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

‘We are here, safe and sound.’

Guy’s eyes met with Nell’s.

‘Phew,’ he said as she tied up the boat, then held out her hand towards Guy.

‘Let’s get you off this boat and on to dry land.’

‘Yes captain,’ he answered, relieved.

As he placed his hand in hers, Nell felt him tense up, then he slid one foot in front of the other and slowly manoeuvred his way off the boat. Once his feet were firmly on the ground he heaved a huge sigh of relief. Sam trotted happily off the boat behind him.

‘Are you okay?’ asked Nell gently.

‘I feel an idiot, but I am now I’m back on dry land,’ he laughed nervously, ‘Even though I still feel like I’m swaying!’ He gripped on to the railings, steadied himself and began to take deep breaths before exhaling sharply.

‘You’re not going to have a panic attack on me, are you?’

He shook his head warily. ‘I think I’m ready to move.’

‘Good,’ Nell answered, seeing a slight smile spread across Guy’s face. She couldn’t help but beam at Sam, who sat patiently at the side of Guy, his tail thumping on the ground.

‘You go first.’

Guy bent down and began to squeeze back through the railings, pulling Sam behind him.

‘Do you fancy a …?’

Before Nell could finish her sentence, Guy gave her a mischievous grin over his shoulder then cocked an eyebrow.

‘I was going to say coffee,’ she declared, feeling her face turn a dark shade of crimson.

‘Of course you were,’ he beamed, standing up and poking his hand back over the top of the railings.

‘I was!’ protested Nell, knowing a huge smile had crept across her face.

‘You protest too much,’ he teased.

‘I see you’re already on top form,’ Nell joked, placing her hand on top of the railing and deciding to hurl herself over the top. As she swung her leg over, Guy firmly gripped her arm to help steady her.

‘Thank you,’ she said, flashing a grateful smile. Her heart swelled at how gorgeous he was.

‘I was only teasing you, you know.’ He nudged her jokingly in the ribs.

‘I know! Anyway, how are you feeling now?’

‘A little light-headed and a right wimp, if I’m honest,’ he muttered embarrassedly.

‘Don’t be daft. For the first time in years you’ve been back on the water, you’re bound to feel panicky. How about that coffee to steady your nerves?’

Guy flicked his eyes between Sam and the ‘Nollie’. His smile faded slightly and Nell sensed his hesitation.

‘I know it’s another boat, but it’s a different type of boat, very steady. You won’t even feel like you’re on water. You can sit in your life jacket if that helps.’

‘Oh very funny!’ he cocked his head with the most gorgeous smile.

Nell had instantly warmed towards Guy; he put her at ease and was easy to talk to. It was nice to have a little male company once more.

‘Do you need to be somewhere else?’ He glanced towards the deli.

‘Wait there a second.’

She quickly strolled towards the deli and spotted Bea cleaning the empty bread shelves behind the counter. She spun round when she heard the bell above the shop door tinkle.

‘Hello, you. Have you found him?’ she asked, with a worried look on her face.

Nell smiled and nodded. ‘All safe and sound. Somehow he’d managed to get himself stuck on a barge at the back of the marina. We borrowed Fred’s boat to rescue him.’

‘Thank God, even though it sounds like you’ve both been on quite an adventure.’

‘Do you need me? I was going to grab a quick coffee with Guy?’

Bea stole a look at the clock, ‘Let’s call it a day. You get off. It’s quiet now and if you need me later, just text.’

Nell smiled a grateful smile at her friend, ‘Will do, but I’m absolutely fine. See you in the morning.’

‘Here, take these,’ Bea scooped up a couple of cream doughnuts into a box, then slid them over the counter.

‘Me working here is no good for my diet, you know!’ she laughed, knowing full well that in the last six months the weight had begun to pile on.

‘You working here is no good for my profits either,’ she giggled, shooing Nell out of the shop, ‘Now go and enjoy your coffee.’

Nell closed the door behind her to find Guy waiting patiently outside and Sam lying at his feet.

‘I have to say, he does stink a little.’ Nell looked towards Sam, ‘Why don’t you hose him down while I nip on board and find some towels? He can dry off in front of the fire.’

‘Sounds like a plan,’ Guy said, sounding more cheerful than he did ten minutes ago.

‘The hose is just over there outside the shower block.’

‘Great, see you in five,’ he added cheerily, holding her gaze.

‘See you in five,’ Nell bit down on her lip to suppress her smile as she jumped on to the ‘Nollie’. What was it about that handsome Irish charmer that made her stomach flip so easily?

Once inside the cabin Nell placed some old towels on the rug in front of the fire. For a second, she watched Guy through the small porthole before placing the kettle on the gas and the cakes on the table.

A few minutes later, the latch lifted and his bright smile beamed around the door.

‘Is it okay to bring Sam inside?’

‘It is, come on in, he can sit by the fire.’

Guy stooped down and walked on to the boat with Sam following behind. He swung his head round and took in his surroundings. ‘Wow! Look at this place. It’s like a proper house inside,’ he said in amazement.

‘It is a proper house, just on the water!’ Nell exclaimed, laughing.

‘I have to admit, that’s the part I’m not keen on.’

‘Come on through, you’ll be surprised. There’s a kitchen and everything, all mod cons in here, you know.’

‘I’ve popped your life jacket back in the box.’

‘Great, thanks, and you know where it is if you ever need it again and thanks for the loan of your scarf,’ she said, handing it back to Guy.

‘I’ve no intention of ever needing a life jacket again in my lifetime, but thanks anyway,’ he grinned. ‘Do you know, this is the first time I’ve ever been inside a barge?’

‘I’m surprised you’ve taken over Ed’s job if you’re scared of water and never been inside a narrowboat,’ Nell mused, passing him a towel to dry off Sam, who was standing at Guy’s side and wafting his long snout in the air.

‘I surprised myself by accepting his offer but he promised me faithfully that all the boats that needed restoring and painting would be firmly on dry land inside the yard, but I am beginning to doubt he’s told me the whole truth.’ He rolled his eyes in jest.

Suddenly, Sam began to shake violently, spraying water everywhere.

‘Whoa! Sam stop,’ Guy commanded in a stern tone, quickly throwing a towel over his back and rubbing him down frantically. ‘I’m so sorry!’

Sam looked up with his dopey eyes, ‘How could anyone resist those puppy-dog eyes,’ Nell giggled, wiping away droplets from her face.

‘He has his moments. There, that’s better, he’s all done.’ Nell took the towel from Guy while they both watched Sam in amusement as he circled round and round, chasing his tail until he finally lay down in front of the burning embers of the fire.

‘Make yourself at home, why don’t you?’ Guy laughed.

‘He’s a gorgeous looking dog.’

‘But a bit scatty!’

Sam was now fully stretched out on the rug. ‘And definitely has bagged the best place on the boat.’

‘There’s something quite enchanting about a real fire,’ Guy said watching the flames crackle and burn.

‘There is. I do love this time of year. Take a seat,’ Nell gestured towards the bench, ‘Oh and welcome to the Nollie!’ she flung her arms open wide.