Page 67 of The Seaside Cocktail Campervan

‘That’s brilliant, love. I’m delighted for you. You deserve it. I know you’ve put in an awful lot of hard work to get this far. I’ll have to come and see you in action sometime soon, when you’ve got the horsebox all set up.’

‘Yes, that’d be great. Though it might be a bit tricky turning up to someone’s birthday party or wedding! Hmm, the market could be a good one to come and visit. The one in Alnwick on a Thursday.’ Lucy took a bite of buttery biscuit.

‘Oh yes, I’ll do that. I can have a look around the other stalls there too, and have a mooch about the town. That sounds a lovely idea.’

‘Good.’

‘Might even suggest it to Julia. We could make an afternoon of it.’

Sofia seemed happy with her plan. And for Lucy, it was lovely to have her mother’s support too.

‘You know what Lucy, love?’

‘What?’ Lucy turned to face her mum.

‘I’ve seen a difference in you lately. Yes, there’s a definite spring in your step, these past few weeks.’

‘Yeah,’ Lucy smiled, nodding. She’d felt it too. Like finally her life was turning around, that things were looking up. And … it may just have had something to do with a rather gorgeous barman being in her life too.

But then she thought about this morning, and the way he had left so suddenly. She just hoped that Jack Anderson wasn’t going to be the one to trip her up.

Two hours later, with a tummy fit to burst, Lucy was sitting cosily on her mum’s sofa with Daisy tucked beside her. The forecasted showers had come, but it didn’t matter too much. They’d had a nice couple of hours outside, and as Mum had commented, it’d helped water the gardens.

‘That was a gorgeous dinner. Thanks, Mum. It’s been so nice to catch up. I suppose I’d better be heading back soon.’

‘You could always stay over, pet. The spare room’s always ready,’ her mum offered with a hopeful smile.

‘Oh, that’s kind, Mum. But I’ve all sorts to organise and prepare for tomorrow. I’ve an event booked late afternoon for a kids’ birthday party, so I need to get to the cash and carry too.’

She was busy, but in truth she also loved getting back to her little seaside cottage, which really did feel like home to her.

‘No worries, pet. Whatever suits you best.’ Sofia was pretty easy-going about these things.

Lucy sensed her mum would like to see more of her, even though they saw each other every week. ‘I’ll be back and visit again soon. Or, why don’t you come across to me and we can go and have a treat at the little café in the village. And if you get to the market on Thursday too, that’d be great …’

‘Ooh, yes, that sounds nice. And I’ll definitely pop across to see you at the market.’

‘Brilliant.’

Plans were in place. And Lucy left after warm hugs with an extra plate of chicken dinner for her and Daisy to share.

The journey back to the cottage was a wet one, with large puddles on the lanes to negotiate. Summer rain. The roads were fairly quiet though, with the tourists and locals mostly nestled down for the evening.

Back home, with Daisy settled, Lucy was suddenly overcome with a huge wave of tiredness. It had been a busy day, following a rather full on and unexpected night, after all. It was soon time enough for Lucy to head off to bed. Rain pattered on the windows of the little coastal cottage, and the wind rushed in from the sea. The cottage seemed to echo with a lonely melody.

As Lucy lay down in her bed, crumpling the duvet over her, her sheets, the pillows, still smelled of him … of them.

No more messages had come through since that one in reply, and he hadn’t called her.

A tear crowded her eye, even though she told herself to be patient, that it was early days yet; he’d only left her bed this morning. Still, she knew instinctively that something was wrong in all this. She couldn’t help but feel disappointed and so very confused.

Haltingham Village Fete

Saturday 7th August

12 noon to 6 p.m.

Local Crafts, Plant and Cake Stalls,