Chapter 39
Nina walked along the High Street with Nancy beside her, looking around at the little place that had become her home. She couldn’t quite believe that Lovely was going to be the environment where she would have her baby. The shops along the road were bustling with activity, bunting fluttered overhead, and little lights twinkled in the shop windows. Colin waved from the other side of the street and they stopped to speak with Millie at the door of the chocolate shop. They chatted as they strolled along.
‘A baby shower in a speakeasy. I don’t think I’ve ever been to one of these before. It’s a first for me,’ Nancy laughed. ‘I was trying to think earlier if I’d ever been to a baby shower with chowder.’
Nina smiled. ‘Only in Lovely. It”s definitely a first for me, too. It’s so kind that everyone is doing this for me.’
‘Of course. You deserve it. We’re so happy for you.’
‘You didn’t have to do anything.’
‘Nonsense,’ Nancy said, batting a hand in front of her. ‘It’s not about having to do it; we wanted to do it for you.’
‘That’s so kind. I’m really feeling the love.’
They walked past the front of the deli, down through the alley a couple of doors along, and entered through the back. Nina had been in through the back of the deli many times since moving to Lovely Bay, often helping out in the kitchen but something was different. She frowned as she followed behind Nancy. ‘What, no Shipping Forecast?’ Nina laughed. ‘Blimey, it really is an occasion. If we’re not having that accompanying us as we walk in.’
‘Maybe you’re that special. For this occasion, we don’t have to listen to it,’ Nancy stated with a chuckle and raised eyebrows.
They walked through the kitchen and made their way to the back room, where Nina had worked and prepared things for the speakeasies many times. As the door opened, she took in the sight of the room and did a massive inhale. ‘Oh! Wow!’
Nina wasn’t sure what she had been expecting for the baby shower, but she knew that what she was seeing in front of her eyes wasn’t it. She thought maybe there would be the odd pastel matte balloon and a ribbon or two tucked here and there but it wasn’t anything like that at all. It was so much better. The beautiful little tables were covered in floor-length, white tablecloths and topped with gigantic jugs rammed full of white and pink flowers. Overhead garlands of pretty pink flowers were interspersed with white and pink bunting, between which tiny white lights flickered. On a table near the window, piles and piles of wrapped gifts sat next to more pink and white flowers and a little chalkboard sign welcomed.
Nina beamed as she walked into the small packed room. Sophie rushed over, and kissed her on the cheek. Her mum laughed and smiled, and her sister already with a glass of champagne in her hand, hugged her, and bustled around looking uncharacteristically happy.
Nina whispered to Sophie, ‘I can’t believe this; it is so amazing.’
‘I know, right?’ Sophie replied. ‘Even your sister is happy.’
Nina rolled her eyes and whispered. ‘Don’t hold your breath.’
Sophie giggled. ‘You said it. Look at all these beautiful flowers. It must have cost a packet.’
‘No balloons or tacky signs anywhere.’
‘No, I know. How fabulous! So Lovely Bay.’
‘Yep.’
‘Do you know who did all this?’ Sophie asked.
‘As far as I”m aware it was Birdie and Nancy who were in charge.’
Sophie nodded. ‘I did ask if they needed any help, but they wouldn’t hear of it.’
‘It really does look pretty. I can’t believe they’ve done this for me and made so much effort.’
‘I know. The chowder smells amazing, too. You know what’s in it don’t you? So we know it’s going to taste out of this world.’
Nina laughed. ‘Yes, I suppose I do.’
Birdie walked up and butted in, ‘So, what do you think? Pleased with it?’
‘I can’t believe you’ve done this for me. It’s so nice. So nice.’
‘Why would we not? You’re worth it,’ Birdie said as she picked up a flute of champagne and handed one with elderflower sparkling bubbles to Nina. ‘Anyway, cheers to you, Neens.’
