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

by Christie Barlow

  Bea’s relationship with her mum had always been a challenging one. Bea’s talent lay in a passion for cooking, but her parents frowned upon her career choice, her mother’s words still rang in her ears, ‘You want to go to catering college? Don’t be ridiculous. When has cooking ever paid the bills? You need to get yourself an office job, something in admin. That would pay you a decent wage.’

  Bea had pretended to land a job in an office but had actually attended catering college for two years while supporting herself with a bar job in the evening.

  Bea had hoped that once her father had died and Jacob was born that her mother might have mellowed a little, but she never had. Bea could never do anything right in her eyes.

  It had all come to a head four years ago, a night she’d tried to block from her mind.

  Nathan interrupted her thoughts, ‘Yes, Nell can look after Jacob, she said it would be her pleasure,’ he said popping his head around the door and giving Bea a smile. ‘Come on, you need to get up.’

  ‘I know,’ she said, finally throwing back the duvet and heaving herself out of bed.

  ‘How you feeling? Any sickness?’

  She shook her head, ‘None, I’m actually feeling quite human this morning.’

  ‘That’s good to hear. You jump in the shower and I’ll make Jacob his breakfast.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘And Bea, don’t worry about tonight, just say goodbye, do what you have to do and tomorrow we can put all this behind us once more.’

  Nathan put his arms out and Bea fell into them.

  ‘Just for the record, Bea Green, no one will ever hurt my family again.’

  ‘And just for the record, Nathan Green, I love you more than life itself.’

  ‘You too, now best foot forward and pin a smile on that beautiful face. We have each other and that’s all that matters.’

  Chapter 26

  Standing on the driveway and looking up at 1970s semi-detached house on the corner of Heath Road, Bea felt as if she’d never lived there, her life had moved on so much. Nathan put his arm around his wife’s shoulder and squeezed her tight, ‘You ready?’

  She nodded and pushed open the garden gate. ‘I think so,’ she said, her voice shaky. The upstairs curtains were drawn, but Bea spotted a movement in the downstairs living room. Taking a deep breath she knocked on the door and waited. Her heart was pounding as she heard footsteps echoing down the hallway.

  They were greeted by a nurse, ‘Hello, can I help you?’ she asked politely.

  ‘Hi,’ Bea said, swallowing down a lump, ‘I’m Bea, Dot’s daughter.’ The nurse dipped her head in acknowledgement and opened the door wide. ‘And I’m Claudia. Pleased to meet you.’

  Nathan and Bea stepped into the hallway.

  ‘How is she?’ Bea asked.

  ‘There’s not much time left,’ answered Claudia softly. ‘She’s becoming weaker by the second.’

  ‘Is anyone else here?’ Bea asked, glancing towards the living room.

  The nurse shook her head, ‘No, just me. Your sister normally arrives just after seven,’ she replied, glancing at her watch, ‘There’s another half hour or so until she’s due.’

  The relief surged through Bea’s body.

  ‘Do you want to go up and see her?’ Claudia hovered at the bottom of the stairs and Bea locked eyes with Nathan.

  ‘Do you want me to come with you?’ asked Nathan.

  ‘Will you wait outside the room and give me five minutes?’

  ‘Of course,’ he nodded.

  Bea wearily climbed the stairs, grasped the door handle and kissed Nathan on the cheek before slowly pushing it open. The curtains were drawn and the lighting was low. Bea gazed at her mother lying in the bed. She looked so frail, so old, a shell of the person she remembered. Her breathing was laboured, the rasp echoing around the room. The pungent smell hit Bea as she perched on the chair at the side of her bed. Her mother lay still, her mouth opened and closed but her eyes were shut.

  Claudia appeared behind her, ‘The yawning is usual. It’s a natural response to draw in more oxygen.’

  Bea nodded, she hadn’t known what to expect. She watched as Claudia checked her pulse and wiped her brow.

  ‘Hold her hand, talk to her, she’ll know you are here.’

  She said softly, resting her hand on Bea’s shoulder. ‘Can I get you anything?’

  Bea shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears. How had it ever come to this?

  ‘Keep her lips moist,’ she said, handing Bea a damp cloth, ‘She may feel a little cold too.’

  Bea nodded and gently grasped her mother’s hand, the tears now gently rolling down her cheeks.

