Page 78 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

‘We do …’ Simon took up, ‘but life does move on, it has to. And, there’s always something to look forward to.’

Lucy admired his stoic positivity, knowing there was still such a sense of loss behind those words.

‘Yes, you’ve got to catch the light where it falls, Lucy,’ Denise added gently.

What a lovely saying, thought Lucy. Hopefully, in time, she might turn out to be Jack’s ray of light. They certainly all needed a little sunshine in their lives of late, Lucy included. She smiled, feeling the warmth of Jack’s body beside her.

‘Hey, where’s Daisy?’ Jack checked.

‘Oh, I left her in the Jeep for now.’

‘Oh, don’t be silly, she can come on in.’

‘Yes, we’ve heard all about her.’ Jack’s mum smiled. ‘A real character, by the sounds of it.’

‘Well, she certainly is that.’

Daisy was made to feel welcome too, and soon settled down on the sofa with the two of them. In fact, since Jack’s accident, with him convalescing, she’d actually seemed to have softened towards him. It was often his thigh her chin sought to rest on. His hand she pawed for a stroke.

They spoilt Lucy with a delightful supper of carved roast ham, cranberry-topped pork pies, salads, and a gorgeous local cheeseboard with grapes, apples and chutneys. Jack’s parents had evidently gone to a big effort. Lucy’s stomach was already groaning after a full turkey dinner and pudding, but she was far too polite to decline. Jack made himself useful opening a bottle of champagne for them all, followed by a glass of merlot with the cheeses. He hadn’t lost his barman touch by any means. A homemade fruit-and-cream-topped pavlova followed, with Lucy fit to burst at this point, but so grateful for their warm hospitality. And the four of them sat for a while contentedly chatting at the dining table, with a happy Daisy scouring for crumbs beneath them. Lucy was relieved that it seemed to be going so well.

‘It’s so lovely that Jack has finally brought a girl home to meet us,’ said Denise, the champagne loosening her tongue a little.

Lucy and Jack felt a ripple of awkwardness at this point, giving each other a look across the table.

‘Mind you,’ added Simon wryly but not unkindly, ‘I’m not sure we would have had the benefit of your company, had Jack not had his accident … when we’ve all had to meet up anyhow.’

‘Okay, Dad, Mum. Thanks for that.’ Jack rolled his eyes, yet managed a smile.

In fact, Lucy had been wondering the very same thing too. However it had come about, Lucy was very grateful to be getting to know them. They seemed to be good people, who’d had to cope with so much these past few years.

They were sat at the traditional wooden dining table, the family furniture solid and made to last – and it was obvious their love was too. Lucy realised that she was looking forward to getting to know them all even more in the coming weeks. Hopefully she’d get that chance.

The conversation turned to Lucy’s business, with Simon asking what work she’d done before. After she’d said she’d been based in Morpeth previously, Denise had asked how she liked living by the sea. It was a polite, friendly conversation but it did feel a little like twenty questions to the already nervous Lucy. She realised that she wanted them to like her. And, she wanted Jack to be able to feel at ease with her there. If there was going to be some kind of future for them, the seeds of it would need to be planted here. She glanced over at him, his eyes had a hint of sparkle, his smile genuine. He seemed to be comfortable, at least right now, with the situation.

At the end of their extended meal, Simon raised his glass. ‘Merry Christmas, Lucy.’

‘Yes, Merry Christmas, love,’ added Denise.

‘Cheers, Lucy.’ Jack’s smile was warm and tender, and his eyes seemed to be saying so much more.

‘Happy Christmas to you all! And thank you, it’s been a wonderful evening.’

And she raised her wine glass to meet theirs. It made her think of a ‘cup of good cheer’. Hah, must be all those Christmas songs and carols she’d been listening to lately. She felt mellow and happy. It had been a perfect ‘Meet the Parents’ supper after all.

They stepped outside into the back garden, for a little bit of time out and a moment to themselves.

‘Aw, that was a lovely evening. Your parents are great, Jack.’

‘Yeah, they’re pretty good.’ Jack was nodding thoughtfully. ‘They like you too, I can tell.’

‘Phew! Well, we did kind of get to know each other really quickly at the hospital that night.’

‘Yeah, of course.’

And the words took them back to that awful time, the feelings of fear, of standing at the edge of an abyss, and thankfully being able to step back from that cliff-edge of loss.

And then there was no more need for words. In the frosty night air, Jack took a step forward, taking Lucy slowly and gently into his arms. Nothing was going to stop this moment, even if his ribs were groaning a little in protest.