Page 49 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

Jack raised Ruby’s hatch to reveal the stage-lit bulb blackboard, which he’d chalked up with today’s specials – a Cranberry Fizz (he’d found the most amazing cranberry liqueur to add to chilled prosecco), Spiced Mulled Wine (of course!), hot chocolates served with whipped cream and all the works (with Bailey’s and rum versions too), Irish coffee, a Dark and Stormy cocktail, Toffee Apple cocktails, mocktails and more … He couldn’t help but glance over at Lucy, her hair swept up in a dark glossy knot, concentrating on stacking a pile of boxed cakes. His heart gave an involuntary squeeze.

He pulled his focus back; he’d better get on with his work. He started to twine fresh holly, fir and ivy – gathered from his parents’ garden – along the front of Ruby’s chrome counter. He also had a big red velvet bow to drape over her front windscreen, tinsel aplenty, and silver and gold baubles to decorate his garnish stand.

And, even though it was chilly working outside at this time of year, he was looking the part too, sporting his black-tie tuxedo outfit with a dashing red-velvet bow-tie. He loved to give his all to the whole Cocktail Campervan experience. Ruby was gleaming and polished, being a fabulous festive red herself. Standing back proudly from his handiwork, he gave a nod; Ruby did look rather splendid, he had to admit.

As they were the only two catering units positioned here at the entrance of the castle – the ones who’d make the first impression – The Cocktail Campervan and All Fired Up absolutely needed to be spot on, giving a warm, festive welcome. Even if their respective owners were feeling a little disgruntled with each other at this moment in time. Smiles were laid on, and emotions masked – for now at least.

Eager to get some breathing space with fifteen minutes to spare before opening time, Jack was curious to take a quick look inside the castle. He headed up the well-worn stone steps. The ancient wooden door was left ajar, ready for the public invasion. It opened onto a small passageway, leading to heavy iron gates, and then into an open-air courtyard area. A perfect cobbled square inside the four walls of the castle. It was like he’d walked back in time … medieval, with a touch of Victorian, with several stallholders setting up their pitches: hand-crafted wooden gifts, candles, jams and preserves, and a chap with a real chestnut roaster – the smell was delicious, conjuring up days of old. There was something rather Dickensian about chestnuts roasting, Jack mused. He recognised the Jam Lady and gave a friendly hello.

There was noisy chatter and a general sense of hustle and bustle coming from inside. Jack stepped in, taking in tall mullioned windows, old tapestries hung on the walls, and two huge fireplaces with massive tree-trunk-style logs alight, giving the room a mellow glow and a wintry wood-smoke smell. Inside the Great Hall, it was all stations go, with boxes of goodies and gifts being unpacked and displays set out. A massive Christmas tree stood in one corner which almost touched the extremely high ceiling; it had to be twenty feet tall at least. Impressive. And looking about, there must have been at least thirty different stalls there. It was like a festive Aladdin’s Cave.

‘Oh, hello there.’ A thirty-something woman, who was wearing a holly-patterned apron over a black dress and long boots, with dark-blonde hair piled messily on top of her head, approached. ‘Can I help at all?’

‘Oh, just having a quick look about before we start. And, I was hoping to find the loos, to be honest. I have The Cocktail Campervan out the front,’ he explained.

‘Ah yes, you must be Jack. I remember chatting with you. Hi, I’m Ellie, the organiser. So nice to meet you.’

He was impressed that she’d remembered his name from the booking.

‘Wow, it looks great in here. What a stunning castle.’ It was all a bit different to his semi-detached lodgings with Matt.

‘Yeah, it is quite impressive, isn’t it? Still find it pretty awe-inspiring myself, and I’ve been living here for eight years now.’ She gave a warm smile, which lit up her face.

‘Ellie, sorry to butt in, but we need you down in the tea rooms,’ a gentleman dressed in smart tweeds called out. ‘Doris is having a problem with the mince pies, apparently.’

Malcolm, who’d welcomed Jack and Lucy earlier, then stepped forward, adding, ‘Oh Lord, don’t say she’s gone and burnt them again.’

‘Well, nice to meet you, Jack. Sorry, got to dash. Malcolm will point you in the right direction for the bathrooms.’

It was all systems go in there. And it’d soon be time for him to go back to the campervan – he only hoped a busy afternoon of serving would distract him from his woes with Lucy.

Lucy couldn’t help but feel anxious. Jack seemed really determined not to engage with her, and her assistant, Abby, still hadn’t arrived. With time rolling on – it was 12:20 already – they were going to have to hit the ground running. Hearing vehicles pulling in off the country lane, and trundling down the gravel driveway, Lucy nervously brushed down her apron. Taking up her hatch-side position, and forcing a smile on her face, she made herself ready to meet and greet the first arrivals. Car doors began slamming, releasing the first expectant, chatty customers, followed soon afterwards by a fresh convoy of vehicles coming through the castle gates. Christmas had landed at Claverham Castle. Lucy at last felt a ripple of anxious excitement. Another big event to put under her belt, another step forward for her business.

Then, thank God, Abby arrived in a flurry, dashing into the horsebox and pulling on her apron at lightning speed. ‘Sorry Luce, didn’t mean to cut it so fine. Mum needed the car today, so she had to drop me off here after our shopping trip. Took a while getting here, sorry. We got stuck behind a tractor in the lanes, and there’s a huge queue we had to bypass at the gates.’

‘No worries, you’re here now,’ Lucy said, mightily relieved she’d made it, ‘and that’s what matters.’

Across the way, she heard barman Jack lighting up with his festive bravado. ‘Hello there, and welcome to the Claverham Castle Christmas Fayre. Can I interest you in a mulled wine, or a Bailey’s hot chocolate? Some Cranberry Lemonade Fizz for the little ones?’

Lucy felt a pang. She wished he’d lit up like that when he’d seen her earlier.

‘Turkey and Trimmings Pizza, anyone? Mozzarella-melting garlic bread?’ Lucy called out, forcing a welcoming grin.

There was no time to dwell on their rocky relationship right now. The punters had landed, and the caterers needed to be on it like a car bonnet.

Chapter Twenty-Four

‘It’s a little …’

‘Slow …?’

‘Hmm … yes, I suppose so.’

‘A few nerves, boss?’

‘Don’t worry, Abby, I’m sure it’ll get going for us soon.’

The first arrivals had smiled politely in the horsebox’s direction, but had wandered right on by.