‘What do you mean?’
‘With the intention of selling it on to make a profit, or with the intention of trying to make a living out of it? What is your reasoning behind it?’
‘A romantic notion,’ she answered, as thoughts of Ollie flooded her mind.
‘I’m not sure a romantic notion is going to pay the bills.’ Guy’s eyebrows lifted a notch and he jolted Nell back to the here and now.
‘Ollie and I always talked about putting something back into the community, working on a project together and I think this it is. He wouldn’t want to see the place bulldozed for houses. That old place has history. I loved spending quality family time there, happy memories. Do you think it would be flattened for houses?’
‘That’s where the money is.’ Guy admitted reluctantly thinking about all the times his granddad had scanned the paper looking for opportunities, to renovate spare land to build new properties.
‘I can imagine,’ she took a breath, ‘but I want to turn back time, I want everyone flocking back to the Old Picture House for their first dates and creating memories like I have.’
‘I think I said my granddad was in the building trade and in my experience a plot like that has loads of potential but there will already be numerous interested parties. Someone may have already put in an offer.’
‘According to the paper, it’s up for auction.’
‘Okay, so that’s a little different.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Auctions are all about ready cash. Once the auction is won you usually have about fourteen days to complete the transaction, and you’ll have to take the property in whatever state it’s in. The local builders will have the means to snap up projects like this quite easily and the workforce to carry out any work.’
‘What if I had the ready cash?’
He held her gaze and from the look in her eyes knew she meant business.
‘Then I would say if you held your nerve at auction you would be in with a good chance of winning, depending on the reserve, your budget and the money needed to actually furnish it too.’
‘So, you’re saying I need the money to win the auction and then a little bit more.’
‘A hell of a lot more. Okay, if your bid was successful and you renovate the Old Picture House, what are you going to do with it then? Are you going to run it as a business, film museum? What’s the plan? Are you in it to make a profit? A project like this could cost you even more in the long run. The place closed down for a reason.’
So many questions. Guy sounded just like her mum now and Nell had to admit she hadn’t really thought that far in advance, but one thing she did know, she had fire in her belly and something was telling her to do this. Nell sucked in a breath, ‘It sounds all very expensive now you are throwing these types of scenarios at me,’ she said.
Guy placed his cup down on the table, ‘Hey, I’m not trying to put a dampener on it all.’
‘Like my mother,’ she interrupted and couldn’t get her head round why her mum was so dismissive of the idea.
‘All I’m saying is don’t go into this with your eyes shut. It will be a hell of a lot of money to lose if it doesn’t go to plan and I’ve spent a lot of time with my granddad and have seen many a project unfinished due to lack of funds.’
Nell’s eyes began to prick with tears and she came over all emotional, ‘I think I was dreaming there for a minute,’ a tear rolled down her cheek.
‘Hey, don’t knock dreams. Anyone’s dreams can come true; you have to believe in yourself.’ Guy caught Nell’s eye. ‘You have to budget for costs that you may never have even thought of. Here,’ he fished inside his pocket and handed her a tissue.
‘Thank you,’ she said dabbing her eyes. ‘I just feel I have to do this. Something in Ollie’s memory.’
Nell hadn’t really thought about the whole project in that much depth. She’d on many occasions watched re-runs of Homes Under the Hammer on a Saturday afternoon and admired anyone who took on a mammoth task of knocking down and building houses. She cast her mind back to her childhood and remembered the stress of her parents replacing their kitchen. But surely this project would be different: she wouldn’t be living in it, she could manage everything from the safe haven of the ‘Nollie’.
Guy smiled then nodded encouragingly, ‘It’s definitely achievable, but do your homework first.’
Nell knew Guy was right. When Bea had taken over the deli everything had gone wrong initially. The boiler had packed in, the ovens were on their last legs, the roof had leaked and the whole place had needed bringing into this century. But she had done it, and she had an amazing business now.
‘So …’ she smiled over at Guy, ‘Your granddad, did he have his own construction business?’
