It was Friday night and Nell watched through the porthole of the ‘Nollie’ a steady stream of people wandering towards The Waterfront as she blow-dried her hair.
She applied the finishing touches to her make-up and with a swish of black mascara, which complemented her nude shiny lip gloss, she squirted on her perfume and declared herself ready.
Nell waited at the end of the towpath for Bea and two minutes later spotted her walking up the wharf with a huge smile etched on her face.
‘You’re beginning to waddle,’ Nell grinned as Bea approached her.
‘Oi, cheeky, I’m not,’ she declared, smiling, bringing her hand up to her heart in mock outrage before linking it through Nell’s arm.
‘I’m only joking! But I’m sure it won’t be long!’ Nell grinned.
Moments later they pushed open the doors of the pub and were hit by the deafening noise of chatter and the band playing in the corner. It was already jam-packed with thirsty revellers and they began to nudge their way through the crowds when Bea spotted a table.
‘You go and sit down,’ Nell insisted, ‘I’ll bring the drinks over.’
‘Just an orange juice for me,’ said Bea, throwing her coat over the back of the chair and sitting down at a nearby table while she waited for Nell to return.
Two minutes later Nell placed the drinks down on the table, ‘Gosh, I feel warm,’ she said, unzipping her coat and unravelling her scarf.
‘I was thinking the same,’ answered Bea, taking a sip of her drink. ‘I wish I was allowed a couple of beers,’ grinned Bea.
‘It’ll soon be over and then you will be too tired to even think about alcohol.’
‘Ha! You are absolutely right,’ Bea chuckled, remembering that even after Jacob was born she didn’t touch a drop until she’d finished breast-feeding.
‘I was meaning to ask, have you heard anything about the deli competition yet?’
Bea shook her head, ‘No, not a thing.’
‘I’m sure you will hear something soon.’
The pair of them listened to the band while they played their next song. Then Nell glanced around the pub and her heart lifted when she spotted Guy and Ed walk through the double swinging doors. Guy stopped as he caught Nell’s eye, and his face broke into a warm smile as she waved at him. Nell nudged Bea with her knee under the table.
‘They’re coming over,’ Bea whispered in Nell’s ear as they both watched Guy and Ed weave their way through the crowd of drinkers towards their table.
‘Hi,’ said Guy, leaning across and kissing Nell on the cheek. ‘Fancy seeing you here!’
‘Fancy indeed,’ she replied, inhaling his woody scent, which immediately made her go weak at the knees.
‘Have a seat,’ Bea gestured to the empty chairs opposite, ‘How are you Ed? Feeling okay?’
‘Right as rain, a few twinges, but nothing to worry about. Can we get you ladies another drink before we sit down?’
Bea and Nell glanced down at their glasses, ‘I’m actually alright for a minute,’ answered Bea, ‘I need to pace myself. There’s only so much orange juice a girl can drink.’
Everyone laughed.
‘You poor thing,’ Nell squeezed her arm and smiled.
‘No Nathan?’ Guy asked scanning the room.
‘No, boy’s night in, which I think consists of building the biggest Lego tower ever.’
‘You look lovely,’ Guy said, leaning over and giving Nell another quick peck on the cheek.
‘Thank you,’ she answered, as a swarm of fireflies erupted in her stomach and she took a sip of her drink to disguise her blushes.
He glanced towards the band and watched them for a moment as they struck up the next song.
Nell gave him a sideways glance and studied his face. His jaw was strong and his dark hair fell across his eyes, which flashed instant warmth.
‘Do you remember this song, Guy?’ Ed patted Guy on the back and handed him his beer.
Guy didn’t answer, just rolled his eyes at his brother.
‘Sounds like there’s a story behind it?’ questioned Nell, flicking a grin towards Guy.
‘This one here used to play the guitar in a band. He was once a wannabe rock star,’ winked Ed.
Guy squirmed in his seat, ‘That’s a bit of an exaggeration,’ he grinned, taking a swig of his beer.
Ed chuckled to himself.
Nell and Bea looked on in amusement.
‘I know exactly what you’re laughing at.’ Guy gave Ed a playful stare.
‘This song is by a band called “The Mystic Chairs’’.’ Ed said, ‘Ever heard of them?’ He turned towards Bea and Nell.
Nell thought for a second, ‘Yes, wasn’t that the band whose lead singer wore tight-leather pants and half his hair was shaved and the other half bright red?’ said Nell.
‘Oh, I remember them!’ Bea mused, ‘Did you like them back in the day, then, Ed?’
‘Mmm, let’s just say I wasn’t their biggest fan,’ he chuckled.
They both swiftly turned towards an embarrassed Guy, who was shaking his head towards his brother.
