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

‘What’s stopping you from staying?’

‘A home, a job.’

Nell could see Guy’s point. ‘If you’re enjoying it here, surely Ed would have enough work for you at the boatyard and, look at this place, he’s not going to kick you out of here in a hurry.’

‘He’s already agreed to rent this place out, in principle, to a young couple who are moving into the area.’

‘Oh,’ Nell replied.

‘Anyway, let’s change the subject. The last thing I want to be doing is talking about my boring job.’

‘So what shall we talk about?’

‘You know that boat? There’s something strange about it,’ said Guy, standing up and piling the plates on top of each other.

‘Which boat?’ Nell quizzed.

‘The one that Sam was stuck on. What was it called again?’

Nell racked her brains for a second, ‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ she recalled.

‘When I took Sam for a walk after work he was standing on the edge of the jetty and barking towards it.’

‘He’d probably spotted a bird or something?’

‘Maybe, but I had to yank him away.’ Guy stood up, ‘I’ll clear these plates away.’ He gathered them up and then hovered in the doorway, ‘This is what I actually miss,’ he said locking eyes with Nell.

Nell tilted her head, ‘Miss?’

‘Proper adult conversation,’ he said, before turning around and disappearing towards the kitchen.

Nell acknowledged what he was saying. For the past couple of years, she’d missed her late-night chats with Ollie, grabbing a take-away whenever the mood suited and drinking a bottle of wine together.

‘Sat here with you, it just feels natural. I feel relaxed for the first time in a long time,’ Guy admitted, walking back into the room and settling back down. ‘More wine?’ he asked holding up the bottle.

‘That’ll be lovely.’

‘If you want, why don’t we book an appointment to view the Old Picture House? At least then I can have a look around and give you some idea of how much you may need to spend? I used to quote for the majority of Granddad’s jobs.’

‘Would you do that for me?’

‘Of course. Like I said, I’ll be your right-hand man,’ he smiled.

Nell felt a bubble of happiness rise inside.

‘Let’s book an appointment for next week.’

‘Leave it with me,’ Guy said, opening the door to the dresser and handing her a pile of DVDs. ‘Fancy watching one of these?’

She glanced at the films, ‘You like chic flicks?’

He laughed, ‘I found them in here this morning but I’m prepared to give one a go if it means …’

Nell met his gaze, ‘If it means …?’

‘You’ll stay a bit longer,’ he said slowly.

Nell chewed on her lip for a second, ‘Notting Hill it is, then. Guy Cornish, prepare yourself. You’re going to love this.’

‘What have I let myself in for?’ he grinned, inserting the DVD into the machine. When Guy turned round Nell had plumped up the cushions and made herself comfy on the rug. He settled next to her. Gently his fingers reached for hers. Her eyes sparkled as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and she nestled into his chest.

‘You okay?’ he said softly.

‘More than okay,’ she replied contently, feeling happiness for the first time in a long time.

Chapter 9

Bea scraped her hair back into an untidy ponytail and bent her head over the toilet. She’d lost count of how many times she’d thrown up in the last couple of hours alone.

Last night she’d spent the evening curled up on the settee with a bowl balanced on her lap. She’d felt sorry for Nathan, who’d pulled out all the stops and taken care of dinner.

But as soon as Nathan had placed the food on the table her senses had gone into overdrive and her body had surged with instant nausea. She’d pushed her chair back and raced to the bathroom, leaving a bewildered Nathan sitting at the dinner table all by himself.

It was six o’clock in the morning when Nathan knocked on the bathroom door. ‘Have you been in here all night? I’ve just woken up and you were gone,’ he asked, poking his head around the bathroom door.

‘I hope I didn’t keep you awake last night.’

‘Slept like a log, but I’m assuming that’s not what you want to hear,’ he smiled warmly towards his wife.

‘Yes, I’ve been here all night.’ She answered, barely able to keep her eyes open. Bea’s face was ghastly white; she was on the verge of tears and already at her wits’ end.

‘I’m not sure how much more I can take of this. I think I’m here for the foreseeable,’ she whimpered wearily. ‘I’m already fed up of this pregnancy lark.’ She wiped her mouth with a tissue then heaved a sigh.

‘Can I get you anything? A cup of tea, maybe?’

Bea shook her head. She’d gone right off tea and couldn’t stomach the thought of it.

‘Have we got any ginger biscuits? I need to try and nibble at something and maybe some iced water.’

‘I’ll have a look,’ he answered, disappearing on to the landing.

‘Nathan,’ she shouted, who promptly appeared again, ‘The deli … I’m not sure I can manage it today, or maybe I could mid-afternoon if this sickness subsides a little. Could you possibly go and begin the baking?’

Nathan raised his eyes, ‘Me in a kitchen? I’m not really into baking, Bea.’

‘Time of need, Nathan. Nancy and Isabel work on a Saturday, they’ll cover the tables and take the orders. Don’t worry, it won’t be that hard. Text Nell. I bet she’s up. She’ll give you a hand or go and knock on the ‘Nollie’s’ door.’ His face look terrified, ‘I’m fed up of this pregnancy lark too.’

Of course, Nathan was only joking but as tiredness washed through Bea’s body she’d lost her sense of humour.

‘You try sitting here.’

‘I was joking,’ he hurried over and kissed the top of her head. ‘Will you be alright if I leave Jacob here or shall I get him up and take him with me?’

‘He’s sleeping, leave him here. I’ll try and get a little sleep too. If things get too much I can always give Gilly a call,’ she said, vomiting once more as Nathen screwed up his face ‘Eww, I’m out of here.’

Thirty minutes later, Nathan had left for the deli with a whole bunch of keys, instructions and a promise from Nell that she would be there the minute she spotted him walking up the towpath. Bea was grateful to them both. This morning she didn’t even feel as if she could manage to get changed or even brush her hair. It had crossed Bea’s mind that she might need to lean on Nell more and more if the nausea didn’t settle down soon, but with Nell’s new project on the horizon she didn’t want to become a burden.

She peered around Jacob’s door and smiled. He was tucked up and still sound asleep. He looked so peaceful lying there. She couldn’t believe she would soon be going through all those sleepless nights again and then there was the dreaded potty-training – that was something she didn’t relish, but looking at Jacob she knew it was worth it.

Bea walked downstairs and shivered. Usually first thing in the morning Nathan would light the log burner but with a change to his routine it was stone cold in the living room. She grabbed a throw from the settee and clutched it tightly around her shoulders. She stood and stared around the living room. They’d bought Driftwood Cottage before Bea had fallen pregnant with Jacob and she was excited to bring another little person into it very soon. She wandered into the kitchen, being careful not to step on the numerous trucks and fire engines that Jacob had been playing with yesterday. After kicking a piece of Lego to the side of the room she tossed a teddy bear on to the settee and opened the kitchen door.

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