Suddenly there was an influx of customers and a long line of tourists had formed, wanting to book excursions for tomorrow. As a mother of three children handed over her credit card to pay for a trip, she said, ‘What a lovely place to work. I would love a job like this overlooking the water. Even though that view will change throughout the seasons, I bet each time it is equally stunning.’

  ‘It is a lovely job but I’ll let you into a little secret. It’s my first day! I can imagine how stunning the view is in winter but I’m afraid I’m only here for the summer.’

  ‘Here for the summer? I’d be here for ever. This village is beautiful.’

  Bea smiled and handed over her receipt and tickets for tomorrow’s trip. Once she’d cleared the rest of the queue, she fired up the computer behind the counter at the back of the shop. It wasn’t password protected and Bea went online to search for jobs back home. She was soon disappointed as there was nothing that jumped out at her or caught her interest. They were all like the mundane job she already had.

  Feeling dispirited, she next searched amongst the available rental flats in the area. On her wage, all she could afford were small flats in far from salubrious areas of town. She sighed. There wasn’t even the possibility of moving in with her sister, as her small town house was already packed with a husband, children and two dogs.

  ‘That was a loud sigh. I was just going to make a drink. Would you like one?’

  ‘Yes, please,’ replied Bea.

  ‘Is everything okay?’ asked Julia, hovering in the staff room doorway.

  ‘Yes and no. I hope it’s okay but whilst it was quiet, I thought I’d start to look for places to rent back home.’

  ‘Isn’t there much available?’

  Bea leaned to the side so Julia could take a look at the screen. ‘They’re all in areas that I don’t particularly want to live in and I certainly wouldn’t feel safe in. I don’t want views of backyards, overflowing bins and people frequenting the nearby flats for drugs.’

  ‘That wouldn’t enthral me either. Do you have to stay in that area?’

  ‘It’s about the only town in that area I can afford – if I kept my job at the supermarket, and I may have to. I’ve already looked at available jobs and they aren’t much better than what I already have.’

  ‘There’s just an easy answer to that then,’ Julia said, smiling. ‘There’s only one thing for it – you’ll have to stay here!’

  ‘If only.’ Bea thought Julia must be daydreaming.

  ‘You wait there, let me make a drink and I’ll be back to have a chat.’

  Bea shut down the computer and, while she waited for Julia to return, checked in the kayaks that had been brought back and hung up the life jackets ready for the next tourists who’d hired them out.

  ‘I know I don’t know you well,’ Julia continued when she returned, ‘but even from this morning I can see you’re a hard worker and extremely charismatic with the customers.’

  ‘You’re going to make me blush,’ interrupted Bea.

  ‘What is keeping you in the town where you’ve just come from? Because when you talk about home you don’t seem to be filled with enthusiasm.’

  ‘What’s keeping me there is … it’s all I’ve ever known and my sister lives there.’

  ‘And how often do you see your sister?’

  Bea didn’t have to think about that answer. ‘Barely ever, because I’ve been working nights for as long as I can remember, and at the weekends, if I happen to have a day off, she’s busy with her own family.’

  ‘To me, it sounds like there’s no quality time spent seeing each other.’

  Bea agreed.

  ‘What about friends in that area, hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time?’

  ‘With working through the night, I didn’t really have a social life. I kind of fitted things in around my ex, which I’m now beginning to realise wasn’t healthy. He didn’t like my friends much so I left them behind.’

  ‘Us girls always need good girlfriends to lift us up. I have such a great group of friends in the village. What we need to do is introduce you to a few more villagers. There’s always something going on so leave it with me, I’ll check what free nights I have and maybe we could go for a drink in the pub.’

  ‘That would be good, thank you.’

  ‘And I do know there will be a few secret meetings coming up regarding Martha’s surprise birthday party, so as an honorary villager for the summer, let’s get you involved too.’

  ‘I can help organise anything you need,’ offered Bea.

  ‘Have a chat with Isla and offer your services. Over the next few weeks, you’ll have the opportunity to live like a villager and my guess is you’re going to love it. This community is exactly that, a community that looks out for one another, supports each other and lifts each other up when it’s needed, and it sounds to me that’s a little different from what you’re used to.’

  It was indeed very different from what Bea was used to. She mulled over everything that Julia had said. ‘Yes, that sounds like a plan. I’ll have a chat with Isla.’

  ‘A change does us good but I’ll share with you now that that room up there can’t be rented out on its own. It comes with the job because there’s no separate entrance – the only way to access it is through the Boathouse. We also don’t charge for the room because anyone who is up there is doing us a favour; we have someone on the premises and that type of security gives us piece of mind. We would only charge for the bills but as you’ve gotten us out of a hole for the next few weeks, we’ll take care of those for now. Maybe,’ Julia pointed towards the attic room, ‘it’s something to think about as a long-term option?’ She touched Bea’s arm and gave her a knowing look.

  ‘Are you saying you wouldn’t mind if I stayed longer?’ Perched on the stool behind the counter, Bea sipped her tea.

