‘Yes – and I need to have words about that,’ Em said tersely under her breath. ‘You are in such big trouble.’ Emma then introduced the two men to Bev and Pete.

‘Hmm, he is gorgeous,’ Bev whispered as they stood back near the hallway door. ‘Nothing at all like the guys I had in to decorate my conservatory,’ she continued, joking that she’d have to find some joinery jobs in her own home very soon.

Emma had to laugh. She explained that the other lad was a mate of Danny’s at the pub.

Around 11.00 a.m., Holly arrived to see how things were going and stood gazing around the shop in awe, with a cheesy grin on her face, feeling very proud – after all, it was her initial idea that sparked all this off, she reminded them. She said she couldn’t wait to try it – she had a group of friends organised, desperately wanting to be one of the first ones in.

Holly then clocked Max. ‘I know him, don’t I? What’s he doing here?’

‘Oh, he’s just helping out, all hands on deck, and all that.’ Emma tried to sound bright and breezy.

Holly was obviously thinking about this, then gave her boss a big grin whilst nodding in Max’s direction. ‘Interesting …’ was all her assistant said, but Emma knew she’d be seriously quizzed tomorrow.

After another round of cuppas, served with chocolate digestives, her visitors made to leave. Emma made sure they all knew about the launch night on Friday. A big thank you was in order.

Mid-afternoon, Max and Nick stood up from their work, stretched out their backs, gave each other a nod, and called Emma downstairs to see the finished product. She paused in the shop entrance and grinned with a tear in her eye. It looked amazing; they had even finished the seat-backs with some white-painted wood panelling, which gave it a lovely coastal feel.

‘Wow,’ was all she could say.

‘Right then, I’ll be off, if that’s everything?’ Nick announced. He’d stayed much longer than the shift Danny would have been working, and he had worked so hard, with just a couple of coffee breaks.

‘Thank you so much, Nick. And I’ll be sure to put some money behind the bar for you and Danny for tonight. And if you’re about this Friday, call in for the launch, won’t you?’

‘Cheers, I’ll be back down in Yorkshire then, but thanks for the invite. And hey, you’re welcome, I enjoyed it. Turning me hand back to some woodworking. Might have to keep it up as a bit of a hobby, you know. Do the odd job here and there.’

‘You should.’

‘Cheers, mate. That was such a help,’ Max said. The two men shook hands.

‘All good.’ Nick gave a thumbs-up sign. ‘That’s me off, then.’