Page 42 of The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop

21

On Monday morning, Emma was woken by the sound of singing and a guitar strumming. It sounded a bit like Ed Sheeran. Had she left the radio on loud in the flat’s kitchen or something last night, whilst she was busy painting the table and chairs which she’d managed to drag in out of the rain? Was someone there with her in the flat?

Nope, there shouldn’t be, it was definitely Monday and Max had left at midday yesterday.

She rubbed her eyes, beginning to come to, and glanced at her watch. It was only six-twenty. The singing continued somewhere nearby. Was she actually still dreaming? She opened and closed her eyelids again pointedly – they were definitely working. She hauled herself out of bed and walked across to the old-fashioned cottage window, pulling up the sash.

‘Wha-at?’ She looked down to see a figure sitting at the new wrought-iron table with a guitar in his hands. The rains had stopped and the sun was shining.

‘Morning!’ He stopped singing and looked up. Nate.

‘What on earth are you doing?’

‘What does it look like?’ He grinned. ‘Heard you were opening your courtyard café today and thought I’d give it a good start. Wish you luck and all that.’

‘O-kay … But it’s not even six-thirty yet.’

‘Well, I’ve been up since four watching the dawn. It was amazing this morning, like the calm after the storm. That view you get from the dunes. The sun was like a golden ball rising out of the sea. So cool. You can’t just go back to sleep after seeing something like that.’

‘No, I suppose not.’ It did sound stunning. But she also wondered if he’d been drinking late and might still be just a little bit tipsy. She’d heard he’d started to work behind the bar at The Fisherman’s Arms as he’d decided to stay on over the summer and perhaps they’d had an after-work ‘sesh’. Oh well, whatever; he was here now and he did have a nice singing voice.

‘I didn’t know you played guitar.’ Em was hanging out of her bedroom window, in her slip of a nightie.

‘Learnt a bit at school. Then I picked it up again out in Oz. Got this little beauty second hand.’ He tapped his guitar fondly. ‘It’s a great way of chillin’ with friends.’

‘Go on then, sing something else. Even though it might wake up the neighbours.’ She smiled. Crazy guy, that he was.

‘Any special requests?’

‘No, you choose. Maybe not ACDC at this time of the morning, though.’

‘Hah, no worries – I’ll keep it chilled.’

‘Hang on then, I’ll just get my dressing gown on and come down and join you. Do you fancy a quick coffee with me before I start work?’

‘Absolutely, that was my ulterior motive. Coffee sounds great. Your stuff is delicious and I’ve run out of instant at the camper van.’

‘Okay. Just give me two ticks.’

As she arrived in the courtyard five minutes later, in her flip-flops and dressing gown, with a tray of coffee and two warmed chocolate croissants, Nate was strumming away once more and singing Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’, which was lovely but sent a little shiver through her too. She always thought of Luke when she heard this. They never had their chance to grow old together.

Alfie had followed her out too. He settled beside her as she sat down on the other chair next to Nate. ‘Well, this is a nice way to start the day. I’ve never been serenaded before,’ Em said with a poignant smile.

‘There’s a first time for everything. In fact, there are lots of firsts you still need to experience, I think. You need to live a little, Em. From what I see, you spend all your life working.’

‘Well, yeah, but needs must. And today is definitely a day for working, I have this whole new area to open.’

It was warm already in the courtyard, with the sky above a summer blue with the odd puff of white cloud. Despite the rains of yesterday, it looked like it was going to be a lovely day for the opening. She looked proudly around her; the outdoor space looked charming. She just needed to bring out the final table and chairs set, which she had painted an antique grey late last night in the shelter of the kitchen.

‘I need to keep you here to entertain the guests,’ Emma said, half-joking, but that would in fact be rather special. She poured out some coffee into two white mugs.

‘No way, it’s just for you, Em. And actually, my second motive was to grab another shower. I don’t think your customers would be too chuffed sat next to this stinky surfer dude, even if he was singing.’

‘Hah, of course.’ As she spoke she felt a little anxious. After the antics of last time, Max was suddenly very much in her mind. What would he make of all this, her being serenaded early this morning? Ah, but it was harmless, just Luke’s brother doing his stuff.

They chatted briefly over coffee and croissants, Nate saying he was enjoying his few hours’ work in The Fisherman’s and that he was getting to know the locals more. Emma then said she’d better get to work.

‘Big day ahead,’ she said with a smile.