Page 34 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘I am taking it slow, but I can still get caught up in the moment, can’t I?’
‘Of course,’ said Jess, a smile escaping her lips.
‘He came into the café today all suited and booted. He looked… hot. Mum popped in as well, so I had to introduce them and—’
‘Hang on, your mum’s met him?’
‘I know,’ said Bea, grimacing, ‘It wasn’t planned, believe me.’
‘God, I bet!’
‘She was on her way to see your mum, actually.’
‘So, what did you do?’ Jess laughed.
‘Well, Lochlan kind of dropped me in it by saying we’d been out for a drink, so I had to pretend we’d just bumped into each other. I’m not sure Mum bought it, to be honest.’
‘You’re a terrible liar, there’s no way she doesn’t think that was a date.’
‘You’re probably right,’ Bea sighed. ‘It’s not like it’s some big secret, but you know what Mum’s like. She’ll insist I bring him over for dinner so she can grill him and, well, it’s still early days.’
‘Hey, I get it, my mum’s exactly the same,’ Jess agreed. ‘So, are you seeing him again?’
‘Yeah, Thursday.’
‘Where are you going?’
‘I’m not sure,’ said Bea, shrugging, ‘it’s a surprise, apparently.’
‘Ooooh, I wonder where he’s taking you?’ said Jess.
‘I don’t know, but I can’t wait to find out!’
* * *
Bea was really struggling to concentrate on anything other than her date with Lochlan. She’d gone to Three Acre Farm to work on the horsebox, hoping it would take her mind off it.
It didn’t.
If anything, she was clock-watching more than ever. By mid-afternoon, her shoulders were aching and her back was sore from all the sanding and scrubbing.
‘How’s it going?’ said Nathan, walking into the barn with a plate of biscuits. ‘These are from Mum,’ he said.
‘Ah, brilliant, I’m starving,’ said Bea, biting into one. ‘Mmmm… delicious.’
‘Looks like all the prep is pretty much done,’ said Nathan, inspecting the horsebox. ‘Sorry I’ve not been able to help much, it’s been hectic—’
‘Don’t be silly. I don’t expect you to drop everything to help me all the time, you know.’
‘I know, but if I could, I would.’
‘Well, that’s very sweet of you,’ said Bea, smiling broadly. ‘I think I’ll be able to start painting on Saturday. Archie and Jess are going to help.’
‘I’ve not seen Archie in ages, it’ll be good to see him.’
‘Don’t stop working, though, I know how much you’ve got to do here. If you can help then great, but honestly, it’ll be fine if you can’t.’
‘Okay, well I’ll see how I get on,’ said Nathan, grabbing a cookie from the plate and shoving it into his mouth whole.
