Page 74 of The Seaside Cocktail Campervan

Jeez, he’d come here to try and chill out a bit with his mates, and take his mind off stuff. Matt had noticed he’d been a bit ‘off’ lately, and had suggested coming out for a few beers along with another pal, James. It had sounded a good idea at the time to Jack. Right now, though, it seemed like the good idea had well and truly backfired. In fact, Jack felt like he’d just landed in front of the firing squad.

‘Is that her?’ Matt gave him a nudge.

‘Who?’ Jack was pretending to play it cool.

‘The girl that you’ve just been talking to at the bar. Is it her? Whoever’s been messing with your heart and your head lately?’

Jack just shrugged non-committally. He really didn’t want to get into any of that here, especially not with her sat a mere five metres away from him, looking cosy with some other bloke, chatting away and laughing as she flicked back her dark hair. Jack was relieved when the barman turned to him soon afterwards.

‘Yes, mate? What can I get you?’

‘Ah, great. Three pints of Morretti, thanks.’

The lads found a spot nearby, standing at a tall barrel-shaped table. Unfortunately, it had a direct view over to Lucy’s corner of the bar. Jack found himself feeling suddenly hot and uncomfortable. He shifted, so at least his back was to her now.

‘Nice pint,’ he commented. The lager was cool and refreshing.

‘Yeah, hits the spot, doesn’t it,’ James answered.

‘So, what’s the crack, lads? Any unusual animal antics at the vets, Mattie?’ Jack needed to lose himself in everyday conversation, wind down a bit. That was what he was here for, after all. But every now and again – despite the story of the Labrador who arrived at the vets wobbly and foaming at the mouth, with its owner getting redder and redder at the questioning as to whether the dog could have eaten anything poisonous, and finally confessing that Bertie had eaten his owner’s supply of homemade cannabis cookies – Jack couldn’t help but twist his neck to take a peek at the pair of them sat in the corner. It was like some kind of masochistic game Jack was playing with himself. Even though it was weirdly painful to watch, he found himself unable to ignore Lucy.

‘You okay, Jack?’ Matt asked, after finishing his waggy tale.

‘Yeah, yeah, fine.’

‘You just don’t quite seem yourself, mate.’

‘I’m alright. Might just nip to the bathroom, though.’

The bar area was feeling awfully claustrophobic right now. Jack got up to take a bit of a breather, intending to give himself a bit of a talking-to, as well. What was wrong with him? If he didn’t want things to go any further with Lucy, as he’d made quite clear to her at the village festival recently, then why the hell was he feeling so goddamned shitty right now? Was it mere jealousy? He didn’t want her, but no-one else could have her, kind of thing? And didn’t that make him the biggest, most selfish coward in the world?

To top it all, just as he was stood at the urinal taking aim, in walked Lover Boy! That was all he bloody well needed. Jack turned slightly at the sight of the guy. Jealousy rose within him. Well, he hoped this guy had a small, in fact, a teeny-weeny penis; Jack was well aware how immature his thoughts were right now but he couldn’t seem to stop them.

He washed his hands, stealing a backward glance in the mirror at Lover Boy. Dark, neat hair. Smart, designer-label clothes. Jack couldn’t help but wonder which of the posh cars outside he might own? But at least, he thought proudly, there was no smart car out there which could possibly match his gorgeous Ruby for style and character.

Move on out, Jack, he told himself. Exit to the bar, immediately, and have a nice evening with your mates.

‘Alright Jack? Ready for another?’ James lifted his empty pint glass, about to head off to the bar for refills.

‘Absolutely.’ He’d never felt bloody readier.

An excruciatingly slow half-hour later, Jack had to watch as Lover Boy guided Lucy with his hand gently (or was it possessively?) past their table to the exit. Jack gave a polite nod. ‘See you then, Luce.’

‘Bye, Jack.’

She didn’t bother introducing her other half, and Jack was mightily relieved at that. The situation was excruciating enough, as it was.

He watched her leave, with the other guy’s arm still pitched at the small of her back. Jack felt a lump in his throat, remembering that particular curve of her naked body so very well. He’d let her go, and that was the end of it, he told himself, as he watched the bar door close. It was for the best.

But why did it still feel like this was only the start of something … what was all this crazy stuff going on inside of him? It was like Lucy had set off some seismic wave, shaking everything up. He found himself dreading the fallout of this earthquake.

Chapter 40

‘So, hun, how did it go?’ Becky was on the line, bright and early the next morning.

‘Ah, well … it didn’t really, Becks.’

‘Oh, how come?’ her friend sounded disappointed.