‘Hemingway and Fernsby has a great ring to it,’ said Nolan.
‘I think Fernsby and Hemingway has a better ring to it.’ She cocked an eyebrow, laughing.
‘Whichever way round it is, you can be my right-hand woman.’
Bea couldn’t stop smiling. She liked the sound of that.
ChapterNine
Bea woke as soon as the alarm sounded. It was 7.30am and she was already excited about her trial at The Little Blue Boathouse. Her shift was to start at 9am and Julia would be showing her the ropes. Bea knew the Little Blue Boathouse was owned by Julia’s partner, Flynn Carter, who was a famous property tycoon and according to the internet was worth millions. Bea wasn’t going to admit to anyone that late last night she’d spent a lot of time googling Heartcross and its residents. Never mind a mini St Tropez with all the boats, it was like a mini Los Angeles with its celebrity residents! Wanting another few minutes in bed, she reached for her phone on the bedside cabinet. There was a message from Emmie asking her to call.
‘Good morning, Sis!’ trilled Bea, sitting up in bed and pulling the duvet around her middle.
‘Is that you, Bea?’ asked Emmie, sounding a little unsure.
‘Of course it’s me, why wouldn’t it be me? Unless my phone has been stolen and the thief is phoning my sister.’
‘Because you don’t sound like yourself … you sound quite happy.’
‘Erm, so what you’re trying to say is that I usually sound like a miserable sod?’ teased Bea, knowing that nothing her sister said could bring her down. She was feeling on top of the world.
‘No, of course not,’ Emmie said, back-pedalling. ‘But I expected you to sound a little more broken-hearted, depressed even. I’m just a little…’
‘Shocked?’ Bea finished her sentence. ‘Look, I’m not dwelling on the past. Carl did me a favour. The relationship was boring, mundane and going absolutely nowhere fast.’
For a moment, Emmie was quiet on the other end of the line. ‘Are you trying to make out everything is okay but as soon as you put the phone down you’re going to burst into tears and stay in bed all day? Because you do know I’m here for you and you can ring me any time, right? I don’t like the thought of you being lonely and upset.’
‘I’m neither lonely nor upset,’ confirmed Bea. ‘I had the best day yesterday, which included swimming in a secluded bay with a handsome stranger.’ Bea kept the rest of the details to herself, knowing that if she shared the fact she’d gotveryclose to the stranger her sister might turn up in Heartcross and attempt to rescue her from ‘going off the rails’.
‘Have you been taking drugs?’ Emmie’s voice was deadly serious.
‘I’ve not even had a coffee yet!’ replied Bea, with a chuckle. ‘Honestly, it’s true, I’m okay. In fact, I’m more than okay! I’m the best I’ve ever been and today I have a trial shift at The Little Blue Boathouse.’
‘What the heck do you mean, you have a trial shift? A job?’
‘Yes, for a job.’
‘But you have a job back home where you belong. What is going on here, Bea? This isn’t like you. I’m beginning to worry even more about you.’
‘Maybe I’m fed up of the old Bea. Good old dependable Bea who is boring and reliable. It’s time for a change, a new direction. I may not be sure what that direction is, but what I do know is that I don’t want the life I’ve had in the past.’
‘You’re coming home, aren’t you?’
Bea turned over the word ‘home’ in her mind and thought about Martha’s prediction. Avoiding the question, she said, ‘Emmie, there’s no need to worry. I’m okay, really I am. The job is just for two weeks whilst I’m here. I figured, why not work by the water, enjoy the sunshine, chat to the tourists? You never know what opportunities might spring up.’
‘As long as youarecoming home?’ Emmie emphasised the words as though they would be enough to ensure Bea’s return.
‘You will see me very soon. I promise,’ was all that Bea could offer and she ended the call, happy to have avoided answering her sister’s question.
* * *
An hour later, after breakfast, Bea ambled along the lane towards the river path. The sun was shining and there were only a few clouds in the sky. It was going to be another hot day, which probably meant The Little Blue Boathouse would be busy. The village was already alive with dog walkers, hikers heading towards the mountain pass, and children running with fishing nets towards the rocks by the river. Bea felt excited and a little nervous. Initially, the reason she had offered her services for the next two weeks had been to keep herself occupied and stop her thinking about her ex, but since meeting Nolan, Carl had barely crossed her mind and she was actually relieved that her life was changing and going in a completely different direction.
As she turned the last corner before The Little Blue Boathouse, she saw that even more boats had arrived since yesterday and there were now some impressive yachts on the water. Posters had been erected along the path, advertising the annual River Festival and firework display, and Bea wished she was staying a little longer. Quickly, she scanned the area, looking for The Hemingway. There it was. Just knowing that Nolan was still about put a spring in her step. She hoped that he would come and say hello sometime during the day.
The Little Blue Boathouse was already heaving. Numerous people were standing outside wearing wetsuits or holding paddles whilst others were pulling kayaks into the water. There was also a queue of people along the jetty waiting for the river taxi to take them on excursions. Bea watched as the river taxi pressed its horn. ‘All aboard for Heartcross Castle,’ a voice boomed over the Tannoy, and people began to file onto the boat. Noticing another group of people, huddled around a table near the entrance, Bea realised they were admiring Nolan’s paintings. It was like a mini art gallery: a couple of the paintings were displayed on easels whilst others stood on table stands, making them easy to browse through. Further paintings were stacked in a box, ready to be added to the table as space became available.
Stepping inside The Little Blue Boathouse, Bea was greeted by a beaming Julia. ‘Good morning! Sorry I missed you at breakfast, I had to nip to the drycleaners. Oh! Before I forget, you’ve already got post. I’ll serve these customers and I’ll be right with you.’
