Page 81 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

Lucy and Olivia then spotted their grandparents and ran up to them keeping them busy with their animated chatter.

When Emma came back just a few minutes later with the flowers in a glass vase, Bev was serving Prosecco to Holly and Adam who had just arrived. Maureen and Ron then appeared, closely followed by Danny from the pub with his latest girlfriend, a pretty girl with a mass of wavy blonde hair, who he introduced as Clara.

Soon The Chocolate Shop Café was more than cosy, more like bulging at the seams as Sheila from the village stores arrived, bringing along old Mrs Clark with her. Emma found a space for them to sit down in one of the new window-seat areas and they had to leave the shop door open at this point so some of the guests could spill out on to the street. A few more friends and acquaintances from the village community arrived, as well as a guy from the local newspaper with a huge camera slung round his neck. That sight filled Emma with a touch of dread – she hated being the centre of attention, but she knew she ought to say a few words. After all, that was the whole point of the evening. So, she topped up everyone’s glasses, including her own, and took a big gulp from it, before dinging on her glass with a metal spoon.

The room hushed and all eyes fell on Emma. She tried to smile, and took a deep breath. Damn, she wished she’d made a few notes now. She hoped her mind wouldn’t go blank on her.

‘Hello …’ The last few strands of conversations halted. ‘Thank you all so much for coming. I really appreciate it …’ How to put into words how she felt about this lovely community? ‘Well, I hope you like the new Chocolate Shop Café, and I hope you’ll become regular visitors and spread the word. But, more than that,’ she felt a lump forming in her throat, ‘I … I just want to thank each and every one of you for all your help, not just with this venture but in welcoming me here to Warkton-by-the-Sea several years ago, when life was quite difficult for me, and for making me feel at home. So many special people have helped me on my journey – Mum, Dad, James and Chloe and the girls, Bev, Pete, Danny, Holly … Sorry, I can’t name you all … and more recent friends,’ she looked around and her eyes settled on Max, ‘who have helped so much. A great big thank you!’

She raised her glass, because she knew her voice might not hold out much longer as the tears that had misted her eyes were threatening to jam up her throat. ‘Cheers.’

‘Cheers!’

‘To Emma!’ Bev shouted out.

‘To The Chocolate Shop Café,’ Adam rallied.

‘To friends and family,’ Emma managed, and proceeded to clink her glass with so many people’s she was afraid it might break. One little tear escaped her eye and possibly plinked down in to her Prosecco, a happy, thankful tear – she didn’t think anyone had spotted it.

Chocolates were passed around – Max and Holly were proving handy – and the platters refilled. Emma stood in the middle of the action, holding a bottle ready to top up glasses, but stopped for a second and just watched – people were chatting in clusters or sat at the new table areas, sipping their drinks in the glow of the fairy lights, with a backdrop of chocolates and Christmas decorations, and Ron’s boat-shelf taking pride of place (it had been getting lots of positive comments), the sounds of laughter and conversation. She felt a glow of pride.

Max caught her eye in that moment and gave her the most gorgeous smile. He’d been chatting with her brother James and they looked like they were getting on fine. She smiled back at him, took a slow breath, then began circulating again.

The evening passed in a whirl. Her landlord, the Eel, turned up late and had one quick drink as he cast a greedy eye over the new improvements, no doubt scheming the next rent hike. Then it seemed that, no sooner had people had arrived, than they started to drift away again. In reality, it had been over two hours since the start of the event. Her guests left with lots of thanks and kisses and hugs, until there was only Bev, Pete, and Max left. Emma suddenly found herself feeling shattered. She stifled a yawn.

‘Well, that seemed to go off fabulously,’ Bev announced.

‘Yes.’ Em glanced at her watch. ‘Wow, I can’t believe it’s gone nine.’

‘Let’s help you get shipshape here.’ Bev started clearing the mostly empty platters of chocolate away, swooping two salted caramels into her mouth at once. ‘Just tidying up,’ she grinned after they had melted enough for her to talk. ‘Waste not, want not.’

Emma had to smile, and Max and Pete started on the washing-up.

Emma was busy wiping over the shop surfaces when Bev and Pete came through from the kitchen.

‘Right, well that’s us done,’ Bev stated.

Max came back through too and stood near the counter at that point. ‘Well, I’ll just help Emma with the last of the tidying,’ he said coolly, obviously intending to be the last one there.

‘Night then,’ Bev said.

Emma felt a little nudge in her ribs as her friend put down the box of flutes she was holding and gave her a goodnight kiss on the cheek, whispering, ‘You little minx, you. What exactly is going on?’

Emma declined to answer, so Bev added loudly and pointedly, ‘Well, I’ll be ringing you tomorrow! It’s been a great launch. Well done, Em. You should be proud of yourself.’

Emma grinned. ‘Woo-hoo to The Chocolate Shop Café! And thanks so much for everything.’

‘Always welcome, my lovely friend. Take care.’ With that, Bev gave Max a sharp look, as if to say look after her, or else.

‘Night guys.’

‘Night,’ Max answered, as the men shook hands.

‘Have a good night,’ Bev said as she was half out the door. It was so obvious that she was gossiping with Pete as they passed the window that Emma and Max turned to each other and laughed out loud.

‘Well done, Em. It went really well. It looked wonderful in here, and the chocolates were just stunning. I kept hearing loads of positive comments from everyone as I was passing them round.’

‘Aw, thanks. I’m happy. Tired but happy.’