‘I’ll take you. I’ve got no other plans for today.’
‘Are you sure it’s no bother? I don’t want to put you to any trouble, and I’ll pay for the petrol of course.’
‘My car is diesel, and I wouldn’t hear of it.’
Morgan smile and nodded. ‘That’s very kind. I really appreciate it.’
A few minutes later, they turned around to make their way back to the steps leading up to the seafront. After just a couple of steps, Morgan’s cane sunk into a soft section of sand. Morgan veered forward, a small squeak escaping from her lips as she expected to face plant the sand, but Ned’s arms encircled her, catching her, and pulling her back up into a straight position.
‘Whoa. Steady there lass.’ He grabbed her arm and linked it through his. Morgan could feel how firm and large his bicep muscle was and immediately felt safe as he pulled her closely into him. ‘I think it’s best you hold onto me until we’re off the beach, and later on, I’m going to make you something to put onto the end of your walking stick. I don’t want you to find any excuse not to come walking with me again. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this last half an hour.’
‘Thank you, Ned...and it’s a cane not a walking stick. Walking stick makes me sound old and ready for the knacker's yard. I might be almost sixty, but I still feel as though I’m in my twenties mentally. There’s plenty of life in me yet.’
Ned laughed and tapped the top of Morgan’s hand threaded through his arm. ‘I don’t doubt that for one minute lass.’
THERE WAS NO ONE AROUNDin the main courtyard in front of the farm shop as Ned and Morgan drove onto Poppy Farm, so they drove straight up to the barn. The company who were providing the portaloos were already there as Ned drove the car closer.
Morgan looked at the digital clock on Ned’s dashboard. ‘They’re ten minutes early. I wonder why they haven’t unloaded them?’
‘Do they know where the portaloos are being placed?’
Morgan turned to look at Ned. ‘Erm no. Why.’
Ned pointed to a section of flat ground off to the side of the barn as he came to a stop ‘I’m presuming you’re putting them there.’
‘Well, I had intended to put them on the other side of the barn.’
Ned turned his head to look, and immediately shook his head. ‘No, I wouldn’t do that Morgan.’ He pointed to the ground. ‘See how the camber of the ground runs down to the right?’
Morgan squinted, but all she could see was that the ground angled ever-so-slightly. ‘Maybe a little.’
‘Believe me, when you're sitting on the loo, that little becomes a lot.’
Morgan’s hand came up to her mouth to stifle a giggle. ‘Oh Ned, I’m glad you came with me. That wouldn’t have been very good., would it?’
Ned shook his head. ‘No lass. Maybe you need more of me in your life to help iron out these kinks.’ He winked and reached for the door handle. ‘I’ll go and have a word with them. I’ll meet you inside.’
Morgan’s heart raced and her stomach did a loop the loop. Was Ned hinting at something more between them? Her hands trembled slightly as she opened the car and headed for the barn.
To her amazement, she found the tables and the bar she’d hired had already been delivered. The tables were stacked neatly, and the bar was fully erected next to them. Next to that was a clear sack of what appeared to be sawdust and wood shavings. A note was pinned to it and Morgan pulled it off. Her brow pulled together as she read it. By the time she’d finished, her brow had lifted with understanding as to why it was there.
Thought these wood shavings from
Pharis’s workshop would come in
useful for covering the floor.
Pamela x
Morgan smiled. It was all coming together.
The barn door opened and Ned came in. ‘Wow. This place is huge. The decorations look amazing. It’s perfect for a barn dance and sixtieth birthday party.’ He looked over at the bag of sawdust and tables and slapped his hands together. ‘Right. Put me to work. What do you need me to do.’
Morgan shook her head. ‘Ned, you gave me a lift here. I didn’t accept the lift with the intention of getting you to help me. I was going to ask Oliver and Declan to do the heavy lifting.’
‘I know, but while I’m here—use my body.’
Morgan’s brow shot up and Ned shook his head and laughed. Sorry, that came out all wrong. Look, I’m already here and I’m strong. I’ll have this place set up within an hour.’
