The Seaside Cocktail Campervan

by Caroline Roberts

  ‘I’m not sure that I do want to …’ Lucy was still indignant.

  ‘Come on, Luce. If you’re casting accusations, then at least give me a chance to explain. I’ll make you up the most delicious mocktail. I know you have to drive.’ His tone was conciliatory.

  Should she give him the chance to tell his side of the story? Then, at least, they could move on, keep their distance, but remain polite. ‘Umm, alright then.’

  So, sat at the little table and chairs set beside Ruby, on a night filled with stars, Jack’s truth unfolded:

  ‘Right then, so I had a bit of a hard time around my late teens … I wasn’t a good lad, Luce, and I didn’t treat women with the respect they deserve. Hands up to that. I was selfish … and I was hurting.’

  So, it was true. Becky’s warning was so damned right.

  ‘And I know it’s no excuse,’ Jack continued, ‘but, well,’ he took a slow breath, ‘it was after my brother died … that time was a bit of a blur. Everything with Daniel … it was so out of the blue. It just tore my world apart.’

  ‘Oh Jack, I’m so sorry,’ Lucy said with wide eyes, feeling slightly winded. ‘… about your brother.’ God, that must have been tough.

  He looked up towards the night sky for a few moments, before starting again. ‘But yes, back then, these girls … well, I didn’t always keep track very well and I suppose you’d call me a player, but … I never promised them anything. I was young, Luce … immature. Was only thinking of myself back then. I’m not proud of it, but I’ll not lie to you, it happened.’

  ‘Oh …’ She could perhaps forgive Jack for his misdemeanours in the past; he must have been experiencing a whole world of hurt. She couldn’t even imagine the pain he must have been going through back then. But then, what about the drunk girl the other night? Oh yes, she’d seen that with her own eyes … seen him bundling her off into his campervan. That hadn’t looked innocent at all.

  Jack was staring at her earnestly, waiting for her to respond.

  Should she go ahead and ask about the girl at the wedding? But did she really want to know? Was it worth raking up yet more of Jack’s messy behaviour? It wasn’t as though it’d make a difference now. It was time to back away, keep things simple between them. Time to protect herself. She didn’t need any more complications in her life.

  ‘Well, like I said, thanks for the drink.’ Lucy stood to go.

  She was hiding something, Jack knew it. He recognised that guarded look. Yes, his behaviour back then had been disappointing, but it was so long ago. He couldn’t leave it like this. Her words didn’t match the look in her eyes … nor the way she’d hugged him, held him, kissed him that other night.

  He took a deep breath.

  ‘Lucy, stop. I like you!’ There – it was said.

  Lucy stopped in her tracks, her head snapping round to face Jack, her skin prickling at his words.

  Jack looked at her, waiting. His heart was on the bloody line and she’d still not answered.

  The silence stretched between them.

  ‘Good night, Jack,’ she whispered softly. And she started to walk away.

  Jack could only watch her retreating footsteps, his heart sinking like a stone. How could he change the way she felt? His smile was sad, like he knew he couldn’t put right the past, the things he’d done.

  ‘Night, Luce,’ he whispered back into the night.

  HOLY ISLAND MUSIC AND FOOD FESTIVAL

  SATURDAY 24TH JULY

  LINE UP FEATURING: ALNWICK ACOUSTICS, SEAGLASS, DJ DR FIZZ, ISLAND FOLK, THE DUNELM DRUMMERS

  SUMMER STARTS HERE!

  Chapter 31

  The beat of the music was pounding through Lucy. The bounce of the crowd, a thousand strong, pulsing through the very earth under her feet, as they sang along at the tops of their voices. Flags swayed in rainbow colours against a summer-blue sky as dry ice smoked and drifted from the stage. It was moving and rather magical. The music festival at Holy Island was in full and fabulous swing.

  Lucy had only ever been to one festival before today: Leeds Fest, along with Becky, when they were just seventeen. That had been crazy but fun; a weekend of dancing, drinking, wellies stuck in the mud, sunshine and rain, laughter, and very little sleep, chatting with complete strangers (one, she remembered, dressed as a Smurf with a blue-painted face, yet no-one batted an eyelid), taking Lucy way out of her steady comfort zone. The two girls had laughed about it so much, since. But festivals became a thing of the past when she met Liam. His idea of camping was much more civilised; not spending a weekend in some cramped field with music pounding and a load of sweaty revellers.