Guy nodded, ‘He was a very successful, very reputable man over in Ireland. He never had to advertise, all his work came about by word of mouth. Back in the day, he gave me a Saturday job: I was his lackey, at his beck and call,’ he smiled, ‘the tea boy.’
‘You have to start at the bottom,’ Nell chipped in.
‘That’s exactly what he said! But I loved working alongside him and had visions of Cornish and Sons becoming a building phenomenon. I loved the dirt on my hands, the muck in my hair, working outside in the fresh air.’
‘But you became a suit? Stiff collars and ties.’
‘I did,’ he rolled his eyes, ‘but that’s a story for another day.’
Nell didn’t press him any further, but peered up at Guy through her fringe and grinned, ‘So you like getting your hands dirty?’
‘I do,’ his eyes danced playfully. ‘What is going on in that little mind of yours, Nell Andrews?’ he gave her a lopsided grin that sent her heart into a spin.
‘Maybe you could help me, guide me and point me in the right direction. If I decided to go ahead with the picture house?’
‘I suppose I could be your right-hand man.’
‘Would you? Are you absolutely sure?’ she spluttered happily.
‘One hundred per cent. I’m already quite excited about the project, but that auction needs to be won first. And you need to think seriously about your plans for the place.’
Nell didn’t know exactly what that entailed but she like the thought of Guy being her right- hand man, guiding her through the project. She liked the thought of spending more time with him, full stop.
‘The more I think about it the more excited I am about the whole thing.’
‘Have you any other plans for tonight? We could talk figures, come up with some ideas.’ He gave her a cheeky smile.
Nell felt her cheeks flush a little as she held his gaze.
‘My only plans tonight involved a bottle of wine and then I’d probably curl up with a book. I know … I sound so old!’
‘I can open a bottle. I owe you one of those,’ he stood up waiting for Nell to answer, ‘and maybe a take-away. I’ve not eaten yet.’
Nell nodded, ‘That sounds perfect and an offer I can’t refuse, but as long as you don’t mind me gate-crashing your Friday night.’
They both stared at Sam, who was lying flat out on the sheepskin rug.
‘Look at him, he’s not going to be much company, you win hands down,’ Guy softened his words, ‘Even if you are bending my ear about properties.’
Nell felt her whole body prickle with goose bumps. She’d begun to feel alive again, something she hadn’t felt for a long time. And thanks to Guy Cornish she couldn’t think of a better place she’d rather be at this moment in time.
Chapter 8
Nell watched Guy disappear into the kitchen and glanced at her mobile phone screen, which lit up with Bea’s name.
She swiped the screen to read a text, ‘Fancy a girls’ night at mine tomorrow. You know you want to!’
Nell smiled at Bea’s playful goading. ‘Absolutely! See you tomorrow,’ she replied.
Nell heard two glasses clonk on the kitchen table and the fridge door open, then a couple of seconds later
Guy appeared in the doorway holding the wine, ‘Pinot?’
‘My favourite, thank you.’
Guy gave Nell a soft smile as he poured them both a glass.
‘I hope you don’t mind but I’ve made myself comfortable near the fire.’ Nell was sitting on the rug next to the wood-burner with her legs stretched out before her.
‘I don’t mind at all, curry or Chinese?’ He asked handing the menus to Nell before poking the embers and adding more logs to the fire. He settled on the floor opposite Nell.
‘Chinese – this is a lovely one and it delivers,’ she thumbed the menu.
Guy phoned the order through and they chatted about anything and everything while waiting for the food to arrive. It didn’t take long to be delivered and Guy scooted to the door and returned clutching a bulging white carrier bag that smelt delicious.
‘Well, this is the moment of truth,’ Guy grinned, plating up the food.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Let’s see if this is as good as the Chinese back home.’
He gave a low whistle, ‘Actually, not bad,’ he nodded with approval while taking another mouthful.
‘I told you it was good!’
Just at that moment, a buzzing noise forced them both to glance towards the sideboard, where Guy’s phone was vibrating. He placed his knife and fork on the plate and wandered across to answer it.
