Page 11 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

‘I’m bloody starving … Alice wouldn’t let me snack before we left, so this is supper. I’m relying on you, Sis.’

Lucy gave a grin, and they continued to banter like pros. A sibling tennis game of words they’d kept up since the two of them had learned how to talk.

‘Okay, perch yourself next to Abby. We also need some more garlic pizzas, folks, so the dough balls are ready to stretch and there’s a big tub of herby garlic butter all made up. Pop an extra drizzle of olive oil over them too, and afterwards we’ll sprinkle on some chopped fresh parsley and rosemary.’

So, with her helpers on hand at the topping station, and the oven up to temperature, they were ready to crank up the pizza party magic.

A short while later, Lucy spotted Nonna seemingly getting on well with Glynis from the Driftwood’s Book Club. They were stood just a few metres from the pizza oven, no doubt benefiting from the warmth it was throwing out. The creases around their eyes as they chatted showed a wealth of years and experience between them.

Lucy caught snippets of the conversation drifting over on the evening breeze. A mention of ‘Papa’, accompanied by exaggerated pointing at the signage on the side of the pizza horsebox. Nonna most likely sharing her Geordie/Italian history, regaling Glynis with tales of Papa’s family’s restaurant all those years ago, down on the Newcastle Quayside.

And then came Nonna’s voice, loud and clear: ‘Oh yes, he was a real Italian stallion, my Antonio!’

Abby looked up from the horsebox counter with a huge grin, as Olly spluttered out a cough. A few of the nearby guests turned to stare at the old lady in amused surprise.

‘Oh, my goodness,’ Lucy muttered under her breath. That was far too much information. She could feel the colour rising in her cheeks, and it wasn’t just from the heat from the pizza oven. Crikey, Nonna had definitely been enjoying far too much of that Limoncello Fizz that Jack had been serving out!

Glynis, however, seemed totally unfazed by the comment, letting out a raucous giggle. ‘Well, lucky you!’

The celebrations rolled on. Friends and family chatted, danced in the little courtyard of the cottage, tucked into some delicious food and sipped their cocktails. But as the time ticked away, Lucy couldn’t help but feel a little anxious, still looking out for Becky. It was now past nine o’clock and she still hadn’t arrived. The strand of hope of her turning up was thinning with every passing minute.

As ten o’clock came and went, with several guests starting their merry walk or taxi drive home and Nonna safely whisked away with Mum (smiling broadly and waving out of the car window), it became heart-wrenchingly obvious to Lucy that Becky was going to be a ‘no-show’.

There hadn’t even been a message from her close friend; no Sorry, I couldn’t make it, no last-minute explanation of a crisis. The only thing in crisis seemed to be their friendship, and that gave Lucy a sad, dragging feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t work it out, this really wasn’t like Becky at all.

There had to be more to it. And Lucy was determined to find out what.

Lucy fired off a short text:

Sorry you couldn’t make it this evening.

Hope everything is okay. L x

She had to try …

‘Well, that went off well, didn’t it?’

It was after midnight with just Jack and Lucy left, tidying up.

‘Yeah … really well.’

The smallest hint of disappointment came through in Lucy’s tone.

‘You must be tired. Listen, we can finish clearing up in the morning. I’ll put these glasses back in their boxes and pop them in Ruby. I’ll take them back to dishwash at Matt’s like I usually do after events. No need to do them now.’

‘You sure?’

‘Absolutely. It’s been a long day. Hey, is it okay to stay?’ Jack asked softly.

‘Of course, I kind of hoped you would.’

‘Well, I haven’t had much to drink, so I could still drive; I’ve been far too busy serving.’

‘No, stay. I’d like that.’ Lucy was tired for sure, but she wanted him close. For some reason, after the buzz of the party, she was left feeling a little vulnerable. Maybe she was overtired after such a long and hectic day, even if it had worked out brilliantly.

‘Your friend never showed then?’ Jack said, intuitively grasping the situation.

Lucy marvelled at how in tune they could be.