Page 4 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

After a turbulent couple of years, and a broken engagement, Lucy had dared to dream, to step out from her comfort zone and steady life, and to make that dream a reality. She’d followed her heart and her passion for cooking, very much inspired by her wonderful Italian grandfather, Papa, who sadly was no longer with them. Her family, her friends and yes, Becky, had all given her their support. Lifting her up when, at times, it all felt a little impossible. There was no way she was going to let it fail now. Not her business, not her friendship, and not her relationship with Jack. She should be happy that she’d achieved so much. But why did it all suddenly feel like a house of cards?

Wafts of sizzling bacon were soon drifting up the stairs, drawing Lucy down to find her gorgeous sandy-haired boyfriend, frying pan in hand, with a rich coffee aroma on the go. Now that was a sight to please any food-loving and warm-blooded girl.

‘Hey, this is great, thank you.’ It was wonderful to be spoilt. In six whole years, she’d only known her ex, Liam, cook her breakfast once. (Hah, yes, and that had been when his parents had stayed over with them, so to be fair the effort was more for them than for her. No doubt in an attempt to make him look good.) With Jack, this was the fourth time in four weeks! They were getting quite homely indeed. Lucy felt a surge of happiness and stepped forward, slipping her hands around Jack’s taut waist, from behind.

‘Hey, careful you. Watch out.’ Jack brandished his metal cooking tongs menacingly, whilst sporting a grin. ‘I have hot instruments to hand.’

‘Hmm, and don’t I know it.’ Lucy was thinking very much about last night, and gave a mischievous giggle.

Jack laughed raucously, then turned away to continue his culinary task. ‘Now then, behave, you.’

‘Do I have to?’

‘No, absolutely not. The naughtier the better.’ His grin widened.

Lucy loved their daft banter. Jack’s sense of fun was catching. He was like a breath of fresh air. Like a stirring sea breeze, in fact, after sensible, staid (translate to bloody boring) Liam.

Jack was soon serving up, and the two of them sat on stools at the kitchen counter, enjoying bacon butties made with soft doughy bread from the village stores, teamed with strong coffee and zesty orange juice. Daisy the Dachshund was poised beneath them anxiously awaiting any stray crumbs that might just come her way.

The autumn sun beamed in through four square panes of the kitchen window as they ate. Deciding to make the most of the fresh, sunny morning with a walk on the beach, they were soon clearing the cups and plates to the sink and getting their trainers on. With Daisy now sat in the hallway, tail wagging, keen to join in.

It was about a mile from Lucy’s cottage to the beach. Past the golf course, and on through the winding track to the start of the dunes. Strolling the pale-golden sands, hand in hand with Jack, with Daisy trotting about amusingly, trying her best to avoid the salty puddles left by the receding tide, Lucy felt the warmth of contentment.

If it wasn’t for the Becky situation, life would in fact be pretty perfect. She loved her cosy coastal cottage home, having moved in a year ago after selling the new-build house she’d lived in with Liam. A break-up that was probably long overdue, but was barrelled into action by his affair. A bomb in the already damaged building of their relationship, but still damned hurtful nonetheless. Yet having Jack beside her these past weeks, staying over and sharing her beachside life, being able to talk things through with him, be it personal or business … to touch, kiss, make love with him, well … it was hard to put it into words. But somehow life glowed. It felt so much fuller, joyful.

The bay was particularly beautiful this morning. A crescent curve of golden sands, with the far cliffs rising to the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle as its backdrop. Though the blue of the sky was autumn-muted, with pillows of white-grey clouds beginning to gather on the horizon, the sun still peeked through, giving silver-gold light that danced on the crests of the waves that rolled to shore. They chatted as they strolled along. The breeze was life-affirming, fresh and invigorating, rippling through Lucy’s dark hair which fell loose. The chill of the wind just meant they walked a little closer, warming each other. Enjoying the touch, the togetherness, of their clasped hands with fingers interlinked.

Yet, after yesterday’s call with Becky, there was still one nagging concern that dimmed all this … one dark cloud in an otherwise bright, hopeful sky. Lucy must have gone a little quiet.

‘You okay?’ Jack slowed his pace, pausing to face her.

‘Yeah, I’m fine.’ Lucy didn’t want to spoil the moment, didn’t want to burden him with her worries about having fallen out with her best friend.

‘You sure? You just seem a bit subdued this morning, Luce.’

‘Ah, I’m okay.’

‘Well, you know, if there’s ever anything you want to talk about …’

She felt the squeeze of Jack’s hand around hers, protective, caring. But this was between her and Becky. She didn’t need to burden Jack with any of it. She should be able to deal with it.

And, looking out over the bay, hearing the rhythmic rolling hush of the sea, the timeless tide, she really didn’t want to spoil the moment.

‘Thanks, I appreciate that.’

In no way did this new relationship feel ‘toxic’ – as Becky had described it. She couldn’t have got this so wrong. But they’d always been a team, her and Becky, they’d faced the worst together, fought the same battles. Now it seemed they were on totally different sides.

But hey, whoever said life was easy? When had it ever all run smoothly at the same time for her? But she had her family, her friends – with a little Becky blip, that was all – plus the lovely support of her new village community. The people who had held her up through some very tough times in the past, and the ones who were helping her back on her feet now.

Hmm, perhaps it was time to thank them all properly. The only thing was how? She couldn’t afford some big posh do, or a meal out for everyone. There were rather a lot of them, for a start … And she was still finding her feet with the new business, her savings having gone into that and putting a deposit down on her cottage. But a get-together might also help bring Becky back to the fold. It might be a chance to get her friend and Jack to meet up casually, in a bigger crowd. Get to know each other now, rather than dwelling on the past. Yes, it was food for thought.

As they headed back along the shoreline, with Daisy skipping along at their feet, Lucy mentioned her thoughts to Jack. ‘You know what, life’s looking up just now, and I think it’s high time I thanked everyone who’s helped me these past couple of years. The ones who saw me through that shitty break-up, and everyone who’s helped get All Fired Up running and off the ground.’

‘Yeah, that sounds a good idea. So, what are you thinking? Some kind of party?’

‘Yeah, maybe … but the cottage is tiny. I’d never fit everyone in. And a “do” out is going to cost an arm and a leg – though I’d love to be able to do that for everybody. Hmm, I’d better not sink the pizza business I’m meant to be celebrating by pushing the boat out too far and spending the last of my savings.’

‘True.’