Page 98 of The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop

‘Of course we are.’

‘Wow. Oh, Angela, John … a lot has happened in the past couple of days. I now have the chance to buy The Chocolate Shop myself, so I might now be able to stay here, and own it outright, which would be such a dream come true. What you’re offering – it would be the final money I need for the deposit, to put it all in place.’

Angela clapped her hands together. ‘Well, that’s just fabulous! I’m so glad we mentioned it. It was about time Luke’s money was put to some good.’

‘This deserves a toast.’ John lifted his glass of wine. ‘To The Chocolate Shop.’

‘The Chocolate Shop,’ the ladies repeated.

Emma took a big slurp of wine, to hide a big fat tear that was about to plop down into her glass.

‘And to you, Emma,’ Luke’s father added warmly, Angela nodding proudly beside him.

‘To Luke …’ Emma had to include him.

Life was feeling pretty much a rollercoaster these past few days. If it all came together, The Chocolate Shop might really be hers in a few weeks’ time. How crazy-wonderful was that!

And it felt so right that Luke was going to be a part of that. It felt so special that his was the final piece of the financial jigsaw needed to buy it. As if a part of him would always be there with her too.

‘Thank you so much,’ she managed to say to Angela and John, her voice crowding with emotion. ‘This is all a bit overwhelming.’

‘For us too.’ Angela now had her hankie out and John’s eyes were looking extremely misty.

And they sat together a while longer, sharing tears and laughter and memories.

49

Emma had already made a tray of choc-dipped fudge, a batch of raspberry-gin truffles, some rocky road bakes and Grand Marnier chocolate bars. She was on a roll this morning; her spirits had lifted and she had everything to hope for with her Chocolate Shop by the Sea. The only fear that still lurked was The Brewery Boys being able to up their offer, or someone new appearing on the scene at the last moment with a wad of cash to spend. Money would always talk as far as The Eel was concerned. But she was determined not to dwell on that.

Ten o’clock had come around fast, Bev had just arrived and Em realised she hadn’t yet had a chance to exercise Alfie. With her stocks for today now made, it was an ideal chance to slip down to the beach with him for a quarter of an hour.

‘Bev, do you mind if I nip out for a quick walk with Alfie? I’ve not had a chance to get him out yet.’

‘Of course, hun. You go. I’ll be fine.’ Bev had popped her head into the kitchen where Emma was, spotting all the gorgeous goodies there. ‘Ooh, I’ll keep myself busy putting all your new supplies out,’ she said, smiling.

‘Well, don’t eat them all. I know what you’re like.’

‘Who me?’ She batted her eyelids innocently. ‘As if.’

‘O-kay … You can try one of the truffles, and some fudge, but that’s it.’

‘Argh, you’re such a hard taskmaster.’

They grinned at each other.

Down on the beach, Alfie making loops in the sand chasing his own tail, Emma strolling, enjoying the sea air, the breeze on her face … It was going to be a warm day, the sky a bold azure, the sea skipping into the shore in silver-tipped waves.

Her mobile phone buzzed in her pocket. Maybe Bev needed her back at the shop. It might be starting to get busy. She took it out, didn’t recognise the number on screen, pressed green.

‘Emma Carter?’

‘Yes.’

‘Hi. It’s Susie from the estate agents.’

Emma felt herself freeze. In that second, her hopes and dreams were there before her, dangling on a thread. Her voice went quiet. ‘Yes …?’

‘I’m delighted to say that your offer for 5 Main Street, Warkton-by-the-Sea, has been accepted.’