‘Thanks, Em. Right, I’d better head back. I was just picking up some soya milk from the stores – hotel customer with allergies or something. I’ll call back in my lunch hour with the sleigh.’

‘Brilliant. I can’t wait to see it. Sounds fabulous.’

‘Cheers.’

‘Bye, Adam, and thanks again.’ She passed him the bag of chocolate goodies to take away, adding a packet of whisky truffles for himself too.

What to wear? It was ten past six. Emma had set out her chocolate canapés on white china platters ready to pass around and had pretty, red paper napkins with festive snowflakes on that matched the new seating area colours. The cushions had all been plumped and the shelves were full of goodies, including Ron’s wonderful boat-shaped stand. The shop was looking so lovely with the fairy lights on behind the counter and soft lighting focussed on the festive window displays.

But Emma had kind of forgotten about herself until now. She was still in her workwear of black trousers, white T-shirt and black apron. Now then, what should a chocolatier, café-running, chocolate-shop boss look like? She had invited the local press from Alnwick along, as well as her landlord, and couple of village councillors, so she ought to look fairly smart; there might end up being some photographic evidence, which was all good for publicity, but she didn’t want to look too stuffy and formal either. Smart casuals, that’s what she needed. She had one last check that all was ready in the shop, then headed upstairs to her bedroom where she frisked the wardrobe.

She could get away with keeping on the black trousers if she teamed them with something more colourful. She dismissed a few jumpers and a casual Breton-style top that looked a bit washed out, then she landed on a blouse, navy-blue with a red and green pattern of roses on – that might do. It was a soft chiffon-style material, and would need a strappy vest under it as it was a bit see-through, but yes, it was pretty, and as she put it on she felt comfortable in it. Sorted.