The Cosy Seaside Chocolate Shop Read online

  ‘I’ll see you about, Nate. Call in whenever.’

  ‘Yeah, I’ll catch you soon, Em. Thanks for the drink.’

  By the time she had reached the pub door, Nate was chatting away to one of the local lads at the bar – no doubt someone he’d met earlier down at the beach. He looked up and gave her a nod and a smile as she was about to leave. She smiled back, feeling strangely unsettled, and just as she got into her flat, her mobile started to ring. She saw the caller ID.

  ‘Hi, Max. You got back to Leeds okay then?’

  ‘Yeah. Sorry I had to rush away earlier. You all right? Had a good afternoon? I tried just before …’

  ‘Ah, sorry. I’ve been out at The Fisherman’s.’ The phone signal was never very good down there. Weirdly, talking to Max now, she felt a little guilty, though there was no reason to be. Well, maybe she should have told Max about Nathan turning up the other day, but then she hadn’t even known if she’d get to see him again. And, he was more or less family after all. ‘Yeah, I had a surprise visit …’ She didn’t add that it had been three days ago. ‘From Luke’s brother.’

  ‘Oh, right. Isn’t he the one who’s been living abroad?’

  ‘Yes, that’s right. He’s back for a while. Come home to visit his family. He seems to be doing okay.’

  ‘I bet that was a bit strange for you. Meeting up after all that time … after everything.’ Max knew the guy had been away several years.

  Em could hardly admit quite how strange, or how much Nathan reminded her of his brother.

  ‘Yeah, it is a little.’ She quickly changed the subject and they chatted for a while about work, both anticipating a busy week to come. Max mentioned he’d forgotten to tell her that he’d pitched for a job to follow the Leeds one, thankfully nearer to home this time. A barn conversion in a village outside Hexham.

  ‘So give it a few months and things should settle down a bit, Em.’

  A few months – that sounded such a long time. ‘Well, that’ll be good. Something to look forward to.’ But would there ever be a period when work didn’t eat up all their time, Emma wondered?

  Ten minutes after they finished the call, each of them reluctant to say goodbye, wary of letting that sense of separation creep in, Em was standing out on the back step, letting Alfie out before bedtime.

  There was an arc of crescent moon above her, high in the night sky, and a multitude of stars were glinting. She didn’t really believe Luke could look down on her, but at times like this she somehow felt closer to him just gazing up at the vastness of the universe, with a sense of the unknown, the unexplored around her. She sighed. When would this heart of hers ever settle down? Could things really ever work out with her and Max when it always came back to Luke? She had worked so hard to open her heart once more, and yes, she really liked Max, but already she was afraid she could feel it starting to protect itself again. How could this new relationship ever be as good as the one she’d had all those years ago?

  13

  It was a lovely Tuesday in early May when the minibus of ‘Golden Oldies’ – the coffee group for the elderly that Shirley, Adam’s gran, organised – pulled up outside The Chocolate Shop.

  ‘Here we go, Bev. They’ve arrived.’

  ‘Hah, I love this lot. They are so chatty and friendly. And the stories they can tell! I used to think Warkton-by-the-Sea was a sleepy little place, until I heard all about the old days around here.’

  First off the bus was Adam’s gran, a spritely grey-haired lady in her sixties. She helped with the weekly coffee morning in the neighbouring coastal town of Seahouses, and occasionally they would take a trip out to Warkton-by-the-Sea and Emma’s Chocolate Shop for a change of scene.

  Emma had reserved one of the window tables for them, though it was a bit of a squeeze with there being ten in the group. They could split up across to the other table, but they seemed to prefer being together. Bev let them get settled, and then went across to take their order. Cakes, brownies and a selection of chocolates were requested, along with a tray of tea and a couple of lattes.

  When Emma brought the order along soon after, one of the ladies piped up, ‘Ooh, and how’s your young man these days? What a fine lad he was. Coming to help me at home like that.’

  ‘Worth every penny wasn’t he, Thelma?’ the lady beside her beamed.

  ‘Oh yes, he helped stack all those logs for me for the winter, and he put up some pictures for me and a mirror. Very handy.’

