Page 99 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

Emma nodded in acknowledgement. Her mind was already way back, all those years ago. ‘It – it was two days after my birthday, seven years ago. He was going off to work on his bicycle as usual. Luke was a teacher, we both were, that’s how we met. He loved cycling, wanted to keep fit and do his bit for the environment. Typical Luke, wanted to save the world, really. But the world didn’t save him …’ She paused, turning a sugar sachet over and over between her fingertips.

Max stayed quiet, waiting for Emma to carry on.

‘It was a lorry at traffic lights. Didn’t see him. Turned left straight into him.’ Emma stopped speaking for a second, the sugar sachet frozen in her hand. ‘The police said he didn’t stand a chance. At least it was instant. He wouldn’t have known, not other than that first second.’ How many times had she imagined that first horrendous second?

‘Em, I’m so sorry.’ Max’s hand settled gently over her own.

‘He was only twenty-nine.’

Emma went quiet and stared out of the café window, at the world going by, a mum with a toddler in a buggy, an old lady slowly, determinedly making her way down the street with her walking stick, cars passing, a van, a bicycle.

‘It wasn’t just Luke they destroyed that day,’ Emma took up again, ‘though that was bad enough, it was us, our whole future. Our wedding was booked for the following spring. My husband, my family – what I thought was going to be my life was wiped out, just like that. That lorry took away everything that was meant to happen.’ Her eyes were misted with tears but they hadn’t spilled. She wiped her nose with a napkin from the table. Max still held on to her other hand.

‘That’s a hell of a thing to deal with, Em.’

She nodded sadly.

‘So, where do we go from here, hey?’

Emma took a slow breath, looked Max in the eye. ‘Up.’

He let her have a few quiet moments, as they both sipped their drinks.

‘So how does dinner next Saturday sound?’

‘Good.’

‘I’ll come up to you. There’s a really good restaurant in Bamburgh I’d like to take you to.’

‘Sounds lovely … Oh shit!’ Emma stood up in a bit of a panic.

‘What? Can’t you make it?’

‘No, I’ve forgotten Alfie. He’s still in my car.’ Her poor dog had gone right out of her head, and oh my, he’d probably be bursting for a wee.

‘I’ll pay here, you go. I’ll catch you up,’ Max stated.

A few minutes later, Max was jogging down the road as Emma reached her car and swiftly opened the hatchback. Alfie seemed fine, waggy-tailed, and none the worse for his neglect. He bounced out of the boot, took a quick pee against a wall, and pulled on his lead to get to Max.

‘No harm done?’ Max said as he reached them, crouching down to rub the spaniel’s head affectionately.

‘No, he seems fine, thank heavens. Look, I’d really better get back and open up the shop.’

‘Yes, I’ll be needed back on site too. Thanks for coming, Em.’ He placed a hand on her shoulder and it felt warm and secure. ‘And I’ll see you Saturday. I’ll be there for about seven, if that’s okay?’

‘Sounds lovely.’

Despite the likelihood of Hi-Vis man reappearing across the road at any moment and a chap working up on the scaffolding at the front of the house, Max moved in for a kiss that promised so much. Alfie whimpered, probably feeling left out, which made them both pull away, laughing.

‘See you Saturday.’

45

The next few days at the shop kept her occupied. It was now December and it was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. The Chocolate Shop Café had a steady stream of customers and her stocking fillers and gift boxes were starting to sell well. She had even sold a couple of her festive wicker hampers, priced at £30, which raised her takings considerably. There was always a lovely atmosphere in the shop at this time of year, even more so now her customers could stay and linger over a creamy hot chocolate or rich cup of coffee. It gave them a chance to chat and relax, and they would often glance over the goods on the shelves as well. The café had most certainly increased sales. The financial pressures had eased, thank heavens, though she was always aware that still the wolf – otherwise known as the Eel – was never too far from the door. But for now, nothing was going to spoil her festive fun – life was looking good.

Bev helped on a Wednesday and Friday, ten until three, which was great, as it gave Emma a chance to get on with crafting the chocolate, as well as them both serving customers when it got extra busy. It was lovely having her friend as company too. During a quiet ten minutes, she told Bev how she had been to visit Max, and admitted that Bev had been right: she had been afraid of a new relationship. She thanked her friend for being so honest.

‘Hey, no worries. I just want what’s best for you, Em, that’s all.’