Page 42 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

‘Ah, that sounds perfect … Looking forward to this evening?’ Lucy added.

‘Yes, it’s always a lovely do, and it seems to mark the beginning of Christmas in the village. It’s when my kids start to get excited – the levels dial up a notch here on in.’ She gave a weary smile.

Brenda, from the Parish Council, appeared, looking flustered and bustling forward with a supersized, rather gaudy golden star ready to top the tree. ‘Found it at last, right at the back of the bloody village hall cupboard.’

‘Oh, I’ve just dropped the panforte cake I promised at the village hall. I left it on one of the trestle tables. I hope that was okay. The door was open …’ Lucy explained.

‘Marvellous. And how very kind of your young man to offer to serve mulled wine this evening too. What a super idea.’

‘It’s our pleasure,’ replied Lucy. ‘Well, everyone’s made me feel so welcome since I arrived here.’ It really was lovely to feel a part of this village that she could now call home, and Lucy was more than happy to do her bit to help. The only shadows that had been cast here were those of the horsebox tyres and the incident of the car window the other night, but she’d gathered her nerve, told herself it was most likely an unfortunate fluke. With the glass now fixed at the local garage, Lucy had decided to draw a line under it – otherwise she’d only spiral into a pit of anxiety.

A sudden ‘Toot! Toot!’ announced the timely arrival of Ruby, swinging in from the main road and pulling up beside them. Hearing about the village event, Jack had also come up trumps, offering to help out that evening by serving complimentary mulled wine. He figured it’d be a nice gesture, and as a bonus, it might just let a few more people know about his Cocktail Campervan. VW Ruby would be sitting pretty, parked up beside the festive tree in line for any camera shots by the local press too. Oh yes, that might just be a smooth marketing ploy – Jack was ever the entrepreneur, spotting an opportunity a mile off.

‘Hello, you,’ said Jack, who was looking rather dashing in a dark-blue-checked flannel shirt and indigo jeans. He gave Lucy a warm smile.

‘Hey …’ She jumped into the passenger seat, popping Daisy on her lap.

And that was followed by a brief but cute kiss that made Lucy’s cheeks glow. The Christmas spirit was evidently infectious.

Fragrant aromas of cinnamon and spice wafted through Ruby’s cabin; the mulled wine was ready and keeping warm in a large tea urn that Jack had borrowed for the occasion from his mum’s WI group. Jack hadn’t strictly declared what he’d be using it for. (Blimey, he’d have to give it a damn good wash before returning it, lol, or the next coffee morning in the Alnwick Hall would be full of sniffy comments about the rather peculiar taste.)

He had another huge back-up pan prepared, plus more bottles of red wine, oranges and spices to add to the mix ongoing, if need be. Who knew how much a gaggle of festive, thirsty villagers might get through?

He’d also made sure to cater for the children, bringing cartons of cranberry juice and bottles of soda to make fizzy cranberry mocktails in festive cardboard cups, including the little ones in the fun. Lucy had had a bit of a soppy look on her face when he’d mentioned that to her. He had a brief moment of panic, but told himself it was likely because he’d come across as sweet and thoughtful, and not because she was yearning for kids herself any time soon.

With Ruby organised and ready to move the short distance from one street to the next, Jack, Lucy and Daisy – who, of course, had to be part of the village celebrations – leaped back in. Parked up alongside the Festive Fir soon after, where a few last-minute tweaks were being made by the committee to its lights, tinsel trails and baubles, they set up. A few early birds from the village were gathering already, for front-row viewing.

The camper’s chrome counter also glittered with tinsel, mini baubles, plus some sprigs of holly. Jack and Lucy quickly put the final touches to a seasonally smart Ruby, and after setting out neat rows of holly-patterned cardboard cups, they were soon ready to pour. Lucy offered to do the children’s drinks so Jack could concentrate on serving the warm spiced wine – teamwork was key.

Daisy was sat in the passenger seat, having had an outfit change into the new red jumper from the Corbridge Christmas market along with a sparkly collar, more than happy to watch the world go by, with just the odd bark for good measure to remind everyone she was there.

‘Right Luce, ready for action?’ Jack asked with a grin.

‘Absolutely, and I’m looking forward to this evening. It’s great to be in my home village, there’s bound to be loads of people I know …’

Soon voices could be heard from along the street, with people gathering from all sides. Cars began to park up, with excited chatter filling the air as families spilled out, with two-year-olds and eighty-two-year-olds holding hands. It was a cold clear night, the sky now dark with a smattering of stars, and a mist of chilly breath filling the still evening air.

As Jack began to pour out the first fragrant cups, the scented steam from the ruby-coloured liquid wafted out.

‘Ooh, that smells delicious. Mulled wine, is it? Lovely. How much do I owe you, pet?’ their first customer, a grey-haired lady, asked as she stepped up to take one.

‘Oh no, it’s all complimentary,’ explained Jack. ‘A gesture of goodwill, and the start of a merry Christmas for us all, hopefully.’

‘Oh, that’s wonderful. You sure?’ She sounded most surprised to be getting something for nothing.

‘Absolutely. Lucy here has just moved into the village, and well, we wanted to do something to help out this evening.’

‘Well, welcome to the village, both of you.’

Jack raised his eyebrows at the assumption that they lived together, but stayed quiet. Lucy felt herself blush beside him.

The lady continued, unaware of her faux pas that had left the pair of them feeling awkward, ‘And in that case, I might just pop something in the charity box back at the village hall later, in lieu.’

‘That sounds a lovely idea,’ agreed Lucy, relieved to move the conversation on. ‘A kind gesture that keeps giving, how nice.’

‘Coo-ee, Val, over here! We can see the lights better from up the hill, I reckon …’ beckoned a sixty-something lady who was all wrapped up in a shawl and a grey woolly hat.

‘Well, thank you very much. Wonderful to see you young things doing some good in the world. Much appreciated … and I’ll just take another for my friend there, if I may. Toodle-loo!’ And with that she bustled off, sporting a big smile.