Chapter 38
CHAPTER 38
“ C ome on angel, you can do it.” Tony laid on the floor with his granddaughter before him and a toy just out of her reach.
Ruby stretched her arm out and then made a squeaking noise before she cried in frustration.
“Dad, you’re not her personal trainer,” Nina said. “Stop tormenting her.”
“I wanted her to crawl before Ma and I go on holiday. She’s so close and we’ll miss it.”
Nina picked Ruby up and gave her the toy. “It seems a little cruel, she’ll crawl when she’s ready.”
“I did it with you!” Tony said as he stood up and brushed himself down.
“You know what? That explains a lot!” Nina said with a laugh.
“You crawled at five months.”
“I’m sure I did,” she said as she kissed Ruby on the forehead. “Grandad will have you training for the England women’s football team at this rate.”
“Nothing wrong with a little parental encouragement.”
“I know, Dad, I’ve had a lifetime of it, and it never ends.”
“Now, are you going to cope with us gone for a couple of weeks? I know you’re busy.” They were staying with Florrie and David at their apartment in Gran Canaria.
“Yes, I’ll be busy, but I’ll take Ruby with me.”
“We’re so proud of you, darling.”
Nina had noticed that Ruby had taken on the name angel , and she’d been promoted to darling . “All I ask is for you to babysit tonight so I can watch the darts.”
Nina went up to her room to get ready. She smiled at the pictures she had collected on her dressing table. There was one of Warren in his robes at his graduation ceremony for his doctorate. He was now nicknamed Doc Hunter in The Eversley. There was another of them all at the farmhouse at Christmas with both sets of parents. Then a third picture of Warren with his award at the Avon and Somerset Police event where he’d won a Chief Constable Commendation for helping the police put two gang leaders behind bars. Nina felt it was part compensation for him missing Ruby’s birth.
They’d been taking their relationship slowly, not wanting to take it too quick and fizzle out. Although the couple of days a week they’d started with soon became most of the week and in recent weeks, there hadn’t been a day when they’d not seen each other. But it had developed over time and being with Warren was so easy and Ruby loved him already. He always got a giggle out of her. It was as if they both knew they’d be together, but the timing had to be right.
Ethan had finally received an offer on the Shepton Mallet property which was waiting to complete. His mother said that he was going to make a settlement with Nina, but she decided she’d worry about that once the property had gone through. Her business was still in its early days and even though she had enough capital to put a down payment on the cottage, she couldn’t raise a mortgage without proving she had a regular income. She guessed that would take time. Any spare cash, after paying her team who made her designs, was reinvested.
Nina was looking forward to the darts – it was the cup match as a finale to the winter season. Warren had asked her to join him beforehand for a quiet meal in the Eversley Bistro.
Once ready for her evening out, there was a knock on the door and she opened it to find Warren on the doorstep, looking exceptionally smart.
“I guess you won’t be playing darts in that?”
He lifted a rucksack. “I’ve my team shirt in here. But as we’re going to the bistro, I thought should make an effort.” He wrung his hands together.
“Are you nervous about the game? she asked.
“No?”
“You seem it,” she said. “You’re making me nervous too.” She turned around and took her coat from the stand just inside her door. “See you later,” she called out to her dad. She’d already kissed Ruby goodnight, who was in the nursery with Sumitra.
“Have a nice time, darling,” Tony called after her.
Nina stepped out and took Warren’s hand as they walked the short distance around the green. She loved the feeling of being next to Warren but something was still stopping her from inviting him to live with them. It was as if she was waiting for something solid to hold onto before she made a commitment, before she allowed them to get super close. Before they spent the night together.
He opened the door of the bistro for her and they went inside. They were shown to the only laid table in the centre of the room, upon which was a small vase of red roses.
“This is lovely,” she said. “They’re quiet tonight.”
“Would you like me to take your coat?” Natalie asked, beaming at her.
She removed her coat and passed it to her.
Warren waited until she was seated and then sat opposite her.
“You look stunning,” he said. “You always look stunning. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve set eyes on. And you get more beautiful with every moment that passes.”
She grinned at him. “Are you after a big favour or something?”
“Yes, I am.” He looked nervous.
“What is it?” she asked. “Just tell me.”
He took a deep breath. “I’ve a new job.”
She frowned. “A job? What about your field? It’s your passion, your life’s work!”
He laughed. “I’m not giving it up. I’ve got the job I’ve always had my heart set on. As a professor.”
“Oh my goodness, where?” She put a hand to her throat hoping this wasn’t going to turn into bad news. “You’re not moving, are you?”
“Of course not! It’s commutable. The university is opening up a new centre in Taunton, for agricultural science. They’re taking a long-term lease of the silvopasture so Mitch is compensated. And my salary, well it’s more than I’d ever dreamed I could earn. It solves the endless wait for lottery funding.”
“Oh my goodness, Warren, I’m so proud.” She touched his hand across the table. “How did you find that job?”
“One of the deans was at the police awards night. I got chatting to her and then she contacted me out of the blue with the proposal! I’ll have a regular income.”
She smiled at him. “So what’s the big favour?”
He retrieved a box from his pocket and looked at it as if summoning up the courage to lift the lid.
Nina stared at the box then up at him, her heart pounding.
He opened it and lifted out a ring with one large ruby, and two smaller rubies each side. “The favour is that I want you to marry me.”
Nina put her hand to her mouth which was widening to a grin. “Yes, I’d love to.”
