The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop: The perfect, feel good romantic comedy to curl up with this Christmas!

Bev gave her a curious look. She’d have known Emma never usually got a dog sitter in for an evening at the cinema. Alfie was fine in on his own for several hours.

‘Oh, right.’ Bev’s tone was sceptical and her eyebrows raised.

Emma then saw her friend digging in to her bag for her own phone. The text would soon clarify things.

‘Lovely to meet you.’ Emma didn’t even bother to extend her hand to Nigel who was already moving in towards her, no doubt for a farewell kiss. She ducked away, saying, ‘I really have to dash. Catch you soon, Bev. Sorry again. Bye, Pete. Bye, all.’

And she was off like a whippet to the car park and straight back home to the comfort of her little cottage. She was soon sitting stroking her best boy’s spaniel head. This was all the company she needed, right now, not some letchy Malteser-man. She wasn’t that desperate.

‘We’re just fine, aren’t we, Alfie? Just fine.’

11

It was Friday afternoon, the first week in February, and Holly had called in after being dropped off by the school bus. It was becoming quite a habit on a Friday, even though she wasn’t officially working, and interestingly so were the visits of a certain blond-haired gentleman, who had a very nice smile.

The door of The Chocolate Shop chimed as it opened.

Emma and Holly both looked up.

‘Hi,’ said Emma. So, he was back.

The young man approached. ‘Hi, could I have the medium gift box with half coffee creams and half orange, please?’ the young man asked.

‘Certainly.’ Emma was already positioned behind the counter.

‘So, who’s the lucky lady, then?’ Emma asked with a smile. ‘This is becoming quite a regular visit.’ She could feel the heat rising from Holly who stood beside her, and was now shooting her boss a warning glance.

‘For someone special?’ Emma persevered.

‘Yeah, you could say that.’ The young man flashed his trademark grin.

So, there was a ‘she’ involved. Emma could almost sense Holly’s shoulders sink. Her assistant stayed silent.

‘Yes, I’ve just finished work,’ he continued. ‘I started at the Seaview Hotel, just up the street, about a month ago. Trainee assistant manager.’ He seemed proud of his new position. It was nice to see the young ones getting on.

‘Well done. That must be an interesting job.’

‘Yeah, I’m just finding my feet. It’s going okay so far, though.’ He darted a shy glance across at Holly.

Emma hoped Holly might join in the conversation here, but her assistant seemed to have lost the ability to speak. Emma placed the chocolates in their tiny petit four wrappers in a gold box and began tying it with a purple satin ribbon. ‘This colour ribbon okay?’

‘Yes, that looks great.’

‘Well, that’s five pounds and twenty pence, please. Is that everything we can help you with today?’

‘Yes, that’s it, thanks.’

He paid the money, took the gift box, and turned to go. Holly just managed to find her voice at the last, with a shy ‘Bye’ and he turned to say ‘Goodbye’ back. Emma was sure there was some frisson in the air. The chocolates would be melting at this rate! After he was safely away down the street, Em announced, ‘Well, if he doesn’t fancy you, Holly, I’ll eat my hat.’

‘Nah, don’t be daft. He can’t do. Who’s he buying chocolates for? He said it was a she – the lucky thing.’ She pouted. ‘Aw, but he just seems so nice. Why do I always like the ones who are taken or just not interested?’ Holly sighed, and then picked up a duster and started flicking away at the shelves, even though she wasn’t officially working, obviously needing to keep busy.

Young love, hey? All that angst.

Emma thought back to her own recent dating disaster. There certainly hadn’t been any chemistry or frisson with Fondle Fingers the Malteser Man, just the bloody angst. Her thoughts jumped to the man on the beach at Boxing Day, all those weeks ago now. She couldn’t quite shake off the memory of him and felt a tug in the pit of her stomach, like she missed him, yet she didn’t really even know him. She wondered if he ever thought of her, too.

A figure dressed in a black raincoat was hunched outside the shop window under an umbrella. It had been a drizzly damp afternoon and it seemed to have been dark for hours out there, so Emma was glad that Holly had dropped by – the weather today had kept all bar the hardiest of ramblers at bay. A couple in matching red cagoules had called earlier admitting they’d been hoping for a café, but had settled for a bar of milk chocolate for their coastal walk, and that was the last customers she’d seen until the young man Holly fancied.

