored canal boats. ‘There, over there,’ she pointed.

In the distance, standing to attention on the bow of a boat, was Sam. As soon as he spotted them, his tail swished madly and he began to woof excitedly.

‘How the hell has he managed to get himself all the way out there? I didn’t even know he could swim.’

‘It’s instinct. All dogs can usually swim.’

‘Come on and mind your head,’ Nell said, squeezing between the rails at the end of the jetty, then jumping down on to a small rowing boat that was tied up.

‘Grab an oar.’

Guy dithered, ‘Who does this boat belong to?’

‘Fred Bramley. He’s my neighbour, lived on the marina for years. That’s his boat there. The one next to mine, ‘The Old Geezer.’

‘Will he mind us pinching his boat?’

‘Needs must! We’re only borrowing it. I’m sure it’ll be fine.’

Rubbing her hands vigorously in an attempt to warm them up Nell untied the rope and grabbed an oar.

‘Jump in, what are you waiting for?’

Guy hesitated for a second, ‘I have to admit, I’m not too keen on water.’

She glanced back up in his direction and tried to read his expression. With the anxious look on his face she realised that he wasn’t joking and looked absolutely terrified.

Nell wondered how to put it tactfully. ‘Guy, you need to get in. I can’t rescue your dog by myself, I need help lowering him into the boat.’

‘Is the only way to get there by boat?’

‘There’s the long walk round to the far jetty but it’ll take about ten minutes.’

‘I’m being silly, aren’t I?’ he said, but still didn’t move.

‘See that box on the bow of the ‘Nollie’,’ she nodded towards her narrowboat, ‘There’s a life jacket in there. Go and grab it quickly.’

There was a look of slight relief on Guy’s face as he turned and hurried towards the box. Watching Guy slide the life jacket over his head, her heart hammered against her chest. She felt a little saddened. That was Ollie’s life jacket and she hadn’t set eyes on it for a while, but it was the perfect fit for Guy.

He made his way back to the boat. The colour actually drained from his face as he grabbed the sides of the rickety old thing and began to lower himself in.

‘Whoa,’ he exclaimed as the boat began to rock.

‘Try and steady yourself and sit still, it can be a little daunting when you first climb in.’

Once Guy was safely perched on the edge of the seat she noticed his knuckles turning white as he clung on for dear life.

‘You really don’t like water, do you?’

He shook his head and stared out towards Sam.

Nell immersed the spoon of the blades into the water and began to row gently.

‘No holidaying on a cruise ship for you, then,’ she joked, trying to lighten the mood and put Guy at ease.

He shuddered, ‘I can’t think of anything worse. I think it’s safe to say I’m petrified of water.’

‘I hadn’t noticed,’ she said, cocking an eyebrow and offering him a warm smile.

‘I know it’s pathetic, a man of my age …’

‘About thirty?’

‘Twenty-nine actually.’

‘Good guess.’

‘But …’

He squeezed his eyes shut as they glided smoothly towards the barge.

‘But?’

‘It happened a long time ago, I was only seven years old.’

‘A very long time ago then,’ she said, playfully.

He peered through one eye, ‘Cheeky. Near to where I live in Ireland there was a lake. Every school holiday, I used to hang out there with my mate Dan and build dens in the forest near by, but this one day we came across a small rowing boat that had been abandoned near the water’s edge. It was Dan’s idea to see if we could row it to the other side of the lake. Unfortunately, halfway across, the boat began to leak and it capsized and I couldn’t swim. In no time at all we were both clinging to a sinking boat and the water was getting higher and higher around us. I clamped my mouth shut while Dan screamed for dear life. Dan could swim but didn’t want to leave me. Luckily for us, a dog-walker heard him, jumped into the water and rescued us both. That was the last time I ever went near open water, until now.’

‘Sounds very traumatic,’ exclaimed Nell.

‘If I close my eyes I can still remember the stench of the water,’ Guy shuddered.

She manoeuvred the rowing boat as calmly as possible through the icy cold water. As they approached Sam, he rocked excitedly from one paw to another. His tail was wagging and he began to woof.

‘Look at him, he’s soaking wet,’ Guy exclaimed. ‘Without a doubt he’s been in the water.’

‘Okay, here’s what I’m going to do. I need to steer closer to the boat and tie it onto that wrought-iron ring over there. I need to make sure you don’t float away when I climb out.’

Guy looked awful, his face was ghastly white, he clenched his cheeks and the fear in his eyes said it all.

‘Don’t worry, I’m not going to let anything happen to you.’

He nodded, soothed by Nell’s words, then looked wistfully towards Sam and gave an exasperated sigh.

‘Don’t move!’ Nell joked, smiling.

‘I’ve no intention of going anywhere,’ Guy said, folding his arms.

Nell took the oars out of the rowlocks, dug the blades in the water and stopped the boat. She reached and grabbed the rope then slowly tilted herself towards the wrought-iron ring and tied the little rowing boat securely to the side of the canal boat.

‘It doesn’t look like anyone’s home,’ she murmured, hurling herself on to the deck.

‘Who owns this boat?’ Guy questioned.

‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ she read the bright lettering on the side of the boat, ‘I’ve no idea. It’s only been moored here a couple of days, it’s probably someone just passing through.’

As soon as Nell was standing on the boat, Sam sprang at her, leaving her covered in wet, stinky paw prints. She grabbed his collar and patted the top of his head. ‘Good boy.’

‘He’s definitely been in the water,’ she claimed, wrinkling her nose at the stench. ‘Throw me his lead.’

