Page 36 of The Seaside Cocktail Campervan

‘Yeah, about a booking?’

‘Yep, I’m doing a 40th Birthday party this Friday, and the family have been let down by the catering company. Had to cancel due to a case of E-coli or something.’

‘Oh crikey.’

‘Anyway, Nikki, that’s the woman organising the party for her husband, is desperate for someone to replace them.’

‘Okay, sounds good so far. How many is it for?’

‘Around sixty guests. The only thing is … it’s not just pizza she’s after.’

‘Oh?’

‘Well, the original company were doing a full buffet, so Nikki’s thinking of salads, and perhaps something else to go with the pizza … oh, and puddings.’ She could hear Jack’s voice dip as though he realised this was a bit of an ask.

‘Oh.’ How could she do all that? Her brain began to whirr. Well, okay, salads, pizza garlic breads, and yes … perhaps some antipasti with olives and charcuterie. Yes, that could work, but puddings? She’d never been much of a dessert maker. But oh blimey, this … this was too damn good a chance to miss.

‘You’ll be well paid, I’m sure. I’ve already received a decent deposit on the booking. Anyway, look, I can give you her number. She’d like you to call her to chat things through, if that’s okay. I just thought of you, and it seemed too good an opportunity to miss.’ He echoed her thoughts.

‘Yes, thanks, yes, it is … umm, thank you, Jack.’ She then punched the details into her contacts. ‘Right, well, I suppose I’d better make that call then. Cheers.’

No mention was made of their afternoon together, Lucy wasn’t sure if she was relieved or concerned by that – had she been over-dramatising things? And the call ended swiftly.

And so, she found herself chatting away to the hostess, Nikki, and agreeing to cater for sixty people in just three days’ time; providing pizzas, sides, and a selection of puddings. Oh my god, it was a good booking, but bloody hell, she’d have her work cut out. She poured out the tea for her and Olly in a bit of a daze and took two mugs out to the garden bench. ‘Here you go, Olly. Oh, and Freddie, wow, that looks amazing.’ A big purple trumpet-like petunia flower had been placed on top of the castle they’d just made, along with a stick flagpole that Olly was busy attaching a leaf to. Daisy dog bustled up next to little Freddie who patted her head excitedly in a slightly rough manner, but the little dog was fine with that. Daisy was good with small children, and they in turn seemed to love her.

‘Any luck?’ Olly asked cautiously, aware that the pizza venture had been going rather slowly so far.

‘Yeah, I’m glad I made the call. I’ve just taken a booking for sixty people, Ol … for this coming Friday.’

‘Oh, wow. Well done you.’ Her brother gave her a big thumbs up. ‘You see, it’s building. I have every faith in you.’

‘Yeah, I’m going to have to do some serious blagging though, I need pudding options and I’m no baker!’ She pulled a grimace.

‘Hmm, there are no pizza puddings as far as I know, sis. And I hate to remind you but your last attempt at a Victoria sponge wasn’t exactly a success.’ He gave a wry smile.

‘I know.’ She groaned. That particular cake had sunk in the middle, and looked rather sorry for itself. Mind you, she was just getting used to the oven’s settings in her new cottage. ‘Maybe I need to come up with some Italian-style desserts, easy ones. Oh Olly, have I just bitten off more than I can chew with this?’

‘Nope, you just have to think creatively. So, who do we know makes good puddings?’

‘Nonna,’ they both chimed together.

‘Nonn-a,’ Freddie shouted out, copying them, as he raised and waved his little plastic spade triumphantly into the air, whilst Daisy ducked wisely out of the way.

Lucy wasted no time. Nonna lived in a sheltered accommodation flat in the little town of Rothbury, not far from Lucy’s mum. Though it was a half-hour drive from her cottage, Lucy visited often, so it wasn’t an unusual trip. She made sure to pop into the supermarket on the street corner on the way, picking up a bunch of carnations in bright pinks and yellows to cheer her grandmother up. The old lady wasn’t as active these days, with arthritis riddling her hips and knees, and though she always had a ready smile, she no doubt must have found it hard, having to make her way in the world without Papa by her side over these past ten years. Lucy was certain those four sheltered walls could feel pretty lonely at times.

Nonna was a proper Newcastle-born Geordie through and through, but she’d been happy to take on the name of Nonna for the grandchildren, giving homage to Papa’s Italian roots. It had stuck, and suited her warm and homely personality. She was always pleased to get a visitor, and her voice came through loud and clear on the intercom at the main doors. ‘Come on up, pet!’ she called cheerily, as Lucy pressed the buzzer to gain entry.

Lucy was greeted at the door, with Nonna’s grey eyes twinkling and her beam of a smile. ‘Hello, my darling girl, and how are you?’

‘I’m fine thanks, Nonna. How’re you doing?’

‘Not so bad, not so bad. Knees a bit creaky, but other than that I’ve got nothing to complain about. Ready for a cuppa, pet?’ She began to head a little stiffly towards the small kitchen.

‘Oh, let me do it, Nonna. And I’ll pop these flowers in a vase for you too.’

‘Okay, my lovely. Thank you, they’re beautiful. Oh, and there’re some custard creams in the tin too,’ she called after her granddaughter.

Nonna’s kitchen was compact, the units old-fashioned but tidy, with everything in its place. On the wall was an old faded picture of Sorrento, Papa’s home town overlooking the Bay of Naples. There was his large wooden pepper grinder stood on the side, a relic from his restaurant days, and a pottery spoon rest hand-painted with olives and lemons, bought on their last holiday together – a trip back down memory lane for the pair of them. Little memories of Papa and his heritage still singing out to them all.