Page 64 of The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop

‘We’ve had such fun. It’s just been the best night.’ Maddi was giving Emma a big hug.

The others were all putting coats on and gathering their goodie bags. Clutching them like they were the best-ever kid’s party bag, full of truffles and dipped strawberries. Emma had thought to place a couple of business cards in each too – not one to miss a promotional opportunity. She’d also included a mini bag of fudge each as a thank you for their custom.

‘Thank you for making it all so wonderful tonight,’ Maddi said. ‘And thanks for starting all of this off with the most beautifully crafted Easter egg. I’m going to keep it for my wedding day you know, and give it pride of place next to the cake. It was the start of this magical journey. It’s been such a special year so far already.’

‘Aw, and I’m sure your wedding day will be just as magical too. Laura and Adam and everyone at the hotel will see to that.’

‘I can’t wait. It’s not just about the party you know … though all this is such fun. I so want to be Mrs Johnson, and what that means for us as a couple, for me and Mark. That’s what it’s really all about, isn’t it? Loving, sharing, caring. Being there for each other.’

‘It certainly is.’ Emma found she had a lump in her throat.

The white minibus drew up outside once again, ready for the hens’ journey back home.

‘All the best, Maddi. All the best, girls,’ Emma said.

‘Thank you. Cheers. To you too.’ ‘To Chocolate and Prosecco Parties.’ ‘Woo-hoo!’ ‘Long live The Chocolate Shop by the Sea!’

And they gave a resounding ‘Hip, hip, hooray!’ as they made their way out of the door.

The Chocolate Shop team of three cleared up and Em shared out a half-empty bottle of leftover prosecco into three flutes.

‘Come on over here, Bev, Holly.’ She passed them a glass each. ‘Cheers, ladies. Thank you so much for your help tonight – and always. I couldn’t do all this without you two beside me.’

‘Aw, it went off really well, didn’t it,’ said Bev.

‘Brilliant,’ added Holly. ‘Chocolate and prosecco is the way to go! And I just love working here.’

And then all was quiet. Holly and Bev left to walk home together, and Emma stood for a few moments on the back step looking out at her twinkly courtyard, and then up at the stars in the sky. It looked perfect out there.

This was her happy place – her Chocolate Shop by the Sea. The place where her heart was, her home. Would she really have to leave it soon? She crossed both sets of fingers and sent a little wish to the stars.

All she needed was a miracle.

34

Despite the success of the hen party the night before, Emma was still wondering why her daytime trade had dipped so much since the opening of The Rock Shop, or if there was any link at all. Was there any truth in the rumours?

She now had a plan. She was going to send James and his family down to the harbourside undercover today. Anne, the kiosk owner, wouldn’t know they were related to Emma or that they had connections with The Chocolate Shop. Mission Rock Shop Rumour was underway.

It was a nice day, the tourists out in force – Wimbledon Ladies’ final or not – and Emma’s shop and café were still only half full. She spotted James, Chloe, Olivia and Lucy walking past mid-afternoon on their mission. The girls gave her huge smiley waves, and Lucy added a thumbs-up. The plan was that they were going to hang around the harbour, listen in on any conversations going on at The Rock Shop Kiosk and then move in themselves to buy some sweets and monitor if any adverse comments were made. Em felt slightly anxious.

Twenty minutes later, down on the harbourside, James and Chloe hadn’t yet managed to hear anything untoward from the kiosk, though it wasn’t always easy to listen in without risking looking a bit odd or suspicious. Chloe moved right in to browse the shelves at one point, whilst a middle-aged couple were being served, but hadn’t heard any mention of The Chocolate Shop. She went back to her family, as though to consult the girls on what sweet options were there.

‘Right then, I think we need to make our move,’ said James.

‘Yes, can we have some sticks of rock?’ Lucy said, grinning.

‘Or one of those big lollipops?’ Olivia said, eyes wide, taking in the huge lurid whirls of pink, blue and yellow – pure sugar and food colourings on sticks.

‘Blimey, I’ll have to risk their teeth for the sake of the bigger cause,’ Chloe sighed.

‘Nothing a good toothbrushing session won’t sort out later.’ James winked. ‘Come on then, guys.’

They strolled across, in apparent holidaymaker mode.

‘Now then, girls, what would you like?’ James asked.

‘Hello.’ Anne greeted them with a smile, but was it one of those Big Bad Wolf smiles?