Page 66 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

‘Ah …’ He sounded unsure.

It was a long drive, she knew, and he’d worked like a Trojan here. He’d be ready to get back and get on with his life in Hexham, just as she had asked him to do two weeks ago.

‘Do you want me to?’ he asked.

They held each other’s gaze for a second, both wondering what was coming next, where they went from here.

‘Yes.’ She didn’t know how or what or why, but the thought of never seeing this guy again crushed her. She stood looking at Max, who was gazing back at her intently, that one word so meaningful between then.

He smiled. ‘Well then, that would be great. Shall I come back tomorrow after work? I could try and get an early finish.’

‘Okay, yes, that’d be lovely.’

And the sense of tension in that room notched itself up several volts. Emma felt her cheeks burn and headed off for the kitchen to find something, anything to do, whilst Max got on with sweeping up the last shavings of sawdust and emptying them into the dustbin outside, ready to set off.

Once Max had left, Emma had the shop all to herself, and time to think. Was she doing the right thing agreeing to see Max again? Was it just the intimacy of being close last night that had made her cave in? It didn’t solve all the other problems, did it? She felt cross with herself.

She needed to get on with some baking for the café’s opening; a double batch of brownies and some chocolate cookies. She’d need more than that, but time was short. She could phone Maureen, Ron’s wife and maker of the most scrummy chocolate cake, see if she could make a couple of her chocolate cakes by tomorrow lunch time. It was worth a try. Then James arrived with the second of the two tables.

‘Who were the two blokes, by the way? The ones doing the joinery work?’

‘Oh, just a friend and an acquaintance of Danny’s.’ She kept her answer purposely vague.

‘Ah, right, they seemed pretty sound. Great they could help out.’

‘Yes, they’ve been brilliant.’

‘Looking good in here, sis. I like the paint colours. Chloe’s nearly finished the cushions for you, by the way.’

‘Aw, thank you so much, James, and Chloe too. It’s going be fabulous,’ Emma confirmed, picturing a cosy Christmassy space, perfect to settle down with a slice of chocolate cake and a huge hot chocolate piled with cream and marshmallows. She felt a buzz of happiness. Her dream was about to come true.

‘Right, gotta go, sis. I’ve promised the girls a trip to the park when I get back.’

‘Yeah, I’d better go and take Alfie out soon too. He’s been cooped up for two days, out of harm’s way. He’ll be going stir crazy up there. Thanks for everything, bro.’ She gave James a gentle punch on the arm, a gesture they’d hung on to from childhood, and then a big hug.

‘No worries. It’s great to see it all coming together for you. I wish you all the success in the world, Em.’

A tear misted her eye. She so hoped it would all work out for her little chocolate shop by the sea. After everybody’s help, she couldn’t possibly lose it now.

32

It was the morning of the big opening day. Emma drew the curtains on a pinky-grey dawn that warmed the sky.

This was it! There was still so much to do, and thoughts of the impending evening with Max kept creeping up on her. She needed to take the dog out first, and she knew that the fresh air and a pacy walk on the beach would do both her and Alfie good, so ten minutes later, Emma set off down the road with him. As she reached the dunes, Alfie scampering ahead, she heard a beep on her phone. She took it out of her pocket – a text from Max.

Good luck with your opening day! Looking forward to seeing you xxx

A mix of excitement and fear welled up inside her. Why on earth had she agreed to see him on opening day? There was enough to think of as it was.

Me too x she replied, still feeling cautious about the whole thing.

Another text bounced back. BTW I have a plan – so don’t worry about getting any supper organised. xx

Okay. Thanks. Xx She was curious, wondering what he had in mind. It would be a busy day, so whatever it was, not having to cook supper was a bonus.

She strolled the sands with Alfie, enjoying the view of the bay, the early morning sun glinting gold on the crests of the waves, the sea-salt scent of the air. There was just a hint of breeze and it was mild for the time of year. Emma felt a strange tingling sensation in her stomach at the thought of seeing Max tonight, and couldn’t help but wonder what he had in mind for the evening. And, of course, Luke, her lovely Luke, was there very much in her thoughts too, the what-ifs and what-might-have-beens always there in her heart.

Back in the shop half an hour later, Emma was busy in the kitchen making choc-chip shortbread. She was going to pop the biscuits into a large glass jar on the counter, ready to tempt her café customers, and her brownies were all cut up and ready to go. She had made one batch into mini cubes, as she had decided to give every customer a mini brownie on the side of their tea or coffee. It might well become the Cosy Chocolate Shop Café’s ‘thing’, and make them stand out from any other café in the area. As well as the fact that they were surrounded by chocolate!