The Cosy Canal Boat Dream. Christie Barlow

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.

       Chapter 4

      ‘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.

      ‘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.