Page 62 of The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop

‘You know, she’s not as friendly as she seems, that lady from the kiosk. I’m still hearing talk that she’s bad-mouthing your business, Emma. Have you noticed if it’s been quieter in here of late?’

In fact, there had been a turndown in takings, and spare seats in the café lately, just when the summer season was gearing up. She’d hoped to fill both the café and courtyard, but that didn’t seem to be happening as yet.

‘Well, my grocery store is definitely down on confectionery sales since she got here.’ Sheila shook her head with a sigh, whilst Em got on with selecting chocolates to fill the bespoke gift box.

‘Oh Sheila, there’s always gossip flying about whenever we get newcomers to the village. We just have to give people a chance. Take them as you find them, is what I say.’

‘And I agree. But, in this instance, I think you’re being far too kind. I’m just looking out for you, Emma. There’s more than one I’ve heard it from, that have found her to be meddling and spreading rumours. She’s certainly not been very complimentary about your Chocolate Shop.’

‘Well Sheila, time will tell.’ Emma really didn’t want to get caught up in the gossip-mongering. ‘She’s never been anything but polite to me.’ She’d not seen the lady often, to be fair. Just that initial conversation and the odd wave as Emma had passed by the kiosk.

‘Well, she wouldn’t, would she? It’s always behind other people’s backs with her sort. That’s the whole point.’ Sheila gave a loud tut.

Emma sent Sheila off with her box of handcrafted chocolates for her mother-in-law, initially dismissing her gossip. But a while after she’d gone, Emma began to think. Customer numbers and her takings had seriously dipped since the arrival of The Rock Shop. Maybe some of that was natural, with people trying out the new confectionery rivals, but she’d thought things should have picked up again by now. There were certainly lots of tourists about in the village. She’d seen plenty of people wandering by with their telltale stripy pink-and-white bags of fudge and goodies from The Rock Shop, but most of them weren’t stopping or even looking in at The Chocolate Shop. Maybe she’d been naïve and she should be worried, after all.

Max had called her earlier in the day. There were some small but pressing issues with the Leeds project and there was no way around it but to go and sort them out in person. He had anticipated some teething problems and had warned her that there was always something to follow up with projects on this scale. It was best to deal with them swiftly and keep the client happy, he’d explained. Max had then apologised and said he’d definitely make it up to her the following weekend when he’d be there to see her in Warkton, come hell or high water.

Emma said she understood, even though her heart sank. She’d so wanted to see him – to put things right after her stupid moment with Nate, not that Max even knew. And then she did what she usually did: concentrated on her own business, making more chocolate supplies and dashing about keeping her customers happy. The ‘For Sale’ notice hanging outside the shop was still lingering in her mind, immovable. And she knew that there might be viewings on the property soon, even if she hadn’t heard anything so far. All she could do in the meanwhile was forge on and keep her eyes open for any suitable property up for rent. There was so much out of her control. All she could do was put one foot in front of the other, even if she felt like everything might soon come tumbling down.

33

Two uneasy weeks later, with the Wimbledon tennis tournament due to start on Monday, Emma decided she’d spend a couple of hours after the shop closed on Sunday evening re-jigging her window display with an ‘Anyone for Tennis’ theme using a few brightly coloured balls, her tennis racquet (it didn’t get used often!), and the most divine champagne truffles, together with a dish of her chocolate-dipped fresh strawberries and some homemade meringues.

It looked great, but she wasn’t altogether happy; customer numbers had dropped off this past weekend more than ever and any drop in turnover was a massive concern. She couldn’t afford to get behind with the rent like she had last year.

On the Monday morning, Emma needed to nip down to the grocer’s to fetch some extra cream and eggs and after a quick stroll over, Sheila was smiling at her from behind the till. ‘How are you, pet?’

‘Oh, pretty good.’

‘And how’s business?’ A frown creased Sheila’s brow.

‘All right.’ Emma was noncommittal, not wanting to give anything away. The next thing would be the whole village hearing all about her misfortunes.

‘So, you’re not down on customer numbers, then?’ Sheila fished.

Emma stayed quiet.

‘I’m still hearing rumours, you know. Look, Emma pet, I know you think I’m a meddling thing at times but I don’t like to see anyone unfairly treated. I’ve a mind to go down there and have it out with that Rock Shop woman myself. It’s not the way we work in this village. And I’ll not see your Chocolate Shop harmed by this tittle-tattle she’s spreading. She’s telling people your shop is about to go out of business, that’s why it’s up for sale.’

‘Really?!’ Emma was taken aback. But was it just rumours? Just the village grapevine doing Chinese whispers and getting its knickers in a twist? She’d hate to accuse someone of wrongdoing if it wasn’t true. But maybe there was something in it … ‘Well, I’ll take note of what you’re saying, but I’ll fight my own battles, thank you, Sheila.’

‘Okay, pet. I wouldn’t take too long about it, though. Things’ll only go from bad to worse otherwise. It needs to be nipped in the bud, so it does.’

Wow, yet more troubles lining up for her. As she paid for the cream and eggs, Emma tried to keep a sensible head on. She’d need to somehow verify if there was any truth in this. The only thing was, she wasn’t quite sure how …

Emma really needed something to look forward to, and she was both excited and relieved when Maddi’s hen do rolled around the following week – the first formal ‘Chocolate and Prosecco Party’ for Emma and The Chocolate Shop. She really needed it to go off well because her reputation was at stake and her nerves were jangling somewhat.

‘Holly, can you just give me a hand over here, please?’ Emma was balanced precariously up a stepladder, trying to swoop a string of outdoor fairy lights along the side wall of the courtyard. ‘Just keep me steady while I reach across. Don’t want to end up in A&E before the party even starts.’

‘No worries. I’ve got your back,’ Holly said, grinning up at her from the base of the ladder.

‘Thanks.’

With fairy lights now strung up on both side walls, tealights and an old-fashioned teacup filled with sweet pea flowers (a gift from Hilda and Stan’s garden) set out on each outside table, it was going to look so pretty there in the courtyard when the girls arrived and dusk began to fall. It was a calm clear night, thank heavens, so her plans for using the outdoor space had come together perfectly. Em was going to start the party outside, serving her bubbly and the chocolate-dipped strawberries to begin. She’d give the ladies time to chat and relax, and then they were to have a go at making the choc-dipped strawberries themselves out in the courtyard.

Then, as it would cool down into the evening, they’d head back into The Chocolate Shop after dusk, where Bev was now setting out all the ingredients and bowls ready for the truffle-making session later – raspberry gin truffles being Maddi’s choice.

Bev was thrilled that her recipe idea from the first prosecco trial night had been selected. Emma was even making them for the shop now – they were summery and delicious, and equally scrumptious dipped in white, dark or milk chocolate to coat. One of each was a nice way to start, to be honest!