The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop Read online

  ‘It’s a brilliant idea. Summertime, lovely food, ice creams, and gin and tonics. What’s not to like?’

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘See you at the meeting then, it’s next Thursday at the village hall, 7.30.’

  ‘Okay, I’ll be there.’

  A village event was always nice to look forward to. Emma loved the sense of community here and if they put their minds to something in Warkton-by-the-Sea, everyone seemed keen to get involved to make sure it was done well.

  A nagging thought came to mind: would she still be here in the village then? She hoped so. August Bank Holiday was just over five weeks away and Mr Neil had to give her a month’s notice and so far, since the viewing, there had been no call from him or the estate agents – and no news was good news on that front as far as she was concerned.

  But, on the Max front, no news was proving bloody awful. She’d tried to call him so many times since he’d walked out and he never answered his phone, never responded to her texts. He might just be busy at work, or not quite ready to talk as yet, she told herself, but her heart felt as if it was unravelling all over again.

  After work she took Alfie out for a brisk walk down to the beach, then tried Max on his mobile once more – straight to answerphone. She held back from leaving a message this time. He would see that she had called. She then jumped in the car to get down to the hospital to visit Mrs Clark before visiting hours finished. The village ‘rota’ meant that Sheila had popped down through the day, and a neighbour was going to visit tomorrow.

  Fifty minutes later, Emma was sitting on an orange plastic chair beside the old lady’s hospital bed. The light was bright fluorescent in the ward, but apart from the chair everything else was a cool grey, the floor, the walls. Clean and clinical.

  ‘How are you feeling today, Mrs C?’

  ‘Just fine, pet. Other than being a bit stiff when I walk on it, I’m getting on grand. Being looked after well.’ She lowered her voice, ‘Shame about the food, but other than that I cannot grumble.’

  ‘Oh … Well, is there anything I can bring in you might fancy?’

  ‘Another bag of those chocolate brazils might be nice. I’m nearly through the last lot.’

  ‘Of course.’

  They chatted about the Festival event, Mrs C remembering fetes of old, with her dancing around the maypole as a little girl. Emma began to feel tired as she tried to keep the conversation going but then Mrs C paused.

  ‘Come on now, Emma, I can see you’re not yourself. What’s troubling you, pet?’ The old lady placed a gentle hand over hers, where it rested on the bedcovers.

  ‘Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just a bit tired, that’s all. I’ve come to cheer you up, not spread my own doom and gloom.’

  ‘A problem shared …’ The old lady smiled. ‘Look, I might be a crotchety old thing, but I have lived a bit. I’ve come across most things in life.’

  ‘Oh, Mrs C of course you’re not that.’ Maybe it would help to share her troubles. ‘I think Max has left me for good.’ Em let out a sigh. ‘And on top of that I’ve had a potential purchaser viewing The Chocolate Shop. Other than that, everything’s hunky-dory.’

  ‘Ah, I see. Life’s full of ups and downs, pet. Let’s start with your Max, then. What’s happened to change things so suddenly? Last time I saw you together you looked all loved-up.’

  Emma started on the whole sorry tale. Mrs C already knew about Luke and her past and she felt guilty and horrid when she got to the part about the kiss.

  ‘I don’t know how I can put it right, Mrs C. I wish I could go back and change what happened, but I can’t.’

  ‘You’re right, you can’t go back, pet, and we all do stupid things at times. What’s done is done. There’s a saying my old mam used to say, “All mistakes are lessons to be learned.” You just need to find a way forward, Emma.’

  ‘I know, and I’ve tried. I’ve said sorry and promised to never to do anything like that again, but Max just looked so damned hurt. Now he’s not even taking my calls. I’m scared, Mrs C. I really love him and I’ve messed up big time.’

  ‘Oh my. There, there, pet.’ The old lady gave her hand a rub. ‘Maybe he just needs a little time. It might be his pride that’s been knocked more than anything.’

  ‘I hope it’s as simple as that.’

  ‘And then this other stuff with the shop. Is there no way at all you can afford to take it on yourself, Emma?’

