Christie Barlow - The Cosy Canal Boat Dream - A funny, feel-good romantic comedy you won’t be able to put down!

Guy leant forward and wiped a tear from her cheek that had escaped.

‘I didn’t mean to make you cry,’ his voice faltered and he gave Nell a weak smile. ‘Here,’ he said, taking a tissue from his pocket.

‘Sorry I was lost in the moment there. That’s so sad and romantic.’

‘I was sure he was going to live forever and now they are no doubt rocking the heavens together. I miss them both dearly. Even though I knew Granddad had been ill for a while, his death was still like a kick in the stomach. It felt like my whole world had collapsed.’

This was a situation Nell could wholeheartedly relate to; first her dad and then Ollie.

‘Were your family supportive?’ Tears threatened again as Nell thought of her mum and Bea, her heart swelled with love for them both, she could never have got through the tough times without them.

Guy turned towards her, ‘Hey, I’m meant to be cheering you up and look at us getting all maudlin.’

For a split second his fingers entwined around hers, Nell squeezed them, then smiled up at him.

‘I know,’ she said, throwing caution to the wind while glancing down at her now-empty coffee mug, ‘I think we are both in need of something a little stronger, even if it’s a school night.’

‘Oh why not. You’ve talked me into it.’

‘It didn’t need much persuasion,’ she laughed, standing up and grasping a bottle of wine from the rack at the side of the fridge before pouring two large glasses.

The pair of them sipped at their wine thoughtfully, both tinged with sadness over the loss of their loved ones.

‘Hug?’ Guy asked softly, reaching towards her and taking her hand. The feel of his touch sent shivers downs Nell’s spine and her skin prickled with goose bumps. A feeling she had missed for such a long time.

‘That would be nice.’

‘How’s that? Comfy?’ He rested his arm around her shoulder. It had been a while since she’d felt the comforting weight of an arm draped around her and she nestled into him as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Hearing the thump of his heart, ‘Perfect,’ she murmured, startled by her own feelings. The feeling of being close to someone again made her tingle all over as she wrapped her arm across his stomach and inhaled the gorgeous aroma of his aftershave. She could feel the intense heat radiating from his touch and wondered if he could feel it too as her heart skipped a beat.

‘So tell me about Guy Cornish,’ she asked. ‘Who is this Irish man who’s turned up at Little Rock?’

‘There’s not a lot to tell. I’m twenty-nine and owner of a scatty dog …’ he paused.

‘Job?’

Guy exhaled, ‘A suit, work in the city, dealing with financial stuff.’

‘You don’t sound too chuffed about that?’ Nell said, detecting the change in the tone of his voice.

‘It pays the bills.’

Nell lifted her head and gazed towards him, ‘Single?’ she asked calmly, even though her heart was hammering in anticipation of the answer.

For a brief second the question hung in the air and he rested his chin of the top of Nell’s head while she reminded herself to breathe normally.

‘I’m single,’ he replied.

Goose bumps prickled over every inch of her body, ‘That’s good, then,’ the words left her mouth before she could stop herself.

Looking Nell in the eyes, he smiled. She noticed the gentle lift of his mouth and for a brief moment she thought he was going to kiss her. She’d no idea what had come over her – she’d only just met the man. Her heart was beating wildly and it was then Nell had felt it: raw chemistry, an attraction, a feeling she’d not felt for a long time.

‘It’s the wine, makes me brave,’ she giggled, tearing her gaze away.

‘You’ve only had one sip,’ he laughed. He nudged her playfully with his elbow.

Nell felt the corners of her mouth lift, ‘When are you due back in Ireland?’

‘In a few weeks’ time when Ed is back up on his feet.’

Suddenly, Nell felt a tiny pang. It was daft really, she barely knew the man but there was something inside her that didn’t like the thought of him returning to Ireland anytime soon.

They sat in a peaceful silence, watching the snowflakes settling on the roofs of the pretty barges through the porthole of the ‘Nollie’. Smoke from neighbouring boats spiralled into the grey sky.

Guy turned towards Nell, there was a sudden brightness in his eyes, ‘Let’s raise a toast,’

‘What are we toasting?’

‘Ollie’s birthday, my grandparents and to life.’

‘That sounds like a great toast.’

They both clinked their glasses against each other’s. ‘Cheers, life.’

‘Life,’ Nell smiled, taking a sip of her wine.

Nell felt content and happy and even though Guy had only just come into her life, she didn’t like the thought of him disappearing out of it anytime soon.

‘Aunty Nellie, Aunty Nellie, you are living in a floating igloo.’

Nell looked up to see Nathan pulling an excited Jacob along on a bright-red sledge towards her.

‘Daddy stop!’ Jacob shouted as he hurled himself out of the sledge and crunched through the snow towards Nell.

‘Those wellies came in handy.’

Jacob’s face beamed.

‘Does Aunty Nellie get a huge hug?’

‘Absolutely,’ Jacob flung his arms wide open.

Nell stooped to wrap her arms around him and planted a kiss on the tip of his cold nose. She smiled at Nathan, ‘Morning. Did you have a successful day yesterday and find the part for the motorbike you needed?’

He shook his head regretfully, ‘No, but I managed to purchase a whole lot of other junk that I’m not entirely sure I needed. Well, according to Bea anyway. The second she heard the key in the door she shooed me to the back of the house and demanded I deposit my scrap in the shed because she wasn’t having any more half-built motorbikes in her kitchen.’

‘And rightly so – boys and their toys,’ Nell grinned, turning back towards Jacob, who currently had a mischievous smile on his face while scooping up the snow and patting it into a ball.

‘I hope you aren’t …’ Too late! Jacob launched the snowball straight at Nell, who promptly chased him, squealing, towards the deli. As Jacob pushed open the door Nell bundled him into her arms and blew a raspberry on his neck as he tried to wriggle free.

‘What’s all this noise?’ Bea appeared from behind the counter, smiling at her son.

‘Aunty Nellie is chasing me,’ Jacob giggled as Nell lowered him to the ground.

Bea pecked Nathan on his cheek then touched Nell’s arm. Nell met her gaze. ‘You didn’t text me last night, everything okay? I was worried about you.’

Nell nodded. Last night she’d spoken to her mum soon after Guy had left. Her mum had understood with the heavy snowfall that she hadn’t wanted to walk out in the bitter chill of the February air.

‘Yes, I’m all good.’ Bea pressed a swift kiss to her cheek and gave her a quick hug.

‘So, young man.’ Bea crouched down in front of him. ‘You’ve had a quick play on your sledge before school.’

Jacob grinned.

‘Just remember to wrap up well at school today if you go outside to play,’ she pulled up the lapels of his coat and his bobble hat down over his eyes.

‘Mummy!’ he giggled, pushing his hat back up on his head.

Bea grasped his scarf and pulled Jacob towards her, then kissed his forehead.

‘Some of the supplies haven’t been delivered yet; they must be having some difficulties getting through the lanes with the weather. We’re low on milk so I’ve rung ahead to The Waterfront who are going to lend us a few pints. I’ll nip over and grab them now you’re here,’ she said, standing up and turning towards Nell.