Page 93 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘Uh, but I’m starving,’ she complained.
‘Knew you would be,’ he said, pulling a bag of walnuts from his back pocket and tossing them towards her. ‘That’s why I brought you these,’ he said, winking.
‘Yes! Thanks, Nate,’ said Bea, tearing open the bag and shoving one into her mouth. ‘Here’s Phoebe!’ she spluttered, trying not to choke as Phoebe struggled towards them, a heavy box in her arms.
‘Hello, you two,’ said Phoebe. ‘Did someone order more wine?’
‘Yes! And lots of it,’ said Bea, taking the box from her and carefully stashing it under the table. ‘Thanks so much for this.’
‘No worries, I’ve been looking forward to it. Although, I have to admit, I haven’t actually read the book,’ said Phoebe, looking mortified.
‘Oh, don’t worry about that,’ Bea replied. ‘There won’t be a test!’
‘I meant to, but then, life,’ Phoebe said with a grimace, ‘and by that, I mean mum duties got in the way.’
‘It’s not a problem, it’s just great to have you here,’ said Bea.
‘And even better to have the wine,’ Nathan teased.
‘Oi!’ Phoebe chastised him. ‘How long have we got to set up?’
‘Thirty minutes until everyone should start arriving,’ said Bea, looking at her watch again.
‘Plenty of time,’ said Phoebe. ‘I’ll get a few of these chilled bottles opened, and we’ll be good to go.’
Bea had almost forgotten how nervous she was until she saw Tori and Joyce walking across the green towards the wagon, fold-up chairs under their arms.
‘Here we go,’ Bea said to Nathan and Phoebe. ‘Tori! Joyce! Hello, thank you so much for coming.’
‘Wow, this all looks gorgeous,’ said Joyce, admiring the twinkling fairy lights and candles. ‘Very cute.’
‘Thanks,’ said Bea, proudly.
‘Let me get you both something to drink,’ said Phoebe, springing into action. ‘Red or white?’
‘Oooh, white, please,’ said Tori, setting up their chairs next to one of the beanbags.
‘Me too,’ said Joyce.
‘Arthur!’ called Bea, rushing to relieve him of the chair he was carrying. ‘You made it!’
‘I wouldn’t miss it, my dear,’ he said.
‘Wine?’ Phoebe asked, as Bea flipped open his heavy-duty camping chair.
‘Yes, please. I’m staying at my son’s, so I can have a glass or two, and he can drive me home in the morning,’ said Arthur, a mischievous glint in his eye.
‘Good plan,’ said Nathan, approvingly.
‘You must be the cheese man?’ asked Arthur, with a nod of recognition.
‘I am, but I also go by Nate,’ chuckled Nathan, offering out a hand to Arthur. ‘Although “The Farmer” is fine, too.’
‘Good to meet you. Bea has been telling me all about this cheese of yours. I can’t wait to try it,’ said Arthur, shaking Nathan’s hand firmly.
‘It’s delicious, believe me,’ whispered Bea.
Beth, Maggie and Jess were the next to arrive, followed by Violet, Simon and Anya, Matt and Harry, Rose, Jake and Jean, as well as a few faces Bea couldn’t put names to, but she thought she recognized from the WI meeting, the school or the Cosy Cat.