Holly went out to the kitchen to make them a cup of tea and the dark-clad figure moved to the doorway. Once his umbrella was let down, Emma had a sinking moment of recognition. It was Mr Neil, her landlord.

He strolled in, dripping rain on to her wooden floorboards.

‘Good afternoon, Emma.’ The greeting came out in a flat tone. ‘How’s business?’ He looked around at the empty shop.

‘Afternoon.’ She took a slow breath. ‘Good, thanks.’ She smiled. She was never going to tell him otherwise.

‘I was just calling to check you have received my letter.’

‘Yes.’

‘And to remind you that I need your reply by the end of next week, as per its contents. Obviously, you do need to give me a month’s notice of your leaving, though I’m sure I could make arrangements if you’d like to vacate earlier.’ He gave her a cold smile, pretending to be helpful.

So, he was evidently counting on her leaving the shop. That made Emma even more determined to do everything in her power to raise enough funds to keep it going and make the new rent payments. He couldn’t just chuck her out of her home, her business.

Holly wandered through at that point with two cups of steaming tea. She said ‘Hello’ cheerily to the gentleman in the shop, to be answered with a very cool ‘Hello’ back. She looked at Emma with raised eyebrows as she passed over her cup, as if to say, who on earth is that misery?

‘Oh yes, I’ll be sure to answer you within the week, Mr Neil,’ Emma replied, giving away nothing about her intentions to stay. But what would happen if she couldn’t make these new payments and fell into default? He’d have her out of there soon enough anyhow, and she’d then be disgraced, having brought her business to its knees. Would it be better to leave of her own accord now, look for other premises, start again? But her heart and soul were here in this shop, in this village, with the community that had sheltered her. No, she wasn’t going to give up that easily.

‘Well then, I look forward to receiving your reply.’

I bet you do, thought Em, but you might not be so damned complacent when you read it.

‘And the next rent is due this Thursday.’

She was fully aware of that. Thank heavens for the Christmas takings she’d saved, but that was going to take the last of those funds. She’d be at rock bottom then, her bank account empty.

‘Yep. That’s fine,’ she replied.

‘Quiet in here, isn’t it?’ He cast his beady eyes over the shop pointedly, then out to the empty street.

‘At the moment, yes.’ Crikey, he’d be enough to frighten any customers off anyhow, she mused. ‘But it was much busier early on today, before the rain set in.’ She pasted on a smile.

‘Hmm.’ He looked around again, as though he didn’t believe it. ‘This’d make a lovely living area, open plan right through to the kitchen space.’

He was already planning the renovations to make this into a holiday cottage!

‘Maybe. But it does make a lovely shop,’ Emma persevered. Keep calm, don’t rise to his bait.

‘Oh yes, it’s a fabulous little shop, very popular.’ Holly rallied by her side behind the counter.

‘Well then, good afternoon, ladies.’ With that, he left, dripping water in his wake.

‘Yuck!’ Holly spat out the word as soon as he’d closed the door. ‘He’s like a slug.’

Emma had to laugh.

Holly continued, ‘What did you say his name was?’

‘Mr Neil.’

‘More like Eel, all slimy and a right wriggly character. That has to be the landlord, huh? The guy that sent that horrid rent letter. I don’t know how you put up with him.’

‘A case of having to, Hols. I could never afford to buy this place. Dammit, he is so looking forward to chucking me out.’

‘Nooo, that can’t happen!’

‘I really don’t know how I’m going to finance the new rent payments. But I’m going to bloody well try.’

‘Go, Em, that’s the spirit. You’ll find a way. We can’t lose The Chocolate Shop by the Sea, or you. How awful would that be? The shop is such a special place. And there’s no way I’m going back to the greasy chippie to work.’

Emma let out a sigh. ‘Thanks, Holly. I’ll just have to make sure I give it my damned best shot then. Time for the masterplan to swing into action.’

‘Wow, have you got one?’

‘Well, let’s just say I have some ideas up my sleeve to get started with.’

‘Brilliant.’ Holly beamed. ‘And me and the whole village will be right there beside you.’

Deep breath … just walk in … shoulders up … smile. The worst they can say is no.

She so didn’t want them to say no.

