Bea liked Felicity. She was warm and honest and very easy to talk to.
‘I hope you’re planning to stay and see this project through to the end. After all, it was your brilliant idea to get a river rescue up and running.’
‘You’re right. I do want to do everything in my power to bring awareness and make this happen.’
‘And judging by the passion in your voice, you will. As I said, don’t make any rash decisions about your life, don’t let anyone pressurise you, and take each day as it comes. I’m always around if you fancy a chat, a walk or eating flapjacks on a magnificent boat. Whatever is meant to be will happen.’
‘Thank you. It feels good to talk about this with someone who is impartial,’ said Bea. She still didn’t know if this was just an extended holiday and if she could really move away from home permanently, and her growing feelings for Nolan complicated things, but talking to Felicity had shown her she didn’t need to rush into any decisions.
‘It is good to talk, but we are all on a missionnotto talk tonight.’ Felicity cocked an eyebrow.
‘Huh?’ replied Bea, taking a last sip of her drink.
‘We can talk about the river rescue but we all need to keep Martha’s birthday at The Lakehouse under wraps. She thinks something is going on and of course she’s right. She doesn’t miss a trick. It’s been difficult keeping Gwen’s arrival under wraps and I’m not sure it’s going to stay a surprise. But we’ve not long to go. So, fingers crossed.’
‘Isla must be very excited to see her mum.’
‘Oh, she is. It’s going to be an emotional reunion all around. Anyway, I need to get back to the teashop before my mum sends out a search party. I’ll see you tonight and if you ever need to talk…’ She scribbled her mobile number on a piece of paper. ‘Just call or text me. You don’t need to feel lonely in this village.’
‘Thank you,’ replied Bea. This really was a community like no other.
‘Looks like you’re about to get busy!’ Felicity pointed to the tourists who had just returned from an excursion and were now walking up the jetty and noticing the sign for the little floating gallery. They were heading Bea’s way. ‘I’ll see you tonight.’
She walked across the ramp, stepped back onto the river path and climbed into her car, which was parked at the back of The Little Blue Boathouse. Bea welcomed the tourists onboard and they immediately passed compliments about the floating gallery.
* * *
With a couple of sales already under her belt by mid-morning, Bea was happily chatting away to tourists, nearly all of whom said that if they could live in Heartcross, they would.
‘But why can’t you just up and move here?’ Bea asked a woman who’d just purchased Nolan’s painting of the bridge with the castle and mountains in the background.
‘Roots. You get settled into a routine and only really dream about living in places like this,’ the woman replied.
‘Dreams can come true though,’ replied Bea, handing the woman her receipt.
‘If only,’ she said with a smile before walking down the ramp, swinging her bag as she went.
‘But they can,’ murmured Bea. The woman had hit the nail on the head. ‘I’m young and carefree and what is stopping me from doing what I want? Absolutely nothing!’ Felicity was right, there was no pressure to make a decision about anything today or even tomorrow. All she needed to do was go with the flow and live for the moment.
Feeling a presence behind her, Bea spun round to see a woman admiring the paintings. She must have stepped on board when Bea was serving the last customer.
‘Good afternoon. If you want any help don’t hesitate to ask,’ Bea said warmly.
The woman nodded her thanks. Bea noticed that she was dressed immaculately, in a style that reminded Bea of a Hollywood superstar, with a lightweight head scarf and oversized sunglasses covering most of her face. The scent of her perfume delicate and classy.
‘These are very impressive; are you the artist?’ The woman turned her head slightly to look over her shoulder at Bea.
‘No, not me. The artist is Nolan. He’s currently working over at The Little Blue Boathouse. We swapped jobs for a couple of days because I sprained my ankle.’
Bea couldn’t quite place the woman’s accent, but she was friendly and continued to praise the paintings as she walked around the boat.
‘Do you live here?’ she asked.
‘No, yes … actually, I’m not sure.’ Bea realised how confusing that must have sounded. She quickly added, ‘I was here on a two-week holiday and I’ve extended it, but now I’m considering leaving everything behind to start somewhere new. Are you from Heartcross?’ she asked. She loved finding out about people and their backgrounds.
‘Once upon a time, but I was a little like you. Weighing up my options. Everyone told me what I couldn’t do and for a moment I doubted myself, but after a family argument I upped and left and started a new life.’
‘Any regrets?’ asked Bea, then realised the question was a little intrusive. ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that, curiosity got the better of me.’
