Chapter 11
The Apple Tree was packed when Bea, Jess, Archie and Nathan arrived after a hard day working on the wagon. Bea had to force her way through the crowds to get served at the bar.
‘Three pints of cider and a double whisky, please, Beth,’ said Bea, pulling out her purse when it was finally her turn.
‘Coming right up,’ said Beth, pulling the first pint. ‘So, how are you? Settling in?’
‘Yeah, good, thanks. I really like it here, everyone’s been so welcoming.’
‘That’s Blossom Heath for you. I’ve been hearing all about your book wagon; it’s the talk of the village, you know.’
‘It is?’ said Bea, her eyes wide in amazement.
‘Yeah, Maggie’s been filling us in. A mobile bookshop? What a treat! I’d much rather buy from an actual person than online.’
‘Oh, me too! What do you usually read?’
‘I’m a true crime fan, the grislier the better. Can’t get enough of the stuff.’
‘Really?’ said Bea, surprised. ‘I’m not sure I’d have guessed that, and I’m usually good at figuring out—’
‘Oh, I love everything, really. Give me a good romance, too.’
‘Ah,’ said Bea, nodding. ‘You strike me as someone who believes in happy-ever-afters.’
‘You have to, don’t you? What sort of a world would it be otherwise?’ said Beth, lining Bea’s drinks up along the bar.
‘A pretty sad one,’ Bea agreed.
‘Speaking of happy-ever-afters,’ said Beth, leaning in across the bar. ‘Did I spot you in here with that Lochlan the other night?’
‘Oh, yeah,’ Bea nodded, bashfully.
‘He’s a looker, that’s for sure. Nice guy too, by all accounts,’ said Beth, approvingly.
‘Well, we’ve only been on two dates, but so far he seems nice,’ Bea gushed. ‘We met when he jumped into the river to rescue my dog.’
‘Did he?’ said Beth, clearly impressed. ‘How romantic.’
‘I know,’ Bea nodded. ‘I’ve got a good feeling about him. Sorry, I’m getting carried away. I just like him, that’s all.’
‘You get carried away all you like, love. I hope it works out.’
‘Me too. Do you know what? I’m going to see if he’s free. What have I got to lose?’ she said, pulling out her phone and sending Lochlan a text. It beeped instantly with a reply: Be there as soon as I can xx
Bea couldn’t help clock-watching as she waited nervously for Lochlan to arrive at the pub.
‘What’s up with you?’ asked Nathan, nudging her. ‘You haven’t stopped looking at the door since you sat down. Not boring you, are we?’ he teased.
‘No, course not,’ Bea replied, ‘I’m waiting for Lochlan, that’s all,’ she said, bouncing her foot up and down under the table.
‘Lochlan? The guy you went on a date with?’
‘That’s the one.’
‘And he’s on his way here?’
‘Yeah,’ said Bea, smiling. ‘He took me to this amazing restaurant in Brighton, Nate. Cate Blanchett was there… actual Cate Blanchett, can you believe it?’
‘Blimey,’ said Nathan, taking a swig of his pint.
‘I know. You should have seen this place, it was uber fancy… I’ve never been anywhere like it before. We had oysters—’
‘Oysters? But you hate oysters!’ Nathan cut in. ‘You used to call them sea bogeys?’
‘Oh, they were totally disgusting, but he ordered for us both…’
‘He ordered for you?’ Nathan scowled, shaking his head. ‘Bea, isn’t that—’
‘He was being romantic,’ Bea insisted. ‘Aren’t oysters supposed to be the food of love, or something? I couldn’t exactly not eat them.’
‘I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t have eaten them if I’d turned up with a plate of oysters.’
‘Yeah, but that’s different, Nate, it’s… well, you.’
‘Right,’ said Nathan, his face falling a little.
‘Oh, he’s here,’ Bea said, grabbing Nathan by the arm. ‘Right, you lot, play nice, okay?’
‘Ooooh, the famous Lochlan,’ said Jess, her eyes scanning the room, trying to catch sight of him. ‘Bloody hell, Bea, is that him?’
Bea nodded as Lochlan made his way over, wearing a pair of skin-tight jeans and what looked like a designer shirt. Bea felt her pulse surge at the sight of him.
‘I know you said he was hot, but he’s gorgeous,’ whispered Jess.
‘You should see his car, mate,’ said Archie, turning to Nathan. ‘He’s got a bloody Maserati!’
‘Has he?’ said Nathan, coolly.
‘Hiya,’ said Bea, leaping up from her seat and kissing Lochlan on the cheek.
‘Hello, you,’ said Lochlan, his dark eyes fixed on hers.
She could stare into those eyes all day long…
‘Erm,’ said Jess, subtly clearing her throat, ‘Aren’t you going to introduce us?’
‘Oh, yes, sorry,’ said Bea, flustered. ‘Lochlan, these are my friends, Jess and Nathan, and this is my brother, Archie.’
‘Good to meet you all,’ said Lochlan, shaking Archie by the hand. ‘Can I get another round?’
‘Mine’s a cider, cheers, mate,’ said Archie, downing the dregs of his pint.
‘I’ll take a G 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.
‘Nate?’ said Archie. ‘You in? Why don’t we leave these two to it,’ he said, nodding towards Bea and Lochlan.
‘I don’t know, mate, I’ve got an early start tomorrow,’ said Nathan, glancing at his watch.
‘Oh, come on,’ said Archie. ‘You haven’t been out with the lads in ages.’
‘Go on then,’ said Nathan, finishing his drink in one swift gulp.
‘Yes! I’ll get us an Uber,’ said Archie, tapping on his phone. ‘Let’s wait outside.’
‘Have fun, guys,’ Jess called after them.
‘And thanks for your help today,’ Bea shouted to them.
‘And then there were three,’ Jess laughed. ‘I’m going to make a move.’
‘Actually, I’m pretty exhausted, too. Why don’t we walk you home, Jess? Lochlan, do you want to come to mine? I reckon Archie will be out for a while…’ said Bea.
‘Good idea,’ said Lochan, his eyes flashing.
‘Right, let’s go,’ said Jess, taking a final sip of her drink.
Bea shivered as she stepped into the cool, night air.
‘Wow, it’s chilly out here,’ she said, pulling her jacket tightly around her.
‘Seriously, you don’t need to walk me home, I can literally see the shop from here,’ Jess laughed.
‘Fine, but I’m not leaving till I see you go through the front door,’ said Bea.
‘It’s Blossom Heath, not London, I’ll be fine,’ said Jess, rolling her eyes and striding off across the green.
‘Do you mind if we—’ Bea paused.
‘Wait for her to go inside?’ said Lochlan, slipping his fingers through hers.
‘Uh-huh.’
‘Course not,’ he said, raising her hand to his lips and kissing it.
They stood in silence for a couple of minutes until they saw Jess wave at them from her front door. Bea waved back.
‘Let’s go,’ said Bea, turning to face Lochlan. The air between them thickened.
Without speaking, Lochlan wrapped his arms around Bea’s waist and pulled her in close. Every nerve in her body flickered into life. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought it might literally explode.
‘Bea?’ he whispered.
‘Yes?’ she murmured, a shiver of anticipation running down her spine.
‘I don’t think I can wait any longer…’
‘Me neither,’ she replied, leaning in towards him.
And as their lips touched, their first kiss was everything she hoped it would be: utterly perfect.