The Seaside Cocktail Campervan

by Caroline Roberts

  ‘Sounds like it’s going brilliantly, mate.’

  ‘Yeah, and I still enjoy it too.’ Jack had found it had become more enjoyable lately, wondering if a certain horsebox and driver might pull up at the same events this summer. Well, until last night, that was, when it had all got a bit confusing.

  ‘Great. That’s cool. I always loved the idea of it, and Ruby is a proper beaut.’

  ‘She is that,’ Jack answered proudly. Ruby was indeed his pride and joy. ‘So, what about you? How’s life as a vet?’

  ‘Well, not as glamorous as yours, I bet. I spend half my life sticking a thermometer up animals’ arses, getting scratched by feral cats whose owners swear they are little sweethearts, and getting stomped on by cows in a strop. But weirdly, I love it.’

  ‘Well, I always knew you were a bit odd. But really, I’m pleased for you, mate. You were always meant to be a vet. It was your calling.’

  ‘Yeah, something like that.’

  Matt was modest, but Jack had known him from school, known all the years he’d spent studying, working so hard to achieve his goal. It was more than a career; it was a way of life. Whilst Jack was drifting across the globe taking casual work, Matt was studying hard.

  ‘And you and Jess, looks like that’s going strong?’

  ‘It is indeed.’ Matt was a man of few words, so his affirmative nod and broad smile said it all. ‘Yeah, we’re good.’

  ‘What about you?’

  ‘What about me?’

  ‘Love life? Where have you been hiding all the pretty girls lately?’

  ‘Ah … now that would be telling,’ Jack jested, feeling suddenly uncomfortable.

  The truth was that there had been no overnighters for Jack in quite some time. No awkward mornings at Matt’s house, making coffee and polite conversation. And the odd night he’d spent away himself, had been just that, by himself. Most of the time he was up in the hills, or down at the beach, with … Ruby … gazing up at the stars in a vast, empty sky. His sex life seemed to have disappeared, actually.

  Yeah, he supposed he could go out, get himself a date, enjoy the buzz and the freedom of a casual one-night stand, like he used to do … But he’d totally lost the inclination of late. The last few times he’d ventured there, it had all seemed pretty soulless, mechanical. He wasn’t in any rush to go back to that.

  ‘Right then, Jack me lad, let’s hit the road.’ Matt downed his pint as he rose from the bench. ‘Next twenty to go.’

  Jack joined him, setting off first, through winding stone-walled lanes, rolling green dales all around, with the breeze at their backs and the baa of moorland sheep in their ears. Soon finding themselves freewheeling down a sharp incline, Matt overtook him with a cheeky roar, ‘Keep up, mate!’

  Jack grinned, but then found himself feeling a little uncomfortable, as he watched the retreating back of his close friend. Matt seemed to have his life pretty much sorted, didn’t he? Matt and Jess … weren’t they the ones who were moving forward, whilst he was still stuck in second gear, after all?

  He suddenly pedalled harder.

  Chapter 24

  It was finally time for Lucy’s second Book Club night. She had really enjoyed her sneaky sofa moments and late-at-night bedtime reading of One Day over the past couple of weeks. Losing herself in the world of Emma and Dexter, and their complicated friendship and near-miss love lives, with Daisy curled up by her side as always. Yes, Lucy found herself very much looking forward to this month’s bookish Driftwood meet-up.

  Later that evening, Lucy was sat at a big circular table in the café with a mug of tea and a generous wedge of coffee and walnut cake beside her. Louise introduced her to Paul who’d been missing last time – a jovial forty-something with a love of crime novels and a secret penchant for Mills and Boon, apparently. He seemed fun, and it would be great to get a male perspective on the books they were reading.

  As there were still one or two of the group yet to come, Lucy started to chat with Helen who was seated next to her.

  ‘Hey, how are you? How’ve the past few weeks been?’ she asked kindly, remembering that this was the woman who was in the middle of a messy marriage break-up.

  ‘Oh, so, so. Not so bad. The kids have kept me busy.’ Helen sounded purposefully vague. ‘Me mam’s got them tonight, so it’s nice to get a bit of time out.’ She gave a smile.