  They’d won his ‘services’ in a charity Christmas auction and Emma had wondered if he’d ever make it back out of their sheltered accommodation in one piece after all the raucous banter that day at the Christmas Fayre. But he’d really enjoyed it, and the two ladies had been totally sweet and polite apparently. All bark and no bite, as Emma’s own nanna might have said, had she still been alive today.

  ‘Lovely-looking lad he is too. You two still courting then?’

  ‘Dorothy, now that’s enough. Don’t you go embarrassing Emma with all your talk and quizzing,’ Shirley warned.

  ‘There’s no harm in looking, Shirl. It’s the best we’re going to get at our age, isn’t it, Thelma?’ Dorothy winked kindly at Emma, who couldn’t help but smile.

  ‘So, who’s for cake then?’ Emma asked, serving out the gorgeous rich chocolatey slices.

  There was a raising of hands, followed shortly by much happy munching and slurping.

  ‘Delicious as always,’ said one of the gentlemen, raising his teacup in thanks.

  ‘Good to hear it. Enjoy!’ And with that Emma went off to serve a young couple who were sat up on the stools by the counter.

  It wasn’t long before a family with a toddler arrived and took the other window seat. The café was then full. With it becoming more popular, and being a small cottage building, space was an issue. It was a lovely day out there, so it was a shame they couldn’t put some tables and chairs out on the pavement in front of the shop, but it was way too narrow, and the customers would be too near the traffic as well as blocking the pedestrian access. Emma went out to the kitchen, taking a tray of used mugs and plates with her. She stood for a second looking from the kitchen sink out to the courtyard. That was when she remembered her light-bulb moment from a few weeks ago.

  The courtyard. It could easily fit three or four tables. The walls would provide shelter and the space was light and sunny on a nice day. Walkers often liked to come along with their dogs too and they could only have a takeaway at present, but they could sit out there with their pets quite easily. She’d pop a big dog bowl of water out for any thirsty pooches. The Chocolate Shop’s Courtyard Café – a perfect addition for the summer. She felt a flutter of excitement. It was time to put her ideas into action. What with this and the prosecco parties, the shop’s income might drastically improve.

  She might even get to save a bit, and have some money kept by for any unexpected rent hikes – or, dare she even think it, towards a deposit on a business loan, though it might well take years to raise enough for that. Still, Emma felt a buzz of excitement and made up the next order happily humming away to herself. She couldn’t wait to tell Bev and Holly all about her brainwave.

  As she stood washing up, her mind rattled away. If she got a move on and found some outdoor seating (it would have to be second-hand for her tight budget), she might even have the courtyard area up and running by the Whit-week school holidays at the end of the month. In fact, she could ask her brother James to go along to any car boot or house sales on over the next couple of weekends as there was no time like the present. And if there was no joy with that, then Ron the local carpenter might have some ideas for wooden benches.

  After the ‘Golden Oldies’ had set off with smiles, ‘thank yous’ and ‘see you again soons’, Em couldn’t wait to share her idea with Bev who had just turned up for work. Emma launched into her plan as the pair of them stood behind the counter.

  ‘That is such a good idea. It often gets a bit crowded in here, especially now it’s almost the fu
ll-on summer tourist season.’

  ‘Do you know what,’ Em continued, the ideas flowing like melted chocolate now, ‘I think I’ll make a brand-new menu for the summer, with more emphasis on milkshakes, chocolate ice creams with fudge sticks in, choc-dipped waffles, oh yes and old-fashioned ice-cream sundaes too.’

  ‘I think I’ve died and gone to heaven!’ Bev said, then did an oh-shite-I’ve-put-my-foot-in-it-again face. ‘Soz.’

  ‘It’s all right. It’s just a saying. Anyway, we could source the ice cream from the local dairy to start. Their stuff is totally delicious, and we’ll be helping another local business. So, we all win.’

  ‘And the customers too. Summer chocolate bliss. Let me help you design the new menu, yes?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘So, how else can I help?’ Bev offered.

  Em loved that her friend was so keen to get on board with her new plans. It showed how much she cared for The Chocolate Shop too.

