Page 74 of Mistletoe and Mulled Wine at the Christmas Campervan

‘Yeah, and having to keep it all to himself too.’

‘Hey, you never quite know what’s going on beneath the surface, do you? Everyone’s lives, all the ups and down, those curveballs that come crashing in. And hey,’ Lucy looked earnestly at her friend, ‘I’m so glad, despite it all, we’ve found our way back to each other, Becks. Talking and connecting is the key, isn’t it?’

‘Too bloody true, kiddo.’

They raised their tea mugs and mouthed a ‘Cheers.’

Half an hour later, as Lucy was heading back outside to her Jeep, Darren pulled up. He got out of his vehicle and she saw he was holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

‘Oh, hi Luce. Hey, how’s Jack doing?’

‘Ah, he’s getting on okay, thank you. They’re hopefully about to let him out of hospital. He’s pretty sore, bless him, and will take a bit of mending, but yes, thankfully he should be fine.’

‘That’s good news.’

‘Yeah, really good.’ She couldn’t wait for him to be discharged. ‘Well, they look gorgeous.’ Lucy nodded towards the flowers; lilies and roses and more, wrapped in pretty pink tissue and cellophane, their fragrant floral scent drifted across.

‘Yeah, bit of making up to do. Work’s been manic, been keeping me all hours, and there’s been lots going on … I think I need to apologise to Becky.’

Becky had told Lucy in confidence about his brother and their rocky patch, so she merely gave an understanding smile. ‘Ah, well, they are gorgeous. And a lovely place to start, I reckon. Best of luck.’ Lucy was so relieved to hear things were now looking up for her friends’ relationship.

‘Thanks … Oh and, Luce, I’m glad you and Becks seem to have patched things up. She seems so much happier now you’re back in touch. More her old self.’

‘Yeah, I’m happier too. We go back a long way. It’s been hard these past couple of months.’ Lucy gave a wide smile. ‘Bye, Darren, I’ll let you get on in. Looks like you’ve got an important job to do.’

‘Yeah, cheers, Luce. Oh, and tell Jack I’ll be ready to cheer him up with a pint or two when he gets out and about.’

‘Will do. And actually, I think me and Becks are already on to that one.’

In fact, Becky had just bitten the bullet and asked them round there for New Year’s drinks as a couple.

Lucy was still smiling as she got into the driver’s seat. Seeing the flowers, and with Darren’s and Becky’s explanation, it seemed very much like Becky’s fears for her relationship were unfounded. And as for the girls’ friendship, well that was definitely back on solid ground.

All she needed now was to get Jack back to full health, and then see where their own relationship might be headed …

Chapter Thirty-Six

‘Are you sure you’re up to this?’ Lucy checked, as they strolled slowly along the sands with Daisy trotting along at their heels.

It was the morning of Christmas Eve. Jack had been out of hospital for five days now, having been given pretty much the all-clear as long as he took plenty of rest and recuperation.

‘Yeah, honestly, I need the fresh air. Having been cooped up in that hospital, and then at Mum and Dad’s this week … I feel like I’ve turned into an old man in a care home or something … They’ve been great, to be fair,’ he added, ‘but I just need some space. And, I think we need some time just for us, too.’

‘Yeah, this is lovely. Just the two … well,’ she glanced down at Daisy, ‘three of us.’ She’d visited his family home every day since he’d got out of hospital, but this was the first time they’d been together alone. She gave his woolly-gloved hand a squeeze, having made sure he’d wrapped up well for his first outdoor trip since the accident. ‘You mustn’t overdo it, though, not until you’ve had chance to heal properly. What did they say at the hospital?’ she reminded him.

‘Ah, just to take things steady for a bit.’ Jack slowed, pausing near the shoreline to look out over the rolling pewter-grey waves.

‘Well, we’ll not go too far, then.’

They were both dressed warmly, in thick coats, scarves, hats, boots. Lucy didn’t want to take any chances when she’d picked him up from his parents’ house in Alnwick for their short walk on the beach. With his broken ribs and bruised spleen, Jack was still unable to drive, and even if he had been, poor old Ruby was going to be a long while yet at the repair garage. She’d taken even more of a bashing than her owner.

Jack’s thoughts must have drifted to Ruby and the accident too. About what would happen next … ‘Wonder when I’ll be able to get back to work? Soon, I hope. Can’t stand all this doing nothing. I’ve got bookings coming up. Already had to miss a couple. But then … bloody hell, how can I run a Cocktail Campervan without a camper? Without my gorgeous Ruby?’ The reality of his situation was beginning to hit home.

‘Hey, there’s no rush,’ Lucy soothed. ‘You’ve got to get yourself right first. That’s the most important thing.’

‘I know, but in a couple of weeks’ time, into the New Year, I’ll need to start up again. I’ve still got some dates in the diary to fulfil. I can’t let everyone down. I’ve managed to build a really good reputation. And … I need to earn a living. Statutory sick pay isn’t going to get me far.’

‘I suppose not, but hey, you need to step back for a while at least, Jack. You need to make sure you get right first.’