Page 90 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

In a quieter moment she checked her phone. It was a missed call from Max. Max … she’d only spoken to him twice after their last weekend. Physically, things were great between them, but hearing from Luke’s mum had really unsettled her, and Em didn’t know how it would be when she faced him again, so she had just texted back the last time saying how busy she was and had left off contacting him for the past week. She put the phone back into her pocket. She looked around her at the market in full swing, listened to the animated talk, watched families and couples all wrapped up in hats, scarfs, and winter coats, some holding mugs of hot drinks. Coffee Cabin seemed to be doing well with their mulled wine too, and the gorgeous wafts of spice and cinnamon kept drifting past Emma’s stall.

Setting up earlier, Emma had seen a candle stall nearby, another that sold wooden hand-crafted decorations and toys, a jewellery stall, and one that had handmade cushions and soft furnishings. She’d spotted a really cute reindeer cushion on a red background that she might just have to go and buy for her window seat in the shop – now her tin-box till was filling nicely, she could indulge herself. It was going to be used for the business, after all, and would add to the festive feel of the shop, she persuaded herself. In fact, whilst it was quiet for a minute … She asked the lady on the stand next to her, who was selling Christmas cards, if she’d mind keeping an eye on her stall just for a minute or two and set off, hoping it hadn’t already been sold. There he was, appliquéd on, the cutest Rudolph with his red nose. She picked him up before anyone else had the chance and paid – a lovely memento of her first-ever – and by the looks of her takings, successful – Christmas market.

As she got back to her own stall and thanked the card lady, a school choir gathered around the Christmas tree and began singing carols, opening with ‘Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer’, which made Emma smile. There was always something special about carols at Christmas, about the magical build-up to the big day, all the excitement and anticipation, especially for the young ones. But she knew, all too well, it wasn’t easy for everybody; it was a time when you missed those who couldn’t be with you, when you remembered loved ones you had lost. The thought of seeing Luke’s parents again soon brought it home all the more too. A happy-sad tear crowded her eye as the choir launched into ‘Silent Night’.

The cold was beginning to bite again as the evening air chilled. You could see the singers’ breath mist the air. Emma rubbed her hands together and popped them into her coat pockets until she needed to serve again, when a little boy came up with his mum and chose a chocolate Santa. A middle-aged couple bought some rum-and-raisin fudge and a two of her flavoured chocolate bars, in mint and orange. Then it was quieter again; perhaps she’d go and get a hot chocolate from across the way to warm herself up. She took some change and made her way to Coffee Cabin once more.

‘Got going a bit, didn’t it?’

‘Yes, thanks for warning me.’

‘You’re welcome. What can I get you?’

‘A hot chocolate please, with cream if I can.’

‘You can indeed. It’s quite cosy in the cabin here, with the hot water steamer and coffee machine and all that. I bet you’re bloody freezing.’

‘You can say that again. I’ll be bringing thermal gloves if I ever do this again.’

‘I bet.’ She mixed up the hot chocolate and sprayed on the whipped cream, then passed it across. ‘On the house, like I said.’

‘Aw, thanks. It looks amazing.’ She went straight in for her first hot and creamy sip – hot chocolate bliss. She glanced across at her stall, still no one there. She was okay for another minute or two.

‘My name’s Lisa, by the way.’

‘Thank you, and nice to meet you, Lisa. I’m Emma.’

‘Well, Emma, if you’re thinking of ever doing any more markets, I’ll let you know which are the best ones to go to, especially for Christmas time. Here.’ She handed over a business card. ‘Get in touch and I’ll be happy to advise.’

‘Thanks so much.’

Emma turned to see someone standing beside her pitch. A man, tall, broad-shouldered, in a black Puffa-style jacket and jeans.

‘Oops, someone at my stall. Better go. And thanks again, Lisa. I’ll be in touch.’

As she neared her stand, Emma paused. The set of that broad back, the short brown hairline – even under his black woollen hat – was extremely familiar. She had kissed the nape of that neck. Max.

He turned, and she stopped in her tracks. Awkward moment ahead.

‘Max … hi.’

‘Hello, stranger.’ He looked a little stern. ‘So, I’ve tracked you down at last.’

‘How did you know I was here?’ He didn’t seem the type to be wandering around a Christmas market on his own by chance.

‘I went to The Chocolate Shop first. Had a bit of a tour.’ He managed a smile then. ‘Holly told me you were here.’

She didn’t think he’d come to stock up on chocolates, somehow. She took in his face, his dark green eyes, He was looking good, but there was an edge about him, a sense of unease.

‘Em, why aren’t you returning my calls?’

There had been more than one call she’d not answered, yes. But she’d been so busy, getting ready for the market, getting the shop and café up and running, and the pre-Christmas mayhem was really kicking in. She was building the excuses nicely in her own mind. ‘Ah, sorry. It’s just been pretty manic.’

‘You could have just sent a quick text.’

‘Well, yeah, maybe.’ She felt herself redden.

A man in smart work clothes with a skinny youth slowed by the stall. The lad picked up a packet of champagne truffles, whilst the chap browsed the display.