Page 100 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

Just then Mrs Clark trundled past the window and made her way in. The elderly lady had become even more of a regular now; she liked to prop herself in the window seat and watch the world go by with her pot of tea for one and a chocolate-chip shortbread. If the shop was quiet, Emma would go over and chat, and ask how she was keeping. She didn’t have much family, having had no children of her own, but there were tales of the village ‘back in the day’, of fetes and dances, the old fisherfolk. She still bought her chocolate brazils, though she’d begun to complain they weren’t doing her dentures any good, a bit too crunchy. ‘Tough little buggers, those nuts in ’em.’ were her precise words, but, apparently, she just couldn’t resist them, and wasn’t prepared to give them up any time soon.

Bev went home at three and Emma stayed behind the counter. It was soon school-bus drop-off time and Holly came bounding in.

‘Hi, Emma, you okay?’

‘Yes, all good. You?’

‘Cool, thanks. Actually, I’ve a bit of a favour to ask.’ Holly pulled a pleading grimace as though it might be a biggie.

‘Go on,’ Emma said cautiously, ‘what is it?’

‘Oh Em, Adam’s just found out he’s got the day off work this Saturday, and he wants to take me to the Christmas markets in Edinburgh. But I know I should be working and it might be busy here and I don’t want to leave you in the lurch, but I do really want to go.’

‘Leave it with me just now.’ A Saturday, at this time of year, would be really hard to cover all by herself, but Holly never asked for the day off, and the look on her face told Emma how important it was to her. It sounded so gorgeous and romantic too. Edinburgh at Christmas time – she’d seen pictures of the markets, all beautifully lit up and bustling, with alpine-looking stalls, a Christmas Tree Maze, and a big wheel and all sorts of other exciting things, but she had never been at that time of the year herself. ‘Let me make a couple of calls and I’ll see if I can get some help in. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.’

‘Aw, thanks, Emma. If you can it would be so amazing. I’ll work extra another day, or cover a shift for you.’

‘Thanks, I might need that favour some time.’

So, Saturday was going to be an extra busy day. A full-on chocolate shop, no Holly, hopefully someone else to help, though, and then her meal to look forward to with Max. She’d give Bev a ring right away.

Bev could only do couple of hours on the Saturday morning as she had promised to take Pete’s mum into Newcastle to do her Christmas shopping. His mother didn’t drive any further than the local market town these days, being nervous in city traffic. Bev couldn’t let her mother-in-law down, and Emma wouldn’t want her to. Oh well, two hours in the morning would help, so she took Bev up on her offer, and she’d just multitask herself for the rest of the day. No point disappointing Holly.

She could tell Holly was literally bouncing as she heard the good news when Emma phoned her later.

‘Oooh, thank you so much. Love you, Em. Can’t wait to tell Adam. Yay!’

It felt good to make someone’s day.

It was a bit of a mad rush to get ready and changed that Saturday by seven for her dinner date with Max. The restaurant sounded fairly swish, so she’d opted for a red wraparound dress which she usually wore in the summer, but teamed it with tights and black leather knee-length boots for a winter look. She felt comfy in it, and it clung in just the right places. She flicked a brush through the curls of her hair, which she had left loose, falling past her shoulders, and checked in the dressing-table mirror to see if she had remembered to put any lipstick on. Grabbing a small black-velvet clutch bag, she popped in her purse and the red lipstick she’d just used and spritzed herself with some perfume. She felt a bit nervous: this was the first date since she had gone to see Max down in Jesmond and she hoped all her doubts and fears hadn’t spoilt things for them.

She heard an engine pull to a halt outside. She got up off the stool and checked out of the bedroom window. There he was, parked up in the jeep. She saw him get out of the vehicle, smart in dark chinos and a pale-blue shirt. He was also holding the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers, wrapped in tissue and cellophane, most definitely not from a supermarket. She saw his broad shoulders rise slowly as he took a deep breath before he knocked on the chocolate shop door. She felt his nerves too. It felt a bit like a new start for them both; they didn’t want to mess things up this time.

She settled Alfie in his bed in the kitchen, grabbed her smartest beige winter coat, and headed swiftly down the stairs, not wanting to keep him waiting.

‘Wow, you look gorgeous,’ he said, beaming, offering the bouquet at the same time as leaning in to kiss her.

He smelt divine, even better than the flowers. ‘Thank you so much, they are just beautiful.’ The blooms were white, cream, and a delicate soft pink with roses, carnations and some others she didn’t know the names of, with sprigs of green foliage that set them off perfectly.

‘Your carriage awaits.’ And he motioned to the jeep with a smile, bringing them both back down to earth in a lovely way. This was all rather fabulous, but they could be themselves too.

It was a twenty-minute drive north to the coastal village of Bamburgh. They passed through a couple of country villages, along winding lanes with farmland each side of the road, though it was too dark to make out much en route. Arriving in Bamburgh they passed the impressive stone castle lit up and set on the rocks above the dunes which marked the start of the village.

Lights were strung along the main street, highlighting cottages, a hotel, and small shops. In the centre of the village was a green with an area of grass and established trees, which had been lit with white lights. As they parked, she spotted a family of wooden reindeer, made of twined willow and fairy lights and all different sizes, in the middle. It looked like some mini magical forest.

‘Oh, wow, isn’t that just so pretty?’ she commented to Max.

‘Cute, isn’t it?’

It was cold as they stepped out of the vehicle, one of those crisp winter nights that would bring frost. She snuggled into her coat and took Max’s hand as they walked to the Saltwater Bistro. Max held open the door for her in a gentlemanly fashion, which was rather nice.

There was a central hall which had a large pine Christmas tree decorated with big silver and blue baubles and silver tinsel. It looked fabulous and festive in a coastal kind of way, which fitted perfectly with the restaurant, which was themed with sea and sky colours of blues, greys, and creams. A waiter came across and took Emma’s coat and led them to their table for two, asking what they would like to drink.

‘Oh, I’d like a gin and tonic, please,’ Emma said. That seemed a lovely drink to start with, and a treat.

‘Coke for me, please, pint.’ Max added, ‘Driving,’ for Emma’s benefit. ‘Though I will stretch to a nice glass of wine with the meal. We’ll order that later though, thanks.’

It felt nice here, not too stuffy; the lights were muted and candle votives glowed on the table; you could relax and chat. The waiter delivered their drinks and then passed them menus, typed stylishly on thick cream card. They were left to peruse and muse, whilst Emma sipped her chilled, bubbly glass of fragrant G&T. She had never read so many gorgeous-sounding things in one place.