Page 115 of Bea's Book Wagon
According to the order of service, Nathan’s category was going to be one of the last to be announced. The ceremony was being compèred by a local radio host, Mike Gibson, who did a great job of keeping the guests amused with funny anecdotes during the lull between awards presented to other category winners. The dinner itself was delicious and Bea had enjoyed every mouthful of the three-course meal, although she noticed that Nathan barely touched his food. It wasn’t until coffee was being served that Mike finally announced the next category, ‘Best Local Food Supplier’, and Bea watched the colour drain from Nathan’s face.
‘So, folks,’ said Mike, microphone clutched in his hands, ‘the nominees are…’ The LCD screen behind the stage flashed the logos of all the nominees in order. ‘Manor Park Dairy, The East Sussex Brewery Company, Sizzling Hog. And Three Acre Cheeses.’
Bea cheered at the top of her voice at the mention of Nate’s cheese company.
‘And the winner is…’ said Mike, pausing for dramatic effect as he opened the envelope, ‘Three Acre Cheeses!’
‘Whaaaat?’ whispered Nathan, looking stunned.
‘Yessss!’ cried Bea, grabbing his hand, ‘You’ve won!’
‘Three Acre Cheeses?’ Mike repeated. ‘Where are you? Come on up!’ he said, his eyes squinting in the bright light to scour the room.
‘Go on,’ said Bea, nodding encouragingly. ‘It’s you, Nate!’
‘Bloody hell!’ he said, getting to his feet and heading to the stage.
The applause was loud as Nathan climbed the steps, and Mike clapped him on the back and handed him an oval-shaped, glass award. The look on Nathan’s face was priceless; Bea didn’t think she’d ever seen him look so flabbergasted. He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket as Mike handed him the microphone, urging him to say a few words.
‘Wow,’ said Nathan, puffing out his cheeks. ‘I genuinely didn’t see this coming. I don’t know what to say… I honestly didn’t think I had a chance in hell of winning,’ he continued, much to the amusement of the crowd, ‘but I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that voted for me, and congratulations to all of the other businesses who were shortlisted.’ He paused. ‘I’d also like to say thank you to someone very special, who is here with me tonight.’
Bea felt her heart pound in her chest.
‘Bea,’ said Nathan, his eyes locked on hers. ‘This is for you.’
Bea could feel tears stinging the back of her eyes as Nathan returned to the table, and, when he finally sat down, she thew her arms around him and pulled him in close. ‘I knew it! I knew you’d win!’ she said, holding his face and kissing him hard on the cheek.
‘I can’t believe it,’ said Nathan. ‘I need a drink,’ he said, reaching for the last wine bottle in the ice bucket on the table before realizing it was empty. ‘Champagne?’ he said to Bea, wiggling his eyebrows.
‘I can’t, I’m driving,’ said Bea, kicking herself that she hadn’t suggested they book a taxi instead.
‘Sod it!’ said Nathan, ‘let’s get a cab home tonight and I’ll drive you back tomorrow to pick up the car. What do you reckon?’
‘Are you sure?’ said Bea, a smile curling at the corners of her mouth. ‘It’ll cost a fortune in an Uber.’
‘Abs-a-bloody-lutely! It’s not every day I win a business award!’ Nathan grinned.
‘True,’ said Bea, with a shriek of delight.
* * *
Once all the winners’ photographs had been taken, the music ramped up and almost everyone made a beeline for the dancefloor, Bea and Nathan included. Nathan took off his jacket and threw it down next to the DJ stand, along with Bea’s heels, which, despite looking good, were instruments of absolute torture.
As ‘Mr Brightside’ by The Killers faded out, it was replaced by Florence and the Machine’s ‘Cosmic Love’.
Bea murmured, ‘I love this song.’
It seemed like the most natural thing in the world when Nathan pulled her in close to him and they started to move together as the music played on. Bea could feel Nathan’s heart pounding against her chest, her skin tingling where his touched it.
She lifted her head, they locked eyes, and Bea felt something pass between them – a moment of intense tenderness.
She shut her eyes, lips parted—
‘And that’s all we’ve got time for this evening, folks,’ Mike Gibson’s voice rang out through the tannoy, bringing them back to reality with a thud as the music stopped abruptly. Bea took a step backwards, blinking, confused, embarrassed.
‘Sorry,’ she apologized. ‘I need the loo.’
‘Bea, wait!’ Nathan called after her, as she darted off the dance floor.