  Lucy had the feeling that she was putting a brave face on things, whilst no doubt making the most of a chance to get away from it all.

  ‘What about you, aren’t you the lady with that lovely-looking pizza horsebox? I’ve seen it parked up down the village. That must be a fun kind of work?

  ‘Yeah, it is. Hard work too mind, but yep, I get to go to all sorts of cool parties and places. No two events are ever the same.’

  ‘Ooh, it’s my cousin’s birthday soon. We’ll have to bear you in mind. She was wondering what to do for it. The kids’d love that too. How many people do you need for a booking?’

  ‘Well, to make it worthwhile, umm, probably twenty or so pizzas as a minimum, but yeah, I can do small or large events.’

  ‘Sounds good, I’ll mention you to Jilly. Be nice to have something to look forward to. Something a bit different too.’

  Louise stood up then, clapping her hands together. ‘Right then, ladies and gents, welcome all. It looks like Cathy is running late, and Becky can’t make it this week, is that right, Lucy?’

  ‘Yeah, she’d already got something on. A meal out with her partner’s parents.’

  ‘No probs, so it’s us merry band for now. So, what did you all make of the delightful One Day?’

  ‘Ah, well I liked the concept of two people over twenty years,’ Paul began eagerly. ‘And seeing how their lives went. Seemed to be very much wrong place and time for them both as a couple for much of the book …’

  ‘But weren’t they great characters?’ Sarah, chipped in. ‘Yeah, Emma seemed pretty mature from the get-go and Dex, well, he was by no means perfect, but he was just so warm and vibrant, and okay, damned well sexy.’

  ‘Oh, you think so? I just found him bloody annoying,’ contended Helen.

  ‘Hah, I’m with Helen. He was definitely a bit of a knob,’ young Abby added. ‘But it was interesting that he wasn’t perfect. He was just human. He got it wrong. A lot.’

  Why did Lucy’s mind spring to Jack all of a sudden? Was it that happy-go-lucky, yet seemingly immature side she’d seen in him? And then all the Becky stuff …

  ‘Yeah,’ Lucy joined in, ‘he had his issues, big ones admittedly, but they were just finding their way, getting on with life, like we all have to.’ She picked up her well-thumbed copy that she’d parked beside her cake.

  ‘Well, I think Emma had always loved him from the very start, hadn’t she?’ added Louise.

  ‘I think he frustrated her,’ Lucy countered.

  ‘And hurt her,’ added Helen.

  ‘Didn’t she hurt him at times too? Wrong time, wrong place? Doesn’t love just do that to you?’ Louise ventured.

  ‘Yes, and it was so sad when his mum died,’ Abby said with a frown, helping herself to a second brownie from the stack left enticingly centre-table.

  ‘Ah-hah, well if that bit got to you, what about the bloody ending? I thought these romances were meant to have happy endings. Caught me right unawares, that did – I was sobbing,’ Cathy said, who’d just arrived, and was pulling up a seat.

  ‘Well, I suppose it plays out more like a Greek tragedy in that way,’ Phyllis contributed.

  ‘I liked that about it, it seemed more realistic,’ Helen spoke up. ‘Yep, just when you finally get going, the shit hits the fan. Did nothing to lighten my mood, mind you.’ They all then heard a big sniff. All of a sudden, Helen’s veneer slipped, and there were tears flowing. ‘Bugger it,’ Helen dipped her head.

  ‘Oh, petal. Can we do anything to help?’ Louise stepped in, reaching a hand across the table, all maternal and full of concern.

  Lucy felt for Helen, remembe
ring the roller coaster of own break-up, and gave a caring smile.

  ‘Sorry folks, been a tough week, that’s all.’ Helen sniffed again, fumbling in her handbag for a hankie.

  Paul passed across his clean napkin. ‘There you go, love.’

  ‘Thanks. Sorry, don’t know what’s got into me. It’s just the decree absolute came through … and I know I wanted him out and it’s all for the best, but it’s all so bloody final. And the kids are missing him – they don’t realise what a useless bastard he’s been most of the time – and I feel like it’s all my fault.’ She blew her nose.

  Her friend, Sarah, wound an arm around her shoulders. ‘We’re all here for you, Hels, you just have to say the word.’

