Page 80 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

‘Well, it sounds absolutely perfect. If you’re sure your gran doesn’t mind.’

‘No, she said she’d like to see it used again.’

‘Aw, well thank her so much. Actually, take a couple of packs of the coffee and orange creams she loves with you as a thank you. And bring her along this evening too.’

‘I’ll take the chocolates to her, that’ll make her day. And I’ll mention the launch, but she’s not always keen on coming out in the dark evenings.’

‘Well, if she does fancy it … Will you be coming with Holly? How are things going with you two?’

‘Yeah, great, thanks, we get on really well. She’s getting really excited about Christmas already and I have no idea what to get her. I’m not very good at that kind of thing.’

‘Come and see me nearer the time. I’m sure we can come up with some ideas together.’

‘Thanks, Em. Right, I’d better head back. I was just picking up some soya milk from the stores – hotel customer with allergies or something. I’ll call back in my lunch hour with the sleigh.’

‘Brilliant. I can’t wait to see it. Sounds fabulous.’

‘Cheers.’

‘Bye, Adam, and thanks again.’ She passed him the bag of chocolate goodies to take away, adding a packet of whisky truffles for himself too.

What to wear? It was ten past six. Emma had set out her chocolate canapés on white china platters ready to pass around and had pretty, red paper napkins with festive snowflakes on that matched the new seating area colours. The cushions had all been plumped and the shelves were full of goodies, including Ron’s wonderful boat-shaped stand. The shop was looking so lovely with the fairy lights on behind the counter and soft lighting focussed on the festive window displays.

But Emma had kind of forgotten about herself until now. She was still in her workwear of black trousers, white T-shirt and black apron. Now then, what should a chocolatier, café-running, chocolate-shop boss look like? She had invited the local press from Alnwick along, as well as her landlord, and couple of village councillors, so she ought to look fairly smart; there might end up being some photographic evidence, which was all good for publicity, but she didn’t want to look too stuffy and formal either. Smart casuals, that’s what she needed. She had one last check that all was ready in the shop, then headed upstairs to her bedroom where she frisked the wardrobe.

She could get away with keeping on the black trousers if she teamed them with something more colourful. She dismissed a few jumpers and a casual Breton-style top that looked a bit washed out, then she landed on a blouse, navy-blue with a red and green pattern of roses on – that might do. It was a soft chiffon-style material, and would need a strappy vest under it as it was a bit see-through, but yes, it was pretty, and as she put it on she felt comfortable in it. Sorted.

She ran a brush through her long, wavy red hair. Should she put it back? She always wore it in a bun or a high ponytail for work, and when she was full-on chocolatiering she wore a white protective cap to save any red hairs appearing in the mix. She laughed out loud: a hygiene hat, now that would be some sexy look! Hah, perhaps it might turn Max on, she mused. Not that he seemed to need any help in that department. She felt a little frisson of anticipation, thinking that Max would be here with her in less than an hour. And then, later this evening … Right, focus on the task in hand, Emma. She needed to make sure this launch went off well, to publicise her business and as a lovely thank you to the local community. She dragged her mind back to where it should be.

Bev was the first to arrive at six thirty. Several bottles of Prosecco were chilling in the fridge, and an overflow box of six were outside in the back yard – it was certainly cool enough there to keep them chilled.

Emma hadn’t quite planned what would happen when people arrived, other than serving them a glass of fizzy and passing round the chocolate platters. She hoped people would just chat, relax, and mill about a bit. She would have to do a bit of circulating and she supposed she ought to say a few words of thanks at some point and pronounce The Chocolate Shop Café officially open. She didn’t really like to think of the attention being on her – she’d keep that bit brief.

‘We’d better have a bit of music, don’t you think, Bev?’

‘Yeah, just some background style, easy listening.’

Emma had a small speaker that linked to her iPhone, choosing a mix of Adele, Keane, John Legend and Coldplay.

The sleigh in the window caught her eye. Adam had come back with the prized wooden toy his grandad had made, as promised. It was now hung in pride of place in the window and she had filled the back of the sleigh with mini bags of fudge and chocolates (ideal stocking fillers), and some small gold boxes tied with festive red ribbon. She had even found just the right size chocolate Santa figure to pop in the front. Below it, she had rearranged her chocolate reindeer to stand in two rows of four with red ribbon strung from them up to the sleigh, so it looked like they had just landed in the snow. Perfect. It looked magical.

Pete was due to join them soon, but there really wasn’t much to do until the guests arrived. First in the door, at five to seven, was Max, bearing a gorgeous smile and a bottle of champagne. He gave Emma a kiss on the cheek, saying, ‘Congratulations.’

Bev eyed them curiously, wondering exactly was going on between them. Emma just smiled.

Then several people arrived at once. James and Chloe, with the twins who were delighted to be staying up late drinking lemonade and eating chocolate. Emma’s parents, who had driven over from Rothbury, soon followed. Her family had supported her so much, not just with the chocolate shop but with everything since Luke had died. She didn’t know how she would have managed without them.

‘Hello, darling,’ her mum greeted her with a warm hug. ‘My, this looks wonderful in here. What a difference.’

A difference that they had kindly funded and Emma was so grateful. ‘Yes, I’m so pleased with it,’ she said. ‘And thank you both so much for your help with it all.’

Her mum clasped her hands together joyfully as she looked about her. ‘You are so welcome.’

‘Hello, Dad.’

Her father, Geoff, was bringing up the rear as usual with a bottle of bubbly and some gorgeous flowers. ‘Hello, love.’

‘Aw, these are so pretty. Thank you. I hadn’t even thought of flowers. They will look great on one of my new tables.’ She gave him a one-armed hug as the bouquet was handed across. She introduced her parents to Max (as a friend). She saw her mother’s eyebrow twitch slightly as she gave her daughter the most subtle of glances; was her mum’s intuition kicking in already or was Emma just feeling sensitive? Emma left them chatting to Bev as she went off to find a vase to pop the bouquet of pink and cream roses in.