  ‘I’ll leave you for a moment.’

  ‘Thank you,’ replied Bea, her voice barely a whisper. She watched as Claudia left the room.

  ‘Mum it’s me, Bea,’ her voice wavered.

  Bea thought she felt a slight squeeze of her hand. ‘Can you hear me?’

  Suddenly, Bea was alarmed by the rattling noise in the back of her throat. She clasped both hands around her mum’s, ‘I do love you, you know,’ she said softly, following Claudia’s lead and dabbing her lips with the damp cloth.

  ‘Nat, are you there?’

  ‘Yes,’ he answered, walking into the room and crouching by Bea’s side.

  ‘I can feel her slipping away.’ Bea sobbed quietly. ‘Will you go and bring Claudia?’

  He squeezed his wife’s shoulder and left the room.

  Bea held her mother’s hand tightly as she gave a long out-breath followed by another intake of breath a few seconds later.

  ‘No, don’t go,’ wept Bea, ‘Please don’t go.’

  Bea looked up to see Claudia and Nathan hurrying back into the room.

  ‘I think she’s gone.’

  Claudia checked her pulse, ‘I’m so sorry.’

  The tears continued to fall down Bea’s cheeks as Nathan wrapped his arms around his wife.

  Chapter 27

  Nell sat huddled on the ‘Nollie’, playing a game of snakes and ladders with Jacob.

  ‘Whoosh, down the ladder again, Aunty Nellie!’ Jacob giggled once more.

  ‘It’s not my day today, is it?’ she grinned, as Jacob threw a six and landed on the final square.

  ‘I’ve won! I’ve won!’

  Nell ruffled his hair, ‘You certainly have. How about a jammy dodger to celebrate?’

  ‘Yes please!’

  Nell heard a soft laugh behind her. She spun round to see Guy standing in the doorway, ‘What’s all the commotion?’ he smiled.

  ‘Jacob here, has beaten me at snakes and ladders … again!’

  ‘Well done! Can I come in?’

  ‘Of course,’ Nell smiled, ‘No Sam?’

  Guy shook his head, ‘He’s keeping Ed company. I left my phone at work and just nipped back to get it.’

  ‘Cup of tea?’ Nell asked, filling up the kettle.

  ‘If you have time?’

  Nell smiled, ‘Oh and a jammy dodger,’ she said, sliding the plate of biscuits on to the table.

  Guy sat down next to Jacob, while he was already chomping through his first biscuit.

  ‘I’ve just seen Lloyd,’ Guy said, taking a mug of tea from Nell. ‘He was standing outside the Old Picture House.’

  ‘Did you speak to him?’

  Guy shook his head, ‘No, he didn’t see me.’

  ‘I was thinking about having another chat with him about his contacts. I’m quite intrigued by his wife being an actress and his links to this place. He didn’t actually say why he was back in the area.’

  ‘Good idea. How does he get to his side of the marina?’

  ‘I noticed a small boat floating at the back of his boat or he could walk the long way round.’

  Guy nodded.

  ‘Was that nice?’ Nell turned her attention back to Jacob, whose hand was hovering over the biscuit plate once more.

  ‘I think I need another one, Aunty Nellie, so I can make my min
d up!’

  The two of them exchanged mischievous grins.

  ‘You, Jacob Green, are a little rascal,’ she wagged her finger at him in jest.

  ‘What do you think, Guy? Is he allowed another one?’

  ‘I think so, he’s a growing boy,’ grinned Guy, while Jacob high-fived him. ‘So, what are you doing here, little man?’ Guy asked him as he moved the counters on the board back to the beginning.

  ‘Just spending time with his Aunty Nellie,’ Nell answered, while checking the message that had just landed on her phone.

  Nell stared at the screen and Guy noticed she looked a little alarmed.

  ‘You okay?’

  She nodded, then looked towards Guy,

  ‘Jacob, would you nip into the bedroom?’ she asked ‘And fetch my handbag?’

  He saluted and trundled off in the direction of the bedroom.

  ‘What’s up?’

  ‘It’s Bea’s mum,’ said Nell, keeping her voice to a whisper, ‘She’s passed away this evening.’

  ‘I’m sorry to hear that.’

