Page 84 of The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop

By mid-morning Holly had already phoned asking for some more bags of fudge. Luckily Em had plenty of extras made up and popped down to drop them off. There was a real buzz harbourside already.

All the stalls were taken. Emma spotted the Alnwick Rum stall, Hepple Gin and tonics, Lynda waved across at her from the Bamburgh Deli stall – ooh, she’d have to head over and say hello once she’d dropped the fudge with Holly – the ladies of the WI were serving fresh tea and coffee, there were Lindisfarne Oysters on ice, a fresh crab sandwich stall, and the BBQ’d sausages and burgers were smelling delicious. It looked just fabulous. Warkton had pulled together once again and put on a damned good show.

Shirley, Adam’s gran, and some of the Golden Oldies group were already there, looking around. So, after dropping off the fudge and checking Holly was okay, Emma went over to say hello.

‘Looks like it’s all going well, Emma.’ Shirley smiled. ‘We’ve been to have a chat with young Holly and she says it’s been really busy already.’

‘Yes, it’s going brilliantly so far and it’s still early yet.’

One of the elderly gents was halfway through a chocolate ice-cream cone. ‘Wonderful stuff this, lass.’ He licked his lips and made a thumbs-up sign.

‘Thank you,’ Emma said. ‘I made it myself.’

‘We thought as much. It tastes just like your truffle chocolates in the shop,’ he added.

‘We’ll call up and see you at the shop in a little while,’ Shirley said. ‘Think we’re all ready for a sit down and a slice of cake. Well, if we can squeeze it in. There’s been a lot of food sampled already.’

‘Always room for cake,’ smiled Dorothy.

‘Well, I’d better crack on, they’ll be needing me back at the shop. See you up there soon.’

‘Yes, we’ll catch you shortly. Try and keep us a few seats if you can.’ Shirley winked.

‘I’ll try my best,’ answered Em.

Before heading back, she quickly caught up with Lynda from the deli, who had helped support her last year by agreeing to take a selection of her chocolates for sale at her shop in Bamburgh.

‘Hey, Lynda – lovely to see you here.’

‘And you, Emma. It’s certainly busy, isn’t it. I’m so glad I decided to come along.’

‘Are you keeping well?’

‘Oh yes, pet, very good. And you? How’s the shop doing?’ She then frowned. ‘I’d heard it’s been put up for sale. Is that right?’

‘Yes, unfortunately. I just rent, you see. Not a lot I can do about it I’m afraid. I’m still hanging on in there until I get my notice. But if you hear about any suitable premises round your way, keep me posted.’

‘What a shame. And I will do, pet.’

‘Well, sorry to have to dash, but I’d better get back up to the shop.’

‘Of course.’ They promised to catch up properly soon.

‘Have a good day.’

‘You too, Em.’

Back at The Chocolate Shop it was all systems go with teas, coffees, milkshakes, bakes and cakes. The counter had a queue for orders of boxes of truffles, gift bags, and more. It was hard to keep up with it all, but they forged on. Emma’s new hire, Megan, was seventeen and not long out of school. Emma knew she needed the extra help, especially with Holly about to head off to university soon. Megan had only started last Saturday and hadn’t built up a lot of experience yet, so it was very much a case of ‘into the frying pan’. The customers could see how busy they were, and most were happy to wait, although there was the odd disgruntled tut or sigh, but hey, they could only do their best.

In came the Golden Oldies. ‘My, we need a sit down,’ Adam’s gran sighed. ‘It’s bedlam out there now. Never seen Warkton so busy. Hear they are having trouble parking now, the public car park’s full, and the high street’s chock-a-block.’

‘It’s fabulous down there though,’ Thelma added. ‘All the stalls and everything. We’re loaded up with all sorts. I’ve got cheese, fudge, and sticks of rock for the grandchildren.’

‘I’ve even got a mini sample of Hepple Gin for free,’ chipped in Shirley. ‘We’re looking forward to that tonight with a drop of tonic, aren’t we, Thelma? But for now, what we need is a seat and a nice cup of tea.’

‘Yes, I bet.’ Emma came out from behind the counter to help them. ‘There’s a couple just about to leave the window seat there. If you wait just one minute, I’ll get it set up for you all.’

‘Perfect. Thank you, Emma dear.’ Shirley smiled.