Page 55 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

‘And I’m sure they’d rather you got home safely later on, than risk an accident,’ added Lord Henry wisely.

‘Yes, I suggest we all sit tight and wait for the storm to pass,’ advised Joe calmly. ‘We wait until the morning when we can check on the road conditions, I’d say …’

‘The morning?’ The chap from the candle stall sounded aghast. His wife’s face had paled.

‘Oh …’

‘But …’

‘Lord Henry and Joe are right,’ confirmed Doris, folding her arms with authority. ‘Looks like we’re all staying put for now. So, another pot of tea, anyone?’

‘Thank you, but what happens next? How can we help?’ Jack asked.

Lucy’s mind was spinning at this new turn of events. Well, at least Daisy was safe and warm with Olly. She’d have to give him and then her mum a quick call to explain what was going on, so they didn’t get concerned.

‘Okay folks, I have an idea.’ Ellie went across to have a quick word with Joe, who gave an affirming nod. ‘Look, we can open up the stable rooms for you to stay in overnight. We use them as accommodation for weddings, normally,’ Ellie explained.

‘But … won’t that be a lot of work for you? We don’t want to put you to too much trouble,’ Lucy said.

‘It’s no problem, honestly. Derek, would you mind going and getting the fires lit in all those rooms? Find Colin, he’s about somewhere, he certainly won’t be able to get much grounds work done today, and Joe’ll give you a hand too. And Doris, you are welcome to stay in the spare room of our apartment tonight. I’m not having Clifford or any of you here risking those roads, trying to get back in a snowstorm,’ Ellie said, taking control.

‘Are you certain?’ asked the candle-making couple. ‘We don’t want to put you out …’

‘Well, it’s either that, or you’ll be camping in the hall, and it can be awfully draughty in here,’ Ellie smiled.

‘Well, uhm … thank you,’ replied Jack, silently cursing. He’d have to spend a whole night here with Lucy, when his head was already spinning …

‘Yeah, that sounds great,’ said Emma. ‘Though I’d better give Max a ring and tell him to take that casserole he’s made back out of the oven, if I’m not coming home.’

‘It’s no problem at all. And,’ Ellie continued, ‘me and Doris will fix you up with something for supper later.’

‘At least let us help out with that,’ Jill offered.

‘Well, Doris has been busy here preparing festive Sunday lunches for the tea rooms tomorrow, but considering these snows, I have a feeling my customers won’t be able to make it through. We may well have just started roasting two massive turkeys for nothing … they’ll need eating. There’ll be plenty to go around. It might just end up being a bit of a late supper.’

‘Sounds a plan. Let us add some puddings for afterwards,’ Rachel offered. ‘Sticky toffee or Christmas pudding, anyone?’

‘Oooh, yes, please,’ Emma grinned, knowing just how good they were.

‘Well, in that case, I’m sure I can make us all a pre-dinner cocktail and find a bottle or two of fizz. Perhaps an Irish coffee later on too?’ Jack took up. If they were stuck, then he may as well help make it a more pleasant experience for everyone.

‘Ah, my pizzas have all gone, but I can help peel some veggies to go with the turkey?’ offered Lucy.

‘And me,’ the candle lady added, introducing herself as Karen. ‘Whatever needs doing, just say.’

‘Thanks folks, and you can leave the stuffing to me. I have my secret recipe ready to prepare.’ Doris, who’d evidently been listening in, popped her head out from the corner stairwell, bringing up a fresh pot of tea.

‘Sounds like a team effort, then. Cheers, everybody.’ Ellie looked delighted. ‘Right then, while the lads quickly go and set up the rooms, I’ll fetch some bedding.’

‘Oh, let me help with that,’ Lucy was quick off the mark.

‘And me,’ Rachel and Emma said together. ‘Snap!’ They laughed.

They finished off their hot drinks and mince pies, and soon set to work. All hands were on deck, leaving Malcolm snug by the fire, thawing out, bless him. Emma and Lucy teamed to be ‘housekeeping’ with Ellie, whilst Jill, Karen and Doris set off on mission sprouts and stuffing, tackling a mound of carrots, potatoes and parsnips too down in the tea rooms. Jack joined Joe and the lads in lighting the accommodation fires, and carrying extra logs – that were more like tree trunks – back to the hall to keep the flames flickering there in the huge hearth.

That team spirit had helped turn a crisis into something far more pleasant. Yes, they were officially snowed in, but by the sounds of it, they were going to be very cosy at the castle. Thank heavens their hosts were so welcoming. Yes, it all sounded very jolly. The only problem now was that everything was a little too cosy in this snowy lock-in; Jack and Lucy faced many hours in each other’s company. And that meant there was nowhere to hide.

Chapter Twenty-Six