Page 26 of The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop

‘Hey, don’t I know it.’ He reached across the wooden table to take her hand.

Em let his hand stay there for a few comforting seconds. Then she spotted Danny moving their way collecting glasses. She wondered how it might look, the two of them touching like that, so pulled her hand away gently, and gave Nate a small smile.

‘Hey Danny,’ she called her friend over, ‘come and meet Nathan, ah, Nate I mean.’

‘Hi, Nate.’ Danny gave them both a bit of an odd look.

‘Hi. Hey, didn’t I see you down on the beach the other day? Do you surf?’

‘Occasionally, yeah. My mate Tom’s more into it than me. The surf here’s a bit hit and miss. Better to go off down to Tynemouth, really.’

‘Ah, okay. I’ll bear that in mind.’

‘Everything all right, Em?’ Danny raised his eyebrows. Of course, everyone knew everyone’s business around here. He’d know all about Max and Emma being a couple and would be wondering what the hell was going on here.

‘Nate is Luke’s brother, Dan,’ she explained. ‘You know, my fiancé who died.’

‘Ah … right. Got it.’ He looked relieved. ‘Nice to meet you, mate.’ He dropped a couple of glasses to the table and reached to shake his hand in greeting, his tone changing totally, and his shoulders relaxing.

Emma had to smile. What was this place like at times?!

‘Right, well I’d better get on or I’ll be getting the evil eye from Dave next.’ He picked up the pint glasses once more, fingertips pinching them together, three to each hand.

Emma and Nate chatted on. He asked about her life here, which Emma thought sounded extremely boring compared to his worldwide adventures.

‘It’s a cute place round here. I like it,’ commented Nate.

‘So, where are you staying? A B&B or something?’

‘Nah, I have my own camper van. Parked it down by the beach. No one seems to be bothered about me leaving it there. Free accommodation with a great view.’ He grinned.

She didn’t dare ask how he showered or went to the loo from there. Maybe the free and easy life wasn’t quite for her after all. The flip-side of freedom! ‘Well, if you ever need a shower or anything, you can always come to the shop. My flat’s above it.’ The offer had come out before she had a chance to even think about it. But he was just a friend. He’d be glad of a shower, for sure, if he was going to stay in the area a bit longer.

‘Cheers, Em. I might just take you up on that.’

They chatted a while longer and she got another round of drinks in. It was pleasant catching up on old times, remembering moments with Luke, asking how their parents were doing. It was nearly ten o’clock when Em said she ought to be getting back.

‘It’s been good to see you again, Em.’ Nate’s eyes locked on hers.

‘Yeah, you too, Nate.’

They briefly grasped hands across the table. It was like holding hands with the past. And yet, it also felt like there was still so much to catch up on. Seeing Luke’s brother again like this, it was just so lovely. She realised she wasn’t quite ready for him to up and go off on his travels again quite yet.

‘I’ll see you about, Nate. Call in whenever.’

‘Yeah, I’ll catch you soon, Em. Thanks for the drink.’

By the time she had reached the pub door, Nate was chatting away to one of the local lads at the bar – no doubt someone he’d met earlier down at the beach. He looked up and gave her a nod and a smile as she was about to leave. She smiled back, feeling strangely unsettled, and just as she got into her flat, her mobile started to ring. She saw the caller ID.

‘Hi, Max. You got back to Leeds okay then?’

‘Yeah. Sorry I had to rush away earlier. You all right? Had a good afternoon? I tried just before …’

‘Ah, sorry. I’ve been out at The Fisherman’s.’ The phone signal was never very good down there. Weirdly, talking to Max now, she felt a little guilty, though there was no reason to be. Well, maybe she should have told Max about Nathan turning up the other day, but then she hadn’t even known if she’d get to see him again. And, he was more or less family after all. ‘Yeah, I had a surprise visit …’ She didn’t add that it had been three days ago. ‘From Luke’s brother.’

‘Oh, right. Isn’t he the one who’s been living abroad?’

‘Yes, that’s right. He’s back for a while. Come home to visit his family. He seems to be doing okay.’