Chapter 14
Murray yawned widely as he made his way back out on deck. Despite downing yet another cup of coffee and sharing a nibble of all three types of cake Milly had brought with her, he was still struggling to fully surface from his nap. He’d never slept so well in his life… which was a miracle, considering what a weird situation he’d managed to land himself in.
The idea of sharing a nap with Milly had been inspired. The reality was far more awkward than he’d anticipated. Or at least it was to start with!
He’d lain there on his back, frozen to the spot – more than aware that she was just a foot away, doing exactly the same thing. He’d pulled the duvet over both of them and they’d gone completely still – not saying a word to each other – as if the downy cover had cast some kind of spell over them.
Murray had never been so aware of how loud his breathing was - and had promptly tried to do it more quietly… which had only served to make his heart race. He was just starting to give up on the idea of sleeping at all - even though he was so exhausted he felt like an elephant was sitting on his head - when he felt Milly start to drop off next to him.
Her breathing became slow and steady, and her entire body seemed to sink a little into the mattress as sleep stole over her. That had been his own cue, and he’d finally let himself drift off with a huge smile on his face.
Murray had to admit, opening his eyes to find Milly Rowlands still dozing right next to him had practically been a religious experience. The pair of them had snuggled up to each other in their sleep, and he was close enough to count every golden freckle that dusted the bridge of her nose. He was close enough that he could have kissed her.
He didn’t, of course – and he’d been kicking himself for that ever since. Murray liked to think of himself as a gentleman, though. Asking someone if they wanted to share your afternoon nap was one thing. Pouncing on them when they were enjoying said nap was another thing entirely.
Still, when Milly opened her eyes and stared dreamily at him as if she was trying to figure out if he was real or not, it had taken every ounce of his resolve not to wrap his arms around her and close that last little gap between them.
Murray couldn’t help but feel like he’d somehow missed a golden opportunity. Maybe the only opportunity he’d get to show her how he felt about her. He’d tried to tell her… but then he’d almost passed out, so that definitely hadn’t gone to plan!
‘You okay?’ said Milly, bringing him back to his senses as she followed him onto the deck and closed the trawler door softly behind her. ‘Are you sure you’re up for this? You were miles away there for a moment!’
‘Yeah, I’m fine,’ said Murray, smiling at her. ‘And I’m definitely up for it. I feel like a new man after sleep and cake and coffee. Besides, I think I owe you one after everything you’ve done for me!’
‘What, like turning up uninvited and then screaming your name until you came to my rescue because I got stuck in the mud?’ she laughed.
‘Like bringing me groceries,’ countered Murray.
‘Like stealing your hot water, using your shower gel and helping myself from your wardrobe?’ said Milly.
‘Like making me lunch and then making sure I didn’t die in my sleep!’ said Murray with a wry smile.
‘Okay, you win,’ chuckled Milly.
‘Good,’ said Murray. ‘Anyway, it won’t take me half a minute to row you back into town.’
‘Well… thank you,’ said Milly. ‘For the nap, and the water-taxi… and not making me feel like a total loser for just turning up.’
Murray shrugged, and she smiled at him. The butterflies in his stomach swooped into action yet again.
If he was being honest, he didn’t really want to take her back. Not because he wasn’t feeling up to it – but because he simply didn’t want her to leave. Milly was easy company. She was fun, thoughtful, and ridiculously beautiful in her borrowed clothes.
But… he’d already more than pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable for a first date. Not that this was a date, of course. Still - in his befuddled, post-food exhaustion, he’d basically held her hostage by demanding a nap. He couldn’t exactly ask her to stay even longer, could he? No – it was best if he took her home now before the effects of the nap started to wear off and he got all idiotic again.
‘Here,’ he said, holding her shopping bag out towards her. ‘I folded your muddy clothes and put them in there for you.’
‘You did?’ she said, looking surprised.
‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘I hope that was alright?’
‘You’re a keeper, Murray Eddington,’ she said, grinning at him.
Murray cleared his throat. He didn’t really know what to say to that… other than beg for her phone number or ask her on a date – a proper date. Unfortunately, the weird bout of bravery that had come over him when he’d been addled by painkillers and high on cheese toasties seemed to have worn off.
‘Let’s get this show on the road!’ he said. Then he turned away from her and grimaced.
