Page 76 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

They had stayed long into the evening, chatting, getting to know each other. What they had had these past months was fun and romantic and wonderful, yet it seemed so fragile, too.

Sometimes you had to risk your heart. Take a chance on love. And whatever might happen between them from now on, she knew she’d never regret that decision to stay that day. But there was still that question lingering in her mind, since she’d seen his open laptop that day.

It was time to take her own advice. To be honest and open. Even if the answer was not what she wanted to hear.

She turned to face him. Taking in that handsome face, those slate-blue eyes, with their cheeky sparkle, the sandy-blond, slightly scruffy hair. The face she knew she had fallen in love with. She took a deep breath. ‘Jack … are you still thinking of going away?’ Her voice sounded small, fearful. ‘Heading off abroad?’ she clarified.

Jack quirked an eyebrow as he gave a small frown. ‘Luce, what are you talking about?’

‘It’s just, well, a few weeks ago … I couldn’t help but see … it was up on your laptop … when I called by that day.’ It had been looming in her mind ever since.

Confused furrows crossed his brow.

‘New Zealand?’ There, she’d said it. The furthest place in the world he could have chosen to go.

‘Ah …’ He suddenly looked serious.

So, there was something to it.

‘Yeah, I was having a look,’ he admitted.

Lucy felt her heart contract. The wanderlust must have been kicking in for him again, after all. Those ideas of coupling up with the horsebox for Team Pizza and Prosecco, it was all some silly pipe dream.

‘Well, I often get itchy feet this time of year. After Christmas and New Year, then come the really quiet months for The Cocktail Campervan. There’s the odd booking, but business kind of disappears in Jan, Feb … even March can be a bit of a trial. After all, who wants much in the way of outdoor catering just then, to be fair?’

‘Oh …’ Lucy was waiting with a lump in her throat for what Jack was leading up to.

‘So, I figure that’s the best time to get away. Head off for some new adventures. Once I get myself up and running again after this little run-in, that is.’ His tone was too bright, too breezy.

‘I see …’ Lucy swallowed hard. Felt herself grip his hand tighter, as though that action might just help hold onto him for a little bit longer. She could see their world of two slipping away. ‘Right.’ She turned her head as a little plink of a tear hit her cheek. Bit down on her lip. He’d not promised her anything. She had no right to ask him to stay.

Lucy gathered herself and sat looking out to sea. Someday soon, he’d be thousands and thousands of miles away.

‘Hey, it might just be some silly idea, I don’t know. Like you say, I need to get myself fixed up first.’ He turned to face her, seeming to sense her unease. Took her face in his hands so gently, and gave her the tenderest yet most passionate of kisses, that stirred so much feeling within her. She held onto him, her fingertips running through his hair, tracing the nape of his neck, her lips tasting his, filled with the feeling that she really didn’t want to let go.

As they reluctantly pulled apart, Jack grinned, saying, ‘Don’t think we could have got away with that at my parents’ house, do you?’

Lucy had to smile, ‘Maybe not quite such a smackeroo, no.’

Daisy joined in with a happy woof.

‘Look, I’ve been thinking,’ Jack took up, ‘do you want to come over for some drinks … maybe some supper, tomorrow evening? To Mum and Dad’s, I mean.’

‘Christmas Day?’ This seemed pretty significant.

‘Yeah, I know you’ve got plans with your own family through the daytime, and I know you’ve already met Mum and Dad now – weirdly, in the hospital – and seen them when you’ve visited this week, but, well …’ his words trailed. ‘Well, I’d like you to come over.’

‘Okay.’ Was this some kind of recompense for him planning on fleeing the country in a few weeks’ time, she wondered? Then told herself off, for over-analysing. After all, she’d been waiting for this moment for weeks and weeks. To be meeting the parents in a lovely sociable way at last, and that Jack was asking. ‘Yes, I’d love to.’

And they sat holding each other as close as they could, without crushing Jack’s healing ribs, their bodies resting together, seeking shelter. It felt so very precious.

And maybe, just maybe, Lucy prayed, after going off on his travels, having had his freedom, he’d find a way back to her.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

‘It’s Christmas!’ Lucy shouted.

Daisy looked up with a What’s the matter with you? kind of expression, though her tail did join in with an involuntary happy wag. It was just the two of them at home in the little cottage that morning, snug and cosy in the double bed.