Page 3 of The Seaside Cocktail Campervan

‘What are you on, the raspberry one?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Cocktails will be served throughout the night, ladies. And if you have any personal favourites, I can make up whatever you like. My bar is well stocked.’

‘Oooh, I bet it is.’ The blonde’s tone was flirty as she flashed him a cheeky smile.

Okay, so he did play up to the flirtiness a tad, but that was it, a charming front. Keeping the customers entertained and happy was all part of the job, and once the welcome drinks were over and it became a pay bar (as it would later this evening), it was his chance to make some extra money, which would help keep Ruby and this business venture going. A smile and a bit of banter kept the punters happy, and the money rolling in.

Cars began to park up along the edges of the driveway and more taxis arrived. The partygoers stood sipping their welcome drinks, talking and laughing. Birthday Girl, Harriet, was soon on her second Raspberry Bellini, and younger brother Hugo had already darted in whilst Jack was busy, pilfering a G&T, which he had more or less downed in one. Jack gave him an ‘I see you’ sign, along with a stern shake of the head, whilst making a mental note to keep a close eye on him – if he kept downing alcohol like that, Hugo would no doubt end up on the floor, and Abigail would be laying down the law to Jack.

Grandma Judith was up next, steadying herself on the arm of another elderly relative. ‘Oh, these look good, Faye.’ Her pale wrinkled hand was drifting towards a Raspberry Bellini, bless her. Jack remembered his instructions however, and though part of him felt she should be able to have a cheeky tipple if she wanted, he really didn’t want to be responsible for a ‘funny turn’ or worse on his watch, so he moved in respectfully.

‘Now this one is the bees-knees, ladies. Why don’t you give it a try?’ He lifted up two of the elderflower fizzes. ‘Summer in a glass. Let me know what you think.’

They took them with a smile. ‘Thank you, young man. That’s very kind.’

‘Hmm, nice, very refreshing dear,’ the other lady commented.

Grandma was on it like a car bonnet, however: ‘Not very strong though!’

Jack suppressed a grin, and deftly switched the focus of their conversation. ‘Love the outfits, ladies. The pastel shades suit you both. Very smart indeed.’

‘Thank you,’ Grandma smiled. ‘And yes, this is very nice indeed, too.’ She raised her glass.

Jack gave a wink. ‘Cheers to you both, and have a lovely evening.’

‘Oh, we will do.’ They linked arms once again, their aged eyes a-sparkle. They certainly looked like they were going to make the most of it.

As they wandered off, he smiled as he heard one of them say, ‘What a lovely young man.’

The other answering, ‘Yes, our young Harriet would do well finding someone like that … Hard-working and polite. Instead of that waste-of-space Cameron chappie that she seems to have set her sights on.’ Their chatter drifted off into the evening air as they strolled away, no doubt looking to find a comfy seat and hopefully a knee-blanket to ward off any evening chill out in the gardens.

In a rare quiet moment a little later, the party in full swing, Jack looked across the driveway to his catering companion. Rich cheese and tomato aromas were drifting across from the Pizza Horsebox, and he felt his tummy rumble; perhaps he should have had a bite to eat himself before setting off. His gaze fell on the dark-haired young woman who was busy slicing wedges of pizza at the countertop. There was something about her that gave him pause. Had they met somewhere before? He didn’t think so, he’d surely have remembered those striking dark eyes and that bounce of glossy dark hair, now up in its bun, but hmm, she did seem familiar. He felt a tweak of emotion in his chest. He wasn’t quite sure what it was, but it felt significant somehow.

Chapter 2

What is he staring at?

The guy at the mobile bar opposite was looking fixedly her way. Surely, he should be getting on with serving, or in fact flirting, with his customers like he had been. Oh yes, Lucy had heard all the noisy giggling going on over there. It was lovely to see and hear everyone enjoying themselves, all dressed up in their fabulous outfits, but honestly, that particular group of girls were like bees round a honeypot. A free cocktail and a cute barman were evidently an instant draw. Lucy reluctantly had to concede that he did have the looks to go with the chat, what with his sun-kissed blond hair, lightly-tanned skin and beaming smile, but boy did he know it. She glanced over. Come to think of it, there was something kind of familiar about him … Ah, perhaps it was just the cheesy TV-style persona, you saw it everywhere on those American shows these days.