  The bands today had been fantastic so far – a great mix of music. And though some weren’t to Lucy’s usual taste – being more of a Coldplay, The 1975, and nostalgic soft-rock fan herself – she’d understood that every performer had given it their all, and the local folk music was surprisingly fabulous. From her catering spot at the rear of the main stage field, along with several other eateries, she’d been able to take in the whole scene.

  Lucy knew that Jack was there – she’d spotted the familiar gleam of red paintwork as he’d arrived, which had sent her stomach into an odd lurch. It was Jack who’d told her to try for a pitch, giving her and All Fired Up a leg-up again. He’d messaged her on Facebook about it and, although she knew it was cowardly, taking advantage of his generous business advice whilst staying silent, Lucy couldn’t quite bring herself to reply after their last interaction.

  She stepped down from the horsebox and shaded her eyes from the fierce sun, peering towards Ruby who was parked on the lower field. She sighed and just took in the vista of the festival for a moment; feeling the pulse of the music vibrating through her, the energy of the crowds and the bright sun casting everything in a golden glow.

  Once the July evening kicked in – the summer sun still high in the sky, piercing through the pewter-blue expanse – the colourful stage lights came into their own. With yet more flags and huge banners swaying amongst the crowd, the sing-along chant of their responses ringing in the air, the atmosphere was electric, charged with a warm, fun, festival vibe. The weather had stayed fair, thankfully for the participants, though the forecast for later that evening looked pretty horrendous, with warnings of a summer storm heading their way. Hopefully, Lucy mused, she’d be packed up and well away by then.

  The food was smelling so good all around her. Lucy had been on the go, along with her brilliant side-kick, Abby, ever since they’d got there at 10 a.m., quickly setting up, and then delivering a constant supply of freshly-cooked pizzas for the ever-hungry crowd. It was now past 7 p.m. and she found herself craving one of Bob’s gourmet burgers, having been parked beside his van with the smell of cooked beef and fried onions tantalising her tastebuds for hours. She might well have to nip over there, and buy her and Abby a burger. Which flavour to go for, was the magic question? Chilli burger, blue cheese and caramelised onion, bacon double decker? Honestly, his chalkboard menu was mouth-wateringly good.

  Lucy was aware that Abby needed to get away sharpish, as she had a friend’s 21st birthday party to head to. Abby’s apologetic call had come a week ago: ‘Sorry Luce, I can definitely work the festival day, but I’ve got a close friend’s birthday party the same night. Don’t panic. I won’t let you down. And I love working with you.’

  Lucy was cheered by that part, at least.

  ‘And, it’s a great chance to get into the festival for free,’ Abby had confessed, ‘Look, the real fun won’t start at the party ’til ten-ish anyhow, so how about I work the festival ’til around nine thirty? Would that work?’

  Lucy didn’t have a lot of options, but imagined the bulk of the food orders would have happened before the girl’s planned departure, as they were booked to start serving from midday. Extremely grateful for Abby’s help, Lucy was pretty sure she could manage fine for the last couple of hours by herself. Yes, it would be busy, but hey ho, busy was good. Busy meant lots of paying customers and money rolling
in.

  Abby stayed firmly by her side until twenty to ten, when there was a lull with the crowd as the main act was coming on. The young girl then slipped away, leaving Lucy to tend to her toppings and stoke her oven single-handedly with her feet tapping away to the music all the while. The crowd were now swaying en masse and singing at the tops of their voices. Lucy found herself joining in, humming away, feeling work-tired but happy. With more bookings on the horizon, and a festival under her belt, her pizza venture was finally finding its feet – foot-tappingly so – and she was sure her Papa would be very proud of her.

  Of course, after the concert wrapped up, there was another run of hungry customers getting the midnight munchies! Most were staying over in an array of tents and campervans that were positioned in the next field along, so there was no real rush for the revellers to be getting away. Make hay while the sun shines and all that, Lucy thought to herself as she kept up with the throng. She served out her last pizza to a chap in a now-wonky horned Viking helmet at 12:30 a.m. Wow, what a day!

