‘Been with me since I was seventeen, and I’m not giving her up any day soon.’
‘I’m finding out more about you every second we spend together. It does look like it’s seen better days though.’
‘She’s never let me down though, unlike some I know.’
Nolan grinned across at her. ‘You do make me smile. Try not to dwell on the past. It’s the here and now that’s the most important – and here and now we have chips. I have to say these are the best I’ve tasted in a while.’
Bea couldn’t agree more. The wind in her hair, the best chips and curry sauce, and walking at the side of a handsome man … could life get any better than this?
‘Guess what I did today?’ she said excitedly as they headed up the steep path.
‘Are we talking about any particular time of the day?’ He gave her a mischievous grin.
‘After lunchtime, which I have to say was one of my most memorable lunchtimes in a very long time—’
‘Glad to hear it,’ Nolan interrupted.
‘I resigned.’
Nolan stopped in his tracks. ‘You’ve resigned on day one?’
‘Not from the Boathouse. In fact, I successfully passed my trial. No, I resigned from my job at the supermarket. All I need to do now is pluck up the courage to tell my sister that I’ve done so and will be extending my holiday here in Heartcross.’
‘I’m impressed. It’s a powerful moment when you become brave enough to change the life you’re leading. You’ve taken the first step of moving away from the past. I admire you for that. It’s not easy.’
His words took Bea by surprise, and she noticed that Nolan’s voice had faltered a little. Glancing at him, she suddenly wondered whether he was running from his own past. That would certainly make sense, given the way he never settled in one place.
‘Some of your carefree attitude must have rubbed off on me,’ she said, still watching him closely.
‘It’s the best way to be.’
‘Do you ever make plans for the future?’ She was intrigued to discover more about the real Nolan.
‘Not anymore.’
‘But you did once?’ probed Bea.
‘You think your future is one thing and then the next thing you know, it’s something else entirely. The only day I think about is the one I’m in.’
Nolan didn’t elaborate and Bea was conscious that his gaze was fixed on the path ahead, and he was refusing to look in her direction.
‘Maybe you could stay longer too?’ she said hopefully, stabbing another chip.
‘Nah, there’s a whole world out there to explore. But in the meantime, Hemingway and Fernsby need to crack the case of “Who is Patsy G?” I do think you did the right thing, deciding to stay. This place will suit you.’
‘And why wouldn’t it suit you?’
‘It will for a few weeks but then it will be time for me to sail on to the next wonderful place.’
Any romantic notion Bea might have had that he would stay if she did was quickly starting to fizzle. The second she’d set eyes on him she’d been captivated by his smile and sparkling eyes. The immediate connection had taken her completely by surprise, but judging by the way he spoke about moving on to the next destination he must not feel the same.
Had she actually made the right decision, or had she been carried away on day one of a working holiday simply because it was a change from the norm?
Bea forced a brightness into her voice that she wasn’t feeling. ‘Well, until you sail off into the sunset you’re stuck with me.’ She nudged his elbow.
‘I think I can put up with that,’ he replied, tossing their empty chip trays in a bin as they passed it. There were numerous people out enjoying the summer evening – kids on bikes and families walking dogs – and Heartcross Mountain stood in the distance, with the fells rising each side. It was a stunning scene to witness.
They climbed over a stile and the mossy rocks underfoot gave way to a meandering trail passing through purple heather and bracken. The slight breeze feathering through the wild grass carried the sound of crickets and grasshoppers whirring.