  ‘Well, it shouldn’t be too difficult to get up and running. The main thing will be finding some good second-hand furniture for the courtyard. If you can put the word out locally, that’d be great.’

  ‘I certainly will.’

  With that, another customer came in, Bev took the order, and Emma was back out to the kitchen again, with a cheery ‘No rest for the wicked, then,’ launched over her shoulder.

  14

  May sunshine streamed through the upstairs lounge window. She’d take Alfie out for his walk on the beach shortly, and then head back to make some more chocolate supplies before Max arrived. But what Emma really needed to do first, after a hectic Saturday in the shop, was to collapse on the sofa with a very large mug of tea. The summer season was already ramping up and she’d hardly had chance to breathe today. She couldn’t wait to get the courtyard area organised and open to make the most of the increasing visitor numbers. But first the kettle was calling …

  She had just plumped herself down on the sofa when there was a knock at the back door. Max wasn’t due for another couple of hours, what with the long journey back from Leeds. Curious, yet irked at having to move so soon, Emma headed off down the stairs.

  ‘Only me.’ Nate was stood there, with a small rucksack in his hand, and what looked like a towel sticking out from it.

  She hadn’t seen him for a while and had wondered if he might have left the village and set off on some new travels.

  ‘You know that offer of a shower? Can I take you up on it? There’s only so much you can do with a basin of water in a confined space. And my hair’s got all salty with the surfing.’

  ‘Yes, of course. Do you want a coffee or anything while you’re here?’

  ‘Yep, why not. A strong coffee would be great, ta.’

  ‘Come on up to the flat. I’ll show you to the bathroom, and then I’ll put the kettle on.’

  ‘Can I shower first? Can’t wait to get into some fresh clothes and feel properly clean again.’

  ‘Course. No worries.’ As they reached the landing, Alfie came bouncing out to greet the newcomer.

  ‘Howdy, mate. Cute dog.’ He gave Alfie a good old head rub. ‘Hah, our labrador, Barney, nearly bowled me over when I got home from my travels. You remember him, don’t ya?’

  ‘Yes, I saw him just a few months ago when I met up with your mum and dad. He’s still very affectionate, just got a bit slower.’

  ‘Hah, and a bit fatter. But crikey, he turned back into a big excited puppy when he saw me.’

  ‘Aw, he must have missed you.’

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Right, well here’s the bathroom. Go ahead. The water should be nice and hot. Take as long as you like.’

  ‘Great. Cheers, Em.’

  She headed to the flat’s kitchen to put the kettle back on, then spotted the empty milk carton on the side that she’d just used up. Ah, not even a little drop left. And she knew the shop kitchen was out too, as there had been a busy spell just before closing with an order of three milkshakes – she’d only just had enough. She had intended calling Max and getting him to pick up some on his way and had forgotten. She glanced at her watch – five to six. It was the summer months, so Sheila should still be open now. If she quickly nipped down the street, she’d be in time.

  ‘Nate, I’m just fetching some milk,’ she called out. ‘I’ll be about five minutes. Okay?’

  No answer. He might not be able to hear for the sound of the shower running. Oh well, she’d soon be back. She dashed out.

  Max parked the Jeep up on the side street. He’d finished work early for a change and it would be lovely to surprise Emma, especially having been a bit late the last few weekends, and he was looking forward to a nice chilled-out evening together.

  The back door, his usual port of entry out of hours, was unlocked, so he wandered in, calling out a ‘hello’ to Em as he entered. No answer, so he looked in the shop’s kitchen. She wasn’t there. Then he heard the sound of the shower running upstairs. Hmm, he smiled to himself, that could be a very nice welcome indeed! He swiftly made his way up the stairs.

  He heard the shower stop, gave it a second or two and was about to stroll on in and take her gorgeous wet body into his arms, when the bathroom door was flung open.

  ‘What the fu—’

  ‘Ah, hi.’ The young man had very little on other than a short towel which was wrapped around his waist area, and he was grinning away as though he had every right to be there.