  It wasn’t long before Jack wandered over, having finished serving himself. Lucy felt her heart rate rise rapidly, followed by a pounding in her chest. She only had to be polite, she reminded herself.

  Jack looked a little awkward. Were memories of their last chat, after the anniversary do, on his mind too?

  ‘That kept us going, didn’t it,’ he said, wiping his damp brow a little nervously.

  ‘Ha, yes, it did indeed,’ she replied, unable to look anywhere but at her muddy feet.

  A moment’s silence stretched between them, thankfully diffused by the sound of the lingering crowds.

  ‘So, good night for you? You looked damned busy.’

  ‘Amazing, yeah. Look, thank you for recommending this, Jack … putting a word in for me. It’s been my best event yet … by far. Haven’t managed to count all the takings yet, but boy, I’ve sold out of everything, and I’d brought absolutely loads with me, just in case. Phew.’ Lucy suddenly found herself feeling shattered, the adrenaline buzz of the festival leaving her veins.

  ‘You look knackered, Lucy.’

  ‘Ah, thanks!’ Whatever happened to Jack the charmer, hey?

  ‘No, really, you look tired out.’ He looked genuinely concerned.

  ‘Look, I’m fine,’ she said, brushing it off, not wanting to admit to Jack she did actually feel a bit light-headed now.

  ‘Here, have a seat a mo,’ he continued. ‘I’ll go grab you a Coke or something from the campervan, to pep you up.’

  ‘Fine,’ she said a little grumpily, stifling a yawn. She gripped the counter to steady herself.

  As Jack whizzed off, she stepped down out of the horsebox gingerly, and settled on the grass beside it, leaning her back against one of its wheel arches. She’d have a five-minute break, and then it was definitely time to get packed away and get her and Daisy on home as soon as she could.

  As she sat there, with Jack approaching with a can of drink, she felt a few spit-spots of rain on her face and her hands, which were now blissfully free from those damned hot and itchy protective oven gloves.

  ‘Here.’ He passed the Coca-Cola over with a tentative smile.

  ‘Cheers, Jack.’

  He settled beside her with a can of Iron Bru for himself. ‘Think my energy levels are a bit depleted too. Been one hell of an event. At least I’m all set up with my tent.’

  ‘Oh, so you’re staying then?’

  In half an hour, she’d be packed up and gone, ready for her cosy bed and a damned good night’s sleep, followed by a well-deserved lie in. She couldn’t think of anything worse than camping out. Not her idea of fun at all.

  ‘Yep, not much choice really. Well, not at this time, anyhow.’ His tone was matter-of-fact, as his glance slid towards the causeway.

  ‘What do you mean …?’ Little alarm bells started sounding off in Lucy’s head.

  Chapter 32

  How could she have been so bloody stupid? Lucy had been so focussed on preparing for this festival event, planning the volumes and varieties of toppings she’d need, making homemade tomato sauce and dough-ball portions by the tonne, she’d somehow forgotten all about the fact that they were working on an island. An island. And yes, it did happen to be one with a causeway and a road to it, but it also had the sea around it.

  And that sea would be rushing in around eleven o’clock tonight, as Jack cockily reminded her. Well, he could have bloody well reminded her a bit earlier, like a week ago or something. Of course, Jack who knew everything, was prepared, wasn’t he, his tent all organised.

  Oh yes, he had it all set up earlier, apparently on a patch of grass set back from his Cocktail Campervan, so he could keep an eye on Ruby too. He was prattling on that all he had to do was just unroll his sleeping bag. Well, good for him.

  A shattered Lucy was still trying to absorb this news.

  ‘You can come and join me if you like?’ Jack couldn’t help but give a cheeky quirk of his eyebrow.

  After his rebuff last week, surely the lad would have given up by now, but hey, maybe he was just trying to make her smile.

  Anyway, there was no way she’d be getting inside a tent with Jack-the-Lad Anderson. Even if it did mean a cold and uncomfortable night sleeping in the back of her truck alongside Daisy. The little dog would certainly be a safer companion.

  ‘I’ve got a comfy roll mat and everything …’ he persisted.

  Maybe he was just being kind, but Lucy wasn’t falling for any of his hanky-panky traps. ‘I’m sure you have, but I’ll be fine here. It’ll be dry in the Jeep. And I’ve got Daisy to keep me company.’

