Page 65 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

‘What about the woodworkers? We like chocolate too,’ came Max’s warm, cheeky tones.

When the girls returned, Lucy clutching her chocolate bounty, James was chatting happily with the two men. Her brother then headed off once more on a second run to fetch the tables.

By 2.00 p.m. the shop was buzzing. Max and Nick were working away on the seating tops. Nick had suggested making them hinged so the inside could be used for storage, a brilliant idea, because Emma’s display materials were currently crammed into a cupboard upstairs – you went looking for a favourite jumper and were at risk of attack from Easter bunnies, mini-foil Christmas trees, tinsel, baubles, the works.

Bev and Pete had popped in to see how things were taking shape and stayed to lend a hand. Em felt like she’d been shipped into that TV programme where they transform a whole house in forty-eight hours.

Bev glanced pointedly over at the best-looking of the two men at work. ‘So, I take it Max came to help then?’

‘Yes – and I need to have words about that,’ Em said tersely under her breath. ‘You are in such big trouble.’ Emma then introduced the two men to Bev and Pete.

‘Hmm, he is gorgeous,’ Bev whispered as they stood back near the hallway door. ‘Nothing at all like the guys I had in to decorate my conservatory,’ she continued, joking that she’d have to find some joinery jobs in her own home very soon.

Emma had to laugh. She explained that the other lad was a mate of Danny’s at the pub.

Around 11.00 a.m., Holly arrived to see how things were going and stood gazing around the shop in awe, with a cheesy grin on her face, feeling very proud – after all, it was her initial idea that sparked all this off, she reminded them. She said she couldn’t wait to try it – she had a group of friends organised, desperately wanting to be one of the first ones in.

Holly then clocked Max. ‘I know him, don’t I? What’s he doing here?’

‘Oh, he’s just helping out, all hands on deck, and all that.’ Emma tried to sound bright and breezy.

Holly was obviously thinking about this, then gave her boss a big grin whilst nodding in Max’s direction. ‘Interesting …’ was all her assistant said, but Emma knew she’d be seriously quizzed tomorrow.

After another round of cuppas, served with chocolate digestives, her visitors made to leave. Emma made sure they all knew about the launch night on Friday. A big thank you was in order.

Mid-afternoon, Max and Nick stood up from their work, stretched out their backs, gave each other a nod, and called Emma downstairs to see the finished product. She paused in the shop entrance and grinned with a tear in her eye. It looked amazing; they had even finished the seat-backs with some white-painted wood panelling, which gave it a lovely coastal feel.

‘Wow,’ was all she could say.

‘Right then, I’ll be off, if that’s everything?’ Nick announced. He’d stayed much longer than the shift Danny would have been working, and he had worked so hard, with just a couple of coffee breaks.

‘Thank you so much, Nick. And I’ll be sure to put some money behind the bar for you and Danny for tonight. And if you’re about this Friday, call in for the launch, won’t you?’

‘Cheers, I’ll be back down in Yorkshire then, but thanks for the invite. And hey, you’re welcome, I enjoyed it. Turning me hand back to some woodworking. Might have to keep it up as a bit of a hobby, you know. Do the odd job here and there.’

‘You should.’

‘Cheers, mate. That was such a help,’ Max said. The two men shook hands.

‘All good.’ Nick gave a thumbs-up sign. ‘That’s me off, then.’

‘Thanks again,’ said Emma appreciatively, as she handed him a box of chocolate-dipped fudge with a twenty-pound note from the till. After all the hard work she couldn’t not give him some cash at least, as well as the beer money.

‘Ah, cheers.’ And he headed jauntily off down the hill.

‘I’d better be going too. I’ve got that other job to check on.’ Max turned to face her.

‘Yes … well, I suppose you had.’ She felt a weird pang of disappointment, but of course Max had his own business to run and life to lead. ‘Of course, Max. I really don’t know how to thank you enough. Can I pay you for the work? For the wood, at least?’

‘No, absolutely not. There’s no need to pay. I don’t want anything.’

‘But—’

‘It’s fine. Honest.’

Aw, he was really lovely. Yes, she still felt a bit confused, but she was sad that he was heading off and she didn’t know when, or even if, she was going to see him again. She had to admit he looked pretty damned gorgeous stood there, all ruffled hair, and sawdust on his clothes. He had come up all this way when he was already busy to help her out. She remembered how close they had been last night on the sofa.

‘Will you be coming back at all?’ What are you doing, woman? Inner Bouncer was back again.