Page 49 of The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop

Max just gave her a look.

‘Right, well, cheers guys.’ Em took a sip of gin and tonic. ‘Ooh look, I think the band’s about to come back on.’ She swiftly moved the conversation on.

After the band’s second set, which was easily as good as the first and got the whole bar singing along, the pub started to empty out a bit. Nate was clearing the tables and eventually reached theirs.

‘Hey, Em, guys. Good night in here, wasn’t it? Loving the act.’

‘Yeah, they’ve been brilliant.’

‘By the way,’ Nate added, ‘I’m thinking of having a beach BBQ next weekend. We used to do that a lot down in Oz. Saturday night, if you’d like to come along. Just turn up at the beach down on the sands near the car park and bring a few beers. It’ll be pretty casual, but it should be a bit of fun. You’re all more than welcome.’

‘Oh, thanks Nate. Sounds great.’ Em smiled.

Max didn’t say anything.

Holly sounded enthusiastic. ‘Aw, cheers Nate. Sounds brill.’

Adam nodded next to her.

‘So, that’s next weekend sorted.’ Holly grinned. She loved a party, whatever or wherever it was.

‘We’ll go, won’t we?’ Em questioned Max.

‘Yeah, probably.’ He sounded rather lukewarm about it. ‘I’ll just have to check everything at work, mind. We absolutely have to meet our contract deadline on the Leeds flats.’

‘Ah, okay. Well, thanks Nate.’

As the pub emptied out there were just a few locals left. It was warm and cosy by the log burner that was lit even though it was summer, and the four of them were chatting comfortably. The two singers were sitting with a couple of pints, and then one of them took up his guitar and began strumming away. Soon, Nate finished off behind the bar, and, bringing his own guitar, sat himself down with the duo and joined in for an impromptu jamming session. It was pretty cool, sitting there, listening in, watching, whilst the four of them finished their drinks.

There was a moment when Nate had held Emma’s gaze, just for a few intense seconds, as he sang the lyrics to Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’ along with the lads – and as he sang about the stars shining just for the girl in the song, a lump formed in Emma’s throat and all sorts of mixed emotions filled her. Then Max had spotted Nate’s focus and given Emma a look of his own which was rather stormy and she’d had a feeling the green-eyed monster was upon him.

What was she meant to do, hey? Totally ignore the guy? He was a part of her past, a link with all that – and oh my God, at times he looked so like Luke …

26

Despite the numerous drinks and late night at The Fisherman’s, both Emma and Max woke early. Having been used to early starts every day for work, it was often hard for them to sleep in, so by seven-thirty on Sunday morning, they were down on the deserted beach, walking Alfie. The sun had risen on a gorgeous summer day, the sea rippling with glints of silver light bouncing off the waves.

‘So, it sounds like you’ve had a good week at the shop … and the courtyard café’s going well? I was sorry I couldn’t be there for the opening day,’ Max said as they strolled on the golden sands.

‘Hey, no worries. I do know you have a lot on just now. And yeah, it’s going really well – and did I tell you I even had a guitar serenade from Nate on the opening morning?’ The words just fell out of her mouth before she had time to think.

‘Oh great. Good old Nate.’ Max sounded huffy.

Em carried on in a bright tone, regardless. ‘Yeah, it was quite nice actually.’

‘So, you think I’m boring then because I don’t sit around strumming Bob Dylan tracks on the guitar?’

‘It was Ed Sheeran, actually. Max, what is up with you? And where did you get that idea from? Of course I don’t think you’re boring, maybe just a bit – a bit fixated right now.’

‘Because I’ve got a real job and a business to run, and I happen to be rather busy?’ Max’s voice was taut.

‘It’s not that!’ Blimey, he was sounding like a stroppy teenager. Emma started walking ahead with Alfie; she couldn’t be doing with this. Surely she should be able to mention Nate’s name? He was just a friend, more or less family. This jealous side of Max was getting a bit tedious, if she was honest.

‘I can be carefree too, you know.’

Emma turned to glare at him.

And Max started stripping off his T-shirt.