Page 61 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

‘What?’ But Bev wouldn’t have known his number. She hadn’t even met him yet. What on earth was her so-called friend doing meddling in her life like this?

‘She was just looking out for you. Found my business number on Google, I think.’

‘Ah.’ She was going to kill her.

She dropped down her paintbrush and tray and sighed. What was she going to do now, send him away?

Before she had a chance to speak, Max said, ‘Right then, no point hanging about, we have work to do.’

Emma found herself silenced. She so wanted her shop to get its facelift, but this in no way meant he could just waltz back into her life. There were too many questions unanswered, too many emotions at stake. She’d made her mind up on that.

‘You’ll have to be my workmate, or this could take all night,’ he continued. ‘Come on, let’s get the stuff unloaded from the jeep first.’

Emma was already tired, but there was no way she was going to stop now. If Max could keep going after an all-day shift, then so could she. This was it! Her Cosy Chocolate Shop Café was really going to happen.

They carried in wooden beams, flat boards of wood, a tool kit, and saws. Max tucked a pencil behind his ear, gave her a wink and set to it. She was limited in what she could help with, but came in handy passing the right tools, nails and hammers as needed.

‘Have you eaten?’ They’d come to a natural pause when the frame for one of the window areas was complete.

‘No, not yet. I came straight on up from the other job. I’m starving.’

‘Me too. Hmm, wonder if The Fisherman's Arms will do us a carry out of fish and chips. I’ll give them a ring, shall I? Do you fancy that?’

‘That would be great. Yeah, go ahead.’

‘Got to feed the workers.’ She smiled, beginning to feel more relaxed with him. He really had come here to work, and so far there didn’t seem to be an ulterior motive.

‘Exactly.’

She took up her mobile, punched in the number and began chatting to Dave the landlord. Brilliant – they’d do it. She gave Max a thumbs-up sign as he continued cutting timber to size. She thanked Dave, saying she’d pop down in fifteen minutes to collect. Then she stood watching Max as he drew a level across to the back of the seat area, taking the pencil from his ear, concentrating. Her tummy began rumbling rather loudly at that point which made him look up and laugh.

‘Someone’s hungry.’

‘Yep. I’m not actually sure I had lunch, to be honest.’ She’d been too busy painting. Come to think of it, it had been a chocolate cake brunch with Holly.

She left Max sawing more sections of wood, and walked down the hill to the village pub. She had to wait a minute or two for the order to be ready, and chatted to Danny behind the bar.

‘Night in?’ he asked.

‘Yep, it’s all go getting The Chocolate Shop turned into a café this weekend.’

‘Ah, yes, heard about that. Sounds great. I saw the invite to the opening night on Friday – count me in. Is the work going well?’

‘Well, it wasn’t going at all until a couple of hours ago – the carpenter got ill. But I got some last-minute help in. Think it’s going to end up being a bit of an all-nighter, trying to get the window seats finished.’

‘Right. You handy like?’

‘Nope, got a builder friend to help, thank goodness. But it’s not his usual role, so we’re doing our best.’

‘Ah, I see. Well, best of luck with it.’

With that, the fish and chips turned up. ‘There you go, Emma. Enjoy.’ Rob, the chef, handed them over.

‘Thanks, I’m absolutely famished.’ They smelt delicious even through the foil carton and packaging. She might just have to sneak a chip on the way back up the hill. It had to be done! ‘Thanks, Rob. I’m sure they’ll be delicious.’

‘Cheers, Emma.’

She settled up at the bar, and back at the shop, she and Max sat side by side on the wooden floor eating crispy batter and flaky chunks of cod, with salt and vinegar. She’d found a couple of cans of Diet Coke in the fridge to go with it.