Guy was standing behind Nell while she fumbled with the keys in the lock to the ‘Nollie’. ‘You’re making me nervous,’ she laughed over her shoulder.
‘Is that a good thing?’
‘I’m not entirely sure.’ She finally held the door open so he could step inside.
‘I believe Bea’s had a good day,’ he said, slipping out of his coat and settling at the table, he folded his arms and shifted his gaze to Nell, who was standing smiling at him.
‘What are you smiling at?’
‘Nothing whatsoever, make yourself at home,’ she chuckled, ‘It’s like you’ve never been away. Drink?’
‘Cup of tea would be great.’
Nell made them both a drink and slipped on the seat next to him.
‘Bea was delighted with the award. Despite the weather, Alan rallied all the troops and the place was packed. I know I’m biased but it was well-deserved. She works hard.’
‘And I believe Sam looked dapper in his bow tie.’
Nell chuckled, ‘How do you know about any of this?’
‘Because when I dropped off my suitcase at Ed’s I wanted to know why my dog was suddenly sporting a bow tie.’
Nell had only focused on one word in that sentence, ‘Suitcase? Are you back for a while, then?’ she felt a nervous flutter in her stomach waiting for his answer.
‘Hopefully, Ed has offered me a job at the yard and I can stay in the annexe until the new lodgers move in.’
It took Nell a moment for all this to register, ‘You’re really back?’
‘Back for good.’
‘But, I don’t understand, what’s happened?’
She saw a sadness wash over him and he took a sip of his tea before turning towards her. He rested his face on his hands and exhaled.
‘Me and Kate, it was never going to work, was it? I’d lost all respect for her a long time ago and as far as love went …’ he paused and exhaled.
Waiting in anticipation, Nell came over all emotional, ‘She’s lost the baby, hasn’t she?’
Their eyes locked, ‘Not quite,’ he finally said, swallowing down a lump. He raked his hands through his hair and clearly looked distressed.
‘The only reason I went back was for the baby, you do know that don’t you.’
Nell nodded, ‘I believe you. You don’t have to explain yourself. You were putting your baby first. It takes a special kind of person to do that,’ she said softly.
‘When I got back to Ireland, it didn’t feel like home. I wanted to be anywhere but there. I felt so lonely, unhappy and I missed you dreadfully.’ He shifted his gaze to Nell, his expression was earnest.
‘I know it sounds overdramatic but all I thought about was you. I dreamt of this place. My dreams were so vivid I’d wake up and then reality hit, I wasn’t here. Kate and I barely spoke, everything felt forced and false. I went back to work and I hated every minute of it. My heart wasn’t in it. I didn’t want to be with Kate, there was no love there any more. Well, not from me, anyway. The more I thought about it, the more I resented being there. What life would it be for a child to be brought up in those circumstances?’
‘A difficult one,’ admitted Nell.
He nodded. ‘So I wrote my letter of resignation and they accepted it. Even though it hurt to go back, I had to give it a try, otherwise I would have always been wondering what if.’ Guy was now wearing his heart on his sleeve.
‘Especially for the baby’s sake.’
‘But I knew the moment I left you here, it was never going to work.’
Nell blushed. Guy was staring deep into her eyes. She leant forward and kissed him lightly on the cheek. He smiled warmly at her and took a deep breath.
‘I decided to tell Kate I was coming back to England and if she made it difficult for me I’d fight for custody if I had to.’
‘How did she take that?’
‘She laughed in my face.’
Nell’s eyes widened. ‘Why would she do that?’
He took a deep breath, ‘She laughed because there is no baby.’
Nell sat up straight and stared at Guy. ‘No baby? What do you mean?’
‘There was never a baby. She made it up, said it out of spite, probably because she knew I’d feelings for you. It was a control thing, she just wanted me back in Ireland.’
Nell took a moment to digest the information. ‘She knows you are a decent guy and would do the right thing.’
‘Possibly so.’
‘But what a thing to do.’
‘What she did was unforgivable.’
They both sat quietly for a moment until Nell broke the silence.