  ‘I’ve looked at so many options, but no, there’s no way. I can’t raise enough capital as a deposit to start with, though the bank would give me a business mortgage if I could. I’ve been saving like mad but I’m still so far off. Oh, Mrs C, it’ll break my heart to leave, but I suppose I’ll have to and start over somewhere else.’

  ‘Now that’s a shame. You’re a part of the village. Maybe we can try and help you find somewhere else in Warkton you could use?’

  ‘I’ve thought of that too, but I need a working kitchen, space for a café, a shop to be all shelved out, and now I have the outside courtyard just right too. It’d cost so much to convert somewhere else, even if I could rent, or buy another place.’ It all felt very out of reach. Like fate was about to crush everything she had achieved, and stamp on her dreams. She gathered herself. ‘I’m sorry, Mrs C, I shouldn’t be moaning on like this.’

  ‘I asked you to tell me about it, remember? Anyway, it’s been good to talk about something other than me and my hip. I’ve had Sheila here, driving me to distraction with a load of drivel about parking fees at the hospital, dog fouling in the village and Mrs Jenkins going out on a date with Mr Jones for coffee. Well why on earth shouldn’t they? They’re both single – and if they are over eighty, so what? Good on ’em, I say. Why the devil do I need to know about all that! I was like a sitting duck here for her barrage of tales and gossip. It’s enough to send a bugger crazy.’

  Emma’s mouth creased into a smile. She could imagine the pair of them bantering. It was a real love–hate relationship but everyone knew that, underneath it all, they got along fine. The sparring was part of the fun.

  Visiting time was coming to a close, the clock on the wall showing 7.00.

  ‘I’m going to have to go soon, Mrs C.’

  ‘Yes, thanks for coming to see me, pet. And remember, we all fall down sometimes, Emma, whether it’s the stairs or making a mistake, but then we get up again. It’s what you do next that matters.’

  ‘Thank you.’ She gave her elderly friend a kiss on the cheek. ‘You get well and take care. I’ll be back again very soon with those chocolate brazils, I promise.’

  ‘You’d better.’ The old lady grinned.

  And Emma left with a wave, a tear in her eye, and a glimmer of hope in her heart.

  Back at the flat later that evening, there was a knock on the courtyard door. Emma’s heart surged. She raced downstairs, to find Bev there on the step.

  ‘Oh …’

  ‘Don’t look so happy to see me.’ Her friend’s tone was ironic.

  ‘I’m sorry. I just thought it might be …’

  ‘Max. I know. I heard all about it from Holly. Why didn’t you ring me, hun?’

  ‘Well, last night I was in a heap, and today I’ve just kept myself busy. I’ve not long got back from the hospital too. Anyway, come on in.’

  ‘I have a bottle of wine, thought you might need it. And of course, I’ll happily share it with you – just to keep you company, of course.’ She lifted up the bottle of Pinot Grigio in her hand.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘It’s chilled.’

  ‘Even better.’

  ‘So, tell me all about it then. And, what the hell has been happening with Nate?’

  Emma groaned, then said, ‘Let’s get this wine open and find a cosy seat in my lounge first.’

  ‘Before we go on upstairs, can I have a few of those Eton Mess truffles?’ Bev smiled hopefully.

  ‘Of course, go help yourself.’

  Tucked up on the couch, comfy cushions behind
them and Alfie snuggled in between, the full story came out.

  ‘So there was nothing else going on with Nate, then? Just that one kiss?’

  ‘Yes, I didn’t – and don’t – even fancy him. I just don’t quite know how it ever got to that point. Maybe memories flooding back, how he has a look of Luke … it all kind of blended together and I was missing Luke so much that night. I’d had a few drinks, yeah, but I know that’s no excuse. I knew what I was doing, Bev. I could have stopped it.’

  ‘Bloody hell, and now this. Did Max fly off the handle when he found out?’

  ‘He wasn’t aggressive as such, he just seemed so hurt. Like I’d betrayed him. And now I can’t get hold of him. He’s not answering any of my calls.’

  ‘Oh dear. Holly’s mortified that Adam told him. And that it’s all blown up into this.’

  ‘Hey, it’s not Adam’s fault. I was the one who did wrong. I didn’t even realise the pair of them had been there, that they had seen. It’s my own stupid bloody fault.’ Em took a big swig of wine.

