Page 64 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘Yes! You’d better be quick though, looks like Tony’s packing up…’
‘On it,’ said Nathan, striding over to the stall.
Bea picked up her phone and sent a WhatsApp message to Lochlan: Fête went well, sorry I didn’t see you. Let me know if you’re around later xx
She sighed, confused by his absence and disappointed not to have seen him.
When she looked up, she saw Nathan walking towards her holding two chicken enchiladas, with a bottle of beer tucked under each arm, and she couldn’t help but smile.
Here she was, sat in the late afternoon sun with one of her favourite people in the world. The first day had been a success, and she was about to enjoy a cold beer with what were allegedly the world’s best enchiladas. Did it really matter that Lochlan had let her down?
CHAPTER 17
‘So, have you heard from him yet?’ asked Jess, over coffee at the Cosy Cat the next morning. ‘I still can’t believe he didn’t show up!’
‘Yeah, he sent a message late last night after I got back from the pub. He got caught up with work stuff in London. He couldn’t get out of it, apparently,’ Bea said, nonchalantly.
‘He should have let you know, though.’
‘He said he was in meetings all day.’
‘On a bank holiday weekend?’ said Jess, eyes narrowed.
‘Uh-huh.’
‘And you believe him?’
‘It’s not a big deal.’
‘Hmmmmm… if you say so. Not quite Mr Perfect after all, though.’
‘Oh, it’s fine, Jess. Seriously, I’ve already forgotten it,’ said Bea. ‘He couldn’t make it, he’s apologized, we’re fine,’ she said, arms folded.
‘If a guy I was dating missed something that was as important to me as yesterday was to you, I’m not sure I’d feel the same way…’
‘Well, thankfully you’re not dating him, so we’re good. By the way, did I tell you I got a few more bookings out of yesterday?’ said Bea, keen to change the subject.
‘No! That’s great news.’
‘I know. I’m visiting the primary school in a few weeks, and the WI have invited me to go to their next meeting to give a talk about the renovation and people can buy books afterwards.’
‘Fantastic, how exciting!’
‘I’ve reserved a pitch at a few other summer fairs as well, one in Cherrydown in July and another in Appleton in August. If I can get at least one booking a month over the summer, that gives me some financial security, then I can work out what to do longer term once the holidays are over.’
‘Sounds like a good plan,’ Jess agreed, equally glad to be off the subject of Lochlan.
‘Arthur!’ said Bea, leaping up from her chair as he pulled open the door.
‘Hello there, my dear,’ he said warmly.
‘Arthur, this is my friend Jess. Would you like to join us?’ Bea offered.
‘Only if I’m not interrupting?’ he said, taking off his hat.
‘No, of course not,’ said Bea. ‘I’m not working today, but grab a seat and I’ll get you a coffee. Cream, two sugars, right?’
‘You remembered!’ said Arthur.
