Page 27 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

‘Thanks, Em. It’s like having a second mum.’

‘You’re welcome.’

‘Agh, I am sooo nervous. I feel so sick, I don’t know how I’m going to manage tea and cake.’ Holly slipped the dress over her shoulders.

‘You’ll be fine. The nerves will all settle down once you get there.’

‘But what do I say, how do I make conversation?’

‘Holly, you never stop talking here. I’m sure you’ll be fine.’

‘Yeah, but when I get nervous I either clam up and can’t speak at all, or else I go into overdrive and jabber out a load of shite.’

Emma had to smile. ‘Just breathe and think about what you’re going to say first.’

‘But what shall I ask him?’

‘Well, you could ask about his job there at the hotel. Maybe about his gran?’

‘Ah yes, the mystery other woman.’

They both laughed.

‘You’ll be fine, Hols. He seems a nice lad and I’m sure he’ll be as nervous as you are.’

Holly let out a big sigh as she popped on some lipstick. ‘I haven’t even got time to redo my make-up properly.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘I need to be there in five minutes.’

‘You look lovely, honestly.’

‘You sure? Really?’

‘Really. You’ll make his day. Oh, and I have something for you to take up – Adam rang me earlier.’

‘He did?’

‘Yep, guess who’s just got a repeat order for turndown chocolates?’

‘Oh, brilliant.’

‘He said they went down really well with the guests last week, and they are going to place a regular order now. So I’ve a box ready to go – I made them earlier today.’

‘That’s great news.’

Emma fetched the box from the kitchen side. ‘Ready then?’ she asked.

‘As I ever will be,’ came Holly’s reply with a nervous grimace. She then popped on her denim jacket. ‘Can I leave my rucksack here and get it later?’

‘Of course, then you can tell me all about it.’

‘Still feel sick.’

‘That’s only natural. Go on, go smash the first date. Best of luck.’

‘Thank you, Emma. Aaghhh, here I go.’ Holly slung a little handbag over her shoulder, took up the cardboard box of chocolates, and nearly tripped over the step as she waltzed dramatically out the door. ‘Sor-ry.’

Emma smiled, watching her assistant set off, though she feared for the safe carriage of her chocolates what with young love, all that excitement, energy, and angst. Emma doubted she would ever feel that herself again, but it was nice to see Holly full of hopes and dreams.

There was a knock at the back door. It was around six and Emma had closed the shop, but she was still busy in the kitchen, making chocolate bars – her latest flavour sensation being ginger and lime.