  There were nods of agreement from around the table. ‘Yes, if there’s anything we can do.’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘I know. And thanks. It’s nice just knowing that.’ She dabbed at her eyes.

  Helen gathered herself, and nipped to the loo, whilst Louise got in another round of tea and cake to perk them all up. More bookish chat ensued, with a thumbs-up from the group for One Day, then the conversation rolled on.

  ‘So, how’s the pizza business going, Lucy?’ Louise asked.

  ‘Pretty good, getting a few more bookings coming in, which is great. I could just do with some help on the bigger events though. It’s too much by myself at times, I’m run ragged. And well, my first recruit looks like she’s ducked out already.’

  ‘Oh …’ Louise’s eyes trailed to young Abby. ‘Didn’t you say you were looking for a few more hours, Abs? We don’t always have quite have enough shifts to offer here, what with my sister helping out too.’

  ‘Hmm, when would it be?’ Abby’s eyes lit up. ‘I’m trying to save up for a skiing trip this winter. My mates are desperate to get something booked. But I’ll need the gear and everything, and I’ve just seen the prices of the ski passes … scary.’

  Abby always came across as lovely serving in the café. This could work really well for Lucy. ‘Okay, well it’s mostly evenings, Fridays and Saturdays, oh and sometimes on a Saturday afternoon. It really depends what comes in.’

  ‘Well, evenings generally aren’t a problem. My shifts here end by five. And if I slotted into the Sunday shift for you here Lou, then maybe the odd Saturday …?’ The young girl raised her eyebrows, leadingly.

  Louise winked. ‘I might be able to work it now and again, yes. As long as you don’t steal her away too much, Lucy.’

  ‘Well, that sounds brilliant. I’ll take your number, Abby, and we can have a proper chat about it all. But yes, I’d love to have you on board.’ Lucy couldn’t believe her luck.

  After throwing around ideas for the next read, with Paul desperate for some Mills & Boon, Phyllis vying for another classic like Room with a View, and Helen demanding something as far away from romance as possible, they settled on The Beekeeper of Aleppo, a book which Lucy had heard a lot about and was more than happy to launch into. So, Book Club night ended on a high, with smiles and hugs of support for Helen, Lucy finding herself amongst a lovely and interesting group of new friends … and hopefully with a new assistant for the pizza horsebox. Things were looking up.

  The Farmer Wants a Fiftieth!

  Alan’s Birthday Bash

  Come along for some Moo-ving and Grooving!

  Pizza, Hog Roast, Cocktails and more

  Saturday 26th June

  8 ’til late.

  Down on the farm at Morwick Steads

  Chapter 25

  A damp and drizzly Friday in late June had thankfully turned into a sun-kissed evening as Jack began setting up Ruby’s bar for a special 50th birthday celebration. His bar-with-a-view tonight looked out over gently rippling crops of still-green barley and lush grassy fields where cattle grazed languidly. Away in the far distance was a tantalising glimpse of slate-coloured sea.

  Ruby’s allocated space in the farmyard was next to a large stone barn which had been emptied out and converted into a quirky party venue. There were square straw-bales set out to sit on, as well as various wooden chairs and tables, with bold sunflowers and ox-eye daisies pretty as a picture in milk jugs, hessian-style birthday bunting, and a ‘disco’ area set up in one corner of the barn.

  Requests for Jack from tonight’s hosts were to stock up on plenty of real ale and prosecco, with a few quirky cocktails – including a Moo Moo (Irish Cream based) and the ever-popular Morpeth Mule. The party was going to be pretty big, with around a hundred and fifty people coming, so Jack had arrived extra early to give himself plenty of time to get organised.

  The farmhouse, on the opposite side of the yard, was a fine-looking traditional Northumberland stone building. Outside its porch were bunches of colourful helium balloons with ‘50’ on, drifting on silver strings in the breeze. Sounds of mooing and baaing from the surrounding fields accompanied the clinking of Jack’s glasses as he set them out. There were also some whiffy countryside aromas, he noted, which would add an interesting, and perhaps rather too authentic, ambience to his farm-themed cocktails.

