Page 56 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

The night after the phone call with Max there was a rapping at her back door. It seemed pretty insistent and was getting louder. She was a little concerned because it was dark out and she wasn’t expecting any callers. If someone decided to raid the shop, she was there all on her own; not that they’d get much, there were hardly any takings in the till from today – not that they’d know that.

The rapping continued. She grabbed a broom from the back kitchen, not quite sure how she’d use it, if it came to it.

‘Okay, okay,’ she shouted.

She unlocked and opened the door a fraction, her broom poised and ready to strike.

‘Max?’

‘Well, you’re not answering my calls, so …’

‘Ah.’ She’d seen missed calls from him and had not replied to his many texts in the past twenty-four hours. It was easy not answering the phone, keeping up her guard. But now he was here, in person, her emotions were once again all over the place.

‘Can I come in?’

‘Max, I’m not sure—’

‘Em?’ It was pouring down with rain. His jacket and jeans were soaked and there were droplets coming off his hair, running down his face. He raised his eyebrows cheekily, and she so wanted to smile, but held back.

‘Oh, just for a few minutes then.’ Dammit, she had caved. No feeling sorry for him. Stand your ground, her inner bouncer chipped in authoritatively. She’d keep him standing in the downstairs hallway, that was it.

‘Thanks.’ He stepped inside.

‘So?’

‘Yes, so Siobhan, paying you a visit. I’m sorry about that. You probably want to know what’s going on.’

‘Well, how come she insists she’s your girlfriend?’ Emma was curious, now he was here.

‘She doesn’t want to accept it’s over between us. I think, because I went back the last time, how I stayed when her father was ill … she doesn’t believe I mean it this time.’ He paused. ‘I haven’t called her, haven’t arranged to see her in weeks. The only times I have seen her is when she’s turned up out of the blue at my work or at home. I’ve tried to be polite, and I’ve asked after her family, but the message that it really is over doesn’t seem to be getting through.’

Emma felt a weird pang of jealousy, thinking of Siobhan turning up, trying to persuade him to take her back, imagining her in his arms. But that was just some animal instinct. Inner Bouncer was back.

‘Max, even if you two aren’t seeing each other any more, I just don’t feel this is right for me.’

‘But we seemed—’

She cut him short. ‘We hardly know each other, Max.’

‘But isn’t that the idea? You get to know each other. We’ve got the chance for something special here, Em.’

‘It’d never work.’ She had to stay strong.

This was exactly how the shitty emotions bowled you over yet again – Luke, Max, hurt, love, fear. She couldn’t stand this any more, it was like emotional overload.

‘Please, Max, don’t push it. This is so hard for me.’

For a second it looked like he might try and put his arms around her. She saw the twitch across his shoulders.

Boy, she could do with those strong arms around her. But it was all futile. There would be no more mixed messages.

‘You sure?’

‘Yes, I’m sure. Can you please leave?’ It took all her resolve to say those words. She knew silent tears were building up. She had that horrid tightening at the back of her throat as she tried to keep them at bay. He could not see her cry.

‘Okay … well, I had to try.’ He gave a gentle, sad smile.

Emma opened the back door for him. He turned to leave, and she couldn’t speak. Alfie, who had appeared by her side, gave a little whimper.