Page 18 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

‘Okay then, coffee sounds good.’

They headed through to the kitchen where Jack had evidently been working; his laptop lay open on the table, alongside a used coffee mug, pad, pen and his mobile phone.

‘No Matt at home?’ Lucy asked; the house seemed really quiet.

Jack was still renting the spare double room. But he had mentioned of late that it was at times a little too cosy with Matt’s fiancée, Jess, staying over more often than not nowadays. Three’s a crowd and all that. So, if the two of them wanted to spend a night together, Jack tended to stay over at Lucy’s cottage, giving both couples a little privacy and saving them from the slightly awkward foursome situation in the kitchen in the mornings.

‘Nah, he’s off out with Jess … they’re looking at wedding venues. He’s on the final countdown now. Well, more like a two-year warning. They have to book soon, or they’ll not get anywhere decent, or so he’s been told.’ Jack rolled his eyes. ‘I think Matt’d be as happy with a bash and a few beers at the local rugby club. But that’s not going to do for Jess, no way.’

‘Ah, right …’ A weird pang stirred within her. Hmm, Lucy wasn’t even sure if it was a pang, or more a shard of memory hitting awkwardly, as an image came to mind of looking online at reception venues herself … the year that Liam proposed, and the year after, and the one after that … it had never, somehow, been the right time to take anything forward, in Liam’s eyes. His spiel being that they needed to save up for the house together, the new car, new sofa, foreign holiday, pensions. All those things were higher up the list compared to their actual relationship. That should have been warning enough for her, really … but she’d been so damn naïve back then. Anyway, that was all in the past. And thank God for that.

As Jack turned to fill the kettle, Lucy took a seat at the kitchen table. Scanning the room, she tried to pick up on any vibes of Jack’s day-to-day life here – white units with a mottled-grey Formica top, practical and not untidy, with just one mug sat on the drainer that read ‘Yoda Best Vet’ with a picture of the Star Wars character on it, evidently Matt’s. It didn’t give much of Jack away at all, seeming more of a base for the two lads than a homely spot. The table where he’d been working seemed slightly more personal with his ballpoint pen, a notepad with a few handwritten dates of upcoming events bordered by some arty doodles – a campervan, clouds, a curl of a wave, or so it appeared, amongst various squirls – with his iPhone to hand. Lucy’s eyes were then drawn to what was currently on the laptop screen, a gorgeous view of mountains and blue skies … first she thought it was his screensaver, a view like that would be a typical screen image for Jack. But then she realised it was a website page. Her gaze snagged on the tag line over the picture: ‘Backpacking in New Zealand – adventures of a lifetime.’

What?

Jack stood scooping instant coffee into cups, as Lucy’s heart took a nosedive. Was he thinking of going away? Upping sticks halfway across the world. Heading off on some new travels again? Yes, he was an adventurer, a free spirit, that was part of who he was, and she had to admit, part of what made him so unique, attractive. She knew he’d loved going travelling in the past, spending several years away from the UK. Was he thinking of heading off again? And why had he not said a word to her, his girlfriend? Her mind was whirring, like the swirl of coffee in the mug he was passing to her. She didn’t know what to think, let alone say … so said nothing.

‘Hope instant’s okay? Sorry, we’re all out of the good stuff,’ Jack’s voice broke in.

‘Ah, yeah, fine.’ Her calm tone surprised her. She took a sip, far too soon, and scalded her lip. Dammit.

Just when was he planning on telling her about this? Her mind was still on spin mode.

And there she had been, planning to get to know him more. Looking forward to Christmas together, New Year, and so much more. Well, by the looks of it, they might just about get this Christmas in as a couple, but then what?

‘So, what were you up to in Alnwick?’

‘Ah, just getting a few supplies in, ready for my market slot, and stocking up for the Winter Wedding bash this coming weekend.’ She managed to get the words out, her mind still whirring.

‘Yeah, that should be a real nice event. Me and Ruby are booked in at that too, of course.’

‘Yeah, the couple sounded great over the phone. It’s Warkworth way, isn’t it? At her parents’ place. The house overlooks the sea, apparently.’ She found herself wittering on, a cover for her frenzied thoughts. ‘I haven’t seen it as yet, as the two of them called at my cottage to discuss the booking, wanting to take a look at the horsebox. It sounds as though it’ll be lovely, though.’

‘Yeah, it’s an amazing spot. Real lord of the manor stuff, with a stunning sea view. Such a cool location. I met them there to talk about the drinks options.’

‘Ah, sounds great.’ She felt a little twist of anxiety about the event; she so wanted to make sure it all went off brilliantly for them. A wedding was such a special day.

She then saw Jack’s eyes catch on the open computer. He swiftly closed the backpacking page and after a couple of quick clicks, shut down the lid. He didn’t say a word.

Should she ask him about New Zealand right now, or at least before she left? Find out if there was anything to this? He might just have been browsing, after all. But then, it’d mean admitting she’d been snooping at his computer. And might her quizzing end up sounding a bit possessive, controlling? She felt like she’d been punched in the gut, but didn’t know how to react next. Oh goodness, might Becky be right about him after all? Was Jack, the wanderer, about to make his exit?

You are invited to

the Winter Wedding of

Benjamin Hamilton and Sarah Gregory

At East Grange, Warkworth, Northumberland

At one o’clock in the afternoon

Saturday 13th November

Reception to follow

Chapter Nine

Sparkling flute glasses caught the sunlight lined up on Ruby’s chrome countertop as Jack concentrated on putting the finishing touches to his tableau of Classic Champagne Cocktails – adding chilled fizz to the drinks made with angostura bitters, cognac and a sugar cube. Oh yes, champagne and cocktails were going to kick off these winter wedding celebrations, with the bride and groom and their guests about to spill out of the gorgeous country manor house where the ceremony was being held.