Page 89 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

Em turned to see a woman and child browsing the mini reindeer and snowmen. ‘Ooh, fab.’ And she whizzed back to take her place behind the counter area.

‘Hello, can I help at all?’

‘Ooh Mum, look, chocolate Rudolphs! They’re so cute! Can I?’

‘Yes, okay, and you’d better choose something for Alex too.’

‘The snowy snowman.’ The little girl was pointing across, excitedly.

The mother picked up both, passed them across to Emma, then carried on browsing, choosing a couple of bags of fudge, and a box of Christmas pud chocolates. ‘They look good,’ she said.

‘Yes, and they will all last until well after Christmas,’ Emma reassured.

‘Fabulous. Well, in that case we’ll choose something for Daddy and Auntie Faye too.’

The little girl chose a big chocolate bar with honeycomb crunch topping for her dad and a box of salted caramels for her aunt.

‘Thank you.’ Emma bagged up the confectionery carefully. She had brought a stack of strong white paper bags with cord-style handles, and she popped in a pretty new business card that she had designed herself online for the shop and café – might as well spread the word. The order came to over fifteen pounds which cheered Emma.

‘It all looks so pretty. Thanks,’ the woman commented as she took the bag.

‘Can I eat Rudolph now?’ the little girl asked her mum hopefully.

‘I don’t see why not,’ she answered, and took it out and unwrapped it for her.

Two happy customers! Despite the bitter cold, Emma felt a little glow inside.

More people began to mill about the market and Emma’s parents arrived unexpectedly.

‘Oh, how nice of you both to come.’

‘How’s it going, pet? We couldn’t miss your first market, could we now?’ Dad beamed across at her.

‘Fairly quiet so far, but I’ve been advised it gets busier later.’

‘Oh, I’m sure it will do. And when it does they won’t be able to pass this stall by with all its delightful treats.’ Dad had always been one of her biggest cheerleaders.

‘It really does look wonderful,’ her mum commented as she took in the festive display.

It was a lovely surprise, them turning up like this, as they hadn’t mentioned their intentions and had travelled half an hour to be here.

‘Can we help out at all?’ her mum asked.

‘Well, if you wouldn’t mind looking after the stall, while I take a quick loo break?’ The practicalities of being a solo stallholder were beginning to take effect.

‘Of course.’

In Emma’s absence, her dad proudly commented to any passers-by that his daughter hand-made all the chocolates herself and managed to coax a gentleman into purchasing a box of champagne truffles for his wife’s birthday. He seemed very pleased with himself when Em got back. Mum said he was a natural.

They bought a few gifts themselves, to take back to friends in Rothbury, and a reindeer each for the twins, as they were going to call in to visit James on their way back. They headed off with hugs and kisses and good luck wishes. Emma felt so blessed to have such a supportive family.

Coffee Cabin lady was right; once the early dusk began to fall, the market square began to buzz into life and a lovely festive atmosphere filled the area as a touch of frost formed on the cobbles and the white Christmas lights that were strung between stalls began to glow. There was a huge real pine Christmas tree with coloured lights, tinsel, and shiny baubles taking centre stage, just along from her row of stalls, and the smell of mulled wine and spices filled the air, along with the sound of children’s eager chatter, and a medley of well-known Christmas carols came from a speaker.

Emma had a busy spell, with several people at the stall at once and lots of purchases made. Chocolate, fudge, and brownies were flying out like hot cakes. On a brief lull, the coffee lady opposite her gave her a big thumbs-up sign and a grin. She smiled back, with her own chilly thumb raised up too.

She heard her mobile phone ring, but had to leave it unanswered, as it was back to action with a gift box to fill for an elderly lady who also wanted several bags of fudge and some dark-chocolate Florentines – a new festive addition to Emma’s range. Seeing the selection together, Emma suddenly thought that a small wicker Christmas chocolate hamper might be nice, filled with a pretty selection. A bit late for today, but yes, for the shop in these last few weeks running up to 25 December. Ooh, yes, customers could even select their own items with which to fill it if they wanted – ‘build a basket’. Hmm, now there was a thought.

A few more sales later and her stocks were noticeably depleted. She had some extra supplies in cardboard boxes below the trestle table, so she quickly refilled her display and was off again, serving, smiling, chatting. It was going well, and hey presto, with all the activity her hands had come back to life and her body just about thawed out.