What a prat - he sounded like a game show host. Or the embarrassing uncle at a wedding!
If Milly had noticed his unease, she didn’t show it. She practically bounced along behind him as he led the way to his rowing boat. Then she settled herself comfortably on the seat while he untied it from the side of the trawler.
‘Ready?’ he said, sinking down opposite her.
‘Always,’ she replied with a grin.
Another pang. Another swoop of butterflies.
Murray quickly grabbed the oars and set off towards the spot where Milly’s borrowed boat was still stranded.
Luckily, it didn’t take too much effort to free the decrepit craft from its muddy prison. A loop of rope, some hefty nudging and a couple of well-chosen swearwords was all it took in the end.
‘See – it just needed an expert pair of hands!’ said Milly, as soon as he’d tied it to the back of his own boat so that they could tow it back to the wharf with them.
‘I’m hardly an expert,’ said Murray, rowing a few meters and then pausing again to fish out the oar Milly had lost overboard in her attempts to free herself.
‘More of an expert than me, anyway,’ said Milly with a shrug. ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to get back in and row myself home so you can head back and put your feet up?’
‘No chance,’ said Murray, settling himself opposite her again. There was no way he was about to relinquish these last few precious moments with her… especially as he might not get the chance to see her again. ‘One rescue mission is more than enough for one day,’ he added.
‘Cheeky sod!’ huffed Milly, prodding him with her foot.
Murray grinned, and they both fell silent as he headed for deeper water. A companionable kind of peace seemed to wrap around them as they drifted along, and Murray watched Milly as she gazed out across the marshes - lost in their tranquil beauty.
Murray knew he was biased, but it really was a magical place – especially bathed in evening sunlight, with the soft sound of the oars as they dipped in and out of the water creating a gentle lullaby. The sun was sliding towards the horizon, turning Crumbleton’s hill with its castle on the top into a dreamy silhouette.
It felt like they reached the wharf in record time, and Murray didn’t think he’d ever enjoyed the trip more. In fact, he could have kicked himself for not rowing a bit slower… or taking a slightly more scenic route - just to buy him a bit more time with Milly. It was too late for that now, though. They were back, and she was about to wander out of his life again. The thought made him feel a bit sick.
‘You need a hand tying the other boat up?’ said Milly, glancing behind them.
Murray shook his head. ‘Nah, I’ll sort that out when you’re safely back ashore.’
He got to his feet, his heart sinking as he held out his hand to steady her. Milly climbed out of the boat and then paused on the stone steps.
This was goodbye… and he really didn’t want it to be. It had been one of the weirdest days of his life… and one of the best, too.
‘Thanks,’ said Milly as she turned to smile down at him from her slightly higher vantage point.
‘No problem,’ said Murray. ‘Oh – your bag.’ He passed up the shopping bag full of muddy clothes. ‘Well… bye then. And thanks for—’
‘Hey Murray?’
Milly’s voice cut across him, but he didn’t mind. He didn’t know what he’d been about to say anyway. He’d just been waffling in the vague hope of prolonging the moment.
‘Yeah?’ he said.
She beckoned for him to come closer, and he shuffled as near to the edge of the little boat as he dared. Milly leaned down and placed her hands on his shoulders. Before he knew what was happening, her soft mouth was on his.
Was he hallucinating again?
‘I just wanted to say,’ she said, looking slightly dazed as she pulled away from him, ‘in case we don’t get the chance to talk again - I thought you looked really nice wearing just a towel.’
Murray blinked, and Milly shot him a seriously cheeky smile.
This was his chance.
Say something man!
‘Erm… thanks,’ he spluttered.
Smooth!
He was reeling from the kiss – and a bit befuddled from everything else. It took him several seconds to realise that she was already walking away from him, giving him a little wave over her shoulder.
That had been his last chance to say something – to ask to see her again – and he’d blown it.
Murray stood stock still, watching as she sauntered towards the City Gates. Just before she was about to disappear from view, she turned around, gave him a salute and then blew him a kiss.
Murray smiled broadly as he returned the wave—and then she was gone.
‘I don’t even have your phone number!’ he sighed.
But… he did know where her shop was, and this time, he wasn’t going to rely on someone else’s wedding to bring them back together. He was going to ask Milly Rowlands out on a date. A proper one - minus the mud and the dizzy spells.