Page 52 of The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop

‘That’s shocking,’ Mrs C piped up.

‘Disgusting, if you ask me,’ Sheila added. Both ladies stood with arms folded stiffly across their chests in matronly battle pose.

‘I am well within my rights to do this.’ Mr Neil dabbed his forehead with his cotton handkerchief. He looked a little uncomfortable, unusually for him.

‘You may well be, but it’s not a polite or gentlemanly way to do business at all.’ Mrs Clark was indignant. There was a chance she was about to bash the landlord over the head with her Queen-sized handbag, from the telltale twitch of her wrist.

‘It’s okay, Mrs C. Thanks for the support, but it’s just one of those things,’ Emma countered. The last thing she wanted was for Mrs C to be carted off by the local constabulary for causing grievous bodily harm. And despite her age, someone of Mr Neil’s surly nature would surely take her to court or at least inform the police.

‘It’s a disgrace, that’s what it is,’ Sheila added.

‘Well, I think my job here is done. This is the notice in writing for you.’ With that, he placed a crisp white envelope on the tabletop in front of Emma, just as Holly appeared with the cup of tea.

‘Time for you to go then, Mr Eel,’ Holly said loudly, making no effort to hide the misnomer.

And the four of them watched as the landlord slid his way out of the door without so much as a backward glance.

‘Oh pet, we’ll find a way through this for you, won’t we. He can’t just chuck you out,’ Mrs C said determinedly.

‘Of course we will,’ Sheila rallied.

‘Thanks, but I’m not sure how.’ Emma was being realistic. ‘If he sells the shop from under me I can’t do anything about that. And I can’t afford to buy it.’ Her shoulders sank.

No one knew quite what to say to that.

Nate put an arm around her and gave her a comforting squeeze, but she still felt so very cold inside. The future for The Chocolate Shop by the Sea suddenly looked pretty bleak.

Emma persevered through the day, keeping herself busy and putting a brave face on things. But, as soon as the shop sign was turned to Closed, she headed back to the kitchen and sank down on a stool with a huge sigh. She could still hardly believe it – her wonderful Chocolate Shop and her home up for sale. The tears flowed freely. She wasn’t a crier generally, but her heart felt so sore. All those hopes and dreams, all those years setting this place up. She let it all out in big snotty tears, then went and fetched a tissue and gave her nose a good blow.

Emma gathered herself, then pulled out her mobile phone from her pocket. She really needed to speak to someone … and that someone was Max.

The dialling tone droned on and then switched to the annoying standard voice of the answerphone. ‘Argh!’ That was all she needed.

Okay, okay … She talked to herself as she felt the sting of tears building in her eyes again. Her brother James was always level-headed, he’d be good to chat with about this too. She redialled. This time it was answered within a couple of rings.

‘Em, hi.’ He sounded cheery.

‘James …’ She didn’t even want to say what had happened out loud, for fear of the tears breaking free once more and her becoming a blubbering mess.

‘Hey, what’s up, sis?’

‘Oh, James. The Chocolate Shop … it’s been put up for sale.’

‘Ah, no way. Bloody hell, Em. It’s that prick of a landlord again, trying to sell it for a small fortune no doubt.’

‘Ja-mes.’ She heard Chloe call to him in the background. ‘The girls are here.’

‘Sorry, sorry.’ One apology seemed to be for Chloe and one for Em. ‘But that’s what he is.’

‘Yeah, you’re probably right. I haven’t had a chance to check the price or the details yet. It’s up with Fawcett’s.’ She didn’t want to see it there on some website, up for sale …

‘I’ll take a look for you in a mo.’

‘I don’t think it’ll make much difference. Even at a bargain price I could never afford it. I’d never be able to raise enough cash for a deposit. I’m going to have to leave, aren’t I? And that makes me feel so sad.’

‘Hey, shall I come round? Do you want some company? I can be there in twenty minutes.’

‘No, it’s okay. I’ll be all right, I just needed someone to talk to. Just stay on the line and chat a while. About anything. Tell me how the girls are or something.’