Emma was about to try her first sales pitch, and was loitering nervously outside the main entrance to the Seaview Hotel, two hundred metres up from her chocolate shop. She was armed with a bag of goodies, including a selection of mini truffle boxes and some packs of fudge and raspberry white-chocolate hearts. She was pitching that they take her chocolates to trial as a turndown gift for their guests. It could work as a lovely gesture from the hotel, hopefully getting them good reviews and repeat custom, as well as raising awareness of her little shop down the road, where they might come to buy more.

She’d done some research and the hotel had twenty-four guest rooms. She had worked out her costs and was going to ask what she felt was a fair price (reduced from the normal shop retail) at 95p per box of two chocolates, all wrapped and tied with thin ribbon, and the hotel could choose either a white or gold box. Emma had even matched the shade of ribbon to the royal blue of the hotel’s logo. Fingers crossed that they’d like the idea.

Maybe she should have phoned or e-mailed before she just turned up like this. But she was here now. All she could do was give it her best shot. Right, enough dilly-dallying around, Em. If they had a security camera on the front door they’d wonder what the hell she was up to, loitering there.

Go girl! You can do this thing.

She pushed open the hotel’s swing door and found the reception desk, recognising the girl there as being from the village.

‘Hi, Emma.’

‘Oh, hi, Laura.’ She was the daughter of the lady who ran an art gallery in the village.

‘How can I help?’

‘Would it be possible to have a word with the manager?’ Em asked.

‘Ah, sorry, she’s not in this morning. I could ask the assistant manager, if you’d like? Is there a problem?’

‘No, no problem. Just an idea I’ve had. Something to put forward. I’ve come to see if the hotel might be interested in me supplying them with turndown chocolates, actually.’

‘Oh yum. Now that is a good idea. Give me a second and I’ll just try and locate Adam, our assistant manager. Take a seat if you like.’

‘Thanks.’ As she sat down she realised her heart was racing. This order might just help to save The Chocolate Shop, or at least be a major step in the right direction. She still had to answer Mr Neil’s letter, but if she secured some new business she’d have more hope of managing to pay the increased rent.

After a minute or two, who should arrive but the young man who’d been calling in lately. Of course, he’d said he had started working here recently!

‘Adam, this is Emma from the gorgeous chocolate shop down the road.’ Laura was obviously keen to help.

‘Hi, yes, hello, Emma, of course we’ve already met.’ He offered an outstretched hand to shake hers.

‘Hello.’

His handshake was warm and friendly, and though he was evidently young he seemed more assured here in the hotel than he had in the shop.

‘So, you have an idea for our hotel, I hear. Come on through and we can have a chat about it.’

‘Thanks.’

Emma followed him to the hotel’s lounge area – all duck-egg blue and cream sofas, some stripy, some plain – where he had organised coffee to be served for them.

‘Well, I’m open to new ideas, so what are you thinking?’

‘Obviously, I run a local chocolate shop, and I was thinking that a chocolate gift at turndown for your valued guests might prove popular. It could improve things like your hotel reviews on TripAdvisor and the like, and also make that difference between you and your competitors so as to draw repeat bookings and recommendations.’

‘Hmm, sounds interesting.’ Adam was nodding.

Emma began to relax a little. ‘I’ve brought along a selection of mini boxes filled with two high quality truffles – they aren’t too expensive and they would look lovely popped on a bedside table at turndown. These are just suggestions and you could choose what flavours you felt worked best for your clients.’ She lifted out all the boxes and the samples of fudge and chocolate hearts. ‘With Valentine’s Day coming up soon too we could theme the gifts – say raspberry chocolate love hearts with a champagne truffle.’

Adam smiled as he picked up one of the filled boxes in white.

‘I have tried to colour theme the ribbon to your logo too,’ Emma added chirpily. This wasn’t as difficult as she had feared, though actually getting a yes would be the hard bit.

‘So, how much are we actually talking price-wise?’ Adam asked.

‘Well, looking at all my costs. and hoping for an order of at least fifty boxes to start, I could price at ninety-five pence per box.’

He did that hmm, thoughtful noise, giving nothing away.

‘It is twenty-five pence cheaper than I sell them for in the shop,’ Emma tried.

She took a sip of coffee, trying to divert the tension that was now creeping up inside her.

