Page 51 of The Seaside Cocktail Campervan

Finally, this might be their time; the end-of-night chance to chat. It could be Lucy’s best opportunity to catch up with Jack, and then well, muster up the courage to ask him … for a coffee, or something? She felt a bit nervous, and seeing there was a couple stood beside the campervan, ducked out for now, taking Daisy out for a quick stroll around the field edge instead, whilst finding her nerve.

After making a brief circuit, Lucy wandered back. She could see Jack bustling about, tidying up inside the campervan. Should she just walk right on up? All she had to do was start with ‘Hello.’ But damn, the tipsy girl was still there on her chair, possibly dozing, judging by her slumped-looking pose.

Jack cleared glasses into crates, emptied and wiped down Ruby’s counter area and was making final preparations to shut up shop. Lucy knew his routine as well as her own by now – her time was running out. She heaved the pizza oven back inside the horsebox, was steeling herself to go across, when she saw Jack spot the young woman and go on out to her. Lucy watched as he nudged the girl awake, asking her something. The young woman just shook her head, then remained seated, looking a little lost, whilst Jack went off into the hall. Coming back again a few minutes later, he said a few words, then helped her up, hooking his arm around her shoulders. She giggled and moved in close to him, seeming to be muttering something into this ear.

Lucy suddenly felt very uneasy, scrubbing her counter top extra hard, unable to peel her eyes away from the pair of them. Jack then bundled the brunette into Ruby’s passenger seat. And, were they … kissing? Lucy craned her neck to try and get a better look, her heart hammering and sweat forming near her temples. Jack was certainly very close, helping to secure the seat belt across the girl’s rather revealing chest area. Their heads close together – too close.

Lucy felt sick to the pit of her stomach. What was she actually witnessing? Was this the Jack she’d been warned about? The player. The charmer. The take-a-girl-home even if she is tipsy, kind of guy?

He hadn’t even stopped to take the time to chat with Lucy tonight as they’d cleared up. Spotting some easier prey, no doubt, someone else to lure home to his den. Oh, and she’d been so bloody naïve, hadn’t she, willing herself to give him the benefit of the doubt. Thinking they might even spend some time together, get to know each other a little more. Hah, bloody hah.

She stood and watched, with a thick lump forming in her throat, as Ruby set off into the night, with her cosy cargo of two, leaving Lucy feeling saddened and confused. But then, she reminded herself, steeling her heart once more, perhaps it was better to know what he was like. To see the real Jack in action. Whatever had just happened, perhaps she had just had a lucky escape.

Chapter 29

An eventful Saturday night – for all the wrong reasons – turned into a wet, drizzly Sunday morning. Lucy lay in bed with Daisy curled up beside her, absently stroking the dog’s smooth black fur, wondering if she should bother to get up yet. It wouldn’t be much fun on the beach in the mizzle, after all. Her mind flicked back to Jack and that girl at the wedding party. Had she stayed over with him last night? It was like a riddle she didn’t want to solve. Why on earth was she even bothering to dwell on it? He was just some sad, playboy loser, just like Becky had warned. Lucy slumped back on the pillows, finding herself feeling wrung out.

Right, this is no good, Lucy thought, rallying. She needed a caffeine fix, something sweet and sugary, and a bit of friendly banter, and she knew just where to head. She picked up her mobile from the bedside table and texted Becky on the off-chance she might be free.

Fancy meeting for cake and coffee at Driftwood? Say 11 a.m.? X

A reply soon bounced back:

Yeah, okay then. That’ll get me nicely out of some DIY tasks Darren has decided we need to do this morning! I’ll promise to help him this aft, and hopefully most of them will be done by then! X

Shall we ask Katie too? Lucy typed. Haven’t seen her in ages.

Yes, of course, that’d be great. X

And so, at five to eleven, Lucy was wandering along the coastal village street in her red, cheer-you-up rain mac, heading for the comforting aromas of rich, warm coffee and just-baked goodies.

It was cosy in the café, and Lucy and Becky managed to bag the last table; the one by the front window with a glimpse of sea view, though it was a little misty today.

Abby was working today, and soon arrived to take their order.

‘Hi, ladies. So, what can I get for you?’ The young girl was her usual smiley self.

‘Hi, Abby, miserable day isn’t it, we thought we’d best cheer ourselves up with a slice of cake! So, what do you have to tempt us with today?’ Lucy asked, feeling in need of a sugar fix.

‘Okay, there’s Driftwood’s ever-popular Sea-salted Caramel Cake, a Victoria Sponge, and yes, Louise has been trying a new recipe out, a Coconut and Lime Cake, which is to die for. I sampled it earlier.’

‘Yum, that’s me sold,’ Lucy grinned. ‘Coconut and Lime with a pot of your Northumberland Tea, please.’

‘I’m gonna have to have the Sea-salted Caramel. Sounds delish,’ added Becky. ‘Tea for me too.’

In dashed Katie, just in time to order. ‘Hi folks, sorry I’m late, toddler tantrums and husband hold-ups. I’ll have one of those delicious-looking cheese scones,’ she said, turning to Abby, ‘with a flat white please. Thanks, love!’

The girls chatted away in catch-up mode, and Abby was soon on her way back over, with the order balanced on a large tray.

‘So, how was your party last night then?’ Lucy asked Becky as she reached the table. Her friend had been telling her about her cousin’s up-and-coming thirtieth.

‘Yeah, it was great, thanks. A meal out with lots of fun, family, friends, and plenty of booze. Head wasn’t too good this morning, mind. But I made it here in time, just, and I’ve rallied. The sugar hit of the Caramel Cake is what I need.’ She smiled at Abby. ‘What about you, Luce? How was the wedding pizza event?’

Lucy nearly choked on her tea. She fiddled with a napkin and then answered, ‘Ah, good thanks, yeah … all fine.’ There was a bitter taste in her mouth, as the image of Jack heading off with that girl in his campervan filled her mind once more. A quick deflection was needed. ‘Oh, and last week, what happened? I’ve been meaning to ask you, Abby. You seemed to be getting on pretty well with that lad at the party at the farm … you know, the bottom half of the cow.’

‘What?’ Becky screwed up her nose, looking bemused.

‘That sounds one crazy party,’ added Katie with a grin.