Page 76 of The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop

But how would it feel with someone else after all this time? How would it feel to be with someone other than Luke? Physically, mentally, might it feel like a betrayal? Or just different?

‘It’s been seven years, Em.’ Bev’s voice was gentle but firm down the line, as though she’d been reading her thoughts. ‘I never met Luke, but he sounds like he was a great guy, not someone who’d selfishly never want you to move on.’

Emma sighed softly. ‘I know.’

‘Right, so when are we going to meet up?’ Bev’s tone was cheery. ‘Then you can fill me in on all the detail.’

‘Hah, perhaps.’ There were some details she was definitely going to keep to herself. ‘Pop in for a coffee later. I’m just about to open up shop as per usual.’

‘Yes, of course. I’m off to work too. So, shall I call by on my way home, say threeish?’

‘Great, see you then. You might even get a square of brownie.’

‘Yes, well, I hope it all goes really great today for The Chocolate Shop, and I can help for a few hours tomorrow if you need. I enjoyed it yesterday.’

‘Brilliant. That might give me the chance to get on with making the chocolate canapés I’m planning for the launch night.’

‘Oh my, they sound scrummy. Maybe this coffee shop idea isn’t so good after all – my waistline will be expanding by the day.’

‘Hah – see you later.’

‘Look forward to it. Bye.’

It was Wednesday afternoon, and Bev had come in to help. They’d put the world to rights and had a good natter the day before – well, for all of fifteen minutes until Emma had to serve another customer.

There had been a friendly flow of customers so far today, both old and new, taking a look, and stopping for a cup of something and a chocolate treat or two. When it became quieter, at around three thirty, Bev said she was happy to mind the shop if Emma needed a chance to get on with things in the kitchen. The two of them had been chatting about ideas for the launch night on Friday, when Emma had invited the local press along, a couple of local councillors, her landlord (she felt she had to and it might keep him sweet), as well as all her friends, family, and the village community, so she needed to make everything look and taste extra special.

Em was in the kitchen deciding which moulds and flavours to use. Some of her harbour-themed chocs might go down well – she had anchor and boat-shaped moulds and puffin shapes for chocolate lollipops to keep the seaside feel, and she’d also make a selection of ‘getting-in-the-mood-for-Christmas’ goodies including her classic Christmas-pudding truffles, mini white chocolate snowmen, with Santas and reindeers in both dark and milk (Lucy and Olivia would love those). Then she’d have some whisky, brandy, and pink champagne truffles and some melt-in-the-mouth pralines too. That would give a lovely, varied selection and with flutes of bubbly – she could stretch to Prosecco, not quite champagne – it should look rather special.

She made a start on the mini snowmen and the white-choc brandy truffles, pouring white chocolate callets to temper in the machine. She then went upstairs to dig out the Christmas decorations to try for her launch-night window display.

She popped down to check on the shop after fifteen minutes of wrestling with reindeers, tinsel, and baubles, and found Bev happily serving a middle-aged gentleman with a small cafetière of coffee. She’d remembered to put the mini brownie on the side, bless her. Bev made a thumbs-up sign, and Emma headed back to the kitchen to start pouring the white chocolate into the snowmen moulds. She’d already painted a little line of food colouring in each individual mould to make a red scarf for them all.

The afternoon whizzed by as she made the brandy truffle centres ready to cover in white chocolate. It was great getting a step ahead for Friday.

The shop’s telephone went. It was carpenter Ron, who’d thankfully made a full recovery and offered to come in that evening after closing to move the refrigerated counter back as originally planned to make some more room in the café area. Excellent news!

They tidied up and were finished by five, Bev saying she’d pop across a bit earlier to help prepare for the launch on Friday.

Emma had just made herself a very welcome cup of tea. She’d been on her feet nearly all day and had just let Alfie out into the yard, so she needed a few minutes to sit on the sofa before it was all go again. Her phone went.

‘Hey, been a busy day, Em?’ Max.

‘Yeah, all go.’ She stifled a yawn. ‘Sorry, I’m just shattered.’

‘Yeah, I bet, you haven’t stopped in days.’

‘Not really, no.’

‘Well, keep smiling, and have a good couple of days.’

It was lovely hearing Max’s voice. It seemed to melt away the tensions of the day.

‘Looking forward to seeing you on Friday for the launch,’ he continued ‘And if there’s anything I can do, or bring along to help, just shout.’

‘Will do. I might actually need a bit of help serving the Prosecco, so you could be my waiter.’

‘I can make a very suave waiter, no worries. Anyway, I’m famished, been a hectic day here too. I’d better get away and get myself a takeout. Sweet and sour is calling my name.’