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

‘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?

Chapter 3

Once inside the cabin Nell placed some old towels on the rug in front of the fire. For a second, she watched Guy through the small porthole before placing the kettle on the gas and the cakes on the table.

A few minutes later, the latch lifted and his bright smile beamed around the door.

‘Is it okay to bring Sam inside?’

‘It is, come on in, he can sit by the fire.’

Guy stooped down and walked on to the boat with Sam following behind. He swung his head round and took in his surroundings. ‘Wow! Look at this place. It’s like a proper house inside,’ he said in amazement.

‘It is a proper house, just on the water!’ Nell exclaimed, laughing.

‘I have to admit, that’s the part I’m not keen on.’

‘Come on through, you’ll be surprised. There’s a kitchen and everything, all mod cons in here, you know.’

‘I’ve popped your life jacket back in the box.’

‘Great, thanks, and you know where it is if you ever need it again and thanks for the loan of your scarf,’ she said, handing it back to Guy.

‘I’ve no intention of ever needing a life jacket again in my lifetime, but thanks anyway,’ he grinned. ‘Do you know, this is the first time I’ve ever been inside a barge?’

‘I’m surprised you’ve taken over Ed’s job if you’re scared of water and never been inside a narrowboat,’ Nell mused, passing him a towel to dry off Sam, who was standing at Guy’s side and wafting his long snout in the air.

‘I surprised myself by accepting his offer but he promised me faithfully that all the boats that needed restoring and painting would be firmly on dry land inside the yard, but I am beginning to doubt he’s told me the whole truth.’ He rolled his eyes in jest.

Suddenly, Sam began to shake violently, spraying water everywhere.

‘Whoa! Sam stop,’ Guy commanded in a stern tone, quickly throwing a towel over his back and rubbing him down frantically. ‘I’m so sorry!’

Sam looked up with his dopey eyes, ‘How could anyone resist those puppy-dog eyes,’ Nell giggled, wiping away droplets from her face.

‘He has his moments. There, that’s better, he’s all done.’ Nell took the towel from Guy while they both watched Sam in amusement as he circled round and round, chasing his tail until he finally lay down in front of the burning embers of the fire.

‘Make yourself at home, why don’t you?’ Guy laughed.

‘He’s a gorgeous looking dog.’

‘But a bit scatty!’

Sam was now fully stretched out on the rug. ‘And definitely has bagged the best place on the boat.’

‘There’s something quite enchanting about a real fire,’ Guy said watching the flames crackle and burn.

‘There is. I do love this time of year. Take a seat,’ Nell gestured towards the bench, ‘Oh and welcome to the Nollie!’ she flung her arms open wide.

‘Nollie?’ She met Guy’s gaze as he raised an eyebrow.

‘Nell and Ollie: Nollie.’

‘Aw I see!’ he exclaimed, loosening his coat and sliding between the table and the seat, he settled next to the window.

‘It was Ollie’s idea,’ said Nell proudly of their little floating home.

‘And a very good one.’

‘Coffee?’ she asked, reaching for the mugs just as the kettle began to whistle.

‘Perfect,’ he answered rubbing his fingers together, ‘I think I’m finally beginning to thaw out. It’s bitter out there today.’

A flutter of white caught Nell’s eye and she peered towards the tiny porthole, ‘Look, it’s beginning to snow. I could watch the flakes fall for hours.’

Guy turned towards the window and Nell slid into the space next to him. They both watched the tiny snowflakes flurrying to the ground from the grey sky.

For a moment there was comfortable silence until Nell jumped, ‘I’ve forgotten your drink, what a rubbish host I am,’ she said, standing up, ‘and these are courtesy of Bea,’ she slid the cream cakes towards him.’

‘They look divine.’

‘I’m lucky to have first dibs on all the leftovers each day but it’s no good for the figure.’ She patted her tummy in jest.

‘You look fine to me.’

Nell quickly turned away to make the coffee, a perfect excuse to the hide the corners of her mouth that had lifted. She could feel his solid warm gaze watching her before she settled back down next to him.

‘This is the first time it’s snowed in over a year,’ Guy said, his gaze turned back to the window.

‘It is,’ Nell answered softly, with a sudden memory of Ollie flooding her mind. It was their first Christmas on the ‘Nollie’ and they had spent Christmas Eve entwined in each other’s arms in front of the fire sipping mulled wine while watching Scrooge when Nell had uttered the words: ‘I wish it would snow, that would complete Christmas.’ She remembered Ollie’s mischievous wink, ‘You never know,’ he replied. The next morning, Ollie had woken her up from her slumber by kissing her tenderly on the lips, ‘Merry Christmas, Nell,’ he’d whispered, as he took her by her hand. A trail of paper snowflakes led her to the door of the ‘Nollie’. ‘Go on, open the door,’ he pressed, kissing the tip of her nose.

‘What are you up to, Ollie Andrews?’ His eyes twinkled, ‘Close your eyes, Nell.’ Ollie flicked the latch, grasped her hand, then led her carefully up the steps on to the deck of the boat. ‘You can open your eyes now.’

The second Nell had opened her eyes she gasped: the whole ‘Nollie’ had been covered in pretend snow, just like a magical winter wonderland. Their first Christmas had been perfect: dinner at the ‘Nollie’ and the evening spent at Bluebell Cottage with her parents.

Nell turned towards Guy and smiled. There was something about Guy she was easily drawn to and she felt at ease talking to him. ‘There’s something hypnotic about watching the snow fall.’

‘I agree,’ he said, ‘Even better when you’re with beautiful company.’ His eyes sparkled and Nell’s pulse began to race.

