Page 57 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

After making sloe gin cocktails for all, as everyone assembled, Jack was delighted to offer two bottles of champagne ‘to help the proceedings flow’.

Doris and Ellie then joined the gathering, delivering scrumptious-looking piled-high plates of turkey dinner to all. The pair of them finally sitting down with a relieved and well-earned ‘phew’.

‘This looks amazing, thank you so much for all this: Ellie, Joe, Lord Henry and everyone,’ Jack said earnestly. ‘So, let’s crack these open and toast our hosts.’

‘Hear, hear,’ called out Malcom, who, having thawed out and returned to his former glory with a change of clothes and a sparkly bow-tie, had been busy along with Derek, putting the finishing touches to the table, with cutlery, wine glasses and all.

‘Ooh, you can’t beat a bit of festive fizz,’ added Derek with a grin.

‘Absolutely …’ Jack beamed.

The popping of corks sounded celebratory as it echoed around the ancient chamber, with Jack pouring out a glass for everyone. Around the table was Joe, sat next to little Jack – who already had his own special glass of lemonade and was determined not to miss out on a party by going to bed yet, no way, especially not a Christmas party – along with grandpa Lord Henry, Emma, Rachel and Jill, Karen and James, plus Colin, the castle gardener.

Jack raised his glass with a ‘Thank you so much’ and a ‘Cheers’, which was joined in by all the ‘surprise’ guests.

‘Hear, hear,’ added Malcolm again.

Then young Jack shouted out, ‘Merry Christmas!’ which made them all laugh.

‘You’re a little bit early, young man,’ said his grandpa with a smile.

It might have been two weeks early, but it was indeed a Christmas dinner to remember! The snow swirled outside, making shadowy-lace patterns against the window panes, as the fire in the tea rooms roared in defiance and the cinnamon-scented candles flickered. The food was festive and fabulous – roast turkey with all the trimmings, followed by ‘Granny Ruth’s’ Christmas pudding with lashings of cream. The guests were far too full to move after the heady feast, and sat chatting amongst themselves, with stories of Christmases past; snow storms up in the hills at Primrose Farm for Rachel and Jill, and the wedding at the castle that nearly got cancelled by heavy snow a few years ago, saved at the last by the local tractor getting through with the bride, the groom and guests. A dinner to remember and like no other, with newfound friends that were already beginning to feel like family.

The feast’s finale was Irish coffees all round, with Jack doing his cocktail wizardry in the kitchen. Little Jack was now slumped fast asleep in his chair, with a blanket tucked over him, after his own dinner finale of Rudolph-shaped chocolates from Emma. With the warmth of the fire, and the warmth of their company, no-one was in any rush to head back to their rooms as yet.

This was what Christmas was all about: goodwill, good food and friendship. Lucy sighed as she glanced around the last-minute gathering, forged from adversity and kindness. Them all sat together around the tea-room table, with the world white and a little wild outside, enjoying joyful banter and chat against the backdrop of the huge crackling fire, they could have all drifted back in time, and been sat feasting in another century. It felt surreal yet also comfortable, and rather magical. And such festivities didn’t have to be on Christmas Day at all. It just had to be together, with friends old and new.

She chanced a glance once more at Jack sat beside her. Malcolm, oblivious to their rift, had placed them next to each other on his swiftly drawn-up table plan. His features handsome with that sandy hair, slate-blue eyes that glinted in the firelight, as he chatted away easily with the others. His generous spirit offering champagne and cocktails to them all. She briefly thought about reaching for Jack’s hand under the table, giving a squeeze of reassurance, but his harsh words from earlier echoed around in her head. She gave a heavy sigh – how could her heart be so warmed by this lovely community, this gorgeously unexpected feast, and yet feel so chilled at the same time?

The evening came to a pleasant end with the now very-relaxed gathering draining the last of their Irish coffees. Tummies were full and fabulously feasted. Now that it was time to head back to their room, with no choice but to face each other once again, Jack felt a strong sense of trepidation. Outside, the snow had slowed to a dusting of white flakes, falling gently and catching the light. It was freezing out there, so Lucy and Jack walked towards their stable-block room as quickly, and as carefully, as they could manage on the icy ground.

Lucy quickly closed the stable-style door behind them, trying to retain as much warmth as possible, and blew warm air into her icy hands. She took a moment to glance around the room with its rustic wooden beams, tapestry-style rug, roaring fire, and beautiful four-poster bed.

‘I suppose this would have been a romantic bolt-hole, wouldn’t it …’ she said, wistfully.

‘I suppose so, Luce …’ Jack looked at her, his eyes suddenly glistening with tears.

‘Oh, Jack, what’s wrong?’ she said, taking a step towards him.

He took a step back. ‘Look, Lucy … I … I can’t do this anymore.’

‘What? Jack, you can’t just run away all the time. Talk to me. Tell me what’s up? There’s something more to this, I know it. Your distance … And if you’d only let me explain rather than clamming up …’

He could only stare at her.

‘I … I thought you loved me, Jack,’ Lucy said, feeling herself crumbling, ‘that we had something really good.’

‘I can’t …’ His words sounded strangled.

‘At least tell me why. You owe me that …’ Emotion quaked through her voice.

‘If you must know. I saw it …’

‘Yes I know, you saw Liam arrive at the Christmas tree event, and I shouldn’t have gone off without saying anyth—’

‘No!’ Jack continued, more forcefully now. ‘I saw him yesterday morning, I was passing … I was going to call by … after picking up some bits at the supermarket in Seahouses.’

She stayed silent, trying to work out what he was saying.