‘I like the idea,’ Adam started with a small smile, ‘but …’

Why was there always a ‘but’?

‘I’d need to discuss it with our manager, Helen. Especially with the costs involved. But the chocolate boxes do look great and, having sampled your truffles myself, I know just how good they are.’ His smile broadened. ‘Leave it with me. Do you have a card or anything with the number to call you?’

‘Yes.’ She dug a business card from her handbag and handed it across. ‘Thanks for considering this, and if you or Helen need any more information, or want to talk further just let me know.’

‘We’ll let you know one way or the other soon.’

‘Thank you.’ She finished her coffee, then they both stood and shook hands once more.

‘Oh, and say hello to your assistant from me – the dark-haired young lady. I didn’t catch her name?’

Emma could have sworn Adam’s cheeks were reddening.

‘Holly.’

‘Ah, Holly. Okay. Thanks.’

‘I will do. Thanks for your time this morning, and the coffee.’

‘You’re welcome. I think it’s important for local businesses to try and support each other. On that note, would you mind popping a few of our flyers in the shop?’ He took a batch from a coffee table in the corner.

‘That’s no problem at all. Of course.’

With that, she turned to leave. The hotel seemed lovely – comfy, friendly, airy and light. Perfect for a holiday by the sea. She’d gladly put some brochures out for them on her countertop. She waved goodbye to Laura as she passed. Once Em got outside the cool air struck her and she felt a bit wobbly at the knees.

She had tried her best. Now all she could do was wait.

12

What a week it had been! The run-up to Valentine’s Day, the landlord’s visit, and pitching for the hotel business. It had been all go, go, go, making chocolate hearts – dark choc with mint chips and white chocolate with mini strawberry pieces – assorted truffles, with an extra batch of the Irish Cream and champagne flavours, fudge bags, and her new mini ‘hat boxes’ made of chocolate and filled with truffles. They were so pretty, and proving popular.

And, yes! Adam had phoned her yesterday to say the hotel manager had loved the samples and the idea. They were willing to try an initial fifty boxes, if she could just get them there for Valentine’s Day as that would be a perfect time to start. So it had been a very late night indeed.

Emma’s hands were sore from tempering all the chocolate she needed (she did have a machine that was a great help, but she had so much to make she was hand-tempering too) and her fingers ached from the intricate work – the piping, filling, mixing – and on top of that her feet were sore. Last night, even though it had been well after midnight when she’d finished the last batch of the day, she’d soaked in a huge bubbly bath for a full hour until the water had gone cold. But she’d been up early at 6.00 a.m. this morning as it was Valentine’s Day tomorrow, so she was making more of the chocolate ‘hat boxes’, as over half of them had already sold. It was hard work, but also lovely seeing everyone come in to choose their special gifts on the lead up to the big day: young lads of about twelve years old up to elderly gents, women, little girls wanting something for Daddy, a flow of customers looking for just the right thing, or sometimes needing a little inspiration. Emma enjoyed suggesting some of the current favourites or a new flavour she was trying out. It was so nice to think her chocolate creations were going to be gifted and hopefully make someone smile – that was one of the best things about being a chocolatier.

Holly had helped her yesterday afternoon, being a Sunday, and was coming in again today straight from the school bus, which was a godsend. It was hard to make the chocolates and serve, so if Emma needed to make up any last-minute batches she could. Or, if (fingers crossed) there was a busy run of customers, at least there were two of them to keep the queue down.

This week’s sales so far, along with the fabulous hotel order – hopefully the first of many – had thankfully lifted the finances, and she had now saved nearly enough for next month’s rent hike – yes! So she was going to write that letter tonight, as soon as the shop closed, and send it off to her landlord first thing tomorrow.

Of course, her supplies were now low, so she’d have to put in another online order for the high quality Belgian chocolate callets she used as the base for all her creations. She could cover her bills for now, but it would still be a juggle, and there was never much left for any luxuries (or indeed some of the necessities) for herself. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she had bought any new clothes, but it wasn’t as though she was off anywhere glamorous. The beach for walks with Alfie and the cottage, kitchen, and shop were her main bases. At work she always wore a black apron (to hide the inevitable chocolate smears), teamed with black trousers and a plain white T-shirt; it didn’t really matter what was underneath as long as it was clean.

