Page 63 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

Becky looked up. ‘Well, Jack had better bloody well not hurt you. He’ll have me to answer to if he does.’

Hah, the old feisty Becky was back, and it was good to hear that.

‘Seriously, you deserve to be happy, Lucy. And Jack, well he needs to pull his finger out and realise what a star he’s found in you.’

‘Hah, of course,’ Lucy chuckled, but there was a beat of anxiety within her too, wondering how things really would pan out for their relationship.

Lucy vowed there and then to talk with Jack. No more secrets, no more hidden fears. Maybe tomorrow, once they’d finished working this birthday event, she’d ask Jack back to her cottage, and they could clear the air once and for all.

‘Looks like we’ve both got some talking to do then, haven’t we?’ said Lucy.

‘Yep, no more hiding away behind our fears,’ added Becky.

‘Cheers, hun.’

‘Cheers.’

And the clink of their glasses had a chink of hopefulness.

Surprise!

Shush, can you keep a secret?!

You are invited to

Craig’s Surprise 40th Birthday Party

From 7 p.m., Thursday 16th December

The Grange, Belsay

Chapter Thirty

Ruby might be bloody gorgeous, but being vintage (aka ancient), she could at times be temperamental, especially when the weather was a tad cold, and this afternoon was unfortunately one of those times. Heading out of the house, the air was fresh and chilly. Jack had thrown a thick coat on over his tuxedo workwear. Yeah, it was going to be another cold night to be working al fresco – in winter, his mobile catering job wasn’t always quite as appealing, he had to admit. But he still loved the banter, the buzz, and making people’s parties and celebrations extra special for them. Even with a touch of the shivers, it was still far better than most jobs he knew of. And, of course, he felt a tug inside. He couldn’t wait to see Lucy again – everything felt so much clearer now. But would it be enough, would he be enough, to convince her to stay after all he’d put her through?

He sat down in Ruby’s driving seat, muttering hopefully, ‘Come on then babe, let’s get this party started,’ and turned the key, to which she answered with a sluggish whirr, then nothing. Uh-oh, the battery seemed to be flat – argh, just as he was hoping to leave. He’d have to go and ask his neighbour, Rob, to help rig up the jump leads, and then he’d have to wait for the VW to come back to life. He had a few spare minutes to hand, having given himself plenty of time to get set up there, but he really hated being tardy for any event, and with this delay he was definitely going to be pushing it.

After a quick knock next door, giving a hopeful smile and the promise of a couple of pints at the local, neighbour Rob moved his white van into place, whilst Jack found the rather well-used jump leads that he kept in Matt’s garage. Within fifteen minutes, Ruby spluttered back to life and was finally up and running and ready to go. But damn it, he was running late now.

With all that no-start-up palaver, he just hoped he’d remembered everything he needed for this Birthday Bash. He set his SatNav on his phone for the country pad’s address, somewhere near Morpeth, and was at last on his way. Bottles and glasses clinking behind him, and a bit of a headache unfortunately now furrowing in his brow. It was dark outside already, being early evening in December, and once he’d turned off from the A1 the roads were narrow and winding. In his headlights he could see a sheeny glint to the tarmac. He slowed down, it looked to be a bit frosty out there; better to err on the side of caution, even if he was running slightly late.

From out of nowhere, a pheasant darted across the road in front of him. He couldn’t help it; sheer instinct caused him to swerve to try and avoid hitting it. That was when Ruby went into a slide … Shit! They’d hit ice. Suddenly, he could see the looming shape of a large tree ahead, and began to pump the VW’s brakes frantically. Still it was coming at him.

Jesus, no! Time seemed to freeze … yet everything was hurtling towards him. There was nothing he could do but brace. No time for fear. Just a, Fuck, no, is this it? Is this how it ends?

Images of his mum, dad, Daniel … Lucy. Sounds of smashing glass, along with the crunch of metal, an acrid diesel smell … A massive jolt tremored through his body.

The party was due to start in twenty minutes. Where was he?

Lucy had tried Jack’s mobile – three times now. And no answer at all. This was so unlike him. He’d have let her, and of course, the organiser, know, if he’d been delayed for some reason. He was always on time with The Cocktail Campervan, often setting up at an event an hour early. He had never let anyone down professionally in the whole time she’d known him. A nauseous feeling of angst was rising in her tummy. There must be some good reason behind his being late? Come on Jack, let me know what … She willed her phone to ring.

Claire, the lady in charge of the event, dressed in her glittery black party frock and high-heeled boots, came out of the house once again; brow furrowed and shaking her head. She marched over to Lucy, ‘Still no sign of the cocktail bar? No news at all?’

Of course, she had every right to feel pissed off, with her party bar for the night nowhere in sight. She didn’t know Jack, and his usual commitment to his work, after all.

‘No, I’m really sorry,’ Lucy replied. ‘Look, Jack really isn’t the sort to let anyone down like this. I’m actually starting to get worried,’ she confessed. ‘I’ve never known him be late for a booking, ever.’

Who could she ask? Try and find out what was going on. She didn’t want to worry his parents. Hmm, what about the guy he lodged with? Yes, Matt, that was it. She’d met him a couple of times when she’d stayed over, and of course with Daisy that time. He was a vet, wasn’t he? At the Alnwick surgery. It was only 6:30, someone might possibly still be there. They might have a contact for him there, or she might at least find out his surname so she’d be able to find him on Facebook or something, send a message … ask if he knew anything, or if Jack had in fact left. Right, she’d try that next.