Page 79 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

As she walked back, Emma could hear the buzz of people in The Fisherman's Arms, but she didn’t want to join them, just stood leaning on the black metal harbour rail, watching the reflections of light in the calm bob of the water. A half-moon had risen over the sea, casting its silvery light on to the waves outside the harbour. Alfie stood waiting patiently beside her, his tail wagging slowly to and fro. There was a sense of peace here. She was glad she had found this place, had come to think of it as home.

When it had all changed, and her life had been devastated, there was something about this coast, the harbour here, and this particular community, that had captured her heart and helped her heal.

35

Her phone woke her up. She fumbled for it on the bedside table. It was still pitch dark in the room. Max lit up on the screen. What on earth was the time?

‘Hey.’

‘Hi! Is it as early as it feels?’

‘Yes, thought you would be up getting ready for your big launch day.’

‘Not quite.’ She glanced at her watch through foggy eyes. Six thirty and her alarm was set for six forty-five.

‘Oops, sorry. I was just heading off for the site. Thought I’d catch up with you before it got hectic there.’

‘Okay.’ She was still feeling a little woozy.

‘Well, you have a good day, and I’ll see you this evening.’ Neither mentioned about him staying over. ‘I’ll be coming up as soon as I get finished here, after a quick shower.’

‘That’s great. I’ll see you later.’

‘You all organised? Anything I can do or bring?’

‘Yeah, I’m pretty much sorted here, thanks. Just bring yourself and your smile for your waiter job.’ She was waking up now, happy that he had thought to call her.

‘See you later.’ His voice was honey-warm down the phone.

‘Yeah, see you later.’ And she felt nervous and excited all at once at the prospect of getting to know him even more tonight.

Emma was making another batch of chocolate canapés, afraid she might not have made enough. She had poured melted chocolate into the moulds earlier and was now filling them with golden salted caramel. It was only eight thirty, but she wanted to be sure she was ready for this evening, in case today proved busy in the café.

So much to do, so little time. After dashing about before opening, and making several calls, she was as prepared as she could be for tonight and it was all systems go again because Friday was usually a busier day anyhow.

Some ramblers came in and asked if she did takeaway coffees. For now, she couldn’t help, but she assured them that as from next week she would have a supply of cardboard cups for takeouts – another way of making money, hopefully. She could put a little ‘Takeouts available’ sign in the window.

Adam appeared at lunchtime, grinning cheerily as he came through the door. ‘Hey, Emma. It looks great in here.’

‘Cheers, Adam. Your gran did a brilliant job on the seat pads for me.’

‘I’ve just popped along from work.’

‘Everything fine for the hotel? Have you got enough of our mini chocolate boxes for the turndowns?’

‘Yes, that’s all fine. They’re still really popular … It’s just … I noticed your new window display and it looks really good, but I know Gran’s got something that might just make it even better.’

‘Interesting. Tell me more.’

‘Well, my grandad liked making things – he was really clever like that – and one year he made me a toy sleigh, out of wood. It was really cool. I loved it. Gran kept it at home, so it came out as a special treat every year. Well, the thing is, she still has it. And last night, I spotted your Christmas window display and seeing that wooden train brought it to mind, so I mentioned it to her and she’d like to let you have it for the shop, if you’re interested.’

‘Well, it sounds lovely.’

‘It’s got that old-fashioned look.’

‘Santa on his sleigh … hmm. Does it have room for chocolates in the back?’

‘Absolutely. We could even suspend it with some thin wires and have it mid-flight over the forest you’ve made,’ Adam suggested.