Jack spotted the wedding couple strolling his way. Jen’s arm linked with Rob’s, and both had smiles like Cheshire cats. Getting married obviously suited some people.
He hadn’t had a chance to catch up with them since the ceremony earlier and called out, ‘Hey guys, huge congratulations!’
‘Aw, thank you.’
‘Cheers, mate.’
‘Hey, let me fix you a Wedding Day Cocktail. And this one’s on me.’
‘Ah, thanks.’
‘Sounds great.’
‘It’ll just take me two minutes to make. It’s called a French 75.’
‘Sounds intriguing.’
‘It’s a champagne-based cocktail with gin and lemon.’
‘Perfect,’ Jen replied, adding, ‘can I have a glass of water first, though? This’ll go straight to my head, I’m sure, and I need to keep going. Don’t want to miss a second of this amazing day. It’s been brilliant, hasn’t it, Rob?’
‘Just the best.’ Her new husband gave a broad grin.
Jack smiled too. It was great to see this couple, and in fact everyone he’d met today, enjoying themselves. When events like this worked out so well, Jack took a pride and a pleasure in being a part of that.
‘Yeah, I’ve been getting good vibes here all day. Your guests are certainly having a great time.’ As he spoke, a conga was winding its way past the campervan and around the castle’s courtyard. Young and old snaking past with much hilarity. ‘Here you go.’ He passed across a large glass of water to Jen with a garnish of ice and lemon.
‘Delightful.’ Jen gulped it down. ‘Just what I needed.’
‘And now for the pièce de resistance.’
The newlyweds watched as Jack measured out gin, squeezed fresh lemon juice, added a splash of his homemade sugar syrup, shaking it over ice, and then pouring it all into two sugar-dusted flutes which he topped with chilled champagne.
‘Enjoy!’
Carefully, flutes in hand, they looped their arms through each other’s, and took a synchronised sip. ‘Oh wow, that is divine,’ said Jen with a beam of a smile.
‘Brilliant, mate. Cheers.’
‘Cheers to you both! Enjoy the rest of your special day.’
‘Oh, we will!’
It really was a magical setting. And even commitment-phobe Jack had to admit that the happy couple seemed good together. Relationships could sometimes work out. Love … marriage … committing yourself for life. Some people could get away with it. His mum and dad, despite the worst happening and them losing a son, were still strong together.
To have that conviction, that faith in each other … it still stunned him. How you could ever know … did you ever know? Or was it just that it was worth bloody trying, at least? Would he ever, one day, regret not trying?
Jack didn’t get time to dwell on the answer to that, with one of the bridesmaids dashing over. ‘Hi-i,’ she gave Jack a cute wave. ‘Jen, over here!’ she called out. ‘Mum wants a photo with Auntie Eleanor.’ With that, the bride was whisked away and her new hubby Rob was left at the bar.
‘You two seem great together. Congrats again,’ Jack said.
‘Yeah, well it took him long enough to get round to it.’ One of the ushers had strolled up, listening in.
‘Right?’ Jack was curious.
‘Thought it’d never happen, me.’ The chap was tall, tie loosened off, with a sheen of sweat from all the dancing shining across his brow.
‘Don’t mind him, it’s Jen’s brother,’ said Rob with a chuckle, giving the guy a friendly pat on the arm.
‘Ah, can I have a bottle of Peroni please, mate?’ the brother asked Jack. ‘And a glass of that gorgeous champagne for the missus.’
Jack made the order up, and then the guy moved on.
‘Back to practise my killer dance moves,’ he joked with a wiggle of his hips.
They couldn’t help but smile.
‘So … a bit of a slow burn, was it? You and Jen?’ Jack found himself intrigued about how this perfect-looking wedding came to be.
Rob took another gulp of his cocktail. ‘Yeah, bit of a story that. More of a near-miss, mate. Between you and me, I nearly wrecked it all. Was a total idiot.’
‘Oh, right. How come, if you don’t mind me asking?’ Jack instinctively opened and placed a bottle of chilled beer beside the groom.
It wasn’t unusual for personal revelations to spill out at the bar, it often seemed to be a part of Jack’s job – lending an impartial ear.
