‘It seems so,’ replied Bea with a smile.
‘And I believe you’re doing a trial at The Little Blue Boathouse? According to the forecast, the weather is going to be sweltering over the next month and I can’t think of a better place to be working than right next to the water. Two weeks, Isla said you would be around for.’
‘Yes, I’ve planned a two-week holiday. I needed a change of scenery.’
‘That’s a shame it’s only two weeks as you’ll miss the River Festival. It’s spectacular. Soon the river will be littered with houseboats, yachts and basically anything that floats. The village gets very busy and the atmosphere is amazing.’
Bea began to turn Felicity’s words over in her mind:You’ll miss the River Festival. As a teenager she’d always fancied taking off during the summer months and disappearing to the coast with only her rucksack for company. She imagined herself landing a summer job then returning home for autumn. But now, exactly what did she have at home? A job that she didn’t really enjoy and a rental property with a man she never wanted to see again. This might be the push she needed to walk away from the mundane routine that had been her life for so long. Sunshine and water were just what she needed to blow away the cobwebs and mend her broken heart.
‘But Julia and Flynn will be chuffed for your help, even if it’s only for two weeks. It’ll give them time to interview,’ continued Felicity. ‘If we weren’t run off our feet here, because of all the tourists that flock in for the summer, I could imagine myself waking up in that attic room overlooking the water and living my best life. Sometimes the simple things make us happiest, don’t they?’
Bea couldn’t agree more. Even though she’d shed a few tears in the last twenty-four hours, the heartfelt and welcoming ambience of Heartcross was uplifting – not to mention the splendid views.
‘Look at me babbling on. What can I get you?’ asked Felicity, rolling her eyes. ‘I could chat for Scotland.’
Bea laughed. ‘Could I take a pork and apple pasty? They look delicious. And…’ Bea perused the glass counter in front of her, which was filled with all things sugary and looked divine. ‘So many choices. I’ll take one of those chocolate gingerbread men. I’ve not had one of those since I was a little girl. And a takeaway coffee, please.’
Felicity placed the pastries in white paper bags, handed over the coffee and rang up the bill.
‘Thank you,’ said Bea as she paid. ‘I’m going to wander down to The Little Blue Boathouse and eat these by the river.’
‘You enjoy it. You’ve certainly timed your arrival well, as I believe the first houseboat has recently arrived for the festival. They start sailing in a few weeks before and, like yourself, make a holiday of it.’
* * *
Walking back down Love Heart Lane, Bea was already thinking she couldn’t wait to explore what the village had to offer. This place was just a different way of life. She’d been here for only a few hours and could already feel Heartcross was going to be good for her. There was a sense of calm and, strangely, she felt quite settled already. All the villagers who had crossed her path had instantly made her feel welcome.
As she joined the path along the riverbank, the sound of a motor caught her attention. Bea watched a speedboat thump across another boat’s wake. Music blared and a group of friends talked and laughed as the gentle lap of the water hit the riverbank. Bea took in the sight. She could see why tourists flocked here – it was spectacular. There were children in wetsuits playing in a shallow bay further up the river, fishermen dropping lines into the water, jet skis racing back and forth under the bridge that separated the village from the town, and Heartcross Castle looked magnificent in the distance. Bea walked to the water’s edge and stood under the shade of a tree, the leaf-dappled sunlight hitting the water and making it sparkle. She smiled at the kids swinging from a rope out over the river, watched by their parents, who were enjoying a picnic on a blanket. Noticing a large, flat pebble, Bea picked it up and skimmed it across the water. It bounced three times before hitting some knobby driftwood. Skimming stones was something she’d always do as a youngster on holiday with her father. She smiled, thinking about her dad. He’d never been keen on Carl, though he hadn’t said so in so many words, and she remembered now when he’d asked her whether he was the one. She’d hesitated and replied, ‘How do you even know?’
Her father’s words still rang in her ears, four years after his death: ‘If you’re asking that question, then he isn’t the one.’ He’d been right.
Bea took a moment and swallowed a lump. She missed her father and wished she’d listened to him back then.
Somehow the relationship with Carl had shifted to autopilot. She should have recognised the signs sooner – men rarely go off sex without good reason. Feeling a stirring in her stomach, she realised it was a sense of relief. Even though the betrayal had hurt, part of her was glad he’d been unfaithful, as it was the push she’d needed to begin her own adventure.
Turning, she exhaled and stared at the craggy cliffs behind her. Impulsively, she tilted her face up to the sun before stretching out her arms wide, then shouted at the top of her lungs, ‘I’m free to do what I want!’ Spinning around, she felt happy-go-lucky. This holiday was the start for her – her time to shine and laugh again.
Still spinning, with the light breeze in her face, Bea giggled and finally came to a stop. It felt good to let go and just be by herself. Hastily taking a step back to steady herself as the spinning caught up with her, she wobbled. Losing her balance, she gave a tiny squeal and then nearly jumped out of her skin as a hand steadied her. Startled, she looked up. The hand belonged to a man with a look of amusement on his face.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you jump. I just thought it would be a bit too soon for you to go falling at my feet when we’ve not even met yet.’ He had a glint in his eye.
‘Thank you’ were the only words she could muster. She had no idea where he’d sprung from. Goodness, he was attractive with his huge hazel eyes, flawless olive skin and mass of chestnut hair. His white, short-sleeved shirt complemented his tan perfectly and was clinging to every muscle.
Smiling, he let go of her arm and offered his hand. ‘Hi, I’m Nolan.’
Bea was still staring at him. She couldn’t help it. ‘Bea,’ she said, finally taking his hand and instantly feeling a tiny flip in her stomach, completely taking her by surprise.
‘Are you from around these parts?’ he asked.
Bea shook her head. ‘Just here for a two-week holiday, but I may stay a little longer. I’ve not quite decided yet. And you?’
‘Just staying a few weeks,’ he replied. ‘Maybe I’ll see you around?’
‘Maybe you will.’
‘And whatever you’re free from, I really hope you do what you want.’ He gave her a warm smile before heading off in the opposite direction, leaving Bea catching the aroma from an aftershave that oozed class. Nolan was drop dead gorgeous. Daring to glance back over her shoulder, she saw he had the perkiest bum she’d ever seen. Nolan also snatched a quick look back just then. Damn, he’d caught her looking. She bit her lip to suppress her smile. There was an air of confidence about him and a twinkle in his eye that caused Bea’s heart to instantly race. Astonishingly, he tipped her a wink, and she couldn’t stop her smile from growing wider. He soon disappeared around the winding river path and was out of sight, leaving Bea wondering what the handsome stranger was doing in Heartcross.
As she carried on walking with a renewed spring in her step, she noticed a huge rock, which was a perfect place to eat her lunch, and so she perched on the edge. The pasty tasted as good as it looked and Bea devoured it quickly whilst watching two seagulls on a nearby rock squabbling over an abandoned piece of bread. Their grey and white bodies were quite enormous and the clacking of their beaks could be heard as their boisterous antics continued. One soon flew off when it noticed a small boy throwing stale bread into the water at the end of the jetty. As soon as she finished her lunch, she tossed the paper bag into a nearby bin and carried on walking.
