Page 41 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘Are you okay to grab those?’ he asked, nodding towards the two pints on the bar.
‘Oh, yeah, sure,’ she said, clearing her throat.
‘Cheers for these,’ said Archie, raising his glass, as they returned to the table.
‘Yeah, thanks, Lochlan,’ said Jess, taking a sip of her drink.
‘So, what have you been up to today?’ Lochlan asked, taking Bea’s hand under the table.
‘Working on the wagon at Nate’s,’ said Bea, smiling.
‘Ah, that’s right,’ said Lochlan, ‘you’re at Three Acre Farm, aren’t you?’
‘That’s me,’ said Nathan.
‘It’s good of you to help Bea out like this,’ said Lochlan. ‘She told me how great you’ve been.’
‘You’re welcome to grab a paintbrush and lend a hand,’ said Nathan.
‘Me? Oh, no, I’m not very handy. I’m more of an ideas guy,’ said Lochlan, setting down his pint. ‘Anyway, I’m snowed under with work, there’s no way I could get away, I’m afraid.’
‘Lochlan’s got his own property development firm,’ Bea explained.
‘Oh, yeah, Bea mentioned you’d been involved with building Meadowgate Mead,’ said Archie.
‘That’s right. You know, we’re always looking for more land to develop,’ said Lochlan, pulling out his business card and turning to Nathan, ‘if you’re looking to make some extra cash, it’s very lucrative. I know times are hard in farming at the—’
‘I manage just fine, thanks,’ said Nathan, folding his arms. ‘I’m not looking to sell off my land.’
‘Nate runs a cheese business, too,’ Bea said, quickly. ‘It’s doing amazingly well.’
‘We stock it in the shop, it’s one of our bestsellers,’ said Jess.
‘The shop?’ said Lochlan.
‘Yeah, my parents run Harrison’s,’ Jess explained.
‘Ah, I see,’ said Lochlan.
‘I don’t think I’ve seen you in there before?’ said Jess.
‘I order all my groceries online,’ said Lochlan.
‘That explains it. Our customers can’t get enough of Nate’s Blossom Heath Blue or his goat’s cheese; it’s local, artisan stuff. You’re branching out to some of the restaurants in Rye too, aren’t you, Nate?’ said Jess.
‘Yep,’ said Nathan.
‘Nate supplies the Cosy Cat, too,’ said Bea.
‘Well, if you ever change your mind about the land—’ said Lochlan.
‘I won’t,’ replied Nathan.
‘Either way, here’s my card,’ said Lochlan, sliding it across the table. Nathan didn’t pick it up.
‘Sorry, guys, I’m going to duck out,’ said Archie, glancing at his phone. ‘Seb and Josh are out in Rye and I’m going to go meet them. Anyone fancy it?’
‘Nah, I need a long soak in the bath and an early night,’ said Jess, yawning.
