Page 19 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

‘And to remind you that I need your reply by the end of next week, as per its contents. Obviously, you do need to give me a month’s notice of your leaving, though I’m sure I could make arrangements if you’d like to vacate earlier.’ He gave her a cold smile, pretending to be helpful.

So, he was evidently counting on her leaving the shop. That made Emma even more determined to do everything in her power to raise enough funds to keep it going and make the new rent payments. He couldn’t just chuck her out of her home, her business.

Holly wandered through at that point with two cups of steaming tea. She said ‘Hello’ cheerily to the gentleman in the shop, to be answered with a very cool ‘Hello’ back. She looked at Emma with raised eyebrows as she passed over her cup, as if to say, who on earth is that misery?

‘Oh yes, I’ll be sure to answer you within the week, Mr Neil,’ Emma replied, giving away nothing about her intentions to stay. But what would happen if she couldn’t make these new payments and fell into default? He’d have her out of there soon enough anyhow, and she’d then be disgraced, having brought her business to its knees. Would it be better to leave of her own accord now, look for other premises, start again? But her heart and soul were here in this shop, in this village, with the community that had sheltered her. No, she wasn’t going to give up that easily.

‘Well then, I look forward to receiving your reply.’

I bet you do, thought Em, but you might not be so damned complacent when you read it.

‘And the next rent is due this Thursday.’

She was fully aware of that. Thank heavens for the Christmas takings she’d saved, but that was going to take the last of those funds. She’d be at rock bottom then, her bank account empty.

‘Yep. That’s fine,’ she replied.

‘Quiet in here, isn’t it?’ He cast his beady eyes over the shop pointedly, then out to the empty street.

‘At the moment, yes.’ Crikey, he’d be enough to frighten any customers off anyhow, she mused. ‘But it was much busier early on today, before the rain set in.’ She pasted on a smile.

‘Hmm.’ He looked around again, as though he didn’t believe it. ‘This’d make a lovely living area, open plan right through to the kitchen space.’

He was already planning the renovations to make this into a holiday cottage!

‘Maybe. But it does make a lovely shop,’ Emma persevered. Keep calm, don’t rise to his bait.

‘Oh yes, it’s a fabulous little shop, very popular.’ Holly rallied by her side behind the counter.

‘Well then, good afternoon, ladies.’ With that, he left, dripping water in his wake.

‘Yuck!’ Holly spat out the word as soon as he’d closed the door. ‘He’s like a slug.’

Emma had to laugh.

Holly continued, ‘What did you say his name was?’

‘Mr Neil.’

‘More like Eel, all slimy and a right wriggly character. That has to be the landlord, huh? The guy that sent that horrid rent letter. I don’t know how you put up with him.’

‘A case of having to, Hols. I could never afford to buy this place. Dammit, he is so looking forward to chucking me out.’

‘Nooo, that can’t happen!’

‘I really don’t know how I’m going to finance the new rent payments. But I’m going to bloody well try.’

‘Go, Em, that’s the spirit. You’ll find a way. We can’t lose The Chocolate Shop by the Sea, or you. How awful would that be? The shop is such a special place. And there’s no way I’m going back to the greasy chippie to work.’

Emma let out a sigh. ‘Thanks, Holly. I’ll just have to make sure I give it my damned best shot then. Time for the masterplan to swing into action.’

‘Wow, have you got one?’

‘Well, let’s just say I have some ideas up my sleeve to get started with.’

‘Brilliant.’ Holly beamed. ‘And me and the whole village will be right there beside you.’

Deep breath … just walk in … shoulders up … smile. The worst they can say is no.