‘You deserve so much more than that. I’m so sorry.’ Nell’s stomach lurched and she felt sickened by such a lie, ‘It’s such a terrible thing to lie about. What did she think was going to happen in seven to eight months’ time?’
‘I really have no idea.’ Guy took a moment to collect his thoughts, his body was trembling with anger and his eyes were bleary with tears.
‘After I packed my suitcase I gave her a few choice words and told her I was filing for divorce.’
Nell squeezed his hands tight. ‘I always admired you for putting your baby first. How do you feel now you know there isn’t one?’
‘Sad and relieved, if that makes any sense. Sad, I suppose, because I think I’d be a good dad and I love children and I’m relieved that I’m not tied to Kate for a lifetime. I want a family with someone I love, someone I respect, who feels the same about me. I know one day that could possibly happen.’
‘Any ideas who that person could possibly be?’
Guy turned towards her, ‘I’m not the best with all this sloppy stuff …’
‘You’re doing alright so far,’ her fingers entwined around his.
‘I’ve never missed anyone like I’ve missed you. I mean I really missed you. I want to be happy with you …’ he hooked a strand of hair around Nell’s ear then tilted her chin towards his face, ‘I love you, Nell Andrews, you make me happy and I feel alive again.’
Nell’s heart thumped faster hearing those words.
‘I love you too, Guy Cornish, but there’s something you need to know.’ Nell could feel the emotion rising inside her. She had to tell Guy that she was carrying his baby. He stroked her hair gently, ‘What is it?’
‘There have been quite a few changes since you left.’
‘Changes? What sort of changes,’ he had no clue what Nell was about to tell him.
‘I don’t really know where to start, so I’ll blurt it out quickly and make of it all what you will.’
‘Okay, I’m ready.’
‘Lloyd Keaton, the guy you rescued on the boat, is an actor, in fact a famous actor, but his real name is actually Lloyd Taylor.’
‘I’ve no idea where you are going with this,’ interrupted Guy, puzzled.
‘He’s my mum’s brother.’
‘How did you not know he was your uncle?’ Guy was even more confused now.
‘He’s not my uncle, he’s my father.’
Guy’s eyes widened and he sat upright. ‘You’ve definitely lost me now.’
Nell filled him in on everything that had happened while he’d been away.
‘I think I need a drink,’ Guy looked over to the wine rack.
‘There is so much more to tell you, but I should be meeting Bea in The Waterfront,’ she glanced at her watch.
‘I leave you for a second and you’ve been on a roller-coaster of a ride.’
‘Welcome back to Little Rock Marina!’ she smiled.
‘Surely we need a quick toast to welcome me back?’
It was now or never, ‘You can have one but I can’t … Guy there’s more to tell you and I’m not even sure how to tell you.’
Guy stared at Nell, who suddenly looked anxious, ‘You know you can tell me anything,’ he squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Nell felt nervous. She had no idea how Guy was going to react to the news. She took a deep breath, ‘I’m pregnant and I know the timing isn’t great and …’
Nell didn’t finish her sentence before Guy pulled her to feet and lifted her off the ground and spun her round.’
‘Stop spinning me, you’ll make me sick,’ she giggled.
‘Sorry, sorry,’ he tilted her upwards and they locked eyes. ‘You’re pregnant, you’re actually pregnant?’
‘I am. What do you think?’
‘What do I think? I think it’s fantastic!’
Guy stood still and looked at Nell, ‘What do you think?’
‘I can’t wait to bring this little one into the world.’
‘Phew! I think the timing is more than great. In fact, it’s perfect. I can get myself established at the boatyard, there are so many plans to make … where will we live?’
‘Whoa! Slow down! All I need to know is this is what you want? Me and the baby.’
The grin on Guy’s face said it all, ‘Nell Andrews, you have made me the happiest man on the earth. I’m not going anywhere … ever!’
‘Good, I’m glad to hear that.’
‘I can’t believe it, I am going to be a father.’
‘You are and a brilliant one at that,’ she leant up and kissed him, every nerve in her body tingled.
‘I love you,’ he whispered.
‘I love you more. Now come on, let’s get to the pub before Bea sends out a search party.’