Page 31 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

‘Oh yes, heard it from Sheila at the grocer’s. She was telling me about all the financial problems you’ve been having and that you’re having to finish.’

It was only two days after Mr Neil’s ominous visit. Blimey, the village gossip merchants had been busy.

‘Oh, but that’s not true, Mrs Clark. I’m not closing at all.’ She was keen to put the record straight as quickly as she could.

‘Oh, but …’ The elderly lady looked confused.

‘No, I’m absolutely not closing The Chocolate Shop any time soon.’ She felt more determined than ever. Hearing those words coming from an old friend in the village was rather shocking and felt like a knife blade. Imagine if they really were true?

‘I’m so, so, sorry, Emma. It’s just that as I’ve heard that from a couple of people in the village now, I believed it.’

‘Well, to be totally honest, Mrs C, there was a small issue with a slightly late payment this month, and the landlord has hiked up the rent on me this year. So maybe that’s got a little confused in the chatter. But that’s all settled and it’s fine. I have no intention of leaving any time soon.’

‘Well, I’m very glad to hear it, Emma. I’d have missed you and your shop so much. I enjoy my weekly stroll up here, despite that bugger of a hill, and your chocolate brazils – they are so much better than any of those supermarket ones.’

‘Can I get you some now?’

‘Yes, please, pet.’

‘I’ll put a few extra ones in for free if you can do me a favour and go back and let the villagers and Sheila know there’s no truth in the rumours, that I’m not going to be closing at all. The Chocolate Shop by the Sea is doing fine, and is here to stay.’

Well, she mused silently, for the next few months at least.

‘Of course, I will, pet. I’d hate for there to be any falsehoods going around. I know what the village can be like for gossip. I’m sorry I got caught up in it all and I hope I haven’t hurt your feelings, Emma dear.’

‘Not at all. In a way, I’m glad you let me know. At least we can put the record straight now.’

‘We can indeed. I’m on the case.’ The old lady set off determinedly, her chocolate brazils safely stowed in her large handbag.

There was only one place the rumour could have started. Emma hadn’t told anyone else, not even Bev; she hadn’t spoken with anyone other than James and Chloe about her finances since the initial rent hike, and they certainly wouldn’t be in the village gossiping. There was only one person who could have talked – Holly!

18

‘Hi there, you okay? Good time to talk, or do you have customers in?’ Bev’s chirpy tones came down the phone line. It was later the same day that Mrs Clark had been in.

‘Yes, it’s fine. No one’s in now and it’s nearly closing time.’

‘Em, I’ve heard the rumours going about that The Chocolate Shop might be closing. Do you want to talk, or come round after work maybe?’

‘Oh Bev, it’s not true. The shop’s not closing at all. Not on my watch.’

‘Right! Well, thank heavens for that. So where’s it all come from, then?’

‘It’s all snowballed. To be honest, there’s some truth in that I’ve had a few financial pressures lately, and this month the rent was paid a few days late. Three days, that was all, but that was it, the landlord was on my case. I’ve never paid late before in all the years I’ve been here.’

‘Well, that doesn’t seem very fair.’

Emma sighed. ‘He wants me out, I’m sure of it. First hiking up the rent extortionately for this year, and now this. I’m sure he’s after selling the place off, or making it into a holiday cottage.’

‘Oh, Emma.’

‘I just can’t relax. It’s like this black cloud is permanently over me all the time, with me trying to make ends meet. But even if I do, and I cover the rent, I have a feeling that once this year’s contract is over he’ll probably serve my notice or hike it up again, anyhow.’

‘Oh, hun. I wish you’d told me more about this before.’

‘I was just trying to keep going, pay the bills and the rent. Carry on as normal. I didn’t want these sorts of rumours getting out.’

‘No, I bet. But you know I’d never betray a confidence. And sometimes a problem shared …’