Page 19 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘Yeah, Bea,’ said Archie with a sly smile, ‘it’d be great if you two—’
‘You can pack that in,’ said Bea, sharply, ‘unless you want to start discussing your love life… who was it Jess saw you out with last weekend?’
‘Point taken,’ said Archie, clearing his throat.
‘Anyway, when’s Seb moving out?’ asked Bea, keen to change the subject.
‘Friday,’ said Archie.
‘So, I could move in next weekend?’ said Bea.
‘If you like,’ said Archie, noncommittally.
‘How wonderful! This calls for a celebration,’ squealed Carol, turning to the fridge. ‘I’m sure I’ve got some fizz in here somewhere.’
‘Looks like I’ve got a new housemate, then,’ said Archie with a smile.
‘Looks like you have,’ Bea agreed. ‘Who’d have thought?’
‘Now, Bea,’ said Carol, popping the cork on a bottle of Cava, her eyes glinting mischievously, ‘why don’t you tell me who Jess saw Archie with…’
CHAPTER 6
Bea couldn’t quite believe it. Within the space of a few days, she’d got a job at the Cosy Cat, was about to start her own business and she had a new place to live. And the best thing about all of it was that she’d made it happen. Admittedly, her decision to buy the horsebox had been fuelled by alcohol, but she was finally creating a future that excited her – what did it matter how she got there?
Charlotte Bronte’s words in Jane Eyre felt pretty apt right now: ‘And your will shall decide your destiny.’
Jess had been over the moon when Bea had told her about her move to Blossom Heath, and Nathan had offered to help on moving day.
‘Surely that must be the last box?’ Gordon shouted from the hallway, as Bea made her way downstairs.
‘Erm… I think there’s a couple more on the landing,’ she said, sheepishly.
‘I don’t understand how all this has come out of that tiny room?’ said Gordon, scratching his head. ‘It’s like a Tardis.’
‘Ha! I wish,’ said Bea, setting her suitcase down by the front door.
‘It’s all books,’ said Carol, peering over the top of the box she was carrying.
‘Wordsworth, will you get out of the way?’ Gordon grabbed the little Cavalier’s collar as he made to dart between Carol’s legs. ‘The last thing we need this morning is to trip over you.’
‘Oh, that might be Nathan,’ said Bea, as a horn sounded in the street outside.
‘About time,’ Gordon huffed. ‘We could have done with his muscles half an hour ago.’
‘All right, love,’ said Carol, testily, ‘he’s doing Bea a favour.’
‘Exactly, Dad. He didn’t have to give up his Sunday morning to come and help,’ said Bea.
‘Thank God he did, we’d never get this lot in the back of the Fiat,’ said Carol, eyeing the boxes.
‘Nathan, hi!’ said Bea, swinging open the front door. ‘Thanks so much for helping!’ She hugged him tightly.
‘Steady on, I haven’t done anything yet!’ said Nathan, grinning widely at her. ‘Wow! Is this all yours?’ he asked, looking at the stack of boxes surrounding him.
‘Erm… yeah,’ said Bea. ‘Sorry, I’ve got tons of stuff. If there’s not enough room—’
‘Oh, we’ll get this lot in, no problem,’ said Nathan, bending down to fuss Wordsworth, who was jumping around giddily at his feet.