Warren took the ring out and put his hand out for hers. “It’s not like the rock you wore when I met you,” he said.
“It’s a ruby and a ruby has so much more meaning,” she said.
“And there’s more. I want you to allow me to buy the cottage with you. I’ve more than enough to raise a mortgage.”
She laughed. “Of course you can.”
He slid the ring onto her finger. “I love you, Nina.”
She lifted her hand up to admire her ring. “I love it. And I love you too.”
Warren called over to Natalie. “She said yes!”
“Let’s go next door,” he said. “Sorry, but there’s no dinner.”
She laughed as he led her out of the back entrance of the restaurant which took them into the main bar.
“It’s a yes!” he called out.
Everyone cheered as she looked around the pub. All her friends were there. “You must have been pretty confident I’d say yes!”
“I took a punt on myself,” he laughed. “Crack open the champagne,” he shouted to Rob who had the bottles lined up.
“Calm down everyone,” Jaz shouted. “We’ve got the match in an hour and only one glass of champagne each!” She scowled at Warren. “Why did you have to ask her today?”
Warren laughed. “Come on, the game will go great. Rob’s overtaken me as the best player. We’ll walk it.”
“I can’t wait to watch it,” Nina said. “I feel like it’s England in the football finals.” She looked at Warren and then back to Jaz. “The women’s team, of course.” They all laughed.
The Dogs soon arrived.
“Ready for another thrashing?” Digger asked.
Jaz narrowed her large eyes. “I can see the nerves written all over your face. And you know we’re going to take your crown when the summer season starts. We haven’t lost a match in weeks.”
“Whatever. We’ve won the league, why do you think you can take the cup?”
“Because my guys are hungry for it, that’s why!”
Digger called out to Darren. “Daz, tell your kid to back down.”
Nina laughed as she stood by her friend.
“Oi, she’s no kid,” Darren said. “She’ll make mincemeat of us if you speak to her like that!” He winked at Jaz.
“Carl, you’re on first!” Jaz called out as Warren put his arm around Nina.
“Digger you can start, mate,” Darren said.
Nina smiled at Jaz. “Calm down. You’re so tense. You need to enjoy it.”
“You’re right. Julian says I’m obsessed.”
Carl threw his darts and then shook his head as he pulled them out of the board. “Sorry Jaz.” He only made eighty-two.
“One hundred and eighty,” the Dogs’ crowd shouted in unison when Digger had taken his turn.
“Don’t let them get to you,” Jaz said in Carl’s ear then pushed him towards the oche.
Carl tried his best but failed to claw it back with Digger finishing on a double twenty.
“Sorry, guys.” He returned his darts to their case.
“It’s not the end,” Warren said. “Come on Eversley.” He winked at Nina.
“Go on Rob, do your best!” Jaz said.
Nina had never seen Rob so focussed. She guessed he had his boxing head on as he looked fearsome. Every dart he threw went exactly where he wanted it to.
“You should go pro!” Warren shouted then turned to Nina. “I’ve been trying to convince him, he’s good enough.”
Rob won and ended with cheers and Katie threw her arms around his neck, giving him a kiss that was a lot more than a peck, which received an extra round of applause.
“Settle down,” Jaz shouted. “Grace, you’re on next!”
“Spud, it’s your go,” Darren said.
Grace beat him and everyone cheered although Reverend Stephens lost his game.
It was equal until the last game.
“Warren versus Daz,” Rob shouted out. “Come on Doc Hunter!”
Everyone cheered as the last dart flew in and Warren took the game. He shook hands with Darren. “Sorry, Daz.”
“No worries, you deserve the cup. And congratulations on your engagement.”
“Well done,” Digger said to Jaz. “Seriously, I’m impressed. It’s gonna be a tough summer season for us.”
“Newquay here we come,” Carl shouted. They picked Jaz up and carried her outside onto the green to celebrate while she screamed at them to put her down.
After the food which Adam had prepared, which was a selection of his speciality pies, Jaz sipped a well-earned cider at the bar with Nina and Holly and sighed. “I tell you, I needed this.”
“Take some time off from darts,” Holly said.
“I think I’ll have to, I’m busy at the showroom with Dave gone.”
“Looks like we’re off to Newquay, then!” Nina said to her.
“Julian was threatening to make me go on my own! But I’ve convinced Simon to cover the pub for us.”
Nina’s phone began to ding with repeated notifications.
“You’re popular,” Jaz said.
“Has word got around about the engagement?” Holly asked.
“Most people I know are here.” Nina pulled her phone out of her pocket. “It’s my website. The app must be glitching.” Her phone continued to ping.
“Oh, hun. I forgot to say, what with the game and Warren’s proposal. Crystal said she was doing a reel this evening, on social media, showing off your clothes.”
Nina blinked then logged into her store. “Oh my goodness, it’s going crazy!” I’d better text Lindsey and co to make sure they’ve nothing planned for the next few weeks, we’ve a tonne of work to do.” She laughed then noticed her parents approaching.
“Congratulations on your engagement,” Tony said. “Warren told us his professor news and that he was proposing earlier tonight.”
“Thanks. Where’s Ruby?”
“Don’t worry, she’s sound asleep and Belle’s watching her,” Sumitra said then lifted her hand and admired her ring. “It’s beautiful. Give me a hug.”
“Thanks Ma,” she said as she held her mother close.
Sumitra spoke into her ear. “I always said you’d marry a doctor.”