Chapter 6
The storm raged and blasted outside as Nina and Robby stood by the window watching on. Lightning flashed down the sky, and the usually serene harbour churned in a tumble of violent waves. Water sprayed up and over the harbour wall and boats, usually moored peacefully, bobbed precariously, their ropes straining against gales of wind. Dark, rolling clouds and driving rain topped off the scene. The storm howled as it really began to take hold. Lovely Bay had never looked quite as dark and scary.
Nina winced as relentless driving rain hammered on the windows and every so often, a deep rumble of thunder rolled above the roof. Despite what was going on outside, inside, they were tucked up and cosy.
‘Right, are you ready to eat?’ Nina asked.
‘Yep, more than. It smells amazing. I could eat a horse or six.’
Nina mooched over to the kitchen, took out two sourdough loaves, cut off the tops, and ladled in the chowder she’d made earlier that day. She then popped the plates on the table, sat down opposite Robby and poured a glass of wine for them both.
Robby picked up his wine and clinked his glass with hers. ‘Cheers. Thanks for making this. I’ve been looking forward to it all day. If it tastes anywhere near as good as it looks and smells…’
‘My pleasure. I love pottering around in the kitchen.’
‘I know you do. I’m the lucky recipient of your experimenting. Ha.’
‘You’re a good guinea pig. You eat anything.’
‘Cheers to stormy weather and good wine. I think somehow the storm has increased my appetite.’
‘Yeah, same.’
‘Let’s hope we don’t wake up to any damage.’ Robby dipped into the chowder and his eyes widened. ‘Oh, yeah, wow, nice. I have to say, this is becoming one of the best chowders in Lovely Bay. I know I keep saying that…’
‘I think I’ve got a long way to go yet.’
‘Nope, this is more than good.’
‘I’m going up in the world.’ Nina laughed as she tucked in.
About half an hour later, after polishing off seconds, they were curled up on the sofa, peering out the window at the storm. All the blinds were up and the shutters on the inside of the windows were open as nature ranted and raged outside. Just as they were deciding whether or not to watch a documentary on Channel 4, a few appliances beeped and buzzed and the lights flickered and went out. Nina put her phone torch on and laughed. ‘Well, we said it was going to happen and it has.’
Robby jumped up and methodically started to go around lighting the candles he’d already positioned around the room. A few minutes later, they were sitting in flickering candlelight, looking out at the harbour as rain bashed against the window. Boats crashed left and right, waves came up over the harbour wall and thunder clapped on the roof. Nina pulled a throw over her, poured another glass of wine, and they sat for ages, looking out at the elements crashing around outside as every now and then the sky lit up with a flash of lightning.
‘Quite nice in a way, isn’t it? It makes you realise how small you are.’ Nina mused.
Robby nodded. ‘I was just thinking that. We don’t have any choice but to just sit and wait it out. It certainly shows you who is in control.’
‘Mmm. Lovely Bay even puts on spectacular storms. Everyone has been going on about it all week; now I can see why.’
‘I think Lovely Bay does just about everything well, even storms.’
‘I guess so.’
Robby pointed out the window. ‘It’s throwing up all sorts out there.’
‘I wonder if any of those boats will come off their moorings. I hope not. It’s actually quite concerning.’
Robby shook his head. ‘I doubt it. I think they’ve been through a few storms in their time. Come to think of it, there was one a few years ago. I can’t remember precisely where it ended up.’
‘Yikes. That sounds nasty. They just look so vulnerable out there.’
‘They do.’
As the storm continued to swirl around them, the wind howled, spray clobbered the sides of the harbour, and the windows constantly rattled. The candles flickered, projecting shadows across the room as they watched the wild weather take control of the harbour.
Nina took a sip of her wine. ‘As much as I love the sunny days in Lovely Bay, there”s something quite magical about a storm like this if you ask me. It really is something…’
‘Yeah. It”s a reminder of how powerful nature can be. We like to think we”re in control. This puts everything into perspective. Know what I mean?’
‘It”s humbling, in a way. We just have to sit, wait, watch and see what happens.’
‘It is,’ Robby said, pointing to the boats. ‘I wouldn’t want to be out there in a boat this evening.’
‘No! Imagine being out in that. I’d be petrified.’
Robby chuckled. ‘I don”t even want to think about it. I”m perfectly content right where I am, thank you very much. We have a ringside seat to the action.’
As they sat in silence watching, Nina felt more content than she’d been for a long time. She felt as if sitting on the sofa next to Robby, watching the eye of the storm, was exactly where she was meant to be. It hadn’t come soon enough.