  ‘They haven’t spoken for a few years, but it’s hard for her. Jacob doesn’t know, but she’s on her way over to collect him and I think she’s in need of a strong drink … only she’s pregnant.’

  ‘Would it help if I take him over to the yard for half an hour? Give you some space?’

  ‘Would you mind?’ asked Nell, feeling thankful that Guy had offered.

  Guy shook his head, ‘Not at all, I’ve even spotted a couple of fishing rods in the office at the yard. We can have a look at those.’

  ‘Thanks Guy,’ she touched his arm affectionately.

  ‘Right, young man, would you like to go and check out a couple of fishing rods at the yard with Guy for twenty minutes?’

  Jacob’s eyes grew wide, ‘Would I ever!’ he squealed, grabbing his coat and stuffing another jammy dodger in his pocket.

  ‘I saw that, Jacob Green!’

  Nell watched them stride up the wharf and out of view. She thought to herself how quickly Guy had slotted into her life and how much she loved his company. Offering to look after Jacob was such a kind thing to do and she trusted him implicitly. She switched the kettle back on and ten minutes later she heard footsteps echoing up the jetty.

  Nell looked up to see a tear-stained face peering around the door.

  ‘Oh Bea, I am so sorry.’ Nell flung out her arms and wrapped them around her friend.

  ‘I never thought my day would turn out like this,’ she forced a smile through her tears and sat down.

  ‘You okay, Nathan?’ asked Nell, pressing a swift kiss to his cheek. He slid off his coat and scooted on to the bench next to Bea.

  ‘Yes, I’m fine,’ he said softly.

  ‘Cuppa?’

  They both nodded, ‘Where’s Jacob?’ asked Bea, spinning her head around the ‘Nollie’.

  ‘Guy’s showing him a couple of fishing rods over at the yard. Hope that’s alright?’

  Bea nodded, ‘I’ve no idea what to tell him.’ Her lips began to wobble and she stared at her handbag, twisting the strap, then sighed.

  Nell’s heart went out to her.

  ‘Do you want to talk about it?’

  Bea paused for a second and Nathan slid his arm around his wife’s shoulders and squeezed her.

  She took a deep breath and met Nell’s gaze, ‘Oh, Nell, it was awful, it was so sad.’

  Her eyes brimmed with tears.

  Nell placed a cup of tea in front of them both and sat down next to them.

  ‘I’ll be honest, I don’t know what I was expecting.’ She took a breath. Bea sniffled and Nell passed her a tissue.

  ‘Our relationship was always challenging, but it didn’t mean I didn’t love her. We just didn’t have that close a relationship.’

  Nell felt sorry for Bea. Her own relationship with her mum was one of friendship, they enjoyed shopping trips and lunches together but she knew Bea had always longed for the same, but it just wasn’t there.

  Nathan squeezed his wife’s hand, ‘But you were there at the end.’

  ‘I was – we were.’

  ‘Did she know you were there?’ Nell asked tentatively.

  Bea look up at Nathan, ‘I think so, but it was hard to tell. I thought she’d squeezed my hand, but she couldn’t speak or open her eyes.’

  ‘I’m sure she would have known.’

  Bea nodded, ‘I am glad I was there – it was just difficult. I never got to say what I really wanted to say or try and put the situation right.’

  ‘You did put it right – you went to say your goodbyes. Did you see Fern?’

  Bea shook her head, ‘The nurse said she was due any moment, but I didn’t want to hang around. The last time I saw her she was …’ Bea winced, ‘She was bawling at us through the window all those years ago. I knew we shouldn’t have gone out that night. I didn’t want to go out that night,’ she turned towards Nathan.

  ‘I know, but it’s done now,’ he said, ‘We can’t turn back time.’

  ‘That night still seems so surreal,’ Bea said as she wiped a tear from her eyes.

  ‘I’m not sure how anyone could leave a child like that to cry, let alone her own nephew’ Nell said softly, remembering how distraught Bea had been at the time.

  ‘I think we all felt the same,’ replied Nathan. ‘It was one thing leaving Jacob to cry like she did, but for Fern’s boyfriend to bawl after us like that. He’s a bastard child because we weren’t married. And Fern did nothing!’

  Bea shuddered, ‘And for Mum to stand there and do nothing too. He was a child, for God’s sake. He wasn’t being naughty, he just needed a cuddle. I trusted them to look after Jacob. How could I have ever left him with them again, if that’s what they thought of him?’ Bea blurted, the hurt still visible on her face.

