Fit For Purpose by Julian Parrott (novels for students .TXT) 📕

barked in recognition; Tom sat on the deck fence staring up at Nia. She stared down, cupped her hands around her mouth. “I love you,” she shouted as the Periwinkle’s stern went under the bridge.

Tom steered the narrowboat towards the canal’s side. He put the engine into reverse to quickly stop the boat’s forward momentum. He stepped off and quickly tied the boat to a mooring ring only by the centre line. Nia had walked off the bridge and down to the towpath. She dropped her overnight grip and ran towards Tom and into his arms. She was cold and she was crying.

“I love you,” she said again. “I’m a fucking idiot. I’m so sorry. I was scared and I panicked.” She buried her face into Tom’s chest. He could feel her tears. Tom smiled with a sense of relief for life with Nia had been a rollercoaster ride and now he knew that the ride would continue.

“I want us to be together.” Nia sobbed. “I was in shock, Tom, I was so fucking scared.”

She held on to him afraid to look into his face.

“I didn’t mean what I said in the hospital, I didn’t even believe it. I regretted it as soon as I left your room. And you were so hurt and lying on that bed all bandaged, I was such a bitch to you. A really stupid bitch.”

Tom gently moved her chin up and they locked eyes.

“Without you, I’m broken,” Nia said. “I love you Tom. I know that I’m not easy to be with, I understand that, but I want to us to be together. I want to be with you more than anything.”

“That’s what I want too. That’s actually what I’ve always wanted since sitting next to you on the plane.” Tom said.

        Nia hugged him again, beaming. She broke the embrace to retrieve her bag.

“Look,” she said holding up the bag. “I’m packing lightly.”

“Probably just full of knickers.”

Nia laughed and held Tom’s right hand as they turned to walk to the Periwinkle.

“How long are you planning on staying?” Tom asked, a little worried by the small size of the bag.

Nia appeared to think for a moment, “If you’ll have me, forever. I have a much larger suitcase in the car.”

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

No creative work is developed in a vacuum. I owe a debt of gratitude to my good friends, Jean Drasgow, Dena Lawrence, and Keith Marshall, who generously shared their time and ideas. As always, Beth’s support and encouragement and patience were instrumental in my finally completing a novel.