For a brief moment, he stared at the screen. Nell wasn’t actually sure if he was going to answer the call, but after a couple more rings he cleared his throat and swiped the screen.
‘Yes,’ he said rather abruptly, which took Nell a little by surprise. She noticed he shifted uneasily from one foot to another before snorting quietly under his breath listening to the caller and looking agitated. Nell studied his profile. She couldn’t deny, with his dark hair and hazel eyes he was looking very handsome standing there in his grey lounge pants and tight-fitting white t-shirt.
He caught Nell’s eye, then looked away.
‘I’m not getting into a conversation about this now, I have company.’
Nell had no idea who the other person was on the other end of the line but Guy couldn’t seem to get rid of them fast enough.
‘Enjoy your trip.’ His voice was flat and he ended the call sharply, then crouched back down opposite Nell to finish his food.
‘You okay? That sounded a little fraught.’
For the first time this evening Guy was silent. Nell continued to eat her food and waited for him to speak.
‘Just work issues,’ he mumbled.
Nell shot him a quizzical look. ‘Any work issues in particular?’
‘Nothing I want to worry you about.’
‘Do you need to go back home?’
‘Maybe,’ he said.
Nell pressed her lips together and felt her insides suddenly tremble. She wasn’t sure why, but she didn’t like the thought of Guy returning to Ireland any time soon. She was already used to him hanging around Little Rock Marina; it felt as if he’d always been here, part of the furniture.
They both sat silently for a moment while they finished their food. Sam was still stretched out fast asleep.
‘Do you like living in Ireland. It’s a place I’ve never visited,’ asked Nell bracingly. A surge of emotion ran through her body.
‘That’s where my home and job is.’
‘You never answered the question,’ she said tentatively, ‘You seem to lose that spark in your eyes when you talk about work. Are you happy in your job?’
His shoulders slumped and he shrugged, ‘It pays the bills.’
‘If you’re not enjoying something, just change it.’
‘Ever thought of becoming a counsellor, an agony aunt?’ he said, laughing. ‘If you’re not enjoying something, just change it.’ He mimicked Nell’s words.
Gazing up at him, he was grinning at her, ‘Are you making fun of me?’ She swiped his leg playfully, ‘I was only saying!’
‘Sometimes you just get stuck in a rut.’
Nell scrunched her face up, ‘I know that feeling. For the last couple of years, I’ve felt like I’ve been stuck in the same routine and existed on a day-to-day basis but I’ve finally come out the other side. Only you can change it.’
‘I know, I know, maybe I’ve had no reason to change it before.’
Nell could feel his eyes clamped on her. She sipped her wine to hide her smile. Was he flirting with her? She was sure he was flirting with her. Nell was conscious of her heart pounding.
‘What’s stopping you from staying?’
‘A home, a job.’
Nell could see Guy’s point. ‘If you’re enjoying it here, surely Ed would have enough work for you at the boatyard and, look at this place, he’s not going to kick you out of here in a hurry.’
‘He’s already agreed to rent this place out, in principle, to a young couple who are moving into the area.’
‘Oh,’ Nell replied.
‘Anyway, let’s change the subject. The last thing I want to be doing is talking about my boring job.’
‘So what shall we talk about?’
‘You know that boat? There’s something strange about it,’ said Guy, standing up and piling the plates on top of each other.
‘Which boat?’ Nell quizzed.
‘The one that Sam was stuck on. What was it called again?’
Nell racked her brains for a second, ‘Much Ado About Nothing,’ she recalled.
‘When I took Sam for a walk after work he was standing on the edge of the jetty and barking towards it.’
‘He’d probably spotted a bird or something?’
‘Maybe, but I had to yank him away.’ Guy stood up, ‘I’ll clear these plates away.’ He gathered them up and then hovered in the doorway, ‘This is what I actually miss,’ he said locking eyes with Nell.
Nell tilted her head, ‘Miss?’
‘Proper adult conversation,’ he said, before turning around and disappearing towards the kitchen.