‘Okay … I have to admit I was a teeny bit obsessed with the lead singer,’ admitted Guy, sitting back in his seat and throwing his hands in the air.
‘That much so, he borrowed the dog’s hair clippers to shave off half his hair and used his pocket money to buy an auburn red hair dye from the local chemist. Not only did he end up dyeing his hair, which looked ridiculous, I may add, but half the white bathroom suite looked like it had caught the measles, it was covered in red sloshes, much to Mum’s delight!’
There was an outburst of laughter from Nell and Bea. ‘What I want to know is, is there any photographic evidence of this?’ asked Nell, nudging Guy with her arm playfully.
‘That’s not the half of it,’ Ed added grinning.
‘Oh God! No!’ Guy protested, knowing full well his brother was about to divulge all.
At the same time both Nell and Bea leant forward and placed their elbows on the table. Their eyes didn’t leave Ed.
‘Wannabe rock star here took himself down to the local market and purchased a pair of the tightest leather pants you’d ever set eyes on.’
Nell and Bea swung round to look at Guy, who was shaking his head in embarrassment.
‘Except they weren’t leather, more like plastic, I’d say,’ said Guy.
‘Ooo I used to have a pair of plastic leather-look trousers,’ Bea chipped in.
‘A-ha that’s right!’ smiled Nell.
‘Well, this one here spent nearly two hours in his bedroom trying to wriggle into them, but by the end of the night he’d sweated in those pants that much that they clung to his skin. Mum literally had to lie him on the kitchen floor and cut them off with a pair of scissors. Then we discovered he was covered in a rash!’
‘OMG!’ Nell exclaimed, ‘How old were you?’
‘Seventeen,’ Guy answered, shaking his head in embarrassment. ‘I thought I looked very cool!’
‘I hope you have no plans for dyeing your hair red again?’ asked Nell.
‘Not one,’ grinned Guy, swigging his pint.
‘Every cloud,’ teased Nell, giving him a cheeky wink. Guy squeezed her knee under the table then entwined his fingers around hers.
‘Did you have any aspirations to become a rock star, Ed.’
‘None whatsoever. I was always dismantling things I shouldn’t, once a tinkerer always a tinkerer. I love it at the boatyard, I’m my own boss, work in the outdoors, wouldn’t change it for the world.’
‘When are you back at work, Ed? asked Bea.
‘Hopefully one day next week,’ he replied as Bea tucked her arm through Nell’s.
‘That soon?’
‘I feel ready and that’s good enough for me.’
‘So what happens to you, then?’ asked Bea, her eyes diverting quickly towards Guy.
‘Me? That means I’m redundant,’ he joked. ‘He’s packing me back off to Ireland.’
At the sound of those words, Nell’s heart plummeted to somewhere near her knees. She felt like the bottom had just fallen out of her world.
‘Hey, he does like me really,’ Guy joked, noticing the look on Nell’s face.
‘Does that really mean you’re going back to Ireland?’ she queried, uncertain whether he was actually joking or not.
Guy met the concerned look in her eyes, ‘At some point I’ll have to go back home, but I’m not sure when yet.’
All Nell could manage was a nod, her mood suddenly dampened by the thought of Guy no longer milling around the marina.
‘But don’t worry I’ll be around for a little while longer yet.’
‘That’s good to hear,’ she said, smiling weakly, knowing she had fallen for Guy. In the last few minutes Nell felt sombre, she didn’t want Guy being around for a little while longer, she wanted him around full stop.
‘What’s the latest on the Old Picture House, Nell? Are you attending the auction? I think it will be good for the marina to get that place up and running again,’ said Ed.
Nell nodded in agreement, ‘I’m going to give it my best shot and hopefully it’ll be within my budget.’
The next couple of hours flew by, the four of them chatting about everything and anything while drinking and listening to the band play.
‘Last song in a minute,’ said Bea, her eyes drooping, ‘I’m not sure I can last much longer. Sorry, I’m yawning!’
‘One last drink for the road?’ Guy asked.
‘Not for me. I’m dead on my feet but I’ve had a fantastic evening,’ smiled Bea.
‘Me too,’ Ed chipped in, swilling down the last of his beer. ‘If you two want one for the road, I can walk Bea back home, it’s on the way?’
Nell looked across at Bea to gauge her reaction.
‘That’ll be perfect, thanks, Ed,’ she said, before turning back towards Nell and Guy. ‘You two stay. Enjoy yourselves.’
‘Only if you’re sure?’
‘I’m sure,’ she said, leaning over and popping a swift kiss to Nell’s cheek.
‘Ready?’ Ed asked, pushing his chair under the table.
‘I’m ready.’
Ed helped Bea to her feet like a true gentleman and held her coat open while she slipped her arms inside. They said their goodbyes and Nell and Guy watched them both make their way to the entrance through the dwindling crowd.
