The Cosy Canal Boat Dream: A funny, feel-good romantic comedy you won’t be able to put down!

‘Not one you often hear around here.’

Nell was just about to introduce herself properly when his phone rang and he delved into his jacket pocket. ‘Excuse me,’ he smiled, glancing at his screen, then answered the call. Nell watched as he strolled up the path towards the boathouse. He flicked a glance over his shoulder and caught Nell’s eye, then waved his hand above his head. Who was that handsome stranger? She hadn’t seen him around these parts before.

She was just about to make her way to the deli when she remembered she needed to refill the water tank.

Damn.

If she didn’t fill it up now she’d be kicking herself later, especially if the weather turned any colder today. Unravelling the hosepipe from outside the marina shower block she stretched it towards the water tank of the ‘Nollie’. After hooking up the pipe to the tap and dangling the hose inside the tank, she switched it on, then stood and waited.

‘Aunty Nellie!’ She heard a squeal.

Spinning around she spotted her five-year-old godson in a pair of bright-yellow wellies clomping up the wharf, with Nathan quickly following behind him.

‘Aunty Nellie, look at my new wellies,’ Jacob screeched to a halt in front of her.

‘Wow!’ She squatted in front of him for a closer look. ‘Two questions, Jacob Green. Have you grown and do you think I can borrow those wellies?’ asked Nell beaming.

Jacob giggled, ‘Don’t be silly, Aunty Nellie, they’ll be too small for you!’ His eyes sparkled, then he giggled as Nell scooped him up in her arms and hugged him tight.

‘Daddy said you may need extra hugs today,’ Jacob said, and that familiar feeling of grief rushed to the surface as she placed Jacob firmly back on the ground.

‘Jacob,’ Nathan interrupted.

‘Are you sad today, Aunty Nellie?’ Jacob asked, pulling at her scarf and ignoring his dad.

‘A little,’ she murmured, pinching her thumb and forefinger together, ‘But all the better for seeing you,’ throwing her arms open for another hug and burying her face in his mousy locks. As he pulled away, tears threatened in Nell’s eyes. Nathan leant forward, squeezed her arm and pressed a swift kiss to her cheek.

‘We all miss him,’ he whispered softly in Nell’s ear.

She nodded and smiled. ‘So, Jacob, where are you off to this bright and early?’

‘Before-school club. It’s the only time Daddy can take me today.’

‘Day off work. I’m off to a trade show,’ Nathan answered. ‘I’m still searching for the parts to the …’ he hesitated.

‘Motorbike,’ Nell’s voice faltered. She had a sudden flashback of Ollie and Nathan stooped over the lump of metal, building the old machine.

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,’ Nathan said, gently touching her arm.

Over four years ago, Ollie and Nathan had decided to build a motorbike from scratch. The pair of them had spent hours in the shed at the bottom of Nathan’s garden working on the machine together. It was at times like this Nell missed washing his greasy overalls and hearing all about the mechanical parts that they needed next, even though she’d no idea what any of them did or what they were for.

‘You haven’t upset me. I’m doing just fine. Good memories are what I need to cling on to, especially on days like today,’ she said suddenly, swinging her head around and remembering that the hosepipe was still attached to the water tank.

‘I think the tank’s full. Jacob, are you strong enough to switch off the water?’ she asked raising her eyebrows in the direction of the tap.

‘I am, Aunty Nellie,’ he saluted heartily.

Bea spotted them from the deli window and joined them outside. Everyone smiled as Jacob clumped towards the tap. He grasped it with both hands and spun it around until the water stopped.

‘All done!’ He shouted triumphantly.

Nell gave him the thumbs-up and pulled the hose from the tank.

‘Will you ever live in a proper house, Aunty Nellie?’ he asked her and she cupped her hands around Jacob’s bright-red chubby cheeks.

‘I love my floating home,’ she answered, planting an enthusiastic kiss on top of his head.

Tears threatened again, thinking of Ollie and how proud he would be of Jacob, who was such a bundle of fun and growing into a remarkable young boy.

‘Right, young man, say goodbye to Mummy and Aunty Nellie. Let’s get you off to school.’

Bea kissed his cheek then swung him round before planting his feet firmly back on the floor.

‘See you later, alligator,’ Nell smiled, holding up her hand for a high-five.

They both stood outside the deli and watched Nathan and Jacob walk hand and hand up the wharf until they disappeared.

Nell felt a pang of sadness, ‘I only have one regret in life so far,’ she said sadly.

‘Which is?’ Bea answered softly.

‘That we never got round to having children,’ she replied, wiping away a tear. ‘I always hoped to be a mother.’

Bea placed her hand in the small of Nell’s back as they walked inside the deli. ‘You’ll make the perfect mother one day.’

‘Maybe one day.’

‘Definitely one day,’ Nell reassured her.

Chapter 2

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.’