fear.’
‘Sorry, Em.’
‘Ah, it’s all right. But honestly, that woman – any excuse for a party!’ Emma was smiling now. ‘Hey, don’t worry, Hols. In fact, after yesterday I need a bit of cheering up. It sounds fun, and we can test out how it might go for the real parties once I get licensed and we have paying guests.’
A customer came in then, a lady who looked to be in her forties, who started browsing the artisan chocolate bars section.
‘I can recommend the dark choc-orange or the summer fruits on white, but they’re all lovely, to be honest.’ Holly couldn’t help herself praising the shop’s goods. ‘Right, I’d better go Em. I’ll be in again tomorrow. See you then.’
‘Yep, see you then. Thanks for your help with the display the other day too. And I’ll phone Bev and let you know about the party that I’m holding!!’ she added ironically.
‘Hah, yes!’
‘Thanks for dropping by, Hols.’
‘You’re welcome. It’s hard to keep me away. I just love this place.’
It was time now for Emma to check on her other assistant’s plans.
‘Hi, Bev. So, can you tell me when I’m having this party then?’
‘Ah, I was going to call you about that.’
‘Ye-ah, is that before or after you’ve invited half the village?’
‘Soz, I got a bit carried away with the idea. But the good news is that everyone thinks it sounds like a brilliant idea, so surely that bodes well for the business angle? And all the girls will bring along a bottle of prosecco so all you need to provide is …’
‘The chocolates. Yes, I guessed that. And the venue, of course.’
‘Naturally. So, it’s okay then? You’ll do it?’
‘I don’t suppose I have much of a choice now, do I? But yes, of course. It’s what we’d talked about anyhow.’
‘Great stuff. I could really do with a girlie night. It’s been ages since we had a proper get-together. So, when shall we set the date for?’
‘Hah, I thought you’d have already planned that too.’
‘Well, no, not quite. Though next Friday might just have been mooted.’
‘I knew it. You are incorrigible.’
‘Well, I had to get an idea of who might have which night free. We can all do that one.’
‘And what about me? I might have a night of passion lined up or something.’
‘Ah …’
‘Just because I’ve been out of action for seven years. Remember that things have changed a little now.’
‘Ooh yes, the delectable Max. How is he?’
‘Good, thanks. But as usual, he won’t be around until the Saturday, as far as I know. So yes, okay, my arms have been twisted so much they’re nearly broken, but yes, let’s go for it. Next Friday it is. Who’s invited so far?’
‘Holly’s coming and is bringing a friend. Then there’s Jo and Ali in our little gang, and I may have mentioned it to the practice nurse. She started a couple of months ago and is a hoot. Maybe you could ask your sister-in-law Chloe? And see if she wants to bring a friend?’
‘Yeah, I’m sure she’d love a night out. Then I could ask Sheila from the grocer’s – she is a bit of a gossip but her heart’s in the right place – and her daughter, Laura, who’s on Reception at the hotel. They are both good fun and if it goes well they are sure to spread the word about the prosecco parties once we get the licence sorted.’
‘Hmm, good thinking.’
‘So, that’d be about ten of us. A good number, bearing in mind the size of the shop. We’ll stick with that, give it a try and see how it goes. In fact, shall we go the whole hog and do a chocolate truffle-making session too?’
‘Ooh yes, absolutely. Can you show me how to make those gorgeous Eton Mess ones, you know, with the meringue pieces? Though it’ll probably just end up a mess with me involved.’
‘Yes, no worries. You’ll be fine, I’m sure, and then I’ll think of a couple of others – the Baileys ones are always good, and maybe chocolate-dipped strawberries.’
‘Scrummy bliss. I can’t wait.’
Before Emma could catch a breath, it was the eve of the planned prosecco party. She was in the shop serving a lady who was choosing chocolates for a wedding anniversary gift box when the doorbell chimed and she glanced up. She felt her body go cold. There were prickles in the back of her neck. She couldn’t believe her eyes … Luke?
But it could never be. This guy, though, he looked so like Luke it was unnerving. He was grinning at her and gave a small wave, realising that she was in the middle of serving a customer. Which was more than Emma realised at that moment in time. OMG – was it Nathan?
‘Did you say there were some fruit flavours? Excuse me …?’
‘Oh, I’m so sorry.’ Emma had stopped still and was just staring at the newcomer. ‘Yes, of course,’ she rallied, ‘there’s a lemon and blueberry, raspberry ripple, Eton Mess with strawberries and meringue pieces. All equally scrumptious.’
‘Ooh, I’m sure they will be, they sound delightful. One of each, then.’
Emma placed them in dainty paper cases before adding them to the gift box. ‘Just two more would make up your twelve.’
‘Any other suggestions?’ The woman smiled.
‘Well, the sea-salted caramels are always popular, and the Irish Cream truffles are a personal favourite.’
‘They sound ideal. Thank you.’
Emma looked up to acknowledge the man who was still standing there waiting. Oh my, his eyes were so very like Luke’s – that same blue-grey. She found her hands were trembling as she wrapped the box with ribbon.
‘That’ll be eight pounds and twenty pence, please.’
The lady paid, saying, ‘Thank you, I’m sure my husband will love them,’ as she took the paper bag with the gift in.
As the space between her and the man who had just walked in cleared, Emma felt her heart banging in her chest. Luke’s brother – it just had to be. It hit her suddenly, it was the only explanation. The last time she had seen him was at the funeral.
‘Nathan? Is that really you?’
‘Yeah – well I prefer to be called Nate, nowadays,