  ‘We couldn’t, we made the right decision to walk away from them.’

  For a moment everyone was silent and sipped their tea, ‘What about the funeral? Are you going to go?’ asked Nell.

  Bea flicked her eyes between the pair of them, ‘I’ve no idea. I’ve not given it a second thought yet or what are we are going to tell Jacob. Do we even need to tell him?’

  Nell glanced through the window and spotted Guy and Jacob strolling up the wharf hand in hand. Jacob was hanging on every word Guy was saying, with a huge smile on his face. Guy looked a natural with him. He oozed charisma, his manner was gentle and he would definitely make a good father one day, Nell thought to herself.

  ‘They’re coming now,’ Nell nodded towards the porthole as Nathan and Bea peered through it.

  ‘I’ll nip to the bathroom and clean up my face.’ Bea swiftly stood up and disappeared towards the bathroom.

  ‘Let’s not say anything in front of Jacob.’

  Nell nodded, acknowledging Nathan’s request.

  ‘Daddy,’ Jacob burst through the door, ‘I’ve had the best time.’

  ‘Glad to hear it.’

  ‘What have you been up to?’ Bea reappeared from the bathroom.

  ‘I beat Aunty Nellie at snakes and ladders and then Guy showed me the fishing rods at the yard. They were taller than me!’

  Guy clapped Jacob on his back, ‘I’ve got a feeling this one is going to be a natural fisherman one day,’ he grinned.

  ‘I think Guy may be right,’ laughed Nathan, ‘Looks like I might need to get myself a pair of wellies.’

  Nell took a moment and watched the banter between her friends. Nell had no idea how anyone could ever think of hurting Jacob – it was unforgiveable as far as she was concerned.

  Guy sat down at the table and Jacob slid on to his knee. Guy looked up and caught Nell’s eye.

  ‘You alright?’ he mouthed at her.

  ‘More than,’ she replied warmly.

  ‘Glad to hear it.’ His eyes sparkled at her and suddenly Nell felt a huge rush of affection towards him. Without question Guy had stepped up the mark tonight and Nell couldn’t thank him enough. Guy was becoming a huge
part of her life, in fact it was safe to say she didn’t want him going back to Ireland any day soon, if at all.

  ‘Right, Jacob Green, I think it’s time to get you home and bathed before bed.’

  ‘Aww,’ he protested and wrapped his arms around Nell’s neck.

  ‘I’ll see you very soon,’ she said, before turning towards Bea, ‘And you ring me if you need anything.’

  ‘I will, I promise, and thanks for having Jacob and thank you Guy. We’ll miss you when you leave us.’

  ‘Leave you?’

  ‘When you go back to Ireland.’

  ‘I might just stick around. I’m getting used to this place, it certainly has its attractions,’ he smiled at Nell, who felt herself blush a little.

  ‘That’s good to hear.’ she said.

  Two minutes later, Nell and Guy watched Nathan and Bea walking up the towpath, swinging Jacob between them.

  ‘What a lovely family,’ Guy said.

  ‘They are indeed,’ replied Nell, placing the empty plates and mugs into the sink.

  ‘Have you ever thought about having a family?’ Guy looked up at her.

  ‘I always thought I’d have a couple of kids by now, but then when Ollie passed it just wasn’t an option.’

  ‘And now?’

  ‘And now I’ve realised that time moves on and one day I’d love to be a mother.’ She sat down next to Guy.

  ‘I’ve seen how you are with Jacob and you, Nell Andrews, will make the most fantastic mother one day.’

  ‘What about you? I saw the way you were with Jacob too, such a natural.’

  ‘I’ve always wanted a family, kids, grandkids, and the more the merrier. I’ll always cherish the relationship I have with my parents and grandparents,’ Guy answered quite honestly.

  ‘You, without a doubt, would make a fantastic dad.’

  ‘Why, thank you,’ Guy leant forward and kissed the tip of Nell’s nose. He felt a pang of guilt inside, knowing he hadn’t been quite honest with Nell, but as their relationship grew he was finding it harder to tell her the truth. If only he’d been honest with her from the start.

  ‘Do you need to get back?’ asked Nell, hoping he would stay.