  ‘Okay, but it’ll get cold in the early hours, you know. And there’s a rainstorm coming. If you change your mind, you know where I am …’

  But Lucy was resolute. Yes, it might be slightly uncomfortable and a bit chilly trying to get to sleep in the Jeep, but she’d be safe and fine, and there’d be absolutely no misunderstandings. ‘I’m alright.’

  ‘Okay, well why don’t you at least move your truck down nearer to Ruby for the night? It’s more sheltered down there, and you’ll have me nearby, just in case.’

  Hmm, it did sound like he genuinely just wanted to look out for her, and that did actually sound a good idea. Better the devil you know, and all that. There were lots of festival-goers about, and yes, they’d all seemed pretty easy-going and pleasant tonight, but she was a young woman on her own. She didn’t have a lot of options left to her in the dark, in the early hours of the morning, with the causeway cut off for several more hours yet.

  The two of them finished their cans of drink, sat side by side on the rain-spotted grass. Lucy began to feel a little more refreshed, at least. She said she’d finish packing up the horsebox, and would then drive her Jeep down nearer to Jack’s campervan. It would feel a little more reassuring to have company that she knew nearby, considering the pickle she was in. Letting Daisy out for a pee, the raindrops were plopping more steadily now, and there was a whirring wind starting to build. Having checked her horsebox was padlocked and secure for the night, she moved the Jeep.

  Parked up near to Ruby and Jack’s two-man tent, Lucy shifted into the back-seat area, grabbing a spare – if slightly whiffy – dog rug, that Daisy had definitely been sitting on over time. The little dog was soon on her lap, determinedly snuggling in. Bloody hell, they should be going home to her nice, warm bed and getting cosy, not making do all hunched up in the back of a truck.

  The odd light beamed out from around the stage area. Some security guys were there overnight, keeping an eye on things before it was all to be dismantled the next day. Lucy peeked out of her vehicle, and could make out Jack at his little tent, about ten metres away from where she was parked, pushing a rolled sleeping bag into the unzipped front of his tent.

  She gave a little wave, trying to convince herself that all was well.

  He shouted something out, but she couldn’t quite hear, so wound down her window, to catch: ‘Night then. Hope you sleep o
kay … but remember, my offer still stands. Room for two and all that. No strings attached. I’ll be the perfect gent.’

  ‘I’m fine, Jack. Goodnight.’ She was resolute as she drew up the truck window. Still cursing herself for not checking the tide times, she watched as Jack crawled inside his home for the night and zipped up the tent front.

  It was a weird high summer, not quite dark sky, even at almost 2 a.m., with black bulbous clouds mounting and an eerie pinky-orange glow low on the horizon. She lay down on the back seat, and hugged the little dog to her, both of them tucked under the car rug. It wasn’t so bad. She’d be able to drive off again in a few hours, and catch up with some more sleep back at her little cottage on the mainland. If only she’d had a bloody boat … Home probably wasn’t even twelve miles away as the crow flew. She thought of her comfy double bed, in her low-ceilinged cosy bedroom. Oh well, she’d get back there soon. All she had to do was let herself relax.

  At 3 a.m., Lucy still hadn’t slept one wink. Her hunched position lying on the rear seat was cricking her back, and her feet felt … well, did they actually have any feeling right now? Her toes appeared to be the only things that had gone to sleep. They didn’t feel like they belonged to her anymore. Daisy was shivering in her lap, bless her. Hmm, perhaps she could run the engine to keep them warm for a while, but then she might doze and be left with no fuel left to get back home with. And, it might gas poor old Jack with exhaust fumes. Poor old Jack, who was probably snoozing soundly in his lovely warm sleeping bag …

  And then plink, plink, pling, pling, PLINK, PLINK, PLINK. A thousand pins were clanging on the metal roof above her. She’d never heard rain like it. Mind you, she hadn’t ever been out in a rainstorm sat in a truck at bloody 3 a.m.

  BOOM! A huge and unexpected clap of thunder vibrated through the vehicle, followed, within seconds, by a zig-zag of lightning that seemed awfully close. Too close. Wasn’t lightning attracted to metal? And … wasn’t she just sat, basically, in a metal box with little Daisy, who was now quaking on her lap, bless her. Oh, shit.