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

‘Oh shoot,’ Nell replied, quickly grabbing the oven gloves before hurrying to the back of the kitchen and flinging open the oven door.

‘Double shoot,’ she pulled out the baking tray and stared. ‘Well and truly cremated,’ she looked aghast, ‘That’s my fault. I forgot to set the timer with it being so busy.’

‘Not to worry, it’s just one of those things,’ Bea answered, leaning against the door frame, ‘Pop them on the side and once they’ve cooled down I’ll throw them out to the birds. They are probably in need of a good feed in this weather.’

They both whipped their heads round as they heard the shop bell tinkle, ‘No rest for the wicked,’ Bea rolled her eyes.

They hurried back behind the counter to find the postman standing there for the second time today.

‘Sorry Nell, I missed this one before,’ he smiled, handing over an envelope to her. As soon as the postman left the shop Nell put the envelope down on the counter.

‘Anything important?’

‘Bank savings, annual statement. Ollie’s life insurance.’

Nell had had no idea that Ollie even had any life insurance until she’d had to sell the yard.

‘I’ll put the kettle on, come on. Oh and I’m putting the closed sign up for ten minutes, we deserve a break.’ Bea announced, walking towards the door and pulling the latch down.

‘Here comes the rain now too.’ Both of them looked up to see to see the sleety rain drumming against the glass and boat owners quickly pulling their windows shut.

Nell moved into the kitchen and clutched the bank statement while Bea switched on the kettle and ferreted around in the cupboard for a couple of mugs.

‘I never knew what to do with this money, it was just never important in the grand scheme of things.’

‘You did the right thing bunging it into a savings account, it’ll have gained a little interest,’ Bea said, perching on the table waiting for the kettle to boil. ‘Any ideas what to do with it now?’

‘Not got a clue,’ answered Nell, watching Bea make the drinks and settling in the chair opposite her. Nell hadn’t really given the money a second thought up until now. ‘I don’t particularly need anything, maybe in time I could invest it in property or a business.’

‘Are you going to open it?’

Nell nodded, then carefully opened the envelope. Her eyes flitted over the numbers on the page and exhaled, ‘Sixty-five thousand pounds.’

Bea gave a low whistle.

‘Why did I ever ask him to go out that night, Bea? If only …’

‘Oh Nell, I don’t know what to say, we all miss him and I know it’s not the same but we are always here for you.’

‘I know.’ Nell flashed Bea a grateful smile. ‘No amount of money will ever replace him.’

‘It won’t and look …’ Bea paused, ‘you don’t have to do anything with the money, leave it where it is for now.’

Both of them sipped on their tea before Nell pushed the letter to one side, then skimmed over the pages of the local newspaper.

‘What you need is a little company,’ Bea suggested, thinking that one of Gilly’s kittens might just be the thing for Nell.

‘Mmm, I believe you are going to have a new addition to the family very soon,’ Nell lifted an eyebrow and gave Bea a knowing look.

Bea sat up straight in her chair, ‘Wait, how do you know about that?’

‘Call it my psychic powers.’ Nell grinned, remembering Jacob’s little face when this morning he literally let the cat out of the bag.

‘You saw it, didn’t you?’

‘Saw what?’ Nell eyed Bea suspiciously.

They held each other’s gaze and no one spoke for a second.

‘Saw what?’ Nell repeated with a confused look on her face. She leaned forward and folded her arms on the newspaper and stared straight at Bea, who promptly blushed.

Bea opened her mouth and closed it again.

‘Spill Bea Green,’ Nell insisted, nodding encouragingly. ‘All eyes are on you!’

Bea looked suitably composed, ‘I think we may be talking about two different things.’

Nell lifted an eyebrow, ‘What are you talking about, then? Come on.’ Nell drummed her fingers on the desk in jest.

Bea swallowed and managed a nod, ‘At this moment in time I’m trying to ignore the queasiness in the pit of my stomach.’

It took a second for the penny to drop, ‘Sweet Jesus, you’re pregnant! You are, aren’t you?’

A huge beam spread across Bea’s face, ‘I am.’

Nell squealed, ‘Come here, let me give you a hug,’ she said as she squeezed her friend tight.

‘I thought you’d spotted the test I left in the toilet the other day.’

‘Ha no, but congratulations!’

‘Thank you, we are both delighted, but we’ve not told Jacob yet as it’s still early days.’

‘Mum’s the word!’ exclaimed Nell.

‘For the time being anyway,’ Bea grinned, ‘Now what was it you were on about?’ She sat back down on the chair.

‘Oreo!’

Bea gasped, ‘Has Gilly spilt the beans? I’ve not run it past Nathan yet.’ A worried look flashed over Bea’s face.

‘Don’t panic, Nathan took it all in his stride.’

‘Nathan? Oh God, how does he know?’

‘Well he’s about this big,’ Nell gestured with her hands, cute chubby cheeks, clomps around in the brightest pair of wellies and is not very good at keeping secrets!’

‘Jacob, the little monkey.’ Bea rolled her eyes and shook her head laughing.