Page 95 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

‘Well, good luck.’

Emma felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Bev.

‘Hey you! Thought you weren’t going to make it for a while there.’

‘Yeah, me too. Had the café full until nearly six. All good, though. More money in the coffers, so I’ll not complain.’

‘Absolutely.’

‘Hi, Pete.’

Bev’s husband joined the group.

‘Great effort with the lights today,’ Emma said.

‘Well, I hope so. Time will tell.’ He looked slightly anxious.

The mayor stood up on a small wooden podium, dressed in his velvet-robe finery and heavy gold chains.

‘Welcome, everyone, welcome!’ The crowd hushed. ‘Yes, welcome to the Warkton-by-the-Sea Christmas lights. I am honoured to be the one in charge of the magic button.’

The children in the crowd looked at him in awe.

‘Thanks to the WI ladies and The Fisherman's Arms for their excellent hospitality, which I’m sure you’ve all enjoyed.’ The crowd showed their appreciation with a round of applause. ‘And we are fundraising this evening for …’ He paused, looking a little confused. ‘What is it?’ he whispered to the lady next to him.

Someone shouted out, ‘It’s for the Hospice.’

‘Oh yes, the North Northumberland Hospice, a fabulous charity. So, if you feel you’d like to contribute there are donation jars about, and there’s a raffle being drawn in the pub hereafter, for the same worthy cause. Well then, I think it must be nearly time for the official count down. So, here we go. Five. Four. Three. Two. One!’ He went to press the button and there was a second’s delay when the crowd held their collective breath, and then ping. The most glorious glow of white lights appeared, strung around the harbour walls, and all the way up the street above them. Two of the boats in the harbour had also rigged up lights and lit them at the same time. The Christmas tree was now lit with a variety of coloured globes and a twinkly white star at the top and the whole effect was stunning. The crowd clapped and cheered, and Alfie gave a woof.

It was really lovely. Emma looked around her, from the twinkly festive lights back to the people she was with: Adam, Holly, Bev, Pete, happily chatting as couples. And. for a second, she wondered what it might have been like to have had Max here with her. To have someone to share things with, someone to go back home with. But the moment passed. No point even thinking about that now. She needed to get back up the hill and get The Chocolate Shop open again sharpish, or she’d be missing custom.

‘Aw, that was lovely. But I’ve got to go. They’ll be going on home, else, and not calling in to pick up their festive chocolate goodies on their way back up the hill.’

‘We’ll be up in a mo,’ Bev said.

‘And I’ll come and give you a hand,’ confirmed Holly.

‘Thanks, folks. See you soon. Come on, Alfie.’

And with that, Emma set off up the road that was now all twinkly and pretty with white lights.

The Chocolate Shop was crazy-busy for the next hour. Thankfully, Holly was soon behind the counter with her, helping out. They could hardly keep up with the hot drinks orders: teas, coffees and a tsunami of hot chocolates. Emma’s takeaway cups had proved a godsend tonight too – she was so glad she’d thought to put in an extra order for them. The numbers of customers would never have fitted in the shop, but they were happy to take their drinks away and have them outside. The till kept dinging, and the microwave kept pinging, and they ran out of brownies within half an hour.

Lots of the festive chocolates were sold out too. She could see another week of early starts and late finishes looming. But hey, after the fear of losing her shop altogether this spring, she was not going to complain.

And then, as soon as they all piled in, they all seemed to pile back out. Bev called by and stayed a while to help clear the used mugs, cups and plates back to the kitchen, and loaded the dishwasher, and then she and Holly headed away home after the last customers had left.

Whilst Emma was wiping down the tables, she spotted something outside the window, and stopped. Oh, the flurry of customers had been replaced by a flurry of snow. There was something so special about the first snow of winter. She had to go outside to check she was right. And there, flake after flake glistening in the white lights, as though they were being shaken down like glitter from heaven. She stood feeling the soft patter of them on her face, one or two landing on her eyelashes.

She remembered the snow globe her granny had given her as a child. It must still be upstairs somewhere, she’d have to find it. It had an old-fashioned Father Christmas inside, sitting on a tiny wooden rocking chair, and when you shook the globe the glitter fell softly all around him. She used to make wishes to it as a little girl. What would she wish for now?

She knew. To see Luke one more time, to feel his arms around her. But she also knew that if she had that moment, she would never want to let go.

The street was empty, quiet now. ‘Miss you,’ she said up to the sky, the stars now hidden above the snow clouds. Whoever she met, however lovely they seemed, she knew her heart would always be Luke’s.

But, could there ever be room there for someone else too?

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