  Max’s heart sank so low he felt physically sick. And then he had the strongest urge to punch the guy’s lights out. His fist was prickling as he heard the back door go, just as the lad whose face had paled was saying, ‘Ah, okay, it’s not like it looks, mate.’

  ‘Don’t you mate, me.’ Max’s voice was a low growl.

  It was then that Emma came up the stairs where all she could see initially was Max. ‘Wow, hi Max, you’re early.’ Her voice came out a little squeaky, twigging who was still in her bathroom. Except, as she took two more steps up, she could see he wasn’t still in her bathroom at all and was standing opposite Max, sporting a very small towel over a crucial area.

  ‘Yeah, thought I’d surprise you …’ Max’s tone was full of irony, ‘thinking that it might be nice to get a bit more time together. But I see you have other plans.’ His voice was low, angry.

  ‘Ah, right. This really isn’t how it might seem, Max.’

  ‘And how’s that? That some guy’s been staying over?’

  ‘It’s not just some guy!’ She was floundering now, digging herself into a deeper hole, she knew. Dammit, she’d better get her explanation out quick or Max’d just carry on assuming the worst, but the words seemed to be stuck in her throat. ‘Max … this is Nathan, L-Luke’s brother.’ She’d managed to find the words at last. ‘He-he’s just staying in the village for a time.’ She looked between the pair of them. Max’s face still a scowl. ‘Okay, I can see how this might look right now, but it’s only because he doesn’t have a shower in his camper van.’

  Nate was nodding. ‘Yep, no shower facilities in the VW.’ He tried a small smile. Max’s face was totally stony in return. ‘Well then, I’ll quickly get dressed, and get out of your hair, Em.’ Nate scurried back into the bathroom where he shoved on his shorts and T-shirt.

  ‘What the hell?’ was all Max could say, as Emma stood looking embarrassed, realising just how bad that had looked. All she did was hold up the milk carton as evidence, but she wasn’t quite sure what of.

  Nate was out of the bathroom again in a matter of seconds. ‘Nice to meet you, Matt.’ He offered his hand to shake.

  ‘It’s Max,’ Max replied bluntly, with no intention of lifting his hand in response.

  ‘Right, I’ll leave you guys to it. I can see myself out. No worries.’

  And he vanished.

  ‘I was fetching milk,’ Emma managed to say. ‘I was just doing him a bit of a favour.’

  ‘Yeah, I bet.’ Max was struggling to shake off the feelings of anger.

  ‘Hey, han
g on, that’s not fair. There’s nothing at all going on. He’s virtually family, after all.’

  Alfie came out to the landing to see what all the noise was about. Max patted his head absently.

  ‘And you didn’t have to be so damned rude,’ Emma continued.

  ‘What? How the hell would you have felt if you came down to my house and some woman was walking out of my shower half-naked?’

  ‘I’m sure I’d have given you a chance to explain.’

  Max just raised his eyebrows at that. ‘Hah – really?’

  ‘Ye-es.’ Though Emma wasn’t totally certain herself.

  ‘Ah, well actually, that would never happen as you never have time to come down to my place. What with your precious Chocolate Shop taking up all your time.’ Max was so riled up it was all pouring out now.

  That made the hairs on the back of Emma’s neck rise – her Chocolate Shop was very precious to her; surely he could understand that? ‘Well, if you don’t like it, you can bloody well get out of it!’ The words were out before she could stop them.

  Alfie slunk back to the relative safety of the kitchen at that point.

  ‘I might just do that,’ Max retorted. But still he stood there.

  Emma was frozen to the spot too, her face paling, the anger subsiding. Both of them afraid that he might really walk out at that point.

  Max’s features softened, his words said more gently now, ‘I might just go and get some air. I’ll take Alfie …’ That way, they both knew he’d have to come back.

  ‘Okay. That sounds a good idea.’ Her voice was still curt, but there was a sense of relief between them.

  Maybe a cooling-off time was just what they both needed.

  Emma watched Max leave from the back courtyard and felt her heart sink. What the hell had just happened there?

  Seeing him walk out of her door had made her realise how much she’d hate it if it ever happened for good. Thank heavens Alfie was there, trotting along beside him. He’d be back … he’d have to, this time.