Emma had been up late that Friday night, making as many chocolates as she could for the upcoming Fayre, and had boxes of chocolates and plenty of Christmas goodies all ready to go. She just needed to take them across in her car, and get set up by 1.00 p.m.

Holly had told her that several care homes in the area were bringing their residents, including the ‘Golden Oldies’ pensioners group from Seahouses, for tea, cake and company. They’d decided on a Sunday for this event to try and get some more of the local community to attend and hopefully raise a bit more money.

Emma was nearly set up. She had covered a trestle table with a festive holly-patterned tablecloth borrowed from Adam’s gran and had set out a couple of wooden table-top stands, made for her by the lovely Ron, to display everything nicely. She also had a mini Christmas tree, with miniature baubles and fairy lights for full festive effect.

After two trips to and fro from Max’s jeep, her chocolate stand was ready – looking seriously pretty, with festive gold and red bows and curled ribbon adorning the carefully prepared packs. She had chosen her traditional favourites for this event: whisky and brandy truffles, berry-fruit centres, melt-in-the mouth caramels, mints, and her Christmas pudding truffles made with chopped raisins and a splash of sherry. She had made up gift boxes of chocolates and packs of fudge, both plain and choc-dipped, as well as bags of shortbread.

There was going to be a raffle drawn later, and she had donated a box of chocolate goodies for that. She had also heard some more details on the planned auction, which was to be an auction of favours – things like handyman help, gardening, car-washing, and the like, which would be really helpful for the elderly and a great idea.

Emma was hoping it would prove to be a good event, for both the community and the shop’s finances, which were better at the moment, but she still needed to make enough to cover the slow months of January and February, when there was still the rent to pay and other expenses. She had a few flutters in her stomach, hoping it would go well.