Page 90 of The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop

‘You see I’m out in the car just now … and he’s in the house.’

‘Sounds confusing.’

‘It is, but I can’t come home yet. We haven’t had a chance to talk things over. I so need to talk with him, Bev.’

‘Yes, of course. Do you want me to open up the shop for you?’ Her friend pre-empted her question.

‘Yes, please. That would be great.’

‘No worries. Holly’s coming in too, isn’t she? We’ll be fine. You do whatever you need to, hun. Don’t worry how long you take either. And hey, good luck.’

‘Thanks. I think I’m going to need it.’

‘I’m here for you whatever happens, Em.’

‘I know.’

It must have been an hour later when Emma heard a knocking noise. She stirred, confused – she must have finally dozed off.

Max appeared at her car window. ‘Emma, I was about to go to bed, I’m so exhausted, and then I looked out and – and you’re still here.’

She wound down the window. ‘Of course, Max. I couldn’t go without speaking with you … without trying to explain how I feel, at least.’

‘I saw your message in the bricks … thank you.’ He held her gaze, but she wasn’t sure what was there in his eyes. Sadness, lingering hurt, poignancy, love? Or was it lost love?

‘I do mean it.’

The message she had written was: ‘I love you for you.’

‘Yeah …’ He was nodding. ‘Look, why don’t you come in. Maybe it is time we talked.’ He still sounded subdued.

Emma got up out of the car, Alfie following her.

Max screwed up his face. ‘What’s Alfie got on?’

‘Ah, my T-shirt. It was meant as a gesture, something to make you smile … hopefully. But it was cold in the car, so I put him in it.’

Max did manage a small smile then. Boy, had Emma missed that smile.

They went inside, Max was heading for the kitchen. ‘Do you want a tea, coffee? Something?’

‘I’ll have a tea. Something to warm me up.’

Max put the kettle on and organised some mugs. The pair of them then sat at his breakfast table, both looking shattered.

The question was burning in Emma’s mind. Where had he been all night? But she didn’t want to risk this conversation by ploughing in sounding accusatory. And his answer might change everything. She wasn’t sure she was ready for that just yet.

He got up and finished making the tea, placing mugs before them both before settling down again with a yawn.

‘I don’t think we quite look beautiful and gorgeous this morning’ she joked, trying to lighten the mood.

‘Hah, speak for yourself. I’m looking as exquisite as ever, surely.’ His stubble was rougher than usual and his hair, though short, was ruffled oddly. She had to stop herself from running a hand through it. ‘Bit of a night, hey?’

And that was her lead in. ‘Where were you?’ She sounded afraid.

There was an awkward silence, then Max started, ‘With Nick Knowles …’

That name sounded vaguely familiar. Was he a mate of Max’s? Nick, Nicholas, Nicola – a girl? The cold fear was back. Ah, she couldn’t think straight after just a few snatches of sleep in a chilly car.