  It was just over a week since the Darras Hall party, the last time Jack had seen Lucy, and now she was due to work the 50th birthday bash too. Jack felt a rising sense of anticipation. And when, just a few minutes later, he spotted the familiar grey-painted horsebox turning into the yard, he couldn’t help but feel a strange, hopeful lift in his heart.

  ‘Hi,’ he called out, as Lucy stepped down out of her Jeep, looking casual but pretty in her pizza-serving uniform of blue jeans and red polo shirt with the All Fired Up logo. ‘All okay?’

  ‘Yeah, fine. You?’ Lucy’s response was polite, clipped, with Becky’s revelations still very much on her mind.

  ‘Yeah, good thanks.’ In fact, he was feeling much better now that she’d arrived.

  From the passenger side of the vehicle, a teenage girl then leapt out. Phew, at least the brother wasn’t around. And this was a different girl from the one that Jack had seen helping before. In fact, she was actually smiling.

  ‘This is Abby. My new partner in crime. Someone I know from the village,’ Lucy said, politely introducing her new assistant. ‘And this is Jack.’

  ‘Hi, Jack. Good to meet you, and your campervan looks amazing. Love it.’

  ‘Well, thank you. All fired up for a busy night then, ladies?’ he quipped.

  ‘Hah, we are indeed,’ Abby said. ‘Raring to go!’

  Lucy just raised her eyebrows coolly.

  And with that, the two girls turned away, and bustled into action, opening the horsebox up, and getting everything prepped. Lucy never gave him a second glance.

  What was going on with Miss Ice Queen now? He’d thought they were getting on so well at the beach that afternoon, but this woman was so damned hard to fathom. He trundled back to Ruby, hiding the feelings of dejection in a cloak of barman magic – well, his Cocktail Campervan apron.

  A hog roast van, called Pig Out, turned up soon afterwards, pulling into the space between the two of them. Jack recognised the lad from other events they’d been at. He was from the local butchers in Alnwick, and his catering venture was a side-line on the weekends. Unfortunately, the large white van now obscured part of Jack’s view of All Fired Up, which was rather annoying. He had to admit he rather liked taking a sneaky peek at Lucy as she worked … even if she was trying her hardest to ignore him.

  Lucy had her work cut out tonight. This booking was for seventy-five pizzas (all, thankfully, paid for up-front), in four different flavours, to be sliced and served throughout the evening. With lacklustre Tamsin leaving her in the lurch at the last event, she was so glad she’d had her light bulb moment with Abby at the latest Book Club night. Abby was a bubbly girl, full of youth and enthusiasm, and already they were working well as a team, chatting as they wrapped and stacked napkin cutlery packs, and chopped up onions, ham, mushrooms and peppers standing side-by-side. The disco guy was doing his sound checks, and the girls found themselves humming away to Beyonce’s ‘All
the Single Ladies’. There was definitely a bit of girl power going on behind the pizza stand. All Fired Up was gearing up for a busy and hopefully enjoyable night.

  Every now and again, Lucy was aware that Jack was looking over at the horsebox whilst setting out his bar, and tried to avert her own gaze. She had to remember the red danger sign that was pointing squarely in his direction. She still had Becky’s warning about him ringing in her ears, no matter how attractive he looked serving up those cocktails.

  The evening was balmy, and as the oven warmed up, so did Lucy. Even in her polo short sleeves she was already getting extremely hot. But she had a job to do, and a pizza production line to crack on with. Her reputation was beginning to build. She’d had a fabulous review posted on her Facebook page from the funfair night and more glowing comments from hostess Nikki after her last-minute slot at the birthday bash. But she was very aware that there was no resting on her laurels. She needed double the event bookings to start turning around a decent enough profit to make a living for herself, as well as covering her assistant’s wages.

  There was no slacking, and the partygoers soon began to arrive, gathering around Jack’s campervan for welcome drinks and chatting in amiable groups. Jeans, Ts and casual wear was the order of the day for this farmyard function. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits even as they got there. And, wow, someone had even turned up – well, two people actually, by the looks of it – in fancy dress, as the front and back end of a Friesian cow! Which caused much hilarity amongst the other guests, and a guessing game as to who was inside.

  ‘Hey, Abby. That’ll be fun seeing them moo-ving and grooving on the dancefloor later.’ Lucy couldn’t help but smile as she delivered the pun.