  ‘I’m saying I’ve got a good vibe about you and my gut feelings have never let me down in the past. If needs be, use this place as a stop-gap. I know you’re capable of a lot more than working here, but it may help you get back on your feet and give you some breathing space.’

  Bea listened carefully to every word that Julia was saying.

  ‘Heartcross is a thriving tourist destination – and Flynn also owns Starcross Manor and The Lakehouse. If you work hard – and I’ve seen it happen before – he could possibly give you the chance to transfer to a more challenging role in one of those establishments. I know for a fact he’s trying to bring in in-house wedding planners and dress designers to Starcross Manor as the wedding side of the hotel is beginning to grow. There’s always something going on. Anyway, it’s food for thought, and I’m always here if you want a chat.’

  ‘Thank you. This certainly is food for thought. Is everyone this kind in Heartcross?’

  ‘You’d better believe it.’ Julia gave her a warm smile and pointed to the queue that was forming in front of her.

  Bea placed her mug down and greeted the next customer, her mind turning over the information that Julia had just shared. Once all the customers were served, she stood outside The Little Blue Boathouse and stared out over the water. Bea knew there was only one thing possibly stopping her from moving here: Emmie.

  In theory, it was great to be by family, but Julia had been right. How much quality time did she actually spend with her sister? If Bea stayed, maybe Emmie would make the effort and bring the children to visit.

  Could she really move away from everything she knew and the town where she grew up? This seemed like the ideal opportunity to give it a go. What was the worst that could happen if it didn’t work out in Heartcross? It was simple: she would rethink her plans and move back home if necessary.

  Coming to a decision, she logged on to the computer and accessed her email account. Sitting in her inbox was her shift rota for when she returned to work. She sighed, the sight of it confirming she had no enthusiasm whatsoever for returning to the same routine. She decided the only mature way to make a decision was to flip a coin, and took one from the till. ‘Tails, I resign. Heads, I stay at the supermarket.’

  Squeezing her eyes shut, she threw up the coin and heard it bounce back on the counter. Slowly taking a peep, she saw tails staring back at her.

  Before she could question her decision, Bea began to type her resignation, along with a lovely message to her boss explaining that her personal life had taken a nosedive. She was laying it on thick, hoping her boss would be sympathetic towards her situation and relieve her of working out her notice, because the last thing she wanted to do was live in a house with Carl and work any more shifts in the supermarket.

  After she’d read over the letter, Bea’s finger hovered over send. Before she could change her mind, she pressed the key. Hearing the whoosh of the email disappearing, she knew there was no going back. All she needed to do now was pluck up the courage to tell Emmie she wasn’t returning home as soon as everyone thought.

  Hearing the door open behind her, Bea turned and beamed at Julia. ‘I’ve only gone and done it! I’ve resigned. It’s not like me to be so impulsive…’

  ‘Wow! How do you feel?’

  ‘Mixed emotions. Relieved and confused. Glad to be leaving that place behind. A fresh start is what I need … but am I running away? Everyone will think I’ve lost the plot but I’m excited about what will happen from here.’

  ‘Sometimes we worry way too much about what others think. We have to look after ourselves and put our own well-being first. I know for a fact that so long as you stay in Heartcross everyone will welcome you with open arms. My gut feeling is telling me you’ve made the right decision.’

  ‘And mine is too. Thank you for giving me the chance to take some time and get myself sorted.’

  ‘You’re very welcome. Now, I think there’s only one thing for it. We have to pinch one of Wilbur’s biscuits to celebrate. I’ll fetch the tin!’

  Even though Bea was feeling apprehensive about how her sister would react, deep down she knew she’d made the right decision. This was the push she needed to make changes in her life.

  ‘Are there any chocolate ones?’ she shouted after Julia.

  With the decision made and the resignation sent, this day was already a success. And in a few hours’ time, things could only get better, because Hemingway and Fernsby were investigating their first case and she would be spending the evening with Nolan. Looking out of the doorway, she noticed a woman admiring the painting of the girl with the wedding ring. Instantly, that twinge of anxiousness was back in the pit of her stomach. The woman popped her head through the door.

  ‘Isn’t she beautiful!’ she said, holding the painting up towards Bea.

  ‘Very,’ replied Bea, watching the woman place the painting back in the box. As soon as the woman walked away, Bea went and picked it up. If the right moment came up tonight, she was going to ask Nolan who she was.

  Chapter Eleven

  Bea could not believe how swimmingly her day had gone. She had enjoyed every second of working at The Little Blue Boathouse. The afternoon had been as busy as the morning and after Julia had shown her how to cash up and to clean down the boats, life jackets and hired wetsuits, they locked up and walked back along the river path towards the B&B.

  ‘The takings are up and excursions are booking up in advance. Flynn and Roman will be chuffed.’

  ‘That’s good to hear,’ replied Bea, taking a swift glance over towards The Hemingway as they turned the corner, but there was no sign of Nolan.

  She knew that it wouldn’t take long to pack up her belongings at the B&B. There was a parking space for her car at the back of the Boathouse, and Julia had given her directions to a dirt track that would provide access past The Old Bakehouse and the Clover Cottage Estate. There was something appealing about the thought of waking up to the sound of the river and the gulls circling above. Within the next hour, Bea was setting up home in the attic room.