Nell acknowledged what he was saying. For the past couple of years, she’d missed her late-night chats with Ollie, grabbing a take-away whenever the mood suited and drinking a bottle of wine together.
‘Sat here with you, it just feels natural. I feel relaxed for the first time in a long time,’ Guy admitted, walking back into the room and settling back down. ‘More wine?’ he asked holding up the bottle.
‘That’ll be lovely.’
‘If you want, why don’t we book an appointment to view the Old Picture House? At least then I can have a look around and give you some idea of how much you may need to spend? I used to quote for the majority of Granddad’s jobs.’
‘Would you do that for me?’
‘Of course. Like I said, I’ll be your right-hand man,’ he smiled.
Nell felt a bubble of happiness rise inside.
‘Let’s book an appointment for next week.’
‘Leave it with me,’ Guy said, opening the door to the dresser and handing her a pile of DVDs. ‘Fancy watching one of these?’
She glanced at the films, ‘You like chic flicks?’
He laughed, ‘I found them in here this morning but I’m prepared to give one a go if it means …’
Nell met his gaze, ‘If it means …?’
‘You’ll stay a bit longer,’ he said slowly.
Nell chewed on her lip for a second, ‘Notting Hill it is, then. Guy Cornish, prepare yourself. You’re going to love this.’
‘What have I let myself in for?’ he grinned, inserting the DVD into the machine. When Guy turned round Nell had plumped up the cushions and made herself comfy on the rug. He settled next to her. Gently his fingers reached for hers. Her eyes sparkled as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and she nestled into his chest.
‘You okay?’ he said softly.
‘More than okay,’ she replied contently, feeling happiness for the first time in a long time.
Chapter 9
Bea scraped her hair back into an untidy ponytai
l and bent her head over the toilet. She’d lost count of how many times she’d thrown up in the last couple of hours alone.
Last night she’d spent the evening curled up on the settee with a bowl balanced on her lap. She’d felt sorry for Nathan, who’d pulled out all the stops and taken care of dinner.
But as soon as Nathan had placed the food on the table her senses had gone into overdrive and her body had surged with instant nausea. She’d pushed her chair back and raced to the bathroom, leaving a bewildered Nathan sitting at the dinner table all by himself.
It was six o’clock in the morning when Nathan knocked on the bathroom door. ‘Have you been in here all night? I’ve just woken up and you were gone,’ he asked, poking his head around the bathroom door.
‘I hope I didn’t keep you awake last night.’
‘Slept like a log, but I’m assuming that’s not what you want to hear,’ he smiled warmly towards his wife.
‘Yes, I’ve been here all night.’ She answered, barely able to keep her eyes open. Bea’s face was ghastly white; she was on the verge of tears and already at her wits’ end.
‘I’m not sure how much more I can take of this. I think I’m here for the foreseeable,’ she whimpered wearily. ‘I’m already fed up of this pregnancy lark.’ She wiped her mouth with a tissue then heaved a sigh.
‘Can I get you anything? A cup of tea, maybe?’
Bea shook her head. She’d gone right off tea and couldn’t stomach the thought of it.
‘Have we got any ginger biscuits? I need to try and nibble at something and maybe some iced water.’
‘I’ll have a look,’ he answered, disappearing on to the landing.
‘Nathan,’ she shouted, who promptly appeared again, ‘The deli … I’m not sure I can manage it today, or maybe I could mid-afternoon if this sickness subsides a little. Could you possibly go and begin the baking?’
Nathan raised his eyes, ‘Me in a kitchen? I’m not really into baking, Bea.’
‘Time of need, Nathan. Nancy and Isabel work on a Saturday, they’ll cover the tables and take the orders. Don’t worry, it won’t be that hard. Text Nell. I bet she’s up. She’ll give you a hand or go and knock on the ‘Nollie’s’ door.’ His face look terrified, ‘I’m fed up of this pregnancy lark too.’
The Cosy Canal Boat Dream: A funny, feel-good romantic comedy you won’t be able to put down! Page 7
