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?
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
