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

by Christie Barlow

  ‘That is correct, Mrs Andrews, the property is all yours and you are free to pick the keys up from the estate agents in your own time.’

  ‘Why would someone do that? Who would do that?’ Nell couldn’t take it all in.

  Mr Forster thrust a sheet of paper over the desk, with a pen, ‘Sign on that bottom line by the cross.’

  Nell quickly scanned the documents and, as Mr Forster had informed her, the property had indeed been gifted to her.

  ‘Unfortunately the vendor, at this time, wishes to remain anonymous.’

  ‘So you’re telling me I don’t even know who has given this to me.’

  ‘That is correct.’

  Shakily, Nell picked up the pen and signed on the dotted line.

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Andrews, that is all for now.’

  Nell stood up and shook Mr Forster’s hand. She was too shocked to say a word as she began to walk towards the estate agents to collect the keys.

  An hour later, after Nell had picked up the keys to the Old Picture House, she’d caught the bus back to Heron’s Reach and was now walking in a daze up to the crest of the hill towards the old church. She pushed open the wrought-iron gates to the graveyard and made her way towards her father’s stone.

  In loving memory of Benny Harper

  Nell ran her fingers along the chiselled stone as the emotion surged through her body.

  ‘What’s going on, Dad?’ she asked, wiping away tears of frustration. ‘Who would give me a property and why?’ Her heart was thudding loudly against her chest. What did it all mean? She crouched before her dad’s grave and pulled out her mobile phone, quickly typing a message to Bea.

  ‘Please can you meet me back at the Nollie in half an hour and don’t say anything to Mum.’

  Almost instantly, Bea replied, ‘Of course.’

  Chapter 43

  Nell’s pulse throbbed in the side of her head as she clutched her mum’s letters in her pocket and bounded on to jetty number ten before jumping on to the deck of the ‘Nollie’.

  Once inside, she slid her arms out of her coat and made herself a cuppa before sitting down at the table. She moved the mug to one side and laid all the letters out in date order. She stared at them, then reached for the first envelope and removed the first letter and the baby picture and placed it on top of the envelope.

  She took a deep breath and reached for letter number two.

  Carefully, she opened it. Again it contained a short letter written on exactly the same kind of paper with yet another photograph enclosed. Her heart was pounding as she swallowed and squinted at the picture of a baby kicking its legs on a crochet mat on the floor.

  Even though the photograph wasn’t the best quality, there was no mistaking that the picture had been taken in Nell’s parents’ living room. She immediately recognised the carpet and the fireplace. Turning over the photograph, she gasped: Nell Harper, six months old.

  Her jaw hit the floor. With her hands shaking, she placed the photo on the table and read the letter.

  Dear Lloyd,

  Please find enclosed a photo of Nell, 6 months old.

  All my love,

  G x

  Just like the first letter, short and sweet.

  For the next thirty minutes, Nell opened every letter and placed them in order, on top of each envelope. She sporadically wiped away escaping tears of puzzlement, she was so confused by it all. Each one contained a very brief letter and a picture of her, including her first day at school, sports day, when she won an award for a writing competition and not forgetting photographs from secondary school.

  Bleary eyed, she looked up to see Bea standing in the doorway.

  ‘What’s going on, Nell?’

  ‘I’m not actually sure, Bea,’ Nell said, as she gazed wearily at her friend, then back towards the table.

  ‘What’s all this? It looks like a jigsaw puzzle.’

  ‘It’s a giant puzzle, all right,’ Nell’s voice cracked.

  ‘But you’ll never guess what’s happened at the solicitor’s. That just adds to the mystery.’

  ‘Go on,’ Bea slid off her jacket and slipped into the seat next to Nell.

  ‘The solicitor has handed me my money back for the sale of the Old Picture House.’

  ‘What? Does that mean it’s fallen through?’ Bea’s eyes were wide.

  Nell shook her head, ‘Far from it. The person who owned the Picture House has given it to me.’

  ‘Come again. They’ve given it to you?’ the look of puzzlement on Bea’s face said it all.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘So the question is who?’ Bea couldn’t take her eyes off Nell.

  ‘Well … that’s a mystery too. I wish I knew, but apparently they want to stay anonymous.’

