Page 26 of The Seaside Cocktail Campervan

It was now just the two girls left, and it wasn’t long before Becky launched into one of those tipsy truthful chats.

‘You really okay, hun?’ Sat side by side on the sofa, she took Lucy’s hand in her own. ‘You just sounded, well, a bit tense in the pub … on the relationship stuff. We were only teasing, you know.’

There was a second’s pause before Lucy answered. ‘Yeah, I know that. It’s okay.’

Daisy was back in situ, wedged between the pair of them. A sausage-dog sandwich.

‘And you don’t mind it here … on your own? After selling the house of your dreams and all that?’

‘Hah, those bloody dreams were well and truly shattered when the bombshell hit about Liam. But you know what, I really do like it here. It might be small but it’s my space. And I love being near the sea. Being able to go for a walk any time I like with Daisy down to the beach. And the people here in the village, well … they’ve made me feel welcome already. Like at the Book Club. And … I have cake and coffee just down the road.’

‘Yeah, of course. I’m glad you’re starting to make some friends here, that’s good.’

Lucy paused. Though she was finding her feet in the village, there were things that were bothering her still. ‘Oh Becks, I just hope to goodness this pizza venture works out … only time will tell with that. And the new girl, Tamsin, is a bit of a nightmare. Truth be told, I’m not sure if she’ll stick it out. She came across well at the interview, but she seems more interested in keeping up with her mates on her mobile phone than making pizzas.’

‘Ah, I suppose you’ll just have to see how things go. But you don’t have to keep her on, not if she’s no good.’

‘No, I suppose not. But then what’ll I do? I’d need someone else and quick.’ Running the pizza van solo was nigh on impossible.

‘You’ll work it out, hun. Or I can help … for a shift or two, if you need. Until you get someone new in …’

‘You’d do that?’

‘’Course I would.’

‘Aw, thanks, that’s good to know.’ Lucy felt a little easier. ‘And well, here in the cottage, I’ve learnt that maybe being on your own isn’t so bad. It’s better than being in a toxic relationship. Better than being fooled and strung along by a lying bastard.’

‘True, Luce. And I’m always here, or near, at least. You know that.’

‘Yeah, ’course I do.’ Lucy let out a soft sigh. All that recent heartbreak and hurt was beginning to pass, but occasionally it could still feel raw. She stroked the silky black fur of Daisy’s back. ‘Thank you, Becks.’

Friends propped you up through all the shit. They were there to dance and talk and hold your hand, sticking with you through the best times and the worst times. Over the top of a very cosy dachshund, she gave her best friend a hug.

Yes, there were issues with the new business, but she was sensible enough to realise it was never going to be all plain sailing to start with, and relationships … well, best to stick with her friends and family. But Lucy did feel that better times were rolling in, like the waves rolling to shore, washing away the hurts of the past. Finally …

Chapter 15

‘Right, Daisy, what’s on for us then? A walk on the beach maybe?’

Daisy was curled up in her cosy dog bed in the kitchen, and didn’t seem that excited about a walk just yet. With a hangover headache lurking over her right brow, Lucy could identify with that feeling. Becky had just left after nursing several strong coffees, and the day stretched out ahead of them. A blast of fresh air and a stretch of their legs would do them both good.

‘Come on. You know it makes sense.’ She was persuading herself as much as Daisy, so she reached for Daisy’s lead from the hook on the back of the kitchen door, and gave it a tinkle above the dog’s dark, smooth head. Daisy’s head dipped lower, as if she might hide if she sank down further. Lucy had to laugh. ‘Right, I’m going,’ she coaxed, as she pulled on her trainers then stood up, setting off towards the door. Daisy begrudgingly moved, not wanting to be left on her own after all.

There was a fresh sea breeze, but it was a gorgeous morning in the village, with the row of stone cottages beside hers glowing golden in the sunlight. They headed for the lane that passed the golf course down to the sea. A ten-minute walk and they’d be on the sands, ready to stroll the bay. Vehicles used the grass verge to park here for the beach, and several cars were there already. Halfway down the narrow lane, she spotted a familiar-looking dark-red campervan. Oh … she felt a little lift of excitement. Could it be? The magic of the Merry-Go-Round from two nights before rose in her mind again.

Of course, there were lots of campervans about, and there’d be more than one red one, for sure. But as she neared the vehicle, she spotted the distinctive logo on the side: Jack’s Cocktail Campervan. She couldn’t help but smile. Blimey, maybe Becky was right about her getting animated when she mentioned him. Was there something in that? She quashed that thought quickly.

Realistically, the chances of actually seeing him here on the beach were slim. He could be walking anywhere in the area, or playing golf or something. As they wandered past, believe it or not, Daisy took that opportunity to stop and pee up the wheel of the campervan, leaving a damp trail across the lower tyre and sprinkled around its base.

‘Daisy! You naughty dog,’ Lucy scolded. ‘What do you have against Jack, hey?’

Thankfully, no-one was around to witness that. That diva dog did choose her bloody moments.

Lucy walked on, heading for the path that led from the lane end on through the dunes. She couldn’t help but scan the area, just in case she might get a glimpse of Jack. She couldn’t decide whether she’d want to bound over to him or simply hide. There was no sign of him on the little sandy track, nor where the marram grass gave way to the beach and the view of the bay expanded.

Lucy liked to stroll along the shoreline on the way out, close to the waves that pounded and crashed as they rolled in a froth to the shore, then she usually headed back on a trail that swept just below the dunes where the sand was softer underfoot, taking in the curve of the bay. Daisy quite enjoyed a bit of digging here and there, especially if there was an interesting scrap of picnic debris about. At one point, the little dog resurfaced with her nose covered in sand. Lucy laughed, then crouched down to brush the dachshund’s face off with her hand.

‘Look at you, Miss Scruffy. You’ll get sand in your eyes.’