Page 75 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

‘I know, and thank you.’

‘You never know who you might meet down there on the beach at night.’ Bev was still concerned.

Emma gave a smirk, remembering her romantic picnic. Then replied cheekily, ‘What, like a couple of seagulls and a cormorant? This is Northumberland.’

‘Stop being sarcastic. I can’t help worrying about you.’

Emma started giggling then. She might as well put her friend out of her misery and share a little of what was going on in her life. ‘I was actually with someone on the beach.’

‘You were? It so has to be Max.’

‘Uhuh.’

‘See, for all your complaining, I knew it was right to get in touch with him. And?’

‘I like him. We’re getting on quite well. He’d made a picnic supper.’

‘It’s almost winter! Is he mad?’

‘Possibly,’ Emma smiled. ‘But it was really nice … Oh, bloody hell, Bev, I’m scared.’ Em was only now realising what that strange mix of emotions had been driven by last night.

‘He wasn’t a bit creepy, was he? A stalker type?’

‘Noo, not that – I’m scared that I might like him too much. Scared of what might happen next, scared of what Luke might think.’

‘Oh Em, if somehow Luke can see, hear, be around you, would he really want to see you unhappy and on your own?’

‘I’m not unhappy. I’ve just been getting on with things. Focusing on the chocolate shop.’ Emma became defensive.

‘You’ve been so busy, yes, but have you really been thinking about yourself? Your needs?’

‘I’m fine.’

‘Em, maybe it’s time for things to change a bit. Maybe this guy is the start of something new.’

‘Possibly.’

‘Did he stay over?’

‘Hah – nosy, or what?’

‘Just asking.’

‘No.’

‘Ah.’

‘It’s still early days – and I really don’t feel ready to take that next step just yet.’ Though she knew she was damned close last night.

‘Well, make sure you get some condoms, just in case.’

‘Be-ev.’

‘Better safe than sorry. Forearmed is forewarned and all that.’

‘Blimey, you’re sounding like my mother.’

But maybe her friend was right. Hah, she could just imagine the gossip if she went into the village stores for a white loaf, Lurpak, a half-dozen eggs – and a packet of condoms. She’d maybe have to take a trip to the larger supermarket in Alnwick.