Page 80 of The Seaside Cocktail Campervan

‘You go ahead,’ Abby offered with an understanding smile. ‘I’ll keep an eye on the oven and things. It’s no problem.’

‘Okay … thanks, Abby.’ Lucy removed her apron and her protective gloves. She stepped down out of the horsebox and made her way across the grass to Jack, experiencing an unsettling whirr of mixed emotions.

‘Let’s walk.’ Jack led her towards the battlements, and they made their way up the stone steps to a wide rampart that overlooked the inky-dark sea. You could hear the rush of the waves breaking on the shore from up there. It was soothing, elemental.

They stood with a polite space between them, looking out across the shadowy swell of sea, feeling the cool breeze ruffling their hair.

Jack then turned to her. ‘Luce, are you seeing someone?’

What was he on about now? Ah … of course, the night at the pub. IT Angus.

‘Ah … the other night, you mean?’

Jack nodded, looking grave.

‘Hah no, that was just some weird set-up date thing.’

‘Oh …?’ He was still frowning.

‘Didn’t work out that well, to be honest.’

‘Oh, well, good … I mean …’

‘It’s okay, it was good … to see the back of him.’

They both gave a relieved smile; a glimpse of a shared grin in the half light.

They then leant side-by-side against the battlement wall, looking out over to the indigo horizon. The moon was waxing, but bright enough to light ripples on the sea’s surface with silver tips.

Jack released a slow steady breath. ‘Lucy, what I really want to say is that I’m sorry. And it’s a long-overdue apology. I treated you badly. I shouldn’t have stayed over that night.’

‘Oh.’ Did he mean he regretted it altogether? That it was a mistake? She didn’t know how to answer. What she’d felt that day, that wonderful night, with Jack … it wasn’t just sex for her. It had meant so much more than that. And all those other days … when they were getting to know each other. The end-of-function late-night chats, that crazy night of the storm … It was like they knew each other, in those heartfelt moments, and whilst she’d told herself it was all futile, she had to admit she bloody well missed him so much.

Even when Liam had left her, weirdly it hadn’t left this gut-wrenching feeling that she … no, they had to try and find a way back to each other somehow. Yes, it hurt with Liam – a hell of a lot – but the pain was more about wasted years, wrong turns, being let down.

And then, of course, she’d gone and accused Jack of taking advantage of some tipsy girl. Argh, she’d got that all so wrong. No wonder he was bloody annoyed with her. Regretted spending the night with her.

‘Jack, I’m sorry too. I should never have accused you of taking that girl home, of taking advantage, when I didn’t know any of the facts.’

Jack nodded. ‘Thank you, I appreciate that. So, truce?’

‘Yeah, truce,’ she replied with a gentle grin.

It felt like a weight had been lifted.

Lucy felt Jack’s arm wind gently around her shoulders; it was welcome, with a chill wind now blowing in off the North Sea.

A surge of happiness washed over her, feeling his touch, his warmth there beside her. It was still damned confusing – who knew if they were they friends or something more? But for tonight … it was a big step forward.

Lucy took a deep breath. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she was afraid to speak them, to spoil the moment.

I’ve missed you, stayed in her mind, and reeled in her heart.

The feeling of having her in his arms again was overwhelming, disconcerting. Jack couldn’t let this moment go, not yet. She gave a little shiver and he held her close. Listening to the sea. Watching moonlight glint on the crest of distant waves.

But was he afraid to let her go, or let her stay?

‘Tomorrow …’ he blurted out, ‘can we go for a walk or something? Talk things over some more?’