Lucy got back to work, hand-stretching the dough balls as she made up more pizza bases, ready to bake. She was trying to train up newly-recruited assistant Tamsin, who was seventeen, and unfortunately was already proving to be slightly sullen. She’d shown her several times how to spread the pizzas with her homemade tomato sauce, made to Papa’s special recipe with real Italian San Marzano tomatoes, garlic and basil, but the girl still slopped on the mixture half-heartedly. Another problem to deal with; Lucy hadn’t realised how hard it would be to find the right staff. The teenage girl, who’d responded to her advert in the local press just two weeks ago, had worked as a waitress, and seemed fine when she’d met her for a casual interview. They were still getting to know each other, and of course she’d need to give her a chance.

Lucy so needed this event to go well. She was trying desperately hard to get her new business established and get her name out there. It was only her third booking, and it was bloody typical that she’d got lost in the lanes getting here. Once again, she groaned inwardly that she’d arrived so late. The bloody barman didn’t have to make a point of rubbing it in though, did he? ‘You’re cutting it a bit fine though.’ The cocky prat.

All Fired Up had taken up all of Lucy’s time and energy lately. It was a huge change in direction for her, after her life had been somewhat flipped upside down and she’d decided to leave the steady job at the accountancy firm where she worked. It was a risk, but it was the chance to finally do something she was passionate about. Several months of research led to trying to find the right horsebox at a good price and getting it kitted out (at a small fortune).

Bringing it home to her seaside cottage for the first time after its conversion, she couldn’t resist opening up the new hatch, stringing it with bunting, and placing a pot of bright-yellow primulas on the counter-top. She’d then popped the cork on a mini bottle of prosecco, with an excited Daisy, her cute dachshund, scampering at her feet, whilst she gazed at her horsebox happily. ‘Papa’s Pizzas’ came to mind – she knew that her beloved grandfather would be so proud of her. But this venture was much more than that, it was about her as well as paying homage to him. She felt all fired up for her new life, these new beginnings … ‘All Fired Up’ – that was it! Perfect.

The next day, she’d painted the horsebox a pretty soft-chalky grey, putting the finishing touches to this quaint and quirky mobile pizza van. There was so much at stake, not least the chance to finally try and achieve her dream.

Back to the here and now, the oven was up to temperature, thank goodness, and she and Tamsin soon managed to serve out the first pizzas, phew! A few partygoers drifted their way, grabbing just-cooked slices and murmuring their ‘Mmms’ and ‘Aahs’ of appreciation.

In a bid to get back onside with tonight’s clients, Lucy had tracked down an unfortunately sour-faced Abigail a little earlier, apologising for their delay and explaining the SatNav failure. She really didn’t want to get off on the wrong footing, especially not when she was trying so hard to build her name and reputation, or she’d be getting her clients ‘all fired up’ for the all the wrong reasons. Oh well, she’d just need to crack on now and make the most delicious pizzas and homemade garlic breads for their party this evening, then perhaps Harriet, her mother, and the 21st Birthday guests might instead remember her and her pizzas for all the right reasons.

More guests were arriving by the minute, so she’d better get a move on with her next round of toppings – goat’s cheese and red pepper with rocket and balsamic glaze, and BBQ chicken with red onion and a drizzle of smoky sauce. Lucy stood beside Tamsin, rhythmically chopping mushrooms and onions, to the beat of party music that drifted from the beautiful, grand house. When Lucy had gone in earlier to find Abigail and Harriet to make her apologies, she’d stood wide-eyed in the mansion-like space. A grand, polished, dark-wooden staircase curved down to a black-and-white tiled entrance hall. There were huge vases filled with beautiful fresh flowers, and above there was even a sparkling crystal chandelier. It had reminded her of Downton Abbey. Hah, the whole of Lucy’s quaint but tiny cottage would probably fit inside the lobby area.

Thinking of home suddenly reminded Lucy of her little dog Daisy, a gorgeous black-and-tan smooth dachshund who was settled in her pet bed in the back of Lucy’s truck – well out of the way of the food zone. The vehicle’s windows were open and the dog had a bowl of water beside her, but she’d need to remember to let her out for a breath of air and a toilet break at some point. Lucy liked to take Daisy with her whenever she could, rather than leave her pining at home in the little seaside cottage that they shared. She’d found her at the local animal rescue centre ten months before. Her owners hadn’t been able to cope with her ‘bad’ habits: eating huge chunks off of the wooden skirting boards whilst they were out at work being one of her regular misdemeanours, and barking constantly.