  ‘Jeez, who gives that much and wants to keep it quiet?’

  ‘I really have no idea, but before I went to the solicitor’s I went somewhere else.’

  Nell could see the concerned look in Bea’s eyes. ‘I didn’t mean to keep it from you, but I’d no idea what I was going to discover and I was already feeling guilty about where I was.’ Nell hesitated for a second, ‘I’m not proud of my actions but …’

  ‘But …’

  ‘But I knew Mum was hiding something.’

  ‘The shoebox?’

  Nell nodded, ‘I found it strange that Mum would deny knowing someone. What reason would she have to lie?’

  Bea shrugged.

  ‘The same evening I found the shoebox I also bumped into Fred. He’d told me Mum had taken his rowing boat with no explanation and was rather rude towards him.’

  ‘That doesn’t sound like Gilly.’

  ‘I know, but it was when he said where she’d rowed to that my mind went into overdrive.’

  ‘Why, where’d she gone?’

  ‘Over to the boat, Much Ado About Nothing, Lloyd Keaton’s boat.’

  Bea raised her eyebrows.

  ‘But she said she didn’t know who he was when we were watching the film.’

  ‘Oh I know, so we are agreed she’s covering something up?’

  Bea nodded, ‘It appears that way. What are all these?’ She gazed towards the handwritten letters, ‘These are in Gilly’s handwriting, even I can see that.’

  Taking a deep breath, Nell explained. ‘This morning, I sneaked back to Bluebell Cottage. Something was niggling inside me. Mum had hidden the box on the top shelf inside the wardrobe. All these letters were tied up in there.’

  Bea looked towards the table.

  ‘Each one unopened and marked returned to sender.’

  ‘Your mum?’

  Nell nodded.

  Bea picked up the first letter. She glanced at the letter and the baby picture, ‘Who’s this?’

  The emotion was running through Nell’s body, ‘It’s me, there’s one of me inside all the other letters.’

  ‘A photograph in every one?’

  ‘Yes, from being in my cot until the last day of school, when I was sixteen.’

  ‘So she wrote to him once a year, for all that time? Why?’

  ‘I’ve no idea, there are fifteen letters altogether: each one, like I said, returned unopened.’

  ‘So why keep writing them if they just keep coming back?’

  ‘Your guess is as good as mine.’

  Nell could only see one logical explanation, ‘The gut-wrenching feeling in the pit of my stomach is telling me I know what all this means. You know what I’m thinking, don’t you?’ said Nell.

  ‘I think I do,’ said Bea, regretfully.

  Nell bit down on her lip and her eyes brimmed with tears as her world came crashing down around her once more.

  ‘He’s my father, isn’t he?’ were the only words she could muster up.

  Bea put her arm around Nell’s shoulders and squeezed her gently.

  ‘We don’t know that for sure yet.’

  The tears were now free-falling down Nell’s cheeks.

  ‘It’s the only explanation.’

>   Bea passed her a tissue from the box on the table.

  ‘Is everything I’ve ever known a complete lie?’

  Nell could see the concern in Bea’s eyes.

  ‘It can’t be true. Please tell me it’s not true?’

  ‘We don’t know anything yet.’

  Nell could hear the hesitation in Bea’s voice.

  ‘It seems way too much of a coincidence. He’s suddenly turned up at Little Rock, Mum is refusing to admit she knows him, then the letters and her rowing over to his boat.’ Nell reeled off a list. ‘But what I don’t understand is why she didn’t want me to win that auction and who the hell has given the Picture House to me.’

  ‘When you put it like that.’

  Both of them were quiet for a second.

  ‘What are you going to do about it now?’

  ‘There’s only one thing I can do. I’m going to ask her.’

  ‘Are you sure you want to do this, Nell? Because once you’ve admitted you’ve seen these letters, it’s out in the open, there’s no going back.’

  There was a burning desire inside Nell to know the truth, ‘What choice have I got? I need to do this.’

  ‘Will you promise me something? Don’t go in all guns blazing. Sleep on it – make sure it’s straight in your mind.’

  All Nell could do was manage a nod.

  ‘And don’t forget, whatever happens, I’m here for you.’