Maybe the layers of daytime drinking loosened the groom’s tongue, or perhaps he was just punch-drunk on love, but he began to open up.
‘Cheers. Ah, well it was no secret, so I don’t mind talking about it.’ He took a swig of the cool beer. ‘Yeah, Jen kept hinting about settling down, getting engaged, and well … I couldn’t get my head around it. We were fine as we were, or so I thought. Then, I had a bit of a panic … about being tied down and all that … Told Jen we needed a break.’
Rob looked across at his new wife then, now dancing and holding hands with both a little girl and an elderly lady, smiling and laughing. ‘Worst thing I ever did, mate. Yeah, I moved out, late nights drinking with my mates. Seemed fun for a week or two. Even headed off for a couple of lads’ holidays. Well, we hit the clubs … The girls out and about looked about twelve … and well, we’d all changed, hadn’t we? Some of us had kids back home, so we ended up playing golf and having a few quiet bevvies. The rock and rollers that we were!’
Jack chuckled empathetically.
‘I suppose we’d all grown up a bit,’ Rob continued, shaking his head. ‘It didn’t feel like freedom at all. I felt bloody miserable the whole while, and I missed her. I nearly lost her, mate. It took a long while after that to bring her round, to make her realise that she meant the world to me.’
Rob took another sip of beer, shaking his head, yet smiling as he looked over at his bride once more. ‘She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I just didn’t see it at the time.’
‘Ah, all’s well that ends well, hey mate,’ Jack added reassuringly.
‘Absolutely. She’s made me the happiest man today.’ A beaming grin broke across his face.
‘Well, cheers to that.’ Jack lifted the glass of water he’d got for himself behind the bar.
‘Yeah, cheers. Thanks, mate,’ Rob raised his beer bottle. ‘On that note, I’d better get back to the party and my lovely wife, I suppose.’ He gave a happy wink.
‘Yes indeed. Enjoy the rest of your night, you two.’
‘We will … and all the years to come. Hey, thanks for listening.’ The groom grinned and gave a huge thumbs up.
Jack felt his heart fill, Rob’s words resounding in his ears.
She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.
He suddenly had a feeling that he was the one who should be thankful.
Chapter 43
It was the Cinderella hour. ‘Carriages at midnight’ for the wedding guests, with a hum of taxis waiting in the car-park area outside the portcullis gates. A few close family and friends were fortunate to be able to stay in rooms at the castle overnight, but most were on their merry way.
It was time to pack up and clear up for Lucy and Abby, who were now preparing the horsebox for its exit home too. It had been a gorgeous wedding event, and Lucy had enjoyed the privilege of working in such an amazing setting, and for such lovely people. They really were a special couple and evidently made for each other.
She was just getting the last bits in the horsebox when she saw a familiar figure wandering across in her direction: Jack.
‘Hey,’ he said.
‘Hi.’ Lucy paused, her damn heart lodging up near her throat How did he still do that to her?
‘Busy?’
‘Yeah, but it was good, wasn’t it?’ she stammered. ‘What a lovely atmosphere.’
‘Yeah …’
Jack then stood silent for a moment, looking slightly awkward.
There was so much they both nee
ded to say, and yet … It just seemed so damned hard.
Abby moved behind Lucy, thoughtfully heading out of the horsebox, a black bin bag to hand, ready to clear paper plates and debris from around their pitch.
‘Lucy, can we talk for a minute?’ Jack finally said, looking serious.
‘You go ahead,’ Abby offered with an understanding smile. ‘I’ll keep an eye on the oven and things. It’s no problem.’
‘Okay … thanks, Abby.’ Lucy removed her apron and her protective gloves. She stepped down out of the horsebox and made her way across the grass to Jack, experiencing an unsettling whirr of mixed emotions.
‘Let’s walk.’ Jack led her towards the battlements, and they made their way up the stone steps to a wide rampart that overlooked the inky-dark sea. You could hear the rush of the waves breaking on the shore from up there. It was soothing, elemental.
They stood with a polite space between them, looking out across the shadowy swell of sea, feeling the cool breeze ruffling their hair.
Jack then turned to her. ‘Luce, are you seeing someone?’