‘To the Nina and Robby story. What a story!’ Sophie toasted as she raised her glass. ‘All started because of me. Ha!’
Nina, Birdie and Sophie clinked glasses.
Sophie nodded. ‘Cheers. So happy for you. I’ve wanted this day for a long time. I did a rain dance for it and now it has finally arrived.’
‘Yep, me too,’ Nina beamed.
Nancy joined in and laughed. ‘I was thinking the other day about when you turned up in Lovely Bay with half the kitchen sink, and you were coming here to house sit. Remember that?’
‘That’s right,’ Nina nodded. ‘How could I forget?’
‘And now you live here, you got married here, and you”re having a baby here. You even hold a Lovely record for being the only person who has been proposed to in the lighthouse. At least, that we know about.’
‘I know. I feel really lucky to have crossed paths with Lovely Bay,’ Nina added.
Sophie smiled. ‘All because of your best friend and how good she is.’
‘Yeah, we have a lot to thank Sophie for, you know.’ Birdie acknowledged.
Sophie laughed and smiled. ‘Don’t worry. I’ve noted it all in a ledger. She has to pay me back big time in the future.’
‘I owe you.’
Sophie giggled. ‘When I get my divorce and I need someone to counsel me, you’re going to have to do it for free. Get ready for it. It won’t be pretty.’
Nina side-eyed. ‘Divorce? Since when are you getting divorced?’
Sophie backtracked and chuckled. ‘You know, just a figure of speech. Joking, of course.’
‘You’re thinking about divorce, are you? Doesn’t sound good.’
‘No, of course not,’ Sophie backpedalled like crazy and quickly changed the subject, pointing up to the garland of flowers going over them. ‘Don’t they look pretty? What a lovely idea. I’ll have to do it for one of the girls’ birthdays at some point.’
Nina decided not to pursue it, but she was surprised. Never a truer word said in jest. ‘Yes. They do look lovely.’
For the next hour or so, Nina had a fabulous time. There had been a couple of speeches and a beautiful chowder served in sourdough bowls. Her sister had consumed more than her fair share of champagne and was now quite tipsy. They’d also enjoyed a couple of funny baby shower games, after which she’d been presented with a beautiful cake where the inside was pale pink. After a few people had left she sat chatting to Birdie.
‘Thanks for doing this for me. I really appreciate it.’
‘Don’t be silly! Not a problem at all. We love you, our Neens.’
‘Thank you.’
‘So, with this done, you’re ready now. We just have to wait for the baby to arrive. That’s it, isn’t it?’
‘Yes.’
‘How are you feeling about it?’
‘Actually, I’m a mix of excited, terrified and very nervous. I mean, it”s all becoming so real now.’
Birdie smiled. ‘It’s going to be wonderful. You’re going to be an amazing mum.’
‘I hope so. It”s just so daunting, isn’t it? The thought of being entirely responsible for a tiny human.’
Birdie nodded. ‘It is, but you know, it comes more naturally than you might think.’
‘That’s true. It’s just such a huge life change for me.’
‘It is, but it’s also the most beautiful one. You’ll be fine. You just learn as you go. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help. No one expects you to do it all on your own.’
‘I”m just used to being independent, you know?’
‘Hmm. Having a baby is a big deal. It’s okay to lean on others. Plus, we all want to be part of this with you. I wish I had listened…’
‘I can see I’m going to have to get used to not being so self-reliant.’
‘Let people spoil you and the baby.’
‘Speaking of spoiling,’ Nina said, glancing around at the decorations and the gifts, ‘I think you’ve all outdone yourselves tonight and I thought what you did at the lighthouse was good.’
‘Ahh, it’s nothing. You’re worth it.’
‘I couldn’t have asked for a better evening.’
‘Just wait until the baby comes,’ Birdie winked. ‘That’s when the real party starts.’
‘Exciting,’ Nina said, as she rested her hand on her bump and felt a kick as if in agreement. ‘I really cannot wait.’