Page 50 of Barging In

Clem exhaled with relief, a slow smile growing. “I can wait as long as you need. There’s no rush. I’ll be here.” She paused, then added with a grin, “In the meantime, does that job offer still stand?”

“Yes!” Victoria enthused. “And please take it. I’m not sure I can do it without you. We already know we work well together, and it would be lovely to spend more time getting to know you.”

“Organising a bit of party food is one thing,” Clem said with a raised brow, “but influencing the direction of your business? Would you listen to me? Take my direction? Give me free rein?”

“Of course. I need to make it a success. I own a wharf now, and I’ve got a house and bills to pay.”

“I want to be part of it. I want to help make it successful. Let’s get numbers up, and you won’t have to worry.

And please, no more of this ‘I’m not sure I can do it’ business.

Get to work and show yourself and everyone else you can make this place a success — because I believe in you.

And after what you just did, you should believe in yourself, too. ”

“I think it will take a bit of time to build my confidence up,” Victoria demurred.

“Well,” — Clem grinned — “I’m always happy to help with that. I’ll never get tired of telling you how great you are.”

“You’ve done more than you know. I honestly don’t think I’d have made it this far without you. I was… stagnating. But you pulled me out of it. You seem to enjoy pulling me about — like when you dragged me into the canal that day we met.”

Clem’s grin turned into laughter at the memory.

“You know, I had no idea that canals were so shallow.” Victoria chuckled.

“I had to shout at you to stand up, remember?”

“Yes. I was rather flailing around. I seem to do a lot of that.”

“You’ve shown a lot of confidence lately, more than you give yourself credit for. Asking me to work for you, calling out Christine… now that’s leadership.”

“Ugh, I don’t even want to think about her again.” Victoria wrinkled her nose. “I’m giving Emma the catering manager role. She’s done an amazing job these past two weeks, really stepped up.”

“Perfect. She’ll need to be ready if we’re going to increase numbers.”

“How will you manage it with Florence?”

“I think I can give you ten hours a week around her.”

“If we boost footfall at the café, can you keep up with cake demand — yours and ours?”

“We’ll find out, won’t we?” Clem ventured.

“Let’s take things slow, see what works, and build from there. ”

“We can figure it out as we go, together,” Clem suggested, wondering if they were still talking about work. “Most importantly, we keep the lines of communication open.”

“Agreed. As long as we’re both happy and fulfilled in what we’re doing, that’s what counts.”

Clem shot her an affectionate smile. “You’ve been listening. Good. Now, first off, I want us to have an open day. The Otterford Wharf Heritage Fest. A sort of relaunch. September would give us enough time to get our ducks in a row.”

“You’ve really been thinking this through,” Victoria observed.

“To be honest, I’ve barely thought of anything else the last two weeks — well, except for one other thing I haven’t been able to get off my mind.”

She glanced at Victoria to gauge her reaction and was relieved to find her smiling. “Did Max speak to you about that outbuilding?”

“He did,” Victoria said, taking a sip of wine. “He’s a tough negotiator. He insisted on a couple of months’ free rent to start with. Funny, though; you’d already suggested that might be a good idea.”

Clem smirked and gave a casual shrug, deliberately avoiding Victoria’s eye.

“Well, you both win, so you’re welcome. I need to check with him that he’ll be ready to open then.

It will be an ideal time for a grand opening.

I’m also thinking of asking the landowner to allow some extra trading licences for the day.

Bring a few more boats down to the wharf. ”

“More competition,” Victoria said, arching a brow.

“More energy,” Clem countered with a grin. “Otterford Wharf is the destination. The traders aren’t competitors. Well, maybe one, but she’ll be busy that day, so I don’t think you’ll need to worry. And I’m sure if you ask her very nicely, she’ll keep you stocked up with cake.”

Victoria laughed as Clem continued.

“You need to see the canal as an asset. It draws people in. I’ll speak to the other traders, get them on board. They can help spread the word through their followers.”

“I’m sure I’ve got a lot to learn from you.” Victoria beamed. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Clem shot her a warm smile. “Me too.”

“By the way, Jasper was open to hearing about your suggestions for the museum.”

“That’s great. And I’m free tomorrow. We could start drawing up a list of what needs doing for the event.”

“Nine o’clock?” Victoria said, standing and draining her glass.

Clem nodded, though she was gutted that Victoria was leaving already.

“I can give you a lift, if you like?”

“That would be great.” She was reluctant to moor Florence along the towpath when she had no intention of opening. There was passive marketing, and then there was the risk of annoying customers who might wonder if or when she would be open.

“Thanks for the sugar and alcohol hit,” Victoria said. “I needed it, but I’m whacked. Thanks for the chat, too.”

Clem winked as she stood. “Anytime.”

The smile on Victoria’s lips faded quickly as she took Clem’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I meant what I said, Clem. Give me time.”

To Clem’s surprise, Victoria leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

She lingered for a second — long enough for Clem to wonder, to hope, that her mouth might drift towards her lips.

The soft, hurried sound of Victoria’s breathing and the brush of her finger against Clem’s hand suggested temptation was teasing at her, too.

Clem eased back. “Night,” she said quietly.

Victoria had asked for time, and she’d get it. It was never wise to start something with someone who’d recently come out of a relationship.

“Good night,” Victoria replied, her smile seemingly appreciative as she took Clem’s hand to steady herself over the gunwale in the dark.

She disappeared into the shadows, leaving Clem suspended between the thrill of possibility and a slow, twisting ache of uncertainty. How long would Victoria need? Would the time ever come when she was truly ready?

All Clem could do now was wait, give her the space she’d asked for, and trust her to come back. Trust in the strength she knew Victoria had and the strength of what was growing between them.

All the same, it was hard not to let doubt creep in and whisper that it could all slip away before it had even begun.