Chapter 31
CHAPTER 31
N ina had finally given in and bought clothes designed for maternity. She’d been avoiding it, wearing regular baggy dresses and stretchy lounge wear, but all she wanted now was total comfort. She’d purchased some over-the-bump jeans in a soft material and a selection of bump-hugging tops which would not let a draft in. Autumn had arrived. She was still living at the pub. She’d grown to like the room and it was big enough for the cot to go at the end of the bed, if she failed to secure a rental. She’d been so tied up with the new children’s clothing line that she’d not dedicated herself to the home hunt. She knew she was throwing herself into the baby clothes business so she didn’t have to think about anything else. She’d heard nothing from Ethan and whenever she’d met his mother, he was never the topic of conversation.
She looked out of the window. The few trees on the green were shedding their brown and gold leaves. It was already turning dark and the lights were on in some of the cottages in the cul-de-sacs. Nina wondered whether she would still be in The Eversley Arms when the Christmas lights were switched on. A fir tree not far from the pub was usually decorated during December.
She smiled as she thought of Warren. It was the first darts match of the winter league that evening and he was excited about the first game. They’d become closer, having attended five antenatal classes together. While there, she felt as if he was her real partner. But she could not let herself go and allow herself to explore their connection. What if he let her down? And it wasn’t just her, he would be letting the baby down too. She heard a cheer coming from the pub below and made her way down the stairs, through to the bar.
“Right guys, stay off the booze until you’ve played you individual games,” Jaz shouted. “Do you hear me?”
Reverend Stephens took a quick sip of his pint then placed his glass on a table.
“I feel a pint loosens me up,” Carl said.
“I said no! If Rob can stay off the booze while he works here, you lot can go without it for an hour or so.”
Carl muttered something under his breath.
They’d finished bottom of the summer season, but only by one point. Since then, the practice nights had continued and they also met on a Friday to play against each other.
“I want A-game, people.” Jaz gestured at them.
“I feel nervous,” Grace said.
“The blokes playing you will be the nervous ones,” Rob assured her. “Worrying you’ll beat them. You’ve won a lot more games than a few others in the team.”
“That’s because they put their worse players against me.”
“Don’t put yourself down,” Helen said. “You’re a great player.”
“I agree,” Reverend Stephens said. “Warren’s always saying you’ll be one of our best if you focus on your confidence.”
“Surprise!”
Helen turned and grinned at her son as he entered the pub.
Jaz spun around and groaned. “What are you doing here?”
“That’s no way to greet a man who’s been away.”
“Brendan!” Grace called out.
Nina smiled at the couple as Grace’s boyfriend scooped her up. He had a healthy-looking tan.
“Put her down!” Jaz said scowling. “She has to be focussed for her game.”
“I can’t wait,’ Brendan said then released her and gave Helen a hug. “Hi, Ma.” He gestured towards the dart board. “Who’re you playing against?”
“The Dog and Horn,” Reverend Stephens said. “Nice to see you back.”
“They always thrash us,” Carl said. “So don’t expect much.”
Jaz had her hands on her hips. “Stop the negative talk! We can win.”
“Don’t tell me you’ve drugged your dad?” Rob asked.
“Hmm, that’s a good idea for the cup match!” she added.
Everyone laughed.
Nina caught Warren’s eye as he entered the pub and approached her.
“You look nice,” he said.
She looked down at her bump. “I feel huge.”
“Well not long to go, then there’ll be two of you.”
She leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek, then whispered in his ear. “Good luck.”
His face filled with a smile, which lasted as the team warmed up at the dart board.
Katie sat next to Nina as she took a stool at a poseur table.
“You seem to be getting on with Warren. He’s so excited about the baby being born, it’s all he talks about.”
“Really?” Nina asked.
“Yes. Have you found somewhere else to live? It’s only a few weeks away, isn’t it?”
“Jaz says her letting agent has the perfect place for me and it’ll be ready to view tomorrow afternoon.” Jaz had invited her to her place for lunch the next day and said she would drive her to see it. “Although, I quite like it in Eversley,” Nina added.
Katie sighed. “The village is so tight-knit. I’m happy living above my shop, but the thing I can’t find is a man. I did like Warren, but apart from the fact that he’s so into you, he wasn’t what I expecting.”
“What were you expecting?” Nina asked, interested to hear what it was someone could possibly not like about Warren.
“Well, he looks hard, with the tattoos and everything. And the muscles. But he’s all brains and well…too nice .”
Nina laughed. “When you get to my age, all you want is nice.”
“Everyone knows he’s besotted with you, but that he’s not your type. So you do like him?”
“It’s not down to type,” Nina said, not surprised she was the subject of the village gossip. “He’s young and has so much to achieve. He’s just got his doctorate and I can’t see him wanting to stick with me, and it’s not just me, is it?” She realised she was oversharing, especially as Katie wasn’t that close to her. “I don’t want to hold him back and ruin his life.”
“You’re so sensible, someone who thinks with their head. That’s what I should do. But age difference doesn’t matter. I’ve often gone for an age gap, in both directions.”
Nina looked across at Rob. That was an age gap and it seemed Katie was not bothered. “Rob’s single and he’s a hard man. He was a boxer.”
“I guess. I’ve never been a fan of boxing. He does slip me a few free drinks.”
“I doubt they’re free. Jaz would come down on him like a tonne of bricks if he gave drinks away. He’ll be paying for those himself!”
“Really?”
“Yes. Have you chatted to him much?”
“No, not really.” She laughed. “Other than thanking him for the free drinks.”
“I think you’d like him if you got to know him.”
They turned around as the Dogs filed in, and the pub became extremely busy. Nina found herself a seat, away from the noise at the other end of the bar, and stayed there until the matches were over and the team were eating food. Warren approached her with two sausage-filled rolls.
“Want one?”
“Yes, please. I shouldn’t really eat before bed, but I can’t say no. I heard the Dogs celebrating.”
Warren sat beside her. “It was close.”
“You’ve come so far,” Nina said.
“And the Dogs are the top team,” Jaz said as she passed them on the way back from the toilets. “We might have a decent chance in the league and we’re still learning and developing, whereas they’ve reached their peak.” She turned and shouted to the team. “Right, you lot. We need to beat the Dogs in the cup match at the end of the season. If we win the cup, I’ll take you all on a bender to Newquay.”
There was a collective cheer to which the Dogs shouted out that they had no chance. Nina laughed at Jaz. She made a good manager.