Page 32 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

Jack was laughing as he crouched to set her down, giving Lucy a tickle under the ribs where his hands spanned her waist, which made her giggle.

They then stood back to look at their handiwork. The tree glistened and twinkled with loops of fairy lights, some silver and gold baubles, and a few strands of silver and tinsel.

‘It’s very pretty …’ Lucy started, but then her voice trailed.

‘Yeah, it is …’ Jack didn’t sound totally convinced either.

‘Hmmm …’ Lucy pondered.

‘Bit bare,’ they both declared together.

‘It’s because it’s so big.’

‘One should never complain about a big one,’ Jack said formally, whilst grinning away.

Lucy burst out laughing.

‘Well, I do happen to know where we can get a few additions. There are some gorgeous decorations for sale at the Driftwood Café. I spotted them when I called in last week. They’ve got all their Christmas stuff in now.’ She glanced at her watch. Though it was almost dark outside, it was still only four o’clock. ‘They’ll still be open, if we hurry.’

‘Sounds like a plan.’

Shoes on, coats grabbed, and they dashed out.

The café door’s tinkly bell went with a welcoming chime. Aromas of coffee and baking filled the air. A couple of tables were occupied, with some hushed chatter going on, but the Driftwood Café had that end-of-day feel. Abby was wiping down the empty tables, whilst Louise was carefully covering over the cakes behind the counter.

‘Oh hello, my loves. Great to see you. How are you both?’ Lou asked.

‘Hi, Lou. Hello, Abby. Yeah, good thanks.’

‘So, how can I help you?’ asked Louise. ‘Coffee? Hot chocolates? It’s certainly that time of year. Marshmallows, cream?’

‘Well, we’re actually here to get some new tree decorations. I saw your gorgeous new festive crafts were in the other day. We’ve just put up the Christmas tree at mine …’

‘Oh, lovely.’

‘But well, it’s on the large side and my measly old decs look a bit lost on it, to be honest.’

‘I see. Well, go ahead and browse to your hearts’ content. Our very talented local craftswoman, Eve, has been working with driftwood and sea glass. She’s made some beautiful festive pieces.’

Indeed, the wooden shelves were laden with hand-crafted treats: little hearts and stars made from silvered driftwood, scattered with tiny beads of sea glass in reds, greys and blues, and a delicate drift of glitter over them. There were snowmen ornaments, cute felt puffins sporting festive scarves, wooden Father Christmases, festive plaques, and gorgeous hand-stitched animal toys finished with festive holly and tartan-patterned bow ties.

‘Freddie would love one of these,’ commented Lucy as she spotted them. ‘Oh my goodness, look, there’s even a Dachshund with a snowflake scarf on. That’s it, I’ll have to get this one to go in with his parcel. His very own Dachshund toy, how brilliant.’

‘Yeah, he’d love that … he adores Daisy,’ agreed Jack.

A tree-shaped stand on the table was hung with a further assortment of decorations. Lucy was delighted by some of the driftwood hearts that glittered delicately in the lights, and Jack was drawn to the stars. So, they chose three of each, then Lucy picked up a box of globe-shaped glass baubles with a unique sea-swirl pattern in silvery blues and greys.

‘These are wonderful, Jack, see how the patterns look just like the sea. Perfect for my seaside cottage. I’ll have to take these.’

‘Yeah, they are really cool. Unique.’

Lucy headed for the till with her festive assortment, including of course, the soft-toy Dachshund.

‘Aren’t they just fabulous,’ commented Louise, as she began to bubble wrap the decorations, popping them one-by-one into a crisp white paper gift bag.

‘Yes, perfect.’

And she thought how lovely it was to have new decorations that she and Jack had chosen together for their first Christmas tree, not just the leftovers from her and Liam’s last dire Christmas. New steps forward.