‘Good, thanks,’ Nina replied. ‘You?’
‘I'm just getting ready to bring everything in for the storm. The last time we had a huge storm, we lost all our bunting; it was ripped down, and the next day, we found it flying about all over the show.’
‘Yes, they’re saying it’s going to be a big one. We’ve just tidied up at the back, too. I wonder how bad it’s going to get?’
‘Not sure if I want to know! I hope we don’t lose power.’
‘Same. We’ve got power banks charging at the ready and loads of candles, so at least we’re prepared.’
Millie nodded. ‘Oh yes, I must remember to do that, too. There is no doubt it will go out.’
‘So they say. Right. See you later, stay safe.’
‘Yep, see you. Tuck yourselves up.’ Millie chuckled. ‘See you on the other side.’
A few minutes later, Nina and Robby were pushing open the door to the deli. They stepped in to see Alice, the manager, standing not far from the door, fiddling with one of the window catches. ‘Ahh, hello. How are you?’ Alice asked with a smile and raised eyebrows.
‘Good, thanks. We’ve just been for a walk to the marshes.’ Nina gestured to the street. ‘Hard to believe that the weather is going to change and this huge storm will roll in. It’s such a nice day out there at the moment.’
‘I know. I’m not taking any chances on not believing it, though,’ Alice replied.
‘No, same here.’
‘It’s good to see you on this side of the shop today.’ Alice chuckled. ‘What have you been up to?’
Just as they were chatting, Colin, wearing a Lovely coat, pushed open the door and started to shrug the coat from his shoulders. ‘Ahoy there! It's not cold out there now,’ he observed.
‘Not yet,’ Alice replied. ‘Wait for it.’
Robby nodded. ‘It’s warm for this time of year. How are you, Col? How are the boats and suchlike? All ready for the storm?’
Colin nodded and looked a bit concerned. ‘Everything is ready with the boats, apart from the main one. I just hope we don’t get any damage this time. I can’t be doing with all the back and forth with the insurance company if there is. It was anabsolutenightmare last time. How are you two?’
‘Yeah, don’t even get me started on insurance. We’ve just been saying the same. Everyone is getting ready for the storm.’Robby laughed and joked. ‘Our Nina is going to make a huge vat of chowder to see us through in case we get marooned.’
Colin raised his eyebrows. ‘Is that so?’
Nina nodded. ‘I am.’
Alice tutted, cocked her head to the side, and widened her eyes. She joked. ‘I really hope you won’t be using the famous deli recipe, only known to those who work here and our Birdie and her family. I might have to report you if you are.’
‘Of course not,’ Nina chuckled. ‘As if I would ever do that. What do you take me for?’
‘No, she never does.’ Robby laughed, continuing the banter. ‘I think she may have learnt from the best, though.’
All of them knew well enough that Nina’s chowder, which was basically Birdie’s chowder, had begun to gain a reputation of its own. It had even been said that Nina should start her own speakeasy on the ground floor of the harbour property.
‘You've got your feet well under the table now, haven’t you?’ Colin chuckled. ‘What with your own recipes and people requesting that you do a speakeasy, you'll be taking over the chemist next. Watch out, our Nina’s about.’
Nina laughed. ‘I don’t think I’ll be doing that anytime soon! I’d be thrown out of Lovely Bay. Birdie is in charge, we all know that.’
Alice interjected. ‘Yes. I did happen to hear that your chowder is becoming known as one of the best in Lovely Bay. Is there any chance of a delivery for me?’ she asked with wide eyes and a silly look on her face.
Nina laughed. ‘Sorry. Only on the harbour side of Lovely. We do our own thing up our end.’
Alice joked. ‘I might have to move.’
‘I'll be delivering my chowder all around the harbour. Everyone is waiting with bated breath,’ Nina said with a laugh.
