been away a long while.
‘So, how are you?’ She was coming out from behind the counter towards him. ‘You look … wow, you look different … you look good. All grown-up somehow.’ She stopped herself, realising she was beginning to sound like some maiden aunt.
‘Well, I am twenty-six!’ he laughed.
‘Of course.’ The same age Luke had been when he died … But wow, his little brother was here and all grown-up. Emma clapped her hands together. This was just wonderful. But God, he did look so like Luke. Her heart didn’t know quite what to make of that yet.
He opened his arms wide to greet her and they shared a big hug.
‘Wow, long time no see.’ Emma could scarcely hide the emotion in her voice. Yes, the last time she had seen him was at Luke’s funeral, eight years ago now, when he was just eighteen.
‘I know … and hey, you don’t look so bad yourself, Em. You’ve not changed a bit, honest.’ He took a step back to take a proper look at her. ‘And this place, it’s brilliant. Your own business and everything. Mum and Dad told me all about it, of course.’
‘Yep. Welcome to The Chocolate Shop by the Sea. It’s been a long haul, to be honest, but yeah, it’s good here … And you, how’s life for you? Is this a passing trip? What are your plans?’
‘Well, that’s the million-dollar question.’ He gave a cheeky smile, as though planning wasn’t really his thing.
‘Hang on, shall I make us a coffee while it’s quiet here? Have you got time? It’d be great to catch up.’ There was only one customer in just now, who seemed to be happy reading their newspaper with a pot of tea and a chocolate brownie to hand.
‘Yeah, why not. That’d be great.’
‘Right, well take a seat and I’ll be back with some coffee in a minute.’
‘Do you do a flat white?’
‘Ah, I’m afraid not, no machine for that as yet, though it’s on my wish list. We’re still on cafetières for the moment.’
‘That’s fine, no worries.’ And he sat down, gazing out of the window. ‘Sweet spot here.’
‘Yes, it’s a great village. I’ll just be two ticks.’
Emma dashed off to make their drinks, realising she had a huge smile on her face. Mind you, once in the kitchen she felt a bit giddy and had to pause and hold on to the work surface for a second or two. Just seeing him walk into the shop like that, Luke’s brother, being near him … it brought back so many memories. Nathan’s hair was a bit longer, and the clothes far more casual than Luke would have chosen, but whoa, a quick glance and he could easily pass for Luke. And that made the hole in her heart she’d been trying so hard to heal, tear open a little more.
She told herself to get a grip and got on with making the coffee.
A few minutes later they were settled in the window seat together chatting about old times, about Luke, and the years kind of melted away. Yet they were both so aware that they were in such a different place than they would ever have imagined back then.
‘God, I think I must always have been the annoying kid brother when you two got together. Hey Em, remember that time when our parents were away overnight and you and Luke were at our house? I was being a stroppy teenager and didn’t want to go off to my room and I was on the PlayStation in the lounge for hours – no doubt getting in the way of your cosy night in. Then Luke got mad and got me in a headlock and something cricked badly. We ended up in A&E and he was terrified he’d really done something wrong.’
‘Hah, yes. And I was left there at your house to keep an eye on the dog, and your parents rang to check everything was okay. It was past ten o’clock and I had to pretend you’d both gone off to sleep for an early night … as if.’
‘Yeah, they did an X-ray to check, then let us home. No real damage, it was just a bit cricked. Mum and Dad still don’t know about that one.’
‘Brothers, hey?’ said Emma.
‘Still miss him.’ He took a slow breath.
‘Yeah, me too.’ Emma didn’t want to get maudlin, so switched the conversation. ‘So, tell me all about your travels and adventures then. I’ve seen the odd photo online. Looks like you’ve been to some amazing places.’
‘Yeah, it’s been pretty cool. I liked the Far East the best. Some incredible places in Vietnam and Cambodia. Temples, palaces, gorgeous tropical beaches, crazy tuk-tuk drivers in cities with seven carriageways, millions of motorbikes and a few cows crossing too. You have to see it to believe it.’
‘Yeah, I bet.’
‘And the people over there are just so friendly.’
A young couple walked in, so Emma had to pop behind the counter to serve, then she headed back to sit with Nathan – no, Nate – once more.
‘So, what do you make of Warkton-by-the-Sea then?’ she asked. ‘Have you had chance to look around?’
‘It’s a cute place.’
‘So, are you just on a day trip? What’s brought you here?’
‘Well, I heard you were up this way. Thought I’d check in, say hi and take a look at the place. It’s an area I’ve always fancied visiting. Who knows, it might be a day trip or I might just stay a few days. I have no ties as such. I liked it down by the harbour and the pub seems pretty chilled. They do a nice pint of real ale.’
‘Oh, so you’ve already been into The Fisherman’s Arms …’ Emma started. The other day made sense now. ‘Were you here a week or so ago?’
‘Yeah. I did try and call at the shop then too, but it was after closing. I hadn’t thought about that, so I headed on up the coast for a few days.’
‘Hah, I saw you. Thought I might have been going a bit crazy. For a moment, I thought it was Luke …’ She felt a lump form in her throat.
‘Oh, Em.’ His hand went gently over hers. They didn’t need to say any more. Sat quietly for a while. Lost in their own memories.
‘It’s been tough, hasn’t it?’
‘Yeah.’ She had found someone who really understood. A shared love, a shared grief.
An elderly lady came in then and settled down in the other window seat. Em needed to get back to serving her customers and looking after her Chocolate Shop. It was no good dwelling on the past. It didn’t change anything.
‘Well, Em, I’d better get off.’ Nate stood up, and the two of them shared a warm hug.
‘I hope you can stay around for a couple of days at least. If you need a sofa for a night let me know. But if not, take care. All the best, whatever your plans for the future, Nate.’
‘Thanks. Good to see you, Em.’
‘You too.’
She watched Nate
