Page 33 of Flowers Go Flying in Crumbleton

Had he really just said that?

‘B-bed?’ she stammered.

Murray grinned at her. There was no trace of his previous discombobulation now.

‘I don’t know about you,’ he said, mildly, ‘but I’m going to need a nap after all the excitement. Would you care to join me?’

A nap? Was it her turn to start hallucinating? Maybe she really was a purple dinosaur.

A slow smile spread over Milly’s face – which promptly morphed into an embarrassingly enthusiastic yawn. What was it about the word nap? It was almost like it created a chemical reaction that induced sleepiness.

‘I don’t mind chilling on your sofa for a bit while you grab a nap,’ she said.

‘The sofa’s too short for a decent nap,’ he said, not taking his eyes off her. ‘Trust me – I’ve tested it several times. Anyway – it’s a big bed.’

Milly shrugged. Why not? This had already been the weirdest afternoon she’d had in a very long time. Why shouldn’t she join him for a quick snooze on that giant bed of his? After all – at least she’d be able to keep half an eye on him.

‘Okay,’ she said. ‘Let’s nap.’

CHAPTER 14

MURRAY

Murray yawned widely as he made his way back out on deck. Despite downing yet another cup of coffee and sharing a nibble of all three types of cake Milly had brought with her, he was still struggling to fully surface from his nap. He’d never slept so well in his life… which was a miracle, considering what a weird situation he’d managed to land himself in.

The idea of sharing a nap with Milly had been inspired. The reality was far more awkward than he’d anticipated. Or at least it was to start with!

He’d lain there on his back, frozen to the spot – more than aware that she was just a foot away, doing exactly the same thing. He’d pulled the duvet over both of them and they’d gone completely still – not saying a word to each other – as if the downy cover had cast some kind of spell over them.

Murray had never been so aware of how loud his breathing was - and had promptly tried to do it more quietly… which had only served to make his heart race. He was just starting to give up on the idea of sleeping at all - even though he was so exhausted he felt like an elephant was sitting on his head - when he felt Milly start to drop off next to him.

Her breathing became slow and steady, and her entire body seemed to sink a little into the mattress as sleep stole over her. That had been his own cue, and he’d finally let himself drift off with a huge smile on his face.

Murray had to admit, opening his eyes to find Milly Rowlands still dozing right next to him had practically been a religious experience. The pair of them had snuggled up to each other in their sleep, and he was close enough to count every golden freckle that dusted the bridge of her nose. He was close enough that he could have kissed her.

He didn’t, of course – and he’d been kicking himself for that ever since. Murray liked to think of himself as a gentleman, though. Asking someone if they wanted to share your afternoon nap was one thing. Pouncing on them when they were enjoying said nap was another thing entirely.

Still, when Milly opened her eyes and stared dreamily at him as if she was trying to figure out if he was real or not, it had taken every ounce of his resolve not to wrap his arms around her and close that last little gap between them.

Murray couldn’t help but feel like he’d somehow missed a golden opportunity. Maybe the only opportunity he’d get to show her how he felt about her. He’d tried to tell her… but then he’d almost passed out, so that definitely hadn’t gone to plan!

‘You okay?’ said Milly, bringing him back to his senses as she followed him onto the deck and closed the trawler door softly behind her. ‘Are you sure you’re up for this? You were miles away there for a moment!’

‘Yeah, I’m fine,’ said Murray, smiling at her. ‘And I’m definitely up for it. I feel like a new man after sleep and cake and coffee. Besides, I think I owe you one after everything you’ve done for me!’

‘What, like turning up uninvited and then screaming your name until you came to my rescue because I got stuck in the mud?’ she laughed.

‘Like bringing me groceries,’ countered Murray.

‘Like stealing your hot water, using your shower gel and helping myself from your wardrobe?’ said Milly.

‘Like making me lunch and then making sure I didn’t die in my sleep!’ said Murray with a wry smile.

‘Okay, you win,’ chuckled Milly.

‘Good,’ said Murray. ‘Anyway, it won’t take me half a minute to row you back into town.’

‘Well… thank you,’ said Milly. ‘For the nap, and the water-taxi… and not making me feel like a total loser for just turning up.’

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