Page 69 of The Seaside Cocktail Campervan

He passed their drinks across with a grin. ‘Thanks. And enjoy!’

‘Thank you, son.’ Dad was fumbling in his pocket for his wallet.

‘Don’t be so daft, I’ll not take any money from you. I’m just chuffed you’re here.’

There seemed to be a lot still unsaid between them, yet actions spoke louder than words. They were here in support, and that meant so much to Jack. He might not be a lawyer or a doctor, but he had a business that was doing well, and that he loved. Perhaps his parents might start to see that for themselves from now on.

A couple came forward asking for two Lemon Gin Fizzes. Jack’s parents stood back and watched him chat with the customers whilst mixing, shaking and garnishing their cocktails. They couple soon left, happily sipping their drinks, with the bloke turning to say, ‘This is amazing, mate. Cheers.’

‘You’re welcome, and have a great afternoon.’

A few more customers came and went. Mum went off to browse a couple of stalls, mocktail in hand. Dad stood enjoying his beer, watching his son at work, whilst soaking up a few rays of sunshine.

There was another lull, and his parents again approached the counter, Mum passing back her empty glass and Dad his bottle.

‘That was just the ticket, thanks son.’

‘The pineapple drink was delicious. Thank you. I’ll have to get the recipe from you and make it for Mary when she next calls round.’

‘Right, well I suppose we’d better be off then. Let you get on here,’ Dad took up.

They said their goodbyes, ready to leave. Jack was still stunned yet delighted by their arrival. It was then his dad looked up … at Jack, framed by Ruby and his cocktail bar. He stopped, gave a small cough, and said, ‘Well done. We are proud of you, son.’

And that meant the world to Jack.

Meanwhile back at the horsebox, the time had thankfully passed quickly for Lucy, with a steady stream of hungry customers lured in by the mouth-watering aromas of Papa’s pizza recipe. It was early evening already, and the festival was coming to a close with a charity raffle in aid of the local hospice. Lucy had bought some tickets earlier. Local families, tourists, young and old, were gathered on the village green. Children stood clutching some treasured new toy, bought or won at one of the many stalls, or frantically licked at drippingly-delicious ice-cream cornets (a last treat for the day). Most of the visitors looked like they’d had a lovely afternoon, with just one or two sets of parents appearing a little frazzled by this point. The raffle winners were announced and various organisers thanked, and the remaining crowd gave a round of cheerful applause. The church bells rang out thereafter, announcing 6 p.m., and it was time to head home, or indeed pack up, for the stall-holders. Lucy was delighted that she’d sold almost all of almost all her pizza bases; her cash tin was happily full.

And right then, the person she’d been trying to avoid all afternoon was heading her way. Her stomach took a dive. Lucy tried to keep her cool, determined not to say a word about the unanswered texts and calls, about the poor way he had acted in all this, but it had been brewing inside her all day. In fact, for the past twelve days, ever since the night he’d stayed over. Why in fact, should he get away with treating her like this? Why give her the impression that their friendship, that night, had meant something special, and then do the disappearing act?

‘Hey,’ Jack said softly, giving a cautious smile, having decided to bite the bullet and come across. If this was going no further between them, he had to at least speak with Lucy. He had to show her that respect. He knew that he’d ducked out for long enough.

‘Hi, stranger.’ Her tone was loaded with a sarcasm that couldn’t disguise her hurt.

‘Busy afternoon?’ he continued, ignoring the dig.

So, this is it, Lucy fumed. The first time they had seen each other in person since that day, and they were back to small talk. No acknowledgment that they’d spent a night together, that anything significant had happened between them at all.

Lucy had had enough … She didn’t care if anyone overheard, that people were still there on the green. ‘What’s going on, Jack?’ she hissed. ‘I’ve had no texts at all from you. You don’t bother to answer my calls … All that effort you made with that picnic on the beach … and then afterwards …’ The words hung sharply, forcing memories between them. ‘I-I thought what we had was good. Like we were really getting on. Like it was more than just that one night of casual sex.’ Lucy’s frustrations and disappointment spilled out.

A couple who were walking past looked across, intrigued, then proceeded on slowly, no doubt still trying to listen in.

‘Yeah, it was good … of course,’ Jack answered flatly, giving away no emotion. ‘We had fun Luce, no doubt about that but … But I just think we could cool it, no need to jump into anything, you know?’ He looked sheepish, busy staring at something near his shoe.

Cool it. Oh, yes, worm your way into my bed and my heart, and then just go and bugger off. Typical!

So, classic ‘player’ Jack was back, then. The proof was standing there right in front of her. She’d just been another notch on his bedpost. Arrrgh, why, oh why, had she not listened to the voice of reason that had been knocking away in her mind, or to close friend Becky’s advice?

The village green was emptying out; this might be Lucy’s last chance to air all this. Frustration and anger were stirring up her emotional outpouring: ‘So, that’s it? I was just like the rest of them, eh? Someone for you to pick up and drop just as quickly?’

‘No, it wasn’t like that …’ Jack frowned.

‘So, what was it like? It doesn’t look any different from where I’m standing. Dammit, I should have known better. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. It’s the way you always are with women, Jack. One night, maybe two if they’re really lucky, and then bumph, you disappear.’

Jack was on the defensive now, ‘Well, at least I never made any false promises to those girls, Luce. Never pulled out engagement rings, didn’t talk of getting married. Nothing like that.’

Liam was dragged to mind with that comment. Her private confession to Jack now spilling out. It was a cheap hit.

‘Well, let’s face it, you’d never be able to commit to such a thing,’ Lucy blasted back. She certainly was all fired up now.