Page 51 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

A date for the springtime then, Lucy noted.

Lucy couldn’t resist picking up some gift-boxed truffles, fudge and Bailey’s chocolates (that she might well have to keep back for herself). She even discovered some fantastic reindeer- and Santa-shaped chocolates for little Freddie.

She waited her turn, and then paid Emma with a smile. ‘These look gorgeous.’

‘Thanks, and when I get a chance later, I’ll pop on out to see you. Might well need a slice of pizza to keep me going.’

‘Great, see you then.’ Lucy felt warmed by their budding friendship.

After passing a pretty candle stall that smelled spicy and warm, just like Christmas, Lucy spotted a table piled high with ‘award-winning’ Christmas puddings; sticky toffee puddings, spiced ginger puddings, in fact there were puddings galore – ah-hah, this had to be the Pudding Pantry stall. A dark-haired young woman was busy serving, chatting away to a customer, and as Lucy browsed the mouth-watering selection, a slightly older lady with greying bobbed hair, wearing a spotted apron and a lovely smile, came across. ‘Can I help? Would you like a taster?’

‘Oh, hi, umm, yes please.’

‘I’ve just put out some chocolate-orange pudding samples. Here.’ She handed Lucy a small pot filled with a dollop of desert and a tiny wooden spoon.

Lucy’s mouth exploded with the most delicious flavours. ‘Wow, that’s great. I’ll take one of those, a Christmas pudding, oh, and I must have a sticky toffee pudding too. I’ve been recommended that by Emma.’

‘Ah, Emma on the chocolate stall?’

‘Yes … I’m Lucy, by the way,’ she introduced herself. ‘I’m working here today too. I have a pizza stand out the front.’

‘Ah yes, we saw that as we came in. In a horsebox? It looked so sweet. What a fabulous idea. Well, I hope you have a successful day.’

‘Yeah, seems to be going really well so far. It’s my first time here … My first year in business, actually.’

‘Well, best of luck with it all. Lovely to meet you.’

The younger lady gave a friendly nod and smile, but was held up serving a flurry of customers.

‘On that note, I’d better get back to it. Nice to meet you, too.’

Oh … As she stepped outside, the sky had changed to a hush of heavy grey, and soft flakes of snow had begun to drift down in gentle flurries. It was a beautiful sight, like something from a fairytale. But something in those brooding clouds also told Lucy that a new weather front was moving in, and as she caught sight of her wayward barman in The Cocktail Campervan, a chill settled in her heart too.

Chapter Twenty-Five

‘Good afternoon, ladies, and what can I get for you? Something to warm you up perhaps?’ Jack grinned cheekily as snowflakes began to dust his cheeks.

‘You can say that again.’ The plumper of the two middle-aged women nudged her friend’s arm, as they giggled like a pair of teenagers.

‘Well, I have just the thing. My Toffee Apple Cocktail.’

‘Ooh, now what’s in that then? Sounds right up my street.’

‘Brandy, caramel, cinnamon, and apple juice, on ice or served warm if you like.’ He arched an eyebrow.

‘Well, that’s me sold, young man. You can fix me one of those, please. Warmed would be lovely,’ she added suggestively.

‘Sounds bloody gorgeous, Susan. Shame I’m the driver, though.’

‘Never fear, I can do a non-alcoholic version without the brandy. It’s not quite as naughty, but it’s certainly as nice.’ Jack gave a wink.

‘Go on then, why not? Can you throw in a cuddle too?’ she chuckled.

Jack grinned and started his mixology magic, giving them a great show of shaking and stirring, finishing with a flourish as he poured out the golden liquid into glass tumblers.

Next up were a couple wanting some festive fizz, so Jack served a sparkling cranberry and clementine prosecco cocktail. They took their flutes, saying ‘Cheers’ and clinking glasses, just as the snowflakes decided to flurry down a little heavier. The lights on Ruby twinkled and glowed around them, and they looked delighted.

‘Fizz in a flurry,’ pronounced Jack with a smile.