Nina laughed. ‘Oh, yes, good point.’
‘Tell me about the plan for the evening.’
‘It’s a surprise. I don’t know anything more than you know. It’s at the deli for a gathering with food, probably too many cupcakes, and a few games, knowing Birdie. I presume we’ll be having chowder.’
‘That sounds nice. Birdie always does a good job with things like that.’
‘She does, doesn’t she? I’m actually looking forward to it now. I didn’t really think it was my sort of thing, you know? It’ll be nice to see everyone and just celebrate a bit.’
‘You deserve it, Neens. You’ve been amazing throughout this whole pregnancy.’
‘What, moaning that I can’t tie my shoelaces?’
‘Ha. Not long now and you’ll have to do them on your own again.’
‘I will.’
‘I think we might need our own personal baby shower.’
‘What? Just you, me, and the bump?’
‘Yep. I’ll make it happen.’
‘Looking forward to it. You’d better get your finger out. We haven’t got long.’
‘Good point. Right, I’ll push off. Make sure you take lots of photos for me this evening, okay? And don’t let them tire you out too much.’
‘I will. I won’t stay too late. I’ll be thinking about you stuck in your hotel room in Leeds.’
‘Make sure Birdie doesn’t let you lift a finger! You know what you’re like in there trying to organise everyone all the time.’
‘She’s already on strict instructions from Nancy to treat me like a queen for the evening,’ Nina chuckled. ‘And don’t worry, I’ll be sitting down, being waited on hand and foot.’
‘Good. You take it easy, okay? And enjoy yourself tonight. You need to bask in the Loveliness of it all. You’ve got a whole community that loves you.’
‘I know. How nice is that? And I do feel very loved, very lucky.’ Nina admitted.
‘I do, too. I’ll be thinking of you.’
‘Thanks, I’ll text you when I get back.’
‘Love you, Neens.’
‘Love you, too. Bye for now. I’ll send you some pics.’
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’thaveto do anything.’
‘Nonsense,’ Nancy said, batting a hand in front of her. ‘It’s not abouthavingto do it; wewantedto do it for you.’
