Page 57 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

‘Bye, Em, take care.’

She wanted to say, ‘You too.’ But she knew she couldn’t talk.

He gave a last glance over his shoulder before he closed the courtyard gate. She just stared sadly, gave a slow nod.

That might just be the last she’d ever see of him.

28

Saturday morning rolled around.

‘Hi, Em.’

‘Hey, Holly. Thanks for coming in a bit earlier to help.’

‘That’s no problem. It’s so exciting about the café. I can’t believe it’s really happening and that our chat sparked the whole thing off. I can’t wait – nor can my friends.’

‘I know. It’s brilliant, it really is, but there’s lots of work to be done first.’

‘Yes, and you’ve got to cram it all into one weekend, so I hear. Adam says if there’s anything he can do to help, just ask. I think he has the Sunday off that weekend. Oh, and his gran wants to help too. Apparently, she’s a bit of a whizz with the sewing machine.’

‘Hmm, that might come in handy. We’ll see where we’re at. But that’s lovely, thank them both from me. Right then, I’d better be getting off to this car boot and there’s an auction on at the sale rooms too. I’m on a mission for the furniture and crockery – I’m thinking old-fashioned porcelain cups and saucers, in pretty patterns to mix and match. Give it that vintage look. What do you reckon?’

‘Oh yes, perfect.’

‘Right, well let’s see what I come back with. Thanks so much for covering.’

Four hours later Emma parked her car, which was piled high inside, out front. She had cups, saucers, gorgeous tea plates, cutlery, the cafetières, and twelve glass mugs for hot chocolates. At the auction, she had bid for and won two – mismatched but ideal – large round wooden tables for the window-seat areas, and six wooden chairs. Apparently, they’d come from a pub that had closed down.

‘Sounds like you’ve done brilliantly, Em. Shall I get us a cuppa to celebrate?’

‘Oh yes, that’s music to my ears. Shall we just bring everything in first?’ The bigger furniture was still to collect as the boot of her car was too small to fit it in – she’d have to sort that out later.

The boxes and stacks of crockery took up one corner of the kitchen – a promise of what was to come for The Chocolate Shop. She was so pleased with her purchases, and had kept within her budget.

Just as they were having their cup of tea, Adam arrived with his gran.

‘Well, hello, my lovelies,’ the sprightly old lady greeted them. ‘Exciting times for your chocolate shop, young Emma. Holly’s been telling me all about it.’

‘Yes, there’s still lots to do, but with a bit of hard work it will all come together.’

‘Well, you know what they say, pet, “Nothing worth having comes easy”.’

‘Well, that’s very true.’

‘They also say “you get by with a little help from your friends” – actually, I think that was the Beatles. That’s why I asked young Adam to run me across. I have lots of time on my hands and I’d like to offer my help.’

‘Oh, that’s so kind of you.’

‘I do like to do a bit of sewing, if there’s anything like that to be done.’

Emma thought about the seat pads she had intended making herself, but with all the other work going on … and, in all honesty, she wasn’t the best at sewing. ‘There are the seat pads for the window seats to be made. But are you sure?’

‘Of course, pet. I wouldn’t be here otherwise, would I? So that’s settled. I take it you’ll be using some foam for the inners, so just get them to me with the material you like and I’ll be able to run them off in a day or two. I’ll do them with zips so they are easily washable and I’ll make a second set of covers. There’s bound to be the odd spill and mark.’

Emma hadn’t even thought of that.

‘That sounds just perfect, Gran. Oh, can I call you Gran? Or do you prefer Shirley?’ Emma suddenly remembered her name from before.