Page 20 of Bea's Book Wagon
‘Would you like a cuppa, Nathan?’ offered Carol.
‘Best not, Mrs Miller, I’ve got to get back for milking,’ said Nathan.
‘Oh, call me Carol. I’m putting the kettle on anyway, love, are you sure you don’t want one?’
‘Mum, if Nathan’s busy then—’
‘It’s fine,’ said Nathan, ‘I can squeeze a quick cuppa in.’
Carol’s ‘quick cuppa’ turned out to be closer to an hour, and Bea practically had to drag Nathan out the front door to escape.
‘I’m so sorry about Mum,’ Bea groaned, as they finally drove away from her parents’ house. ‘Honestly, you didn’t have to answer all her questions, she’s so nosy.’
‘She’d fit right in in Blossom Heath; everyone knows everybody’s business there,’ Nathan chuckled.
‘And I thought Rye was bad for gossip.’
‘It’s just village life, you’ll get used to it.’
‘I’m sure I will,’ said Bea. ‘I’ve not got any exciting secrets to uncover anyway…’
‘I still can’t believe it, you know,’ said Nathan, glancing sideways to smile at her.
‘Believe what?’
‘You. Moving to Blossom Heath.’
‘I know!’ said Bea, returning his smile. ‘I can’t believe I’m moving in with Archie… we might kill each other by the end of the first week.’
‘Ha! If you’ve survived living with both your parents these past few months, living with Archie will be a breeze.’
‘True. Speaking of parents, how’s your dad? Is his knee any better?’
‘It’s improving, but it’s still slowing him down a bit. He’s much less hands on at the farm these days.’
‘Is it his seventieth soon?’
‘Next year, yeah,’ Nathan nodded.
‘Ooooh, I meant to tell you,’ she said. ‘I saw your cheese in that posh deli in Rye. Mum won’t buy anything else now.’
Nathan had started producing cheese a few years earlier to help boost the dwindling income from the dairy herd, and ever since business had been booming. His Blossom Heath Blue was a local favourite.
‘Pleased to hear it. I never imagined it would take off so well, if I’m honest,’ he said. ‘We’re stocked by some local restaurants and cafés now, too; I’ve got a regular order from the Cosy Cat.’
‘Oooh, that’s great! I guess I’ll see you next time you deliver.’
‘Of course! Jess told me you’re going to be working there.’
‘Tori’s been a lifesaver, I couldn’t have gone ahead with the book wagon without some regular cash coming in each month.’
‘No, I get that. Tori’s great. She’s been really supportive of the cheese business. I can’t believe how much she manages to sell!’
‘I’m so proud of you, Nate,’ said Bea.
‘Of me?’
‘Yes, you! What you’re doing at the farm is amazing, and you love it, don’t you? I can tell.’
