Page 24 of The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop

‘Oh …’ On a Sunday he usually stayed – sometimes helping her out in the shop, clearing plates and loading the dishwasher, or taking Alfie out for a walk – at least until after supper, and sometimes overnight too. ‘So soon?’

‘Yeah, sorry. I need to be onsite in Leeds to start at 6.00 a.m. It’s a crucial stage on the project, and timescales are short. I’m going to head back down to the B&B digs there this afternoon. And you’re working, anyhow.’

‘Yes, it makes sense.’ It also made her heart dip a little. Silly, how she could begin to miss him when he was still by her side.

They paused. Their stretch of track was empty for now and she moved in to give him a hug, just wanting to feel him close. His arms came around her, keeping her to him. As she tilted her head up, his hands shifted to the back of her head and they shared a warm, tender kiss.

‘Missing you already,’ she admitted as she reluctantly pulled away.

‘Me too,’ he replied.

They stood close for a minute or so, side by side, just looking out across the rolling sea, until Alfie got bored and stood barking at them.

12

The afternoon in the café didn’t run quite as calmly as Emma had anticipated. It was full-on in the shop with serving and keeping up with the orders. A sunny Sunday was bringing everybody out, locals and tourists alike. Emma was making her way out to the café, carrying a tray of lattes and two chocolate and raspberry brownies, when a voice stopped her in her tracks.

‘Hi, Em.’

Oh goodness, Nathan was there in the shop, waving across at her. So, he’d stayed on in the area after all.

‘Hi-i,’ she mouthed back. She quickly served the couple in the window seat, then nipped across to see him. ‘Hey, how are you? Still here in Warkton, then?’

‘Yeah, fancied staying on a few more days. Been doing a bit of surfing on the beach here, actually.’

‘Blimey, you’re brave. I hardly get in past my ankles. It’s usually freezing in the North Sea.’

‘Yeah, well it’s a darned sight colder than the sea in Oz. But hey, chuck a wetsuit on and it’s all right. It’s been fun, actually. Nothing quite like it, catching a few waves, and I caught up with a couple of the locals on the beach too.’

‘Ah, right.’

Holly was trying to catch her attention with a café order.

‘Hey, I can see you’re busy. Look, I’ll get away and let you crack on.’

‘No, honestly, stay. Take a seat. Can I get you a coffee or anything?’

‘Well, if you’re sure. A white coffee would be great, but I’ll keep out of your way.’

‘Great, coming up. I’ll be back soon.’ She didn’t want him to leave just yet. He was like family. A link with her beautiful yet sad past. And, she was just getting to know him again.

She was soon back with the order that Holly had taken and Nate’s coffee.

‘Good little place you have here, Em. Seems popular.’

‘Yeah, it’s often busy on the weekends, especially through the summer months.’ There was a queue forming at the till now. ‘Ah sorry, got to help out at the counter.’

‘No worries,’ Nate said, smiling.

There was a constant stream of customers which was great for the takings but meant Em didn’t get a chance to chat with Nathan again. She saw him getting up to go after spending a while browsing the local paper over his coffee.

‘Hey, I can see you’re really busy, Em. I’ll get away.’

‘Oh …’ She couldn’t help but sound a little disappointed.

‘Look, why don’t we meet up for a drink tonight? The Fisherman’s Arms seems a pretty cool place. Maybe once you’ve finished work?’

‘Yeah, okay, that’d be good. What time?’