  Julia had kindly given her some plates, cutlery, mugs, a couple of pans, towels and the most beautiful shabby-chic floral cushions that Bea had ever seen, which were now propped up in the middle of the bed. Bea had kicked off her shoes, hung up her clothes and pushed her suitcase under the bed. Also included with Julia’s kindness was a box of essentials packed with tea, coffee, milk and cereal for breakfast.

  Now lying on her bed and contemplating whether to give Emmie a quick ring, Bea felt her eyes closing and soon dozed off. She was only asleep a matter of minutes, though, as a loud bell sounded and she bolted upright. There it was again. She looked all around her room and couldn’t work out what the hell it was. Poking her head down through the hatch she listened again and prayed it wasn’t some sort of intruder alarm. She shouted, ‘Is there anyone there?’ but thankfully was met with silence.

  Then she heard a short burst of tapping on the window. What the heck was that? Maybe a gull had flown into it. Then she heard a voice she recognised.

  ‘Bea, Bea, wherefore art thou, Bea?’

  Smiling, she threw open the window and took in the sight of Nolan grinning up at her.

  ‘I didn’t know you were a fan of Shakespeare.’

  ‘Huge fan,’ he replied, holding up a white carrier bag. ‘I’ve brought you chips from the fish and chip van. But don’t worry, if you don’t want them, I’m sure the gulls will be happy for another meal.’ He looked over to the flock of gulls scavenging in the nearby bin.

  ‘Do not feed my chips to the gulls!’

  ‘You’d better come and get them then. I already rang the bell but there was no answer.’

  ‘You wait there, I’m coming down!’

  Quickly slipping on her trainers and grabbing a jacket, Bea slid down the ladder as fast as a fireman down his pole and locked up The Little Blue Boathouse behind her.

  Nolan had pulled his rowing boat right up to the entrance and chained it to the rack and was now sitting on a huge rock, balancing a tray of chips smothered in curry sauce. ‘Here you go. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I got you the same as me – chips with extra salt and vinegar.’

  ‘Exactly the way I like it. Thank you.’

  ‘Shall we head to the cemetery?’

  ‘Ooo, chips and graveyards, you do know how to give a girl a good time.’

  ‘You better believe it. Everyone’s dying to go there, you know.’

  Bea groaned and rolled her eyes, taking the tray of chips off Nolan. ‘I actually feel like I’m on holiday. Chips, the water, fantastic scenery … and the company isn’t bad too.’

  ‘I was just thinking the same, but I’ll warn you now, where we’re going, the people aren’t that talkative.’ He gave her a lopsided grin as he jumped down from the rock and began to take the path towards the bridge that would lead them to the bottom of Love Heart Lane.

  Bea shook her head and pointed in the opposite direction. ‘That dirt track leads to the far end of the village and Primrose Park. The church isn’t far from there.’

  ‘Perfect, let’s walk that way then.’

  Stabbing a hot chip with the small wooden fork provided, Bea blew on it and began to eat as she followed Nolan.

  ‘It’ll be your turn to wine and dine me tomorrow.’

  ‘I don’t see any wine,’ replied Bea.

  ‘Two bottles of beer in my rucksack.’

  Turning left on to the dirt track, Nolan stopped and pointed over to Bea’s car where it was parked at the back of The Little Blue Boathouse. ‘You drive a battered old turquoise Fiesta with psychedelic flowers painted all over it?’

  ‘Been with me since I was seventeen, and I’m not giving her up any day soon.’

  ‘I’m finding out more about you every second we spend together. It does look like it’s seen better days though.’

  ‘She’s never let me down though, unlike some I know.’

  Nolan grinned across at her. ‘You do make me smile. Try not to dwell on the past. It’s the here and now that’s the most important – and here and now we have chips. I have to say these are the best I’ve tasted in a while.’

  Bea couldn’t agree more. The wind in her hair, the best chips and curry sauce, and walking at the side of a handsome man … could life get any better than this?

  ‘Guess what I did today?’ she said excitedly as they headed up the steep path.

  ‘Are we talking about any particular time of the day?’ He gave her a mischievous grin.

  ‘After lunchtime, which I have to say was one of my most memorable lunchtimes in a very long time—’

  ‘Glad to hear it,’ Nolan interrupted.

  ‘I resigned.’

  Nolan stopped in his tracks. ‘You’ve resigned on day one?’

  ‘Not from the Boathouse. In fact, I successfully passed my trial. No, I resigned from my job at the supermarket. All I need to do now is pluck up the courage to tell my sister that I’ve done so and will be extending my holiday here in Heartcross.’

  ‘I’m impressed. It’s a powerful moment when you become brave enough to change the life you’re leading. You’ve taken the first step of moving away from the past. I admire you for that. It’s not easy.’

  His words took Bea by surprise, and she noticed that Nolan’s voice had faltered a little. Glancing at him, she suddenly wondered whether he was running from his own past. That would certainly make sense, given the way he never settled in one place.