  ‘I know.’

  Chapter 44

  The sunshine streamed through the gap in the curtains when Nell woke the next morning. She’d dozed in and out of sleep and she’d made the decision to tackle her mum after work tonight. She needed answers to the questions whirling around in her head.

  By the time Nell arrived at the deli, it was already a hive of activity. Gilly was running through the ropes with Fern behind the shop counter. Nell couldn’t even bring herself to look at her mum, she just knew she needed to get through today before she tackled her. But whatever she’d discovered, she knew she was about to open a right can of worms.

  ‘All the speciality cheeses and pâté’s are in this counter, freshly baked crusty bread in the baskets, and drinks over in the chilled cabinet next to the fresh cream cakes,’ chimed Gilly happily.

  ‘How does anyone keep their weight under control working in a place like this? Everything looks so scrumptious.’ Fern hummed as she laid the freshly made sandwiches inside the counter.

  ‘They don’t,’ Gilly joked, ‘It’s impossible!’

  They looked up to see Nell standing in the doorway.

  ‘Bea, Nell’s here,’ Fern squealed, taking Nell completely by surprise.

  ‘Good morning,’ grinned Gilly.

  Nell’s face was solemn, ‘Morning,’ she said, forcing herself to be as polite as she could.

  Gilly raised her eyebrows at her, ‘Has someone got out of bed the wrong side this morning?’

  Nell didn’t answer.

  Just at that second, Bea came trundling through the kitchen door, her face lifted into a smile as soon as she saw Nell.

  ‘Is something going on? You look like you are about to burst.’

  ‘Something is definitely going on!’ Bea had the biggest grin planted firmly on her face.

  ‘Oh God, don’t tell me they’ve got the scan wrong and you’re expecting triplets,’ joked Nell.

  Bea raised her eyebrows.

  ‘OMG, am I right?’

  ‘Ha no! Thankfully!’

  Nell rolled her eyes while Bea turned and grabbed a letter that was propped up on the front of the till. ‘Here, take a look.’ She thrust the letter into Nell’s hand, while Gilly and Fern hovered, grinning by her side.

  Nell opened the envelope and quickly skimmed over the words, her eyes widened and her mood lifted a little, ‘Wow Bea! This is brilliant and extremely well deserved,’ Nell exclaimed. ‘I’m so proud of you, my clever friend.’

  ‘I know! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened it. ‘Beatrice Green, owner of The Melting Pot has been awarded Deli of the Year,’ she said, in a very posh voice.

  Nell leant towards her best friend and planted a huge kiss on her cheek, ‘It couldn’t have happened to a nicer person!’

  ‘Aww thanks, shame we can’t have a glass of champers to celebrate.’

  ‘You can have sparkling water!’

  ‘Don’t I just live such a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle?’

  Everyone laughed.

  ‘What happens next?’

  ‘Some sort of presentation, but in the meantime, chop chop, let’s get this deli open and back to work!’

  ‘Wins an award and she becomes all bossy!’ laughed Fern, teasing her sister.

  ‘You better believe it!’

  ‘Can I just say, while we are all gathered here, thank you all for making me feel so welcome.’

  ‘You don’t need to thank us,’ said Nell, making her way into the kitchen. ‘Can I hide out with you in here today, Bea?’

  She gave Nell a knowing nod.

  ‘What’s up with you?’ asked Gilly touching her arm, ‘You seem a little tense.’

  ‘Nothing,’ replied Nell, giving her mum a stern look before turning and flouncing into the kitchen.

  Bea walked out of the kitchen and both Gilly and Fern inhaled the delicious aroma of the freshly baked loaf. She popped a rustic breadboard on top of the counter and Gilly and Fern stared at the ripped-up chunks of crusty bread and the pot of extra-virgin olive oil.

  ‘That looks so good,’ murmured Fern, her tastebuds watering.

  ‘It’s not for you, it’s for the customers,’ smiled Bea, swiping Fern’s hand with a tea towel, ‘I’ve got my eyes on you two.’

  ‘Bea, can I just ask, is everything okay with Nell? She seems kind of het up?’ Gilly asked, her voice low.

  ‘I’ve not noticed,’ she replied, knowing that wasn’t strictly true.