  Bev munched thoughtfully on a truffle.

  ‘Life, hey?’ Emma said.

  ‘It’s sometimes a bitch and sometimes beautiful,’ Bev stated.

  ‘Cheers to that.’

  And they clinked glasses.

  40

  ‘Hey, Em …’ Adam caught up with Emma the next morning in the car park of The Seaview Hotel, where she’d just dropped off her delivery of turndown chocolates. ‘Are you okay?’

  ‘Ah, so, so.’

  ‘Holly told me last night that you guys have split up.’ He looked awkward.

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Oh man. Look, I’m so sorry I said anything, Em. I didn’t mean to stir up any trouble. I just wanted to warn Max, as a mate, for him to keep an eye out on Nate; that was all. I never imagined he’d up and leave.’

  ‘I know, nor did I. But I can’t blame him. What I did was sooo stupid.’

  ‘Bloody hell, I wish we hadn’t seen anything that night.’

  ‘Hey, it’s not your fault. It was me and Nate that did wrong.’

  ‘Yeah, but maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I’ve just caused a heap of trouble.’

  ‘It’s just one of those things, Adam. I don’t blame you or Holly. I got myself into this mess.’

  ‘We just feel terrible about it.’

  ‘Hey, don’t beat yourselves up … it’s okay.’

  It wasn’t really; the situation was a bloody mess, but it wasn’t Adam’s fault.

  ‘But it’s not, is it? You two are great together. And now you’re apart. I can’t help thinking if I had just kept my bloody mouth shut …’

  ‘It’s all right. There’s no hard feelings, Adam. If me and Max can work it out, well, that’s up to us.’

  ‘Do you think you might?’ His face brightened.

  ‘I really hope so – but honestly, I don’t know. I let him down, Adam. Let down all of you.’

  ‘I’m so sorry, Em. But if there’s anything me and Holly can do, or if you just want to come out with us for some company, anything, just say.’

  She didn’t really fancy being the third wheel but appreciated the gesture. ‘Will do, and thanks.’

  Adam sighed. ‘Ah, it’s just such a shame.’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘You take care of yourself, Em.’

  ‘I’ll try.’

  She looked so sad there, trying so hard not to. Adam felt a lump form in his throat. ‘Ach, come here.’ He gave her a friendly hug. ‘I really hope you two can find a way back.’

  ‘Me too. Well, I’d better go,’ she said, trying hard to hold it together.

  It was a full week later when Max finally answered his phone.

  ‘Oh Max …’ The relief was immense. But hearing his voice at last took Em by surprise and she didn’t quite know how to phrase her words.

  ‘Emma, please, I can’t do this any more. Can you just leave me alone?’

  Shit. That was not the response she had hoped for. It felt like she had been winded.

  ‘Max, do I at least get the chance to explain? Can I come down and see you?’ This was all too hard over the phone.

  ‘I’m sorry, Em.’ His tone was resolute. ‘You kissing Nate … it’s all I’ve been thinking about and it’s killing me.’

  ‘It didn’t mean anything Max. It was just a stupid, crazy mistake. I’m so sorry.’

  ‘Look, I believe you’re sorry. But it just goes to show that what we have isn’t right.’

  ‘You’re wrong, Max. We just need to move on. I swear I’ll never do anything like that again. I hate that I’ve hurt you.’

  ‘Okay, so maybe there’s nothing going on now with you and Nate, and maybe in some mixed-up way you were missing Luke, but that still doesn’t mean things are right for us.’ He paused before starting again, ‘Maybe I’ll never match up to Luke or be enough for you, Em. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I want you to forget Luke, it’s not that at all. That wouldn’t be fair. He was a huge part of your life. I didn’t mind you talking about him to me, that you kept his picture. That was okay. I understood that. But what I do need is for you to love me for me.’

  ‘Oh Max …’ How could she show him she did?

  ‘This isn’t right, Em. Not for the long term. The big stuff. Even though I’d hoped it might be.’ He sounded so sad, hurt.

  And his words struck a chord. Was she really over Luke, would she ever be? Did she love Max enough to give him her heart – all of it? She so wanted to make Max happy, but could she really? Would she just keep on hurting him?

