Page 114 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘Thanks,’ said Nathan.
‘She seemed nice,’ said Bea. ‘I wonder if she knows who’s won?’ she whispered.
‘Maybe, but I’m sure she’s nice to everyone,’ Nathan replied, replaying Cece’s advice in his mind.
‘Shall we head to the bar or sit down?’ Bea asked, scanning the seating chart by the entrance to find their table number.
‘Bar! I need a proper drink,’ he chuckled, draining his champagne cocktail. ‘What do you fancy?’
‘Just orange juice for me, thanks.’
As Nathan headed to the bar, Bea found them a couple of bar stools to sit on.
‘Why I am so bloody nervous?’ he laughed, returning with a pint in one hand and tumbler of juice in the other. ‘I can’t stop sweating!’
‘It is pretty warm in here, to be fair,’ said Bea, fanning herself with her spare hand. ‘It’s just the adrenalin kicking in, you’re going to be fine.’
‘I didn’t realize there were going to be so many people here,’ Nathan said, looking anxiously around the function suite. ‘There’s bloody hundreds of them,’ he continued, taking a healthy glug of his lager. ‘I’m kinda hoping I don’t win. The thought of getting up in front of this lot is terrifying,’ he said.
‘Hey,’ said Bea, resting a hand on his shoulder. ‘Forget about everyone else; you’re never going to see any of them again anyway, so who cares what they think? Even if you make a total idiot of yourself and fall off the stage, who cares?’
‘Jesus! I hadn’t even thought about fall—’
‘I’m just saying, it doesn’t matter,’ said Bea, squeezing his hand. ‘You’re Nathan Chambers. You make the best cheese in Sussex! You’ve got this, okay?’
‘Okay,’ Nathan nodded, some of the colour returning to his cheeks. ‘What’s going on with you, anyway?’ he asked. ‘Tell me something to distract me.’
‘Well,’ said Bea, realizing she hadn’t let go of his hand yet. ‘I have got some news, actually.’
‘Go on?’ said Nathan, gazing up at her with his bright green eyes.
‘I’ve applied for a bank loan to get the lease on the Pink Ribbon, to open my own bookshop!’
‘Oh. My. God. That’s brilliant news!’ said Nathan, leaning in to hug her and almost toppling off his bar stool.
‘Steady,’ said Bea, grabbing his shoulders to keep him upright.
‘Woah!’ he chuckled, holding on to her for support. ‘I hate bar stools!’
‘I know, right?’ Bea agreed. ‘Try hoisting yourself up on one in heels and a dress!’
‘Rather you than me!’ he said, his eyes dancing with amusement. ‘Your own bookshop though, Bea? That’s massive,’ he said.
‘It’s not finalized yet, I’m waiting to hear about the loan, but, if I get it, the landlord’s promised me the lease at the same rent Anya was paying.’
‘I’m so proud of you,’ he said, placing his hand on her knee. Electricity coursed through her. She stared into his eyes and found she couldn’t – and didn’t want – to look away.
‘Bea, listen—’
‘Ladies and gentleman!’ a voice announced over the tannoy system. ‘Please take your seats! The East Sussex Business Awards 2025 are about to begin!’
Nathan snatched his hand back, standing up abruptly. ‘Shall we?’ he asked, holding an arm out for her to take.
What had he been about to say?
‘Let’s,’ she replied, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world to loop her arm through his and lean in close.
* * *