‘Another drink?’ Guy asked, reaching inside his jeans pocket for his wallet.
Nell hesitated for a second, ‘How about a drink back at mine?’
‘I’m up for that, if that’s okay with you?’
She nodded, ‘I’m not quite ready for bed, but want to wind down a little.’
‘Sounds like a plan,’ he answered.
Nell stood up, slipped on her coat and grabbed her bag. They weaved their way to the entrance and stood outside. Nell snuggled down inside her coat and Guy dug his hands in his pocket to shield himself from the cold night air. His shoulders were hunched up as they walked quickly towards the ‘Nollie’.
Once inside, Nell switched on the lamp and threw some coal on the fire.
‘Glass of red?’ she asked, beginning to pour the wine.
‘Perfect,’ he answered. She noticed his eyes sparkling in the dim light as they settled on the rug in front of the fire.
Since the conversation had turned to Ed returning to work earlier on in the evening there’d been a question burning inside Nell, and now was the time to ask it.
‘Guy,’ she murmured, looking into his eyes.
‘Yes.’
‘Are you really going to go back to Ireland?’
He hesitated, ‘I will have to at some point. My job is there. It’s where I live.’
Nell took a deep breath, ‘I’ve kind of got used to you being here.’ She blinked the teary mist away from her eyes, ‘My, I’m getting all emotional, what’s wrong with me?’
‘It’s allowed,’ he answered softly. ‘I kind of feel a bit like that too. Come here.’
He opened his arms wide and Nell slipped inside them, resting her head against his chest. She could hear the constant thud of his heartbeat and they both stared into the dancing flames of the fire. They sat like that in silence for a couple of minutes. Guy began to stroke Nell’s hair gently and, for the first time in a long time Nell felt content and happy. She snuggled in closer, then Guy tilted her head towards his. Studying her face closely, he met her beautiful eyes. They held each other’s gaze and Guy brushed his finger across her lips. She held her breath. She wanted to kiss him; she wanted him to kiss her. He tipped his head forward and pressed his lips on the top of her head lightly before she nestled back into his arms. Neither of them spoke. Nell’s head was a whirl. His arms were wrapped tightly around her body.
‘You need to get some sleep soon,’ he whispered, ‘I don’t want to keep you up.’
She pressed her lips into a smile, ‘Do I have a say in the matter?’ Her eyes held his. ‘I’m not sure I want you to go home, I kind of …’
‘Kind of what?’ Guy interrupted softly, entwining his fingers around Nell’s.
She forced herself to breathe calmly. ‘What if? …’ she paused.
‘What if? …’ he murmured. Their eyes never left each other.
‘What if I want you to keep me up?’
There, she’d said it and there was no taking it back.
‘Is that what you really want?’
Nell couldn’t deny these feelings any longer. The more time she spent in Guy’s company the more she’d begun to realise she didn’t want just his friendship, she wanted him full stop.
‘It is. Stay?’ she answered, her voice barely a whisper. Raw emotion began to run through her body and she blinked away a tear.
‘Hey, don’t cry.’
‘I’m not, it’s just …’
‘Just what?’
With a slight hesitation Nell spoke, ‘I never thought I’d ever have these types of feelings again.’ For a second Nell’s mind drifted towards Ollie. Her head began to fight her heart. Ollie was gone; there was no bringing him back. She wanted Guy to hold her; she wanted his lips on hers. She glanced nervously into his eyes and took a deep breath. Her heart was clattering and she could barely breathe. She took the lead and moved her face closer to his. Her pulse was racing; his smell, his touch, the spark was explosive. Guy traced his finger under her chin, then tilted it towards him. She could feel the breath on her face, her heart was beating so fast she thought she was going to explode. The hairs on the back of Nell’s neck prickled as she murmured, ‘Kiss me.’
Their eyes stayed locked and neither of them faltered. Nell grasped at the back of his head and pulled him closer, their lips met. They kissed slowly at first, the tingle in Nell’s body immense. She pulled away, ‘Come on,’ she said, taking his hand.
Guy hesitated for a second.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Nell …’
‘Shh, don’t say anything,’ she said leading him to the cabin. She lay down on the bed and Guy was above her. Nell ran her hands over his strong arms then his toned torso. He kissed her neck as she began to unbutton his jeans pushing them slowly down. Her hands explored every inch of his body. He lifted up her blouse and unhooked her bra, every nerve in her body tingled.
‘You are perfect,’ he said tenderly.
She kissed him passionately then he rose above her, his strong arms either side of her body.
‘Are you sure?’
Nell nodded. ‘I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life. I want you, Guy,’ she kissed him, knowing that she had fallen badly for him.