and goals in life too. You’re still so young and there’s a big world out there, Holly. Go grab it.’
‘Yeah, I know. I’ve always wanted to nurse and to look after people.’
‘Well, good for you. Hold on to your dreams, Holly, and your heart will work out the other stuff. If Adam’s serious about you too, you’ll both find a way.’
‘Yes, I suppose. I just feel a bit anxious about it all. But thanks, Em.’
It was like her and Max: despite all her concerns and fears, they had found a way. So far so good, anyhow. She was looking forward to seeing him tonight.
They heard the shop door chime and were soon back serving coffee and cake, filling gift boxes with truffles, and bagging up the new tray of fudge, then tying the bags with navy-blue curls of string. Delicious aromas of chocolate and fudge surrounded them, and Emma looked proudly out across the café where a host of happy customers were chatting and eating. The Chocolate Shop by the Sea was so charming with its cottage-style stone walls and cosy window seats – a place to truly warm your heart.
It was half an hour after closing time when Emma’s mobile rang.
‘Hi, Em. You okay?’ It was Max. The sound was a bit echoey, tinny. He must be driving and on the hands-free.
‘Yeah, where are you? Are you in the Jeep?’ She was hoping he’d be here with her within the hour.
‘Yes, but I’ve only just set off.’
Her heart sank. ‘From Leeds?’ That was about three hours away. ‘What’s happened?’
‘I’m sorry. Having a ’mare of a day here. Been waiting on steel girders being delivered and they were on the back of a wagon that’s been stuck in a jam on the motorway all afternoon. We needed to have them in place before we left today, to prop the structure securely.’
‘Oh, right. Well, couldn’t the others have stayed?’ She couldn’t hide the disappointment in her tone.
‘It’s my business, Em. Those girders cost a hell of a lot of money and they are such an important part of the structure; I needed to know it had been done right. You can’t get it wrong at his stage.’
‘Okay,’ she conceded. It was just so frustrating – she would be waiting for nearly three hours until he was here. What with all that had happened this week – with the landlord, seeing Nate out of the blue like that, still nursing a mild hangover – all she really wanted was to curl up in Max’s arms. She tried to buck up her mood. Max wouldn’t want to be coming back to some grumpy woman. ‘So, you’ll be here in what, just over two and a half hours?’
‘Probably, traffic permitting. It’s still slow getting out of Leeds. I’m sorry, babe.’
‘Ah, it’s all right.’ She tried to be a bit more understanding. ‘I’ll fix us some supper for when you get here.’ The earlier plan of a fish-and-chip takeaway from the pub might not work out now, as they finished serving food by nine. Well, she was bound to have something in the freezer; maybe a pizza would do. ‘Drive safely.’ That’s what really mattered, that he got to her safe and sound.
‘Yep, will do. Oh, and yeah, how did the prosecco party thing go last night?’
‘Really good. Well, a bit too good if my head’s anything to go by.’
‘Hah, don’t expect any sympathy from me – all self-inflicted,’ he jibed.
‘Cheers. Thanks for the support. But yeah, I really think the idea’s got potential and the girls seemed to love it.’
‘That’s great. And it should help keep the coffers full and Mr Miserable off your back for a bit.’
‘Hopefully.’
‘Right, well, I’ll crack on. See you soon.’ He sounded tired.
‘Yep, I’ll let you concentrate on the road. See ya.’ She switched off her mobile and sighed.
It was work getting in the way again and the new job for Max down in Leeds was making things even more difficult for them. It was frustrating more than anything, but hey ho, such was life. She knew all about long working hours and short breaks. You just had to get your head down and get on with it sometimes.
She couldn’t settle until he was there with her, so despite feeling tired, she used the time to make some raspberry-swirl chocolate bars – they looked so pretty with white and dark chocolate swirled together and freeze-dried raspberry pieces sprinkled over the top. She also made a batch of hazelnut pralines.
Alfie’s excited bark was the indicator that Max’s Jeep had finally pulled up outside. Em dashed through from the shop’s kitchen and opened the front door to save him having to do the usual after-hours walk around the back yard. He came to the door looking pale-faced and shattered.
‘Wow, what a day that was! Come here, you.’ He managed to smile, his arms opening.
They shared a hug and a slow, sweet kiss, right at the shop door.
A couple of teenage lads happened to be wandering by, who gave a wolf-whistle.
Emma and Max pulled away gently with a smile.
After a casual supper of pizza and garlic bread – the freezer having come up trumps – they sat in the upstairs lounge of the cottage flat above the shop. Em, comfortable with her legs curled up on the sofa, rested her head back against Max’s chest.
‘So, tell me all about this prosecco party, then.’
‘Yeah, it went off great. I thought the parties would need a bit of focus, so we made homemade truffles whilst enjoying the prosecco. And then there was time for chat and a bit of fun. The girls all loved it. I really think the party idea will work, once I get my licence completed. And, at least it’ll be another chocolate string to my bow.’
‘Exactly. It sounds good. What are you thinking of charging?’ Ever the business mind at work with Max.
‘Well, I’ve priced it out, and I was thinking, with say two glasses of prosecco included and all the chocolate-making ingredients, of charging £19.95 a head. That’s similar to a top-end afternoon tea, and quite fair as a glass of prosecco out is usually about six or seven pounds. If the group want to buy any extra bottles, I can charge that on top. It’ll keep the initial cost down per person but if a party are having fun, they can carry on with the bubbly that way.’
‘Yes, that seems sound. You’ll just need to keep an eye on your actual costs when you do the first few parties. You’ve got to make it worthwhile for the business too. You’ll be giving up a whole night of your time, remember.’
‘Yeah, I know, but I have to keep thinking of ways to improve the shop’s finances, especially with that bloody latest visit from Mr Neil.’
Max was stroking her hair gently as he spoke. ‘I hate to put a spanner in the works, but it may well be that your landlord has plans to sell the freehold on the shop, Em. There’s definitely something behind his month-on-month lease agreement.’
‘Yeah, so he can get out of it quickly, I know. But I’m just trying to pursue everything I can