What was he on about now? Ah … of course, the night at the pub. IT Angus.
‘Ah … the other night, you mean?’
Jack nodded, looking grave.
‘Hah no, that was just some weird set-up date thing.’
‘Oh …?’ He was still frowning.
‘Didn’t work out that well, to be honest.’
‘Oh, well, good … I mean …’
‘It’s okay, it was good … to see the back of him.’
They both gave a relieved smile; a glimpse of a shared grin in the half light.
They then leant side-by-side against the battlement wall, looking out over to the indigo horizon. The moon was waxing, but bright enough to light ripples on the sea’s surface with silver tips.
Jack released a slow steady breath. ‘Lucy, what I really want to say is that I’m sorry. And it’s a long-overdue apology. I treated you badly. I shouldn’t have stayed over that night.’
‘Oh.’ Did he mean he regretted it altogether? That it was a mistake? She didn’t know how to answer. What she’d felt that day, that wonderful night, with Jack … it wasn’t just sex for her. It had meant so much more than that. And all those other days … when they were getting to know each other. The end-of-function late-night chats, that crazy night of the storm … It was like they knew each other, in those heartfelt moments, and whilst she’d told herself it was all futile, she had to admit she bloody well missed him so much.
Even when Liam had left her, weirdly it hadn’t left this gut-wrenching feeling that she … no, they had to try and find a way back to each other somehow. Yes, it hurt with Liam – a hell of a lot – but the pain was more about wasted years, wrong turns, being let down.
And then, of course, she’d gone and accused Jack of taking advantage of some tipsy girl. Argh, she’d got that all so wrong. No wonder he was bloody annoyed with her. Regretted spending the night with her.
‘Jack, I’m sorry too. I should never have accused you of taking that girl home, of taking advantage, when I didn’t know any of the facts.’
Jack nodded. ‘Thank you, I appreciate that. So, truce?’
‘Yeah, truce,’ she replied with a gentle grin.
It felt like a weight had been lifted.
Lucy felt Jack’s arm wind gently around her shoulders; it was welcome, with a chill wind now blowing in off the North Sea.
A surge of happiness washed over her, feeling his touch, his warmth there beside her. It was still damned confusing – who knew if they were they friends or something more? But for tonight … it was a big step forward.
Lucy took a deep breath. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she was afraid to speak them, to spoil the moment.
I’ve missed you, stayed in her mind, and reeled in her heart.
The feeling of having her in his arms again was overwhelming, disconcerting. Jack couldn’t let this moment go, not yet. She gave a little shiver and he held her close. Listening to the sea. Watching moonlight glint on the crest of distant waves.
But was he afraid to let her go, or let her stay?
‘Tomorrow …’ he blurted out, ‘can we go for a walk or something? Talk things over some more?’
Lucy looked up at him and gave a tentative smile. ‘Yes … okay.’
‘Can I pick you up? At yours? Ah … there’s somewhere I’d like to take you.’
‘Okay, sure. Just say a time.’
So, they arranged that he’d come to the cottage for ten o’clock.
Jack knew he couldn’t mess this up. Not anymore.
Chapter 44
Jack arrived outside Lucy’s cottage at ten on the dot. His heart beating like a drum in his chest, as he gave the door a firm rap. Finally, he felt like he was doing the right thing … the only thing he could.
‘Hi,’ he greeted her.
‘Hi there.’ Lucy opened the cottage door; looking gorgeous in pale denim shorts teamed with a yellow spotted T-shirt. Her hair was loose, with dark curls bouncing beneath her shoulders. Her deep-brown eyes held his as she gave a nervous smile.
Ruby, who’d been given an extra polish this morning, was parked up outside, gleaming in the sunlight.
‘Your carriage awaits.’ Jack gestured towards the campervan and gave a silly bow.
‘And what a beautiful carriage she is too,’ Lucy answered sincerely. She’d grown so fond of the characterful vintage campervan. ‘Morning, Ruby.’
‘Right then …’ Jack couldn’t help but feel anxious.
‘Oh, hang on, can Daisy come too?’
Lucy didn’t yet know where they were heading.
‘Yeah, of course. I’ve grown to quite like the little mutt now. But don’t let on to the Devil Dog, mind, or she’ll be taking all kinds of liberties.’
