Page 68 of Seashells at The Summer Hotel Lovely Bay
‘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.’
40
With Robby on his way back from a long day of meetings in London, Nina was on her way to drinks at the lighthouse. She’d worked out that if the baby came on time it was probably going to be one of her last attendances at the drinks for a while. As she got closer to the lighthouse, its appearance in the twilight took her breath away as it glinted against the sky. She smiled as she thought about when she’d not been in Lovely Bay very long and had found herself at the top of the lighthouse looking out over the gorgeous view. Things had got better from there where the lighthouse was concerned; she’d first kissed Robby there and he’d proposed to her there, too. Not too bad as life goals went. The lighthouse was an important part of her story. It ran through her mind that she’d have to add a lighthouse reference somewhere in the baby’s name.
As she got to the hall, Nancy was flitting around organising, Colin and Clive were standing talking to Alice, and Birdie was by the drinks table chatting with Cally. Making her way to get a drink, Nina smiled at the Shipping Forecast coming from Birdie’s shoulder and said hello.
Cally smiled. ‘Hey, look at you blooming for England. You’re making it look very, very easy.’
Nina shook her head. ‘I don’t know about blooming. I’m waddling at the moment. I feel like the size of a house.’
Cally laughed. ‘How are you feeling?’
Nina shrugged. ‘Ready and not ready, you know? It's all becoming very real.’
Birdie chimed in. ‘Not long now. Make sure you're resting enough. The last weeks can be tiring.’
Nina nodded. ‘I've been taking it easy, don't worry. But it feels good to be out and about, seeing everyone. I think this might be my last lighthouse event for a while.’
‘We’ll still be here when you come back,’ Cally noted.
‘It's going to be strange not coming, but I'll be back at some point, baby in tow.’
Birdie laughed. ‘We'll have to have a little celebration when you do come back. Baby's first lighthouse visit!’
‘This place means a lot to me, actually. I was thinking that as I waddled along.’
Nancy made her way over, balancing a tray of nibbles, her eyes twinkled as she chatted. ‘How are you holding up?’
‘I'm doing well,’ Nina replied, picking up a mini sausage roll. ‘Just trying to enjoy these last few moments of calm before the storm.’
Nancy laughed. ‘As you do. Oh, it will be a beautiful storm, though, I reckon.’
Cally nodded. ‘It will all be worth it when you see that little face smiling at you.’
Birdie agreed. ‘We're all here for you, ready to help however we can. It takes a village…’
Nina joked. ‘Aww. Moving to Lovely Bay and finding you ugly lot was the best decision of my life.’
Nancy nodded. ‘It was. What about your hospital bag? Is it ready? You know, they say the first one can be unpredictable though usually late.’
‘All set and waiting by the door. Robby made sure of that. He’s probably more nervous than I am!’
Birdie beamed. ‘Our Robby's going to be a wonderful dad. I honestly cannot wait to see this.’
Nancy agreed. ‘Totes. Me too.’
‘Anyway, I reckon I’ve got a good while yet. I’ve had no signs of movement at all. Not a sausage. I’ve resigned myself to getting bigger by the day until she decides she’s had enough.’
Birdie laughed. ‘She’s obviously way too cosy in there.’
Most people had finished up at the lighthouse, apart from a few stragglers down the back by the drinks table. Nina had helped to clear up with Birdie and Cally, and now the three of them were standing by the kitchen area with a cup of tea.
Nina and Cally chatted about Cally's grandma, who was in her final days. The whole conversation swelled around Nina's head, making her think about the circle of life.
Nancy approached them and she gestured upwards with the thumb of her right hand. ‘The lighthouse is open if you fancy going up before I go and close up. If you think you can make it up there in your condition,’ Nancy joked.
