‘Don’t be cheeky! The first thing that Amy said to me when Lucas went missing was “Call the coast guard”. It was also one of the first things I asked Julia about when I arrived at the Boathouse. But there isn’t one. Heartcross has become so popular since the bridge collapsed and it hit the news all those years ago. What with Starcross Manor and The Lakehouse, and celebrity chef Andrew Glossop living and filming his cookery show from Heartcross Castle, this place has become a huge tourist attraction. The river is packed with tourists and we need to make sure the waterways are safe for everyone.’
‘It would cost a hell of a lot of money to get a search and rescue operation up and running,’ Nolan said.
‘But worth every penny if it saves lives.’
‘Yes, you’re right there. But they would need premises and staff. I’m not sure The Little Blue Boathouse is capable of housing rescue boats and a crew of people.’
‘I’ve been thinking about that too. What if I can raise enough money for at least one lifeboat to start with and set up a charity? A kind of … Heartcross Rescue. It could be run by the community – driven by our own values of selflessness, courage, dependability and trustworthiness. We could educate, influence, supervise and rescue those at risk from drowning. Surely a building to house a boat, with a living area and kitchen, couldn’t costthatmuch money.’
‘It would take hundreds of thousands.’
‘There’s the old lighthouse.’
‘That’s a possibility.’
‘We have enough influential people in the village who could use their contacts to help raise funds. Felicity managed to raise thousands to build the new bridge by getting the whole community on board so surely this is worth a try. I’m going to call a meeting at The Little Blue Boathouse. This is important.’ Bea could hear the passion in her voice. ‘I’m going to make this happen. Please could you pass me my bag?’
Nolan looked at her with admiration. ‘You have fire in your belly and this is a worthy cause … but you’re meant to be resting.’ Still, he passed her the bag without hesitation.
‘I was reading some old newspaper articles during the storm and I saw that Felicity managed to get the local paper on board, and that brought it to the attention of TV news, at which point the story was picked up nationally. I think I can do this.’ Bea took out her mobile phone. She had a few missed calls including several from Emmie.
Quickly, she scanned the texts. Eyes wide, she looked up at Nolan. ‘My sister is on her way to Heartcross. I wasn’t picking up my phone, so she called the Boathouse and of course Julia was still there and she told her I was on my way to hospital.’
‘It will be nice to see her, surely?’
‘The first thing she’ll do is try and convince me to go back home.’ Bea sighed. ‘I love it here. There’s something about this place that is endearing and charming – and calming, apart from the past few days. My sister’s arrival will shatter that tranquillity.’
‘You’re right about the weather. I’ve felt sick on The Hemingway, the waters have been so choppy.’
‘And where have you been?’
Nolan paused. ‘I needed some time out after…’
‘Our row. I know I must have sounded like a jealous loon and I’m sorry.’ She paused. ‘Actually, I’m not entirely sorry about that.’
Nolan raised an eyebrow.
‘Because it shows you I care. I just didn’t deal with it in the best way. ForthatI am sorry.’ Bea took a sip of water from the cup on her bedside cabinet. ‘You’ve made it pretty clear where you’ve stood from the start and so I’m going to be truly honest with you. I never expected to feel a real connection with anyone so soon after my break-up. It took me completely by surprise.’ She was putting her heart on her sleeve but why not? She didn’t have anything to lose.
‘I want to be honest with you, too – it might explain a few things, such as the reason I prefer to live on the boat and just want to keep moving – but it’s a conversation I’m going to find very difficult to have.’
Bea noticed that Nolan looked anxious. ‘A problem shared and all that.’ She followed his gaze to his hands and noticed for the first time that he was wearing a wedding ring. ‘You’re married.’ She’d had a hunch but seeing the evidence was a shock. ‘You really didn’t tell me the whole truth, did you?’
After everything that Bea had been through, how could he do this? However much of a connection there was between them, she would have never crossed that line if she’d known he was married. A small part of her now wished he’d never come back.
‘Do you mind…’ He pointed to the jug of water and a spare cup.
‘Be my guest.’
Nolan sipped some water, then took out his wallet and opened it. Inside was a photograph in a clear plastic sleeve. Bea swallowed a lump as Nolan passed it to her. It showed a younger-looking Nolan with his arms around the girl from the painting.
She risked the question. ‘Is this your wife?’
‘I promise you I have not made a fool of you, but yes, this is my wife …wasmy wife.’
Bea noted the past tense.
‘Hannah passed away four years ago.’ There was a calm to Nolan’s voice that she wasn’t expecting. ‘It was our wedding anniversary two days ago and even now I still don’t know what to do with myself on that day, except hide away.’ His eyes were brimming with tears and he closed them for a moment.