  Em stayed quiet for a few seconds. A few seconds too long.

  ‘So please, don’t call back Em. It’s best we make a clean break of this.’

  Best for who? Em’s voice was crying out silently in her head. She felt crushed. Yet she had to respect his words, his feelings. She was the one who had messed up.

  Was this it? No second chances?

  ‘Take care, Em.’ His words sounded so final.

  ‘You too,’ was all she could whisper, as her heart began to shatter all over again.

  Life rolled on as it has a habit of doing. The sun still rose, the birds still sang, there were customers to serve and chocolates to make. But for Emma everything felt a struggle, like she’d lost her way.

  When she had another property viewing, she led them around, showed them her life, her home, her business, somehow resigned to her fate. She knew it wouldn’t be long before the right person came along, the one who wanted to make their future there in The Chocolate Shop, who’d move in and make a business out of it. This chap was on his own, looking to live upstairs and make an art gallery to showcase his and other local artists’ work. He seemed pleasant enough and it sounded like it could work and be a positive thing for the village. It wasn’t his fault the bloody shop was up for sale. Emma stayed coolly polite, answering his questions, whilst ripping off a few more shards of her heart.

  Still, a few days later, there had been no telephone call or letter from the landlord to serve her notice and a week on, Emma heard from Sheila, as she was buying her milk and bread, that the chap had decided to go for a property in the next village – it suited him better as there was more space for a studio in an outdoor barn apparently. That woman seemed to find out everything, being the hub of local news and gossip. Oh well, Emma could breathe a sigh of relief with regards to the shop – for a short while at least.

  So, she’d been given a reprieve. But her world still felt precarious. She’d left Max alone as asked, but he kept popping up in her thoughts all the time. Was he feeling as miserable as she was, she couldn’t help wondering, or was he moving on?

  41

  A-level results day dawned, bright and sunny. By late morning, having heard no news, Emma was feeling slightly nervous for Holly, knowing her assistant’s hopes and dreams rested so much on this.

  Holly had told her she was heading off to the Sixth Form College that morning, along with her best friend Jess, to open the cruci
al white envelope. Emma wondered about texting her – she’d already sent a ‘best of luck’ message first thing – but she didn’t want to pressure any further in case the results weren’t quite what Holly had hoped for. She just hoped that it was lovely news and she was busy celebrating with her family and friends just now.

  Emma was serving in the courtyard after lunchtime when a text finally came through from Holly. ‘Can you meet up after work at The Fisherman’s for my news?’

  It seemed rather cryptic and sounded somewhat downbeat. Emma hoped to goodness the invitation wasn’t to help drown her assistant’s sorrows.

  ‘Yes of course. Hope it’s good news for you. x’ she messaged back.

  ‘I’d rather tell you in person. x’ came the answer.

  So, it seemed she’d just have to wait to find out.

  Emma set off after closing the shop. Adam had just finished work too and was already there at the bar with a couple of their friends from the village, but no one seemed to know how Holly had got on – or at least they weren’t letting on that they did.

  Just as Emma was ordering a half-cider for herself from Danny, the door of the bar swung open and there was Holly, looking rather dejected.

  On no, bless her. Emma was already formulating her consolation talk about re-taking the exams and not giving up just yet and that sometimes your dreams just took a little longer to realise, when Holly’s face switched to a huge beam. ‘I did it! I got the grades I need. I’m in!’

  A cheer went up throughout the pub. Shouts of ‘Ah brilliant’, ‘Congratulations, Holly’, and ‘Fab – let’s get the prosecco in!’ rang out.

  Emma looked around at all the happy faces at the bar. Yet, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Adam sigh and his brow crease, before he forced a smile and walked across to Holly to wrap her up in a big hug. ‘Well done, Holly. That’s really great.’

  ‘Yeah, I’m so chuffed. I still can’t believe it. Whoop!’

  Emma went across then and gave her an affectionate squeeze. ‘That’s just wonderful, Hols. I’m so proud of you.’

  ‘Thanks, Em. Aw, I’m going to miss you and The Chocolate Shop like crazy though.’