I sound so old!’
‘I can open a bottle. I owe you one of those,’ he stood up waiting for Nell to answer, ‘and maybe a take-away. I’ve not eaten yet.’
Nell nodded, ‘That sounds perfect and an offer I can’t refuse, but as long as you don’t mind me gate-crashing your Friday night.’
They both stared at Sam, who was lying flat out on the sheepskin rug.
‘Look at him, he’s not going to be much company, you win hands down,’ Guy softened his words, ‘Even if you are bending my ear about properties.’
Nell felt her whole body prickle with goose bumps. She’d begun to feel alive again, something she hadn’t felt for a long time. And thanks to Guy Cornish she couldn’t think of a better place she’d rather be at this moment in time.
Nell watched Guy disappear into the kitchen and glanced at her mobile phone screen, which lit up with Bea’s name.
She swiped the screen to read a text, ‘Fancy a girls’ night at mine tomorrow. You know you want to!’
Nell smiled at Bea’s playful goading. ‘Absolutely! See you tomorrow,’ she replied.
Nell heard two glasses clonk on the kitchen table and the fridge door open, then a couple of seconds later Guy appeared in the doorway holding the wine, ‘Pinot?’
‘My favourite, thank you.’
Guy gave Nell a soft smile as he poured them both a glass.
‘I hope you don’t mind but I’ve made myself comfortable near the fire.’ Nell was sitting on the rug next to the wood-burner with her legs stretched out before her.
‘I don’t mind at all, curry or Chinese?’ He asked handing the menus to Nell before poking the embers and adding more logs to the fire. He settled on the floor opposite Nell.
‘Chinese – this is a lovely one and it delivers,’ she thumbed the menu.
Guy phoned the order through and they chatted about anything and everything while waiting for the food to arrive. It didn’t take long to be delivered and Guy scooted to the door and returned clutching a bulging white carrier bag that smelt delicious.
‘Well, this is the moment of truth,’ Guy grinned, plating up the food.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Let’s see if this is as good as the Chinese back home.’
He gave a low whistle, ‘Actually, not bad,’ he nodded with approval while taking another mouthful.
‘I told you it was good!’
Just at that moment, a buzzing noise forced them both to glance towards the sideboard, where Guy’s phone was vibrating. He placed his knife and fork on the plate and wandered across to answer it.
For a brief moment, he stared at the screen. Nell wasn’t actually sure if he was going to answer the call, but after a couple more rings he cleared his throat and swiped the screen.
‘Yes,’ he said rather abruptly, which took Nell a little by surprise. She noticed he shifted uneasily from one foot to another before snorting quietly under his breath listening to the caller and looking agitated. Nell studied his profile. She couldn’t deny, with his dark hair and hazel eyes he was looking very handsome standing there in his grey lounge pants and tight-fitting white t-shirt.
He caught Nell’s eye, then looked away.
‘I’m not getting into a conversation about this now, I have company.’
Nell had no idea who the other person was on the other end of the line but Guy couldn’t seem to get rid of them fast enough.
‘Enjoy your trip.’ His voice was flat and he ended the call sharply, then crouched back down opposite Nell to finish his food.
‘You okay? That sounded a little fraught.’
For the first time this evening Guy was silent. Nell continued to eat her food and waited for him to speak.
‘Just work issues,’ he mumbled.
Nell shot him a quizzical look. ‘Any work issues in particular?’
‘Nothing I want to worry you about.’
‘Do you need to go back home?’
‘Maybe,’ he said.
Nell pressed her lips together and felt her insides suddenly tremble. She wasn’t sure why, but she didn’t like the thought of Guy returning to Ireland any time soon. She was already used to him hanging around Little Rock Marina; it felt as if he’d always been here, part of the furniture.
They both sat silently for a moment while they finished their food. Sam was still stretched out fast asleep.
‘Do you like living in Ireland. It’s a place I’ve never visited,’ asked Nell bracingly. A surge of emotion ran through her body.
‘That’s where my home and job is.’
‘You never answered the question,’ she said tentatively, ‘You seem to lose that spark in your eyes when you talk about work. Are you happy in your job?’
His shoulders slumped and he shrugged, ‘It pays the bills.’
‘If you’re not enjoying something, just change it.’
‘Ever thought of becoming a counsellor, an agony aunt?’ he said, laughing. ‘If you’re not enjoying something, just change it.’ He mimicked Nell’s words.
Gazing up at him, he was grinning at her, ‘Are you making fun of me?’ She swiped his leg playfully, ‘I was only saying!’
‘Sometimes you just get stuck in a rut.’
Nell scrunched her face up, ‘I know that feeling. For the last couple of years, I’ve felt like I’ve been stuck in the same routine and existed on a day-to-day basis but I’ve finally come out the other side. Only you can change it.’
‘I know, I know, maybe I’ve had no reason to change it before.’
Nell could feel his eyes clamped on her. She sipped her wine to hide her smile. Was he flirting with her? She was sure he was flirting with her. Nell was conscious of her heart pounding.
‘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,