‘I’ll take that compliment,’ she smiled shyly at him, knowing it had been a long while since anyone had paid her a compliment and she liked it.

‘Thanks for rescuing Sam today,’ he flashed Nell a grateful smile before cupping his hands around the mug of steaming coffee and taking a sip.

‘It was my pleasure.’

Guy and Nell turned towards Sam, who was whimpering in his sleep while his front paw twitched.

‘He’s exhausted and dreaming. I think his little adventure has tired him out.’

‘And me!’ Nell laughed, stretching her arms, ‘Rowing that boat has certainly given my arm muscles a workout.’

‘I was useless, pathetic in fact. I’m sorry.’

‘You were! You can make it up to me, but no apology needed,’ she teased.

Guy laughed. ‘We will never know how he got out there, but everything happens for a reason.’

‘A reason?’

‘Yes, a reason.’ Guy stretched out his legs under the table and Nell felt them brushing against hers.

‘I wouldn’t be sat here now with you if it wasn’t for Sam. I’m a strong believer in fate.’

Nell smiled up at him.

‘How are you bearing up?’ He asked cautiously.

‘My arms are fine.’

‘I didn’t mean your arms,’ he laughed, bumping his shoulder playfully against hers, ‘I meant with your husband’s birthday.’

She swallowed hard and held his gaze, ‘I’ve learnt to take one day at a time but those days are certainly getting easier.’

‘There’s a brightness in your eyes, time to start living again,’ he observed.

She nodded, ‘Time to start living again.’

Guy leant across the table and covered Nell’s hand; he squeezed it tight, she felt her body tremble a little.

‘That fire is making me feel sleepy,’ she murmured, ‘and the snow is coming down thick and fast.’

‘Have you any plans for tonight?’ he asked.

‘Mum’s expecting me for tea, but with the weather like this she’d understand if I didn’t venture out.’

‘Do you fancy some company?’

Nell’s face flushed as she glanced upwards at him and all of a sudden felt a little shy, ‘Are you sure?’

‘There’s nowhere else I’d rather be’ and he was surprised just how much he meant it after everything he’d been through recently.

‘Well, in that case. That’ll be lovely.’

‘Have you ever lost anyone close?’ Nell asked, suddenly curious about the man sitting next to her.

‘Not in the sense you have but …’ he paused.

Nell could tell by the sudden glistening of his eyes that he’d lost someone who had meant the world to him.

‘My granddad, Hector.’ His mood dipped a little, swallowing down a lump in his throat. ‘Look at me getting all emotional, it always happens when I speak about him.’

‘He must have been very special,’ said Nell softly.

He gathered himself together and lifted his eyes towards her. A smile spread across Guy’s face as he remembered his granddad. ‘Without a doubt, he was my rock and taught me everything I know.’

‘Sounds ominous,’ Nell said lightening the mood a little.

‘Ha, not at all, great memories. He bought me the best present ever when I was a kid.’

‘Which was?’

‘A box of Lego.’

‘I think Bea would disagree with you there – if she stands on one more bit of Lego,’ Nell chuckled while picturing Bea hobbling across the floor holding her foot and swearing profusely, ‘She’s threatened to throw Jacob’s in the bin.’

Guy laughed, ‘My mum used to moan when it jammed the Hoover.’

‘So why was a box of Lego the best present in the world?’

‘Because Granddad showed me how to build everything from a bog-standard house to the Empire State Building and when I was older he let me go onto the site with him and taught me how to lay bricks, plaster and get my hands really dirty.’

‘So he was a builder?’

‘Yes, even though Granny wasn’t impressed when he came home covered head to toe in dust every night. She used to shoo him straight upstairs into the shower. He died a while ago now but he and Granny clocked up over fifty years of marriage.’

‘That’s fantastic!’

Guy shook his head, ‘She’s no longer with us, sadly passed away six months after him. I know it sounds daft, but I honestly believe she died of a broken heart. She couldn’t bear to be apart from him.’ He closed his eyes for a brief moment and Nell noticed the sadness in his voice.

‘It’s not daft at all.’ Her own eyes brimmed with tears at the thought of his grandma too sad to carry on.

Guy leant forward and wiped a tear from her cheek that had escaped.

‘I didn’t mean to make you cry,’ his voice faltered and he gave Nell a weak smile. ‘Here,’ he said, taking a tissue from his pocket.

‘Sorry I was lost in the moment there. That’s so sad and romantic.’

‘I was sure he was going to live forever and now they are no doubt rocking the heavens together. I miss them both dearly. Even though I knew Granddad had been ill for a while, his death was still like a kick in the stomach. It felt like my whole world had collapsed.’

This was a situation Nell could wholeheartedly relate to; first her dad and then Ollie.

‘Were your family supportive?’ Tears threatened again as Nell thought of her mum and Bea, her heart swelled with love for them both, she could never have got through the tough times without them.

Guy turned towards her, ‘Hey, I’m meant to be cheering you up and look at us getting all maudlin.’

For a split second his fingers entwined around hers, Nell squeezed them, then smiled up at him.

‘I know,’ she said, throwing caution to the wind while glancing down at her now-empty coffee mug, ‘I think we are both in need of something a little stronger, even if it’s a school night.’

‘Oh why not. You’ve talked me into it.’

‘It didn’t need much persuasion,’ she laughed, standing up and grasping a bottle of wine from the rack at the side of the fridge before pouring two large glasses.

The pair of them sipped at their wine thoughtfully, both tinged with sadness over the loss of their loved ones.

‘Hug?’ Guy asked softly, reaching towards her and taking her hand. The feel of his touch sent shivers downs Nell’s spine and her skin prickled with goose bumps. A feeling she had missed for such a long time.