Page 64 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

Max stood up rubbing the small of his back for a second, then came across. ‘Cheers, mate. That is music to my ears.’ And the three men shook hands.

Emma was still wondering quite what was going on, a crease of confusion across her brow.

‘Chippie – carpenter – wood chips,’ Max turned to her to explain.

‘Ah. Oh, wow. You’re here to help? Fabulous.’

‘This is Nick. An old mate.’ Danny introduced him. ‘Happened to be staying with me this weekend.’

‘Hi, Nick, and thank you so much.’ Emma shook his hand. He was tall and lean with smiley eyes and a whiskery-goatee beard; in fact, he looked very much as though he should have a roll-up slanted out of his mouth.

‘Used to have my own joinery business,’ Nick said, ‘but when the recession hit and the work dried up I just couldn’t make ends meet. Went to work for a bacon factory, then, believe it or not. Pay was better, and it was a regular income. Been there ever since. But I still miss working with wood. When Danny here mentioned you’d been let down at the last minute, well …’

‘I have to work this lunch shift at the pub anyhow, so he didn’t have a lot on. Saves him lounging around on my sofa all day,’ Danny added.

‘Yep, I have a few hours to spare, so no worries. Give me a job.’

‘Right, I’ll make a tea or coffee for us all, whatever you’d rather, and I’ll let Max tell you where we’re at with the woodwork, Nick.’

The two men had already started chatting and were looking seriously at sections of timber. Danny said he had better go to get ready for his shift.

‘Cheers, Danny. Thanks so much for thinking of me and my shop. You’re a star.’

‘No worries. Couldn’t see you struggling when I knew help was at hand. Oh, and Nick’s happy to work for a few pints, by the way. We’re out this evening, so that will be ideal.’ Danny gave a wink.

‘Perfect. You sure?’ She felt she ought to offer proper payment. She had the money from her parents to pay Ron for the work, after all.

‘Absolutely, I’m here of my own free will,’ Nick chipped in. ‘But a few pints put behind the bar at the Fisherman’s for tonight would be brilliant.’

James turned up about an hour later. Little Lucy was with him, beaming and following her dad who was carrying two chairs.

‘Hello, Auntie Emma. Oh, who are they?’ The little girl stopped, surprised to find other people in the shop.

‘That’s Max and Nick. They’re helping make the seats for the new coffee shop here.’

Lucy studied the two men seriously, then nodded.

Max gave her a grin, and Nick gave a nod.

‘Will you do milkshakes too, Auntie Emma? I don’t like coffee.’

‘Of course, that’s actually a brilliant idea, Luce. Chocolate milkshakes. And maybe hot chocolates for the winter. What do you think?’

‘I think that sounds good. As long as they have marshmallows on the top.’

‘I think we can manage that.’ Emma smiled. ‘So, you’re helping Daddy today.’

‘Yes. Olivia had to stay with Mummy – he couldn’t do two of us. They’re doing sewing.’ She pulled a yuck kind of face at that. ‘We had to split up. It’s better doing furniture stuff.’

‘Are they making my cushions, by any chance?’

‘Yep.’

‘Well, that will be a big help to me. Of course, this is a big help too. What would I do without you lovely lot, hey?’ She looked up at James meaningfully as she spoke. ‘Come on then, Luce, you can go choose some chocolates from the back kitchen. I’ve had to move them all for now, but there’s still some in there. Choose something for you and something to take home for Olivia.’

‘What about Dad?’ called James after them hopefully. ‘He’s a helper too.’

Emma could hear his deep laugh. He loved her salted caramels. She’d definitely find a pack of those for him too.