Page 20 of The Seaside Cocktail Campervan

RSVP Frank and Linda

Chapter 12

Jack was driving through country lanes with the camper van’s windows rolled down, the early-evening breeze rushing in over him as he sang loudly to the Kaiser Chiefs: of course, a bit of rousing ‘Ruby’. In the roadside fields, the odd cow and sheep looked up from their grazing, bemused by the blast of noise. Reaching the hamlet of the booking address, he slowed, checking out his directions. Soon, he was turning in through two large stone gateposts. A beech-tree lined avenue led up to an impressive country house. Set in the beautiful rolling foothills of the Cheviots, this country pad was the venue for tonight’s celebration.

The latest e-mail had advised him to head for the stable courtyard area to the right of the main house, where a member of staff would meet him. He glanced at his watch. It was just before 6:30 p.m., and the party was due to start at 7:30. Perfect, he’d given himself plenty of time; he generally liked to have an hour or so to get set up.

As he made his way along the gravel driveway, he noticed several fair rides were already there, including a gorgeous-looking Victorian-style merry-go-round, the kind with wooden horses on gold-painted poles, as well as a Hoopla stall, and a Strong Man basher-style thing. Ah, now it made sense, the request to have at least two cocktails with a ‘fairground’ flavour. He had tried out a few concoctions this week on Matt and his girlfriend, and had settled on a Candyfloss Cocktail (vodka with cranberry and lime, topped with a pretty dollop of pale-pink candyfloss) and a Toffee Apple Martini. Hah, with the theme of ‘all the fun of the fair’, this was pretty damned cool, he had to admit. He loved all the party ideas he got to be a part of, pushing himself creatively.

He spotted a stone archway off to the right and headed that way. As he drove into the courtyard, he spotted Bob’s burger van already parked up, and then … his heart gave a skip of a beat as he recognised a familiar-looking horsebox and the logo of All Fired Up. So, Lucy was here.

He hadn’t heard anything more since they’d met by chance at the market just over a week ago. She hadn’t taken him up on his offer of advice at all. And he’d thought better of messaging her, conceding that his entrepreneurial insights would have to wait for another day. She’d been on his mind however, popping up uninvited now and again, catching him unawares whilst he was out running or when pottering about with Ruby. A fleeting glimpse of that flowing dark-brown hair, the curve of her smile, would creep up on him. Strange.

A chap in a yellow high-viz vest was pointing to a particular space, pulling him back to the here and now. He was in fact indicating the space right next to All Fired Up. And, there she was, Lucy, lifting the side hatch to her horsebox, popping a tin bucket of napkin-wrapped cutlery onto the counter, next to an extremely large wooden pepper grinder. He felt a glimmer of anticipation. And, hah, if that little mutt of a sausage dog was in tow, he’d have to damn well watch out for his signs too. This should make things a little more interesting this evening, anyhow.

He leapt down from Ruby with a spring in his step. ‘Hey,’ he called out. ‘So we’re neighbours for the evening.’

‘Oh, hello,’ Lucy looked up with a clipped smile. ‘Yep, looks like it.’

‘Have to watch out for my signs then,’ Jack quipped.

‘Hah, well Daisy’s not here tonight, so they should all be fine,’ Lucy’s lips tightened as she responded, remembering that embarrassing occasion all too well. She’d left the dachshund with her brother tonight. Toddler Freddie had been having great fun with her in the garden, and didn’t want the little dog to go. With Lucy working all evening, that seemed to suit them all.

Jack hadn’t really intended winding her up, so he persevered: ‘Only kidding. So, everything okay? How did the market day go?’

‘Yeah, pretty good thanks. It’s all a bit of a learning curve just now, but yes, it’s going alright. And you?’

‘Yeah, good thanks, been busy. All go with three events in three days. Not complaining, mind you. It’s bringing in the money, and that’s what it’s all about.’

‘Absolutely.’ Lucy paused, thinking how frustratingly slowly bookings were coming in for her. Other than the market, this was the first event booking in a fortnight. If things stayed like this, she knew she couldn’t afford to carry on this way. Her dad would be proven right and she’d be back looking for office-work. Back within four walls and pinned behind a desk. ‘Was it always as busy for you?’ she asked, unable to hide the slight frown that crossed her brow.

Jack cast his mind back to his early days with Ruby – a half-empty diary and a half-empty bank account. ‘No, not at all. It just built up, kind of organically, I suppose. Getting the word out there. Social media and suchlike. Going to events … getting seen, building a reputation. Oh, and I had flyers out on the bar counter, still do actually. That’s always a good thing to do.’

‘Hmm, that sounds a great idea.’ Why the hell hadn’t she thought of that? Sometimes it felt like she still had so much to learn. Running this business certainly wasn’t just about making tasty pizzas.

‘Right, well I’d better be getting Ruby set up,’ Jack said with a flash of a smile.

‘Ruby?’

‘Yeah, my campervan. She’s called Ruby. Ruby red and all that.’

‘Hah, yes. That’s cute.’ Despite herself, Lucy smiled, finding she couldn’t help but warm to this guy. Okay, so he might be a bit cocky, a bit of a showman bartender. But maybe she should accept a bit of advice here and there from someone who knew the ropes.

Tamsin then appeared, having waltzed off in search of a can of something sugary and fizzy. On the way there, she’d confessed to having been at an ‘awesome’ party the night before and was still evidently feeling the effects. Lucy wondered with concern how hard-working she might be tonight.

‘Well, anyway, if there’s anything you need this evening, just shout,’ Jack offered cheerily, as he headed back to set up his Cocktail Campervan bar.

‘Thanks.’ And well, maybe she’d take him up on his offer of help after all.

Wow, it was all go. There must have been a couple of hundred people at the event. After welcome cocktails, organised and paid for by the host Frank, Jack was doing a ‘free’ bar for the night (the tab again to be picked up by the generous Frank) which was proving to be full-on and lucrative. The guests were certainly enjoying their drinks, with the fairground-themed ones especially going down a storm.

Jack noticed that Lucy had queues at her food counter for much of the evening too. In between mixing and serving his drinks, he’d glimpsed her stood at the wood-fired oven, working away with her pizza paddle, and sometimes chatting away with her customers whilst slicing and handing over the deliciously-topped bases. Mmm, another waft of hot baked dough, cheese and tomato, came his way. He’d been tantalised by the aromas drifting across to his bar all evening. They were far too tempting; he’d have to try one of her pizzas himself if he got the chance later on. He’d grabbed a quick sandwich for supper earlier and his tummy was now protesting and feeling rather empty. He’d heard several passers-by commenting on how good they were, and he couldn’t help but feel pleased for Lucy and her fledgling business.

Halfway through the evening, at around nine thirty, Frank appeared, taking the time to chat with each of the stallholders in turn.

‘Good evening, so this is the famous Cocktail Campervan. I have to say, she looks rather wonderful.’

‘She is, thank you. I converted her myself, well mostly,’ Jack responded proudly.