Page 26 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

The man drove down Warkton-by-the-Sea’s main street.

So there it was, The Chocolate Shop by the Sea – a cute-looking cottage-style shop. Yes, it suited her. He felt a strange sensation in his gut as he drove past slowly, catching glimpses of chocolates and confectionery, but he couldn’t quite make out the figures inside.

Ah, what the hell was he doing? He wasn’t even sure what had compelled him to drive up here today. Just a need to get out, get away for a while. He shouldn’t really be here at all.

He slowed at the bottom of the hill and pulled the pick-up to a halt beside the harbour, turned off the engine, and looked at the boats bobbing there, the people strolling by.

Sometimes it was just the right thing at the wrong time. This felt so very much like the right thing; he couldn’t reason out why, but some instinct had brought him here … but no, right now he needed to go back, to sort things out with Siobhan and her family.

He sighed, put the pick-up into reverse, turned around and passed the shop once more. At least she was still here, he mused. Well, she might be. She could have sold the business or anything by now. He could just stop, pull up, see if she was there, say hi. But dammit, it was all too messy just now; there was too much unfinished business. He put his foot on the accelerator, and drove on by.

Emma, relaxed from her well-earned time off the day before, looked up from serving Stan and Hilda, the friendly pensioners who were regulars.

Oh, surely not! Emma did a double-take as she thought she recognised a grey, jeep-style vehicle, passing by.

Could it be?

But it had already driven on by. She hadn’t even had a chance to spot the driver. Blimey, Em, she chided herself, how many grey truck things are there around? There must be hundreds of them. For goodness’ sake, get a grip, woman.

Sometimes you might meet someone out of the blue, talk and chat for a short while, even share a kiss, but it didn’t mean it was anything significant or that you’d ever see them again. They could touch your life for the briefest of times, but it didn’t mean they were going to become a part of it. She sighed softly.

‘Sorry, Stan, I was off in a world of my own for a moment there. I’ll just go fetch your mint creams for you. There’s a fresh batch out the back.’

‘That’s fine, my dear. We’re in no hurry, are we, Hilda?’

‘No, none at all, pet.’

Emma sorted out their order, had a little chat, and saw them on their way with a smile. What a lovely old couple.

Silly woman, imagining it might be him! Emma was cross with herself, even as she wandered to the window and scanned the road outside just in case. She knew she was just clutching at straws. Sometimes you got the wrong one and the whole damned stack came down around you. And then, sometimes, you could pluck one out – and nothing at all would happen. Surely nothing happening was the safest bet?

15

Wednesday of the week after, Emma spotted the school bus trundling past up the hill.

She knew what was coming next. Two minutes later, in flew Holly, all of a dither.

‘Oh my, I’ve only got like five minutes to get ready.’ She’d obviously run up the hill from the harbour-side drop off. ‘Right, what do you think?’ She started pulling out clothes from her school rucksack.

She displayed a pair of white jeans with a deep-pink blouse and a denim jacket to pop over.

‘Nice. I like it.’

‘Or …’ Holly fished out a to-the-knee dress in navy print with a small red flowery pattern on.

‘Ooh yes. The dress. That’s really pretty and just right for afternoon tea. What’s going on your feet?’

‘Ankle boots – I didn’t have room to carry anything more. But I do have dark tights, so it doesn’t look silly and summery.’

‘Okay, that will work well. Pass me the dress and I’ll give it a quick iron for you.’

Holly shot her a look. ‘Have I got time?’

‘Of course. It’s been screwed up in that bag all day. It’ll only take me five minutes. Go on, pass it over, and you get out of your school clothes and into the tights. I’ll have it ready in a flash. We’ll just shout out if someone comes into the shop. They can wait a minute or two.’

Emma whizzed upstairs and soon had the dress pressed for Holly. She found Holly in the downstairs kitchen in her underclothes.

‘All ready for you, madam.’