  Gilly watched Bea disappear back through the kitchen door. Maybe Nell was just tired, she did have a lot on her plate at the minute, she thought to herself.

  ‘Has she gone?’ chuckled Fern, dunking a piece of warm bread into the oil and popping it into her mouth.

  ‘Mmm, heaven,’ she uttered.

  Suddenly, the kitchen door swung open and Bea stared at them both with her hands on her hips before wagging her finger at Fern.

  Fern had guilt written all over her face.

  ‘No more. It’s for the customers not you!’

  Fern giggled, catching the crumbs with her hand after Bea disappeared back inside the kitchen.

  At that moment, the deli door opened and Gilly and Fern looked up and to meet Ed’s beaming smile. Sam was waiting patiently on the other side of the window, his tail thumping on the ground and his nose pressed to the glass watching Ed’s every move.

  ‘Good morning, lovely ladies, and where is she this morning? I’ve just been into the butcher’s and Alan’s just told me the news.’

  ‘Bea, you’ve got a visitor,’ shouted Gilly.

  Two seconds later, Bea appeared, swiping the flour from her hands.

  ‘There she is, Miss Deli of the Year. Congratulations! Come here!’ Ed pecked a kiss to her cheek, ‘Well deserved.’

  ‘Aww thank you,’ she blushed at all the sudden praise.

  ‘Famous at last,’ Nell chipped in from around the kitchen door, ‘People will be coming from far and wide to sample the delights of The Melting Pot,’ she grinned, before disappearing back inside the kitchen.

  ‘I hope you’ll still have time to make your favourite boatyard man a sausage and egg muffin.’

  ‘Absolutely, our best customers will always get priority,’ Bea winked at Ed. ‘Is it your usual now?’

  ‘Oh go on … you’ve twisted my arm,’ he winked, leaning against the counter. ‘I may as well while I’m here.’

  ‘Fern …’

  Fern swung her head towards Bea.

  ‘Ed is your very first customer and would like his usual.’

  ‘Which is?’ Fern flicked
her eyes between all of them.

  ‘A sausage and egg muffin and a mug of coffee,’ Bea and Gilly sang in unison.

  Fern’s eyes widened, ‘I’ve got a confession to make.’

  ‘Which is?’ Bea asked.

  ‘When I make coffee it looks like thick tar and I can’t believe that I’ve got to this age without knowing how to cook an egg,’ she confessed with a gulp.

  Gilly’s face flickered with amusement and Bea gave a hearty laugh.

  Fern felt a blush creep from her neck up to her ears and she remained silent.

  ‘I don’t think she’s joking,’ exclaimed Ed, trying to hide his smile by shoving a piece of crusty bread in his mouth from the top of the counter.

  ‘Really?’ asked Bea.

  ‘Really,’ answered Fern.

  ‘Well, there’s only one thing for it. Nell!’ Bea bellowed towards the kitchen.

  Nell peered around the door, ‘Where’s the fire?’

  ‘Could you possibly teach Fern how to make a sausage and egg muffin?’

  Nell looked between Bea and Fern in wonderment, ‘You’re winding me up, aren’t you?’

  Everyone shook their head, even Ed.

  ‘You just can’t get the staff these days,’ joked Nell, ushering Fern into the kitchen, but not before she pinched another piece of crusty bread from the counter as soon as Bea’s back was turned. ‘Come on.’

  ‘How are you feeling, Ed?’ asked Gilly.

  ‘Fully recovered, but I have to say …’ Ed lowered his voice and looked towards the kitchen door, ‘And do not repeat this, but I’m missing him.’

  ‘Guy?’

  Ed nodded, ‘Sam is excellent company around the yard but he doesn’t quite have the same banter.’

  Gilly smiled, ‘Nell is like a bear with a sore head at the minute. I’m assuming she is missing him too.’

  ‘I’m sorry about all that business.’

  ‘You don’t need to apologise. It’s not your fault he’s gone back to Ireland.’

  ‘His wife isn’t a patch on Nell, you know.’

  Gilly gave him a smile, just as Fern came bursting through the door with a huge beam on her face. She was carrying a wrapped-up muffin and a polystyrene cup of coffee.