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

‘No need, I’ll collect them. I’ve still got my coat on and it gives me a chance to pull my favourite godson on his sledge through the snow for five minutes.’

‘Aunty Nellie, I’m your only godson! You’re silly.’

‘But it doesn’t stop you from being my favourite, though, does it?’

‘When I pick Jacob up from school I’ll start the tea,’ Nathan smiled at Bea then gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

‘And that’s why I love you so much.’

The door to the deli swung open and a blast of cold air hit them, ‘Good morning,’ the postman chirped, handing Bea a handful of letters from his sack before disappearing as quickly as he appeared.

‘I won’t be long.’ Nell said, following the postman outside.

Nell and Nathan crunched through the snow in their boots, pulling a giggling Jacob behind them on his sledge. The Waterfront pub was situated at the far end of the marina and was a place Ollie and Nell would often frequent on a Friday night.

Nathan abruptly stopped outside the Old Picture House. He mustered a smile, ‘Well, that’s that, then. The place has finally gone up for sale.’ They both stared up at the for sale sign.

‘It’s so sad,’ Nell’s voice suddenly wobbled. ‘Guy mentioned it would probably be knocked down and no doubt houses built in its place.’

‘Guy?’

‘Ed’s brother, he’s come over from Ireland to help out at the Boathouse while Ed recovers from his operation.’

‘Ah, Bea did mention something about him yesterday, and you know what, unfortunately he’s probably right.’

Nell’s heart plummeted; she could still visualise herself as a child sat next to her dad in the bucket seats with her legs dangling towards the floor, then years later cuddled up with Ollie waiting for the lights to dim so she could pinch a fizzy cola bottle from his pick ‘n mix.

Nell drew in a deep breath and her heart twisted. ‘Ollie would be devastated to see this place demolished, especially for houses.’

Nathan draped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a quick squeeze before they carried on walking towards the pub, ‘I miss him too you know.’

Nell nodded, ‘I know.’

‘Especially yesterday. I knew what day it was and that’s why I took myself off to the motorbike convention. I wanted to do something that we enjoyed doing together. It made me feel a little bit closer to him. Does that sound daft?’

‘Not at all.’

‘How did you cope with yesterday?’

‘Actually, quite well. Time does make things a little easier. It’s nice to actually talk about him without bursting into tears. I’ve come a long way.’

‘I’m glad,’ Nathan smiled at her.

‘Right, here’s my stop.’

Nell swung around towards Jacob, ‘You have a good day at school, young man, and tell Mrs Smith I think it’s time I had a new painting for my fridge,’ she gave him the thumbs-up.

‘I’m on it, Aunty Nellie. I’ll draw you a picture of Oreo.’

Nell raised her eyebrow, then glanced towards Nathan, ‘Who’s Oreo?’

‘I’ve no idea … Jacob?’

‘One of Gilly’s kittens, but Mummy said I’ve got to keep it a secret from …’ Jacob cupped his hand to his mouth and gasped.

‘Daddy,’ Nathan interrupted.

‘Mummy said if we convinced you it was your idea, it was a no-brainer,’ he scratched his head, not quite understanding what the word meant, ‘We could have one of the kittens.’

‘Did she now?’

‘Am I in trouble?’

Nathan grinned, ‘No, not at all, but hopefully the name is negotiable.’

‘Good call,’ Nell whispered to Nathan before waving her hand in the air and disappearing up the steps of the pub to collect the milk.

When Nell returned to The Melting Pot, Bea was huddled over the computer in the corner of the office, shuffling various bits of paper and staring at the screen.

‘Just checking the emails before we open up, and shifting through this post.’

‘Anything interesting?’

‘No, just the usual new suppliers offering deals of various produce, but I’d rather stick with the devils we know.’

‘Absolutely, Mark from The Waterfront said not to worry about the milk, no doubt one day you will return the favour.’

‘That’s lovely of him and, yes, of course I will.’

Nell shivered, ‘At least it’s warmer in here than out there today. She shrugged off her coat and hung it over the chair. ‘I’ve got a feeling we may be a little busy today. There won’t be many boats moving in that icy water.’

‘I think you may be right,’ Bea answered, flicking the cursor up and down the screen.

‘Erm, is that a bacon bap you’re secretly scoffing in the corner? What happened to let’s eat sensibly after Christmas?’ Nell mused, putting the milk in the fridge.

Bea grinned before taking another generous mouthful, the brown sauce oozing all over her plate.

‘Busted! But, my God, I needed that! I feel hungry all the time. I’m blaming the weather. How can anyone think about eating lettuce leaves and dieting at this time of year? I need comfort food, good old stodge.’

‘Summer bodies are made in winter you know,’ Nell laughed, ‘And where’s mine?’

‘Bottom oven and there’s a mug of tea for you over there.’

‘Superstar,’ Nell plonked herself in the chair opposite Bea and glanced up at the clock, ‘Another fifteen minutes until we open.’

‘Listen out for the oven timer, there’s sausage rolls in the bottom oven and scones in the top.’

Nell nodded and began to devour her sandwich. ‘You didn’t fill me in on yesterday, what happened to the dog?’ Bea said looking up from the computer and meeting Nell’s gaze.

‘Somehow, Sam managed to get himself all the way over to the boat moored right at the back of the marina.’

‘I noticed that boat the other day. It’s not a regular, is it? What’s its name?’

‘If I remember rightly, ‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ I’ve not seen it before and, come to think of it, haven’t seen any movement on it either. I’d say it’s been here a few days max.’

‘And it won’t be going anywhere soon in this weather. Did you manage to coax Sam back on to the rowing boat okay?’

‘After a little persuasion. It didn’t help with Guy, who happens to be scared stiff of water, being rooted to the spot.’

‘What’s the story there, then?’

‘A near-death experience with water when he was a kid. God knows how’s he’s going to manage the boatyard!’ Nell chuckled.

Hearing the tinkle of the bell above the shop door they both quickly glanced at the clock.

‘It’s not time yet, we’ve another five minutes.’ Nell said, taking another swift bite of her sandwich before standing up.

‘Shop.’ They heard a voice shout. ‘Anyone there?’

‘I recognise that voice,’ Nell whispered, ‘It’s Guy.’

‘Gorgeous Guy?’ Bea said, while Nell rolled her eyes at her.

‘I don’t mind dragging my weary body off the chair to serve him,’ Bea grinned, scraping her seat back.

‘You stay there, I’ll go!’

‘Not a chance!’

Bea noticed Nell taking a tentative look in the mirror before smoothing down her hair and following her on to the shop floor.

‘Good morning,’ Bea sang with Nell looking over her shoulder.

Guy’s face beamed back at them both. There was no denying he was looking very handsome standing on the other side of the counter with his tousled hair, slight stubble and dressed in a pair of olive-green overalls.

‘Tom Cruise eat your heart out – all that’s missing is the shades,’ Bea muttered under her breath.

‘Good morning to the pair of you.’