Guy reached inside his coat pocket then gently threw the lead towards Nell, who caught it and clipped it on to Sam’s collar. Nell peered through the glass window, ‘No sign of anyone,’ she said, carefully lowering herself back into the boat, then encouraging Sam to jump, however he was sitting firmly on the deck of the canal boat and refusing to move. Nell glanced earnestly at Guy.

‘Any ideas how I can get him to move?’

Once more Guy rummaged inside his pocket and produced a treat and passed it to Nell. ‘Try this.’

She swallowed hard then exhaled, ‘Okay boy, come on, let’s get you on board so we can all get home.’ She held the treat towards Sam, who immediately leapt into action and propelled himself on to the boat, Nell’s smile drooped slightly as the boat began to rock.

Guy squirmed, closed his eyes and clasped tightly onto the wooden slacks he was sitting on.

Nell coaxed Sam to lie between her legs and patted Guy’s knee, ‘Here take this.’ He opened his eyes and she passed him the lead. ‘Keep him still. We will be back on dry land in no time at all.’

Nell placed the oars back into the rowlocks, grasped one in each hand then placed the blades in the water and began to row gently back towards the quayside. They both sat in silence until finally the little rowing boat bumped lightly against the jetty.

‘We are here, safe and sound.’

Guy’s eyes met with Nell’s.

‘Phew,’ he said as she tied up the boat, then held out her hand towards Guy.

‘Let’s get you off this boat and on to dry land.’

‘Yes captain,’ he answered, relieved.

As he placed his hand in hers, Nell felt him tense up, then he slid one foot in front of the other and slowly manoeuvred his way off the boat. Once his feet were firmly on the ground he heaved a huge sigh of relief. Sam trotted happily off the boat behind him.

‘Are you okay?’ asked Nell gently.

‘I feel an idiot, but I am now I’m back on dry land,’ he laughed nervously, ‘Even though I still feel like I’m swaying!’ He gripped on to the railings, steadied himself and began to take deep breaths before exhaling sharply.

‘You’re not going to have a panic attack on me, are you?’

He shook his head warily. ‘I think I’m ready to move.’

‘Good,’ Nell answered, seeing a slight smile spread across Guy’s face. She couldn’t help but beam at Sam, who sat patiently at the side of Guy, his tail thumping on the ground.

‘You go first.’

Guy bent down and began to squeeze back through the railings, pulling Sam behind him.

‘Do you fancy a …?’

Before Nell could finish her sentence, Guy gave her a mischievous grin over his shoulder then cocked an eyebrow.

‘I was going to say coffee,’ she declared, feeling her face turn a dark shade of crimson.

‘Of course you were,’ he beamed, standing up and poking his hand back over the top of the railings.

‘I was!’ protested Nell, knowing a huge smile had crept across her face.

‘You protest too much,’ he teased.

‘I see you’re already on top form,’ Nell joked, placing her hand on top of the railing and deciding to hurl herself over the top. As she swung her leg over, Guy firmly gripped her arm to help steady her.

‘Thank you,’ she said, flashing a grateful smile. Her heart swelled at how gorgeous he was.

‘I was only teasing you, you know.’ He nudged her jokingly in the ribs.

‘I know! Anyway, how are you feeling now?’

‘A little light-headed and a right wimp, if I’m honest,’ he muttered embarrassedly.

‘Don’t be daft. For the first time in years you’ve been back on the water, you’re bound to feel panicky. How about that coffee to steady your nerves?’

Guy flicked his eyes between Sam and the ‘Nollie’. His smile faded slightly and Nell sensed his hesitation.

‘I know it’s another boat, but it’s a different type of boat, very steady. You won’t even feel like you’re on water. You can sit in your life jacket if that helps.’

‘Oh very funny!’ he cocked his head with the most gorgeous smile.

Nell had instantly warmed towards Guy; he put her at ease and was easy to talk to. It was nice to have a little male company once more.

‘Do you need to be somewhere else?’ He glanced towards the deli.

‘Wait there a second.’

She quickly strolled towards the deli and spotted Bea cleaning the empty bread shelves behind the counter. She spun round when she heard the bell above the shop door tinkle.

‘Hello, you. Have you found him?’ she asked, with a worried look on her face.

Nell smiled and nodded. ‘All safe and sound. Somehow he’d managed to get himself stuck on a barge at the back of the marina. We borrowed Fred’s boat to rescue him.’

‘Thank God, even though it sounds like you’ve both been on quite an adventure.’

‘Do you need me? I was going to grab a quick coffee with Guy?’

Bea stole a look at the clock, ‘Let’s call it a day. You get off. It’s quiet now and if you need me later, just text.’

Nell smiled a grateful smile at her friend, ‘Will do, but I’m absolutely fine. See you in the morning.’

‘Here, take these,’ Bea scooped up a couple of cream doughnuts into a box, then slid them over the counter.

‘Me working here is no good for my diet, you know!’ she laughed, knowing full well that in the last six months the weight had begun to pile on.

‘You working here is no good for my profits either,’ she giggled, shooing Nell out of the shop, ‘Now go and enjoy your coffee.’

Nell closed the door behind her to find Guy waiting patiently outside and Sam lying at his feet.

‘I have to say, he does stink a little.’ Nell looked towards Sam, ‘Why don’t you hose him down while I nip on board and find some towels? He can dry off in front of the fire.’

‘Sounds like a plan,’ Guy said, sounding more cheerful than he did ten minutes ago.

‘The hose is just over there outside the shower block.’

‘Great, see you in five,’ he added cheerily, holding her gaze.

‘See you in five,’ Nell bit down on her lip to suppress her smile as she jumped on to the ‘Nollie’. What was it about that handsome Irish charmer that made her stomach flip so easily?