Page 10 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

Her dad’s face softened; he’d always been fond of Papa and Nonna. ‘So it’s going alright then, is it? Your business? You’re making a go of it?’

‘Well, I’m giving it my best shot, and yeah, it’s broken even so far … with more bookings coming in now too. I’m definitely starting to build a name for myself.’

‘Yes, I saw that clip in the local press … and it looks great, the horsebox, all painted and all set up. I wish you every success.’ He raised his beer bottle as a toast.

‘Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.’

‘Yes love, and I hope you do really well,’ Jo chipped in with a smile. ‘It looks gorgeous, the pizza horsebox, really unique.’

‘Thank you.’ Their support, even if it had come a little late, meant the world.

‘Hey, I only want what’s best for you, Luce. That’s all any father wants.’

She nodded, suddenly feeling a little emotional. ‘Right, well, I’d better get back to it. Party to host, more pizzas to bake, and all that …’

As dusk began to settle, the fairy lights on All Fired Up and Ruby’s golden-globe bulbs began to twinkle like festive stars against the darkening deep-grey and fading peach tones of the October evening. Music spilled out from a speaker that Lucy had rigged up outside: a mix of easy listening current pop, with a bit of 80s soft rock thrown in for good measure. She stoked the logs that were molten orange in her stone bake oven, ready to bake another round of pizzas. And, looking out and seeing her friends, the villagers and her family, all together in this place that she now called home, hearing their chatter and laughter, seeing children playing – oh, and Helen and Sarah from the Book Club now swaying – it gave her the happiest of glows.

Jack looked across from Ruby’s countertop where he was pouring more cocktails which seemed to be going down a treat. It had been a bit full on meeting the extended family like that, and even Lucy’s dad had turned up, which had caught him unawares. But he conceded it was lovely to see Lucy looking so happy. Her deep-brown eyes were all a-sparkle and her gorgeous smile widened as yet more people arrived. In fact, how many people had she asked along this evening? They were still arriving in their droves. Luckily, Ruby – aka The Cocktail Campervan – was loaded up with plenty of prosecco, his gift to Lucy for this evening – but blimey, he didn’t think he even had that many friends. It looked like half the village was here.

Ah … that was it. Lucy really had invited half the village. He remembered her saying something about dropping invites into the street doors. Oh well, this was certainly a great way to say hello to her new community, and to say the big thank-you she had wanted to all those who had helped in establishing All Fired Up.

Jack felt so proud of her; leaving her steady job and taking this plunge into the unknown, and thankfully, his world of mobile catering. If she hadn’t taken that leap they might never have met. But now, unbelievably, this gorgeous woman was now with him. Mind you, he had been given the low-down by her grandmother just before, hadn’t he! Nonna’s words were still ringing in his ears, settling into his soul … He just hoped he could step up to the mark.

‘Need a hand here, boss?’ Abby stepped forward with a sunny smile, prosecco glass in hand. ‘Happy to help, as always.’

‘Oh, but you’re not here to work today, Abby. Tonight’s about me thanking you all. And anyway, isn’t your Callum coming along soon too? You don’t want to be tied up cooking pizza all evening.’

Callum was Abby’s new flame. They’d met – rather hilariously – when he was the bottom half of a cow, in fancy dress, at one of the events Lucy had been booked for in the summer, and things had been ‘moo-ving’ on very well for the pair ever since.

‘Yeah, he’ll be here in a while, but he’ll be fine. He knows a few of my mates from the village, anyhow.’

‘But you’re meant to be here to enjoy the party.’

‘I am enjoying the party … but you can’t take it all on, Lucy. You’re supposed to be having some fun too. Anyhow, I’ll enjoy it just as much, topping pizza bases here in the horsebox for a while, as long as I have a glass of fizz and you by my side. I can catch up with Cal later. We’re bound to be here dancing and drinking ’til the early hours, after all.’

‘You sure?’ Lucy had prepped as much as she could earlier, but lots of the pizza bases still needed hand-stretching and topping before going into the wood-fired oven to bake. They were working at a good rate, but they still needed to feed the ever-growing gathering.

‘Yeah, ’course. Come on, give us an apron. We can people watch and catch up on the gossip.’ Abby was insistent.

‘Well, thank you, my lovely. That’d be brilliant.’

‘Oh, and my little sis Freya is here too. When this next lot of pizzas are ready, we can rope her in to do the rounds, offering them out. I’ve already told her that’s her job.’

‘Aw, thanks.’

‘Yeah, she’s hoping to get some work as a waitress, so it’ll be good experience for her,’ Abby grinned. ‘So, Team Pizza are go!’

With that, brother Olly, who’d been listening in, rolled up to the horsebox counter. ‘Hey, I’ll take an apron too. Don’t forget I’m your No. 1 Pizza Topper.’

‘Hah, he helped me once, Abby.’ Lucy rolled her eyes and laughed.

‘Yes, and you did say I was a super sauce spreader.’

‘Hey, I was just buttering you up to keep you onside for the night, Bro.’

‘Now she tells me. Anyway, let me help … I have an ulterior motive.’

‘And what might that be?’