Page 39 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

‘It will indeed,’ agreed Nonna.

With that, Jack excused himself for a moment, heading off for the café’s bathroom.

‘Yes, you need to go and have some adventures too, Lucy,’ Nonna took up, going back to her earlier theme. ‘You’re working hard, I know that, but sometimes you need to take a little time out too. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s the simple things that are often the most fun. A sunny afternoon and we’d pack up a picnic when Sofia was little, head off to the beach, sometimes even go for supper once Papa had finished his shift on the buses. You need to go and live life, Lucy. Find someone special to live it with …’

Well, that was easier said than done.

‘Maybe … I’ve a lot on my plate just now, though,’ Lucy’s response was purposely vague. ‘With the business just finding its feet and all that … And I do think you need to think carefully about your trip,’ Lucy continued, now Jack the Go-For-It-Guy was out of earshot. ‘Consider all the issues of foreign travel, medical care … I – well, I just wouldn’t want you to get caught out.’ Lucy didn’t want to be the party-pooper but someone had to spell out the facts here. Her wonderful grandmother could end up stuck in a hospital, miles from home, without the right cover. No family at her side, nothing.

‘It’s something I really want to do, Lucy,’ Nonna said, a determined glint in her eye. Lucy knew to let it rest, for now at least.

Adventures, taking life by the balls … Why did that still scare Lucy so much? Yes, she’d gone in all guns blazing for her new pizza venture, but relationships, leisure, travel … maybe it was time to take a leaf out of Nonna’s book and lighten up a little. See where life took her?

And Jack, well, her heart dipped again at the thought; whether he had any intention of including her in his next adventures, or even in the next few weeks of his life, she couldn’t be sure of that at all.

Invitation to

The Christmas Book Club

The Driftwood Café

7 p.m. Thursday 25th November

Chapter Nineteen

Christmas was gearing up in Lucy’s village. First up was Book Club night at Driftwood and with it being late November, this week’s theme was ‘Best Christmas Books’. They had been asked to bring along their favourite festive reads and were going to tell each other why they loved them so much.

After a frosty early-evening stroll from the cottage, Lucy entered the Driftwood Café – its jingly bell announcing her arrival – and as well as everyone bringing a festive bake themselves, it was apparent that Louise had gone all out with festive foodie treats for them all too. The table was laden with cinnamon-and-spice-scented mince pies, filo-and-marzipan melting stollen slices, and a yule log covered in thick chocolate frosting. The smells – ah, divine – bringing back memories of Christmases past. Lucy’s mouth was already watering.

‘Hello, hello, come on in,’ Lou greeted her, coming out from behind the counter.

‘Hi, Lucy.’ ‘Evening, Luce.’ Helen and Sarah were already there, with warm, welcoming smiles.

‘Hello, pet,’ Glynis added, ‘pull up a seat, come and join the gang.’

‘Don’t hold back, help yourselves to the spread, my lovelies,’ said Louise. ‘Abby’s just warming the mulled wine, or there’s the usual tea and coffee, if you prefer.’

‘Ooh, mulled wine, that sounds delicious. And look at this scrumptious lot. You’ve really pushed the festive boat out here, Lou. How fantastic.’ Lucy had a big smile plastered over her face as she added her offering of homemade Christmas-tree-shaped buttery shortbread. They were certainly in for a feast this evening.

What a warm welcome too. Books and baking, and a big dollop of friendship. It was enough to brighten any day, however chilly it was outside.

‘Well, it’s only Christmas once a year. I have my friends gathered, and ’tis the season to be jolly.’ Louise brought over yet another plate filled with treats. This time a stack of gooey-looking brownies.

‘More? Blimey, Lou, there’s enough to feed an army here,’ exclaimed Paul.

‘Hah, yeah an army of elves,’ added Cathy.

‘Look you lot, you’d be moaning soon enough if I didn’t put out a good display. Anything left over can be used tomorrow in the café; I’m not that daft. And these happen to have a festive touch of Baileys in them.’

‘Oh, well in that case …’ Helen’s eyes had lit up.

‘Anyhow, have you all brought along your favourite festive reads?’ Louise set down her baking platter. ‘Anyone want to set the ball … or should I say bauble … rolling?’

A happy groan broke out amongst the group.

Abby popped her hand up. ‘Well, I absolutely adore The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher. Mum started us off on it a few years ago; she’d bought it for my younger sister, Freya. Now I have to read it every year. It’s like part of my Christmas preparations. December hits, I fetch it out from the bookcase, curl up with a mug of hot chocolate and I’m all set up.’

‘Yeah, I love all the Christmas children’s books,’ chipped in Cathy, ‘I remember reading them with my little ones every year. ‘Twas the Night before Christmas and The Jolly Christmas Postman, such magical books. Always kept them back, special like, so they didn’t get read any other time of the year. There’s that wonderful sense of anticipation and excitement to the story, even pulling them off the shelf makes you feel instantly festive.’