‘Oh yes, that’s music to my ears. Shall we just bring everything in first?’ The bigger furniture was still to collect as the boot of her car was too small to fit it in – she’d have to sort that out later.

The boxes and stacks of crockery took up one corner of the kitchen – a promise of what was to come for The Chocolate Shop. She was so pleased with her purchases, and had kept within her budget.

Just as they were having their cup of tea, Adam arrived with his gran.

‘Well, hello, my lovelies,’ the sprightly old lady greeted them. ‘Exciting times for your chocolate shop, young Emma. Holly’s been telling me all about it.’

‘Yes, there’s still lots to do, but with a bit of hard work it will all come together.’

‘Well, you know what they say, pet, “Nothing worth having comes easy”.’

‘Well, that’s very true.’

‘They also say “you get by with a little help from your friends” – actually, I think that was the Beatles. That’s why I asked young Adam to run me across. I have lots of time on my hands and I’d like to offer my help.’

‘Oh, that’s so kind of you.’

‘I do like to do a bit of sewing, if there’s anything like that to be done.’

Emma thought about the seat pads she had intended making herself, but with all the other work going on … and, in all honesty, she wasn’t the best at sewing. ‘There are the seat pads for the window seats to be made. But are you sure?’

‘Of course, pet. I wouldn’t be here otherwise, would I? So that’s settled. I take it you’ll be using some foam for the inners, so just get them to me with the material you like and I’ll be able to run them off in a day or two. I’ll do them with zips so they are easily washable and I’ll make a second set of covers. There’s bound to be the odd spill and mark.’

Emma hadn’t even thought of that.

‘That sounds just perfect, Gran. Oh, can I call you Gran? Or do you prefer Shirley?’ Emma suddenly remembered her name from before.

‘Gran’s fine. I’d like that.’

Aw.

‘And once you’re up and running,’ Gran continued, ‘I host a little coffee club for the elderly over at Seahouses every Wednesday and Saturday morning – the Golden Oldies – I think I mentioned it last time. We might just bring a minibus across for a change of scenery, and have a little outing to your new café. Make a nice change.’

‘That sounds wonderful, and if you come along, the coffee and cake will be on the house, as a thank you for helping with the sewing.’

‘Now there’s no need for that, Emma. I’ll be doing it freely.’