They both laughed; the tension dissolving a little.
‘Hah, come on then, Dais. You’re coming too,’ Lucy called out, and the dog soon appeared eagerly at her feet. Lucy swept her up in her arms, locked the door, and walked over to Ruby, where she climbed in, placing Daisy in the footwell. And, off they set.
‘So, where are we off to?’ Lucy asked, intrigued. ‘This is all very mysterious.’
‘Ah, now that would be telling … It’s not far. Just somewhere that means a lot to me.’ Jack needed to show her the place before he told her about it.
‘Ah, okay.’
Lucy was curious, but didn’t push for any more information, sensing that Jack needed to do things his way today. Last night, the two of them together, talking up on the battlements, had held a hint of magic, of new possibilities, but she was also afraid. Afraid of assuming anything, afraid of letting herself get hurt again, and afraid of getting this new second chance all wrong. She needed to tread carefully.
The journey passed in a pleasant meander through the coastal country lanes. They made light conversation en route, about how lovely the function had been last night, the good spell of weather they’d been having, Daisy’s latest antics and so on. Finally, they turned into the small beachside car park at Morwick Sands.
So, this was it, Lucy mused.
It was a pretty sandy beach that Lucy knew well; she’d often come here for a stroll or a picnic with a friend or her parents, before she lived in her own seaside cottage. It was very scenic, but Lucy didn’t think there was anything particularly unusual or surprising about it. But you never quite knew what was going to happen next with Jack. And Lucy suddenly realised that was one of the things she loved about him. Oh, bloody hell … Was this love or friendship? Perhaps an olive branch, or something more from Jack?
They left Ruby, and wandered along a track in the dunes that ran parallel with the beach. The dunes then rose to a steep mound far higher than any of the others, with several sandy tracks winding up to it, that made it look like a mini volcano, or perhaps an ice cream, dribbling as it began to melt. Though her mind was whizzing, Lucy tried hard just to focus on the moment. The f
eel of the warm sun on her back. The spiky fronds of marram grass catching her bare calves. The sense of relief that at least she and Jack had found some level ground.
There were several people strolling down on the beach, but no-one else was in this part of the dunes. And, just a step ahead of her, Jack had gone awfully quiet.
‘Are we going up?’ Lucy asked, breaking the silence and bracing herself for the climb.
‘That’s right, come on.’
Daisy found this part tricky, her little dachshund legs soon beginning to slip in the steep and shifting sands of the path that meandered to the top. Lucy scooped her up, helping the short-limbed dog on her way, bless her.
Lucy’s own muscles burned as they climbed the last rise to the summit. And then, they made it to the top, where Jack stood for a moment looking pensively out to sea.
‘Wow, gorgeous view,’ Lucy commented, gazing out across the azure and gold tints of the bay, watching a flock of terns reeling in the summer breeze, all the while wondering what this walk was all about.
‘Yeah … we used to come here as children. Me and Daniel …’
‘Oh, I see.’ It was beginning to make sense. And Lucy knew she needed to stay quiet a while and listen.
‘Used to seem massive, this dune,’ Jack started. ‘It’s just small really. Took us ages to climb it back then. Hah, then we’d run down as fast as we could. Race to the bottom. Mum and Dad waiting there on the beach. Hurtling down, the two of us … The number of times I nearly tripped up! Somehow, I stayed on my feet.’ He was smiling softly as he remembered, though there was a trace of tears in his eyes. He was still staring out to sea, when he spoke again. ‘This is the place where we scattered his ashes.’
‘Oh, Jack.’ Lucy felt so sad for him. Just then, she wasn’t sure what else to say.
‘It’s okay … it’s alright,’ Jack continued. ‘It’s a special place. I feel close to him here. Sometimes I come here just to think. Came here last night, after the wedding … and I thought … long and hard.’ He turned to face Lucy, taking a deep lungful of air. ‘I thought … about life … about you. And I realised I’ve been hiding … from life, and from love. Thinking I was protecting myself … but I wasn’t. I was hurting myself … by not letting anyone in.’ He let out a slow breath.
The Seaside Cocktail Campervan Page 26