Five o’clock rolled around so quickly. It had been another hectic day, with a rush over the lunch hour. Emma had managed a bite of Marmite on toast at around 2.30 p.m. for her lunch with a quick cup of coffee. She loved good coffee, and when she had time would grind her own beans. It was one of the few things she spent a little more on – having a really lovely cup of coffee from her cafetière really perked her up, especially on hectic days like this. She had been so glad when Holly arrived about an hour ago.

The door chimed and in dashed the young man from the hotel. He was checking his watch. ‘Sorry, are you about to close?’

‘Oh, hi, Adam. No, you’re fine. We’re opening a little later tonight, with it being Valentine’s Day tomorrow.’ Emma smiled.

She could swear she could feel the heat rise in the room. Holly was blushing furiously beside her.

‘How’s the hotel order going?’ he asked. He looked slightly uncomfortable.

‘Oh, you didn’t need the mini boxes for the hotel today, did you?’ She felt her heart race. She was sure they’d said for Valentine’s Day, and had planned to get them finished and delivered first thing in the morning. She felt a little anxious – she couldn’t afford to screw this up already.

‘Oh no, tomorrow is fine. Helen said for Valentine’s Day.’

‘So, how can we help today?’ Emma asked brightly, feeling relieved, as she shifted slightly out of the counter area. ‘Holly, would you mind helping here? I have another batch of dark chocolate hearts to make.’

‘Of course … so, what would you like? The usual, is it, coffee creams and the orange creams?’

‘Aah, yes, please …’

Emma couldn’t help but listen in as she walked slowly towards the inner door of the shop. He sounded uncertain, as though that wasn’t what he was in here for at all. She paused just in the doorway, curious.

Holly got the box out ready, four of each flavour as per usual. Wrapped them up, did the purple gift bow, and then weighed and priced them, which came to the normal five pounds twenty.

‘Um …’ He sounded a little uncomfortable. ‘I’d like something else. Another gift box, one like that, but a bit bigger this time.’

Emma could imagine Holly’s shoulders sinking at that point, though she’d be trying her best to disguise it.

‘And what would you like in this one, some truffles and ganaches from the counter, maybe?’

‘Yes, a selection, please. I’m not sure which – what kind of things would you recommend?’

‘Well, I love these Baileys truffles, so definitely a couple of those, and Emma has just been making a new passion fruit filling, so you could try that. The raspberry and white choc is very good too, as is the hazelnut praline.’

‘Any more favourites?’ he prompted.

‘Yes, there’s the salted caramel, better not miss that. They really are delicious.’

‘Two of them as well, in that case.’

She had filled all twelve cases now. ‘Done?’

‘Yes, that’s fine. Thank you.’

‘What kind of gift-wrapping?’ Holly asked, still managing to sound cheerful.

‘I’ll let you decide.’

So she went for a bright pink bow and ribbon, which she tied beautifully.

Emma was now spying subtly from the inner doorway. Bless her, Holly was being so helpful, even though she was probably feeling gutted inside. The tension in her assistant’s fingers was apparent, however, as she struggled to tie the bow.

‘Right, so together that’ll be twelve pounds fifty, please.’

She popped the two boxes in one of their crisp white paper bags.

The young man paid, then gave Holly a smile, which she returned wistfully.

‘Bye, then,’ she said.

‘Thanks. Bye.’ He turned at the last, with a nod.

After the door to the shop closed, Em heard Holly let out a long, low sigh. As she peered further around the door frame, she saw the young girl’s head drop and her hand lift to sweep away a stray tear. ‘Life is sooo not fair.’

She just had to go and give her assistant a hug.

13

The big day had arrived, Valentine’s Day, and Emma was awake before her six o’clock alarm.

Luke would have brought her flowers, no doubt have planned to take her out for supper. They’d only had five Valentine’s Days when they were meant to have a whole lifetime of them. It was two months before it happened that they had got engaged. They had been so full of hope. It was their future together that had been taken away: Christmases, wedding anniversaries, a wedding day, their children … grandchildren.

It still hit her hard, every now and again. The years didn’t seem to dim the pain, they just spread out the time when it jolted through her. She turned on the lamplight. Being February, it was still dark at this time of the morning, and she looked at Luke’s photo there next to her bed.