She and Bev were working their way down a bag of crisps and had been chatting about the Christmas market and how that had gone, as well as the village Christmas light-up which was due next Thursday evening, 23 November. The local community always set up a big fir tree down on the grassy area by the harbour, with carol singers, mince pies from the local WI and glasses of warm mulled wine provided by The Fisherman's Arms. They had the big countdown to six o’clock when the local mayor would press the switch to light up the swooping strings of white lights hung both sides of Warkton’s main street and along the harbour. It was a popular event, and Emma had agreed to do a late-night opening thereafter, with lots of her festive goodies on display, and her new café ready with hot drinks to thaw everyone out. Oh yes, yet more chocolates to craft. It was going to be a whole week of early mornings and late nights, she mused.

Bev took a large sip of her wine.

‘Right then, Em. You need to tell me all about the lovely Max, and why on earth you’ve decided to drop him already.’

Emma really didn’t feel like going into all this, but she knew she wouldn’t get any peace. She just took a sip of wine, and dipped into the bag of crisps.

‘So, does Max feel the same way about this? I heard from Holly he’d been looking for you at the shop. Well?’ Bev persisted.

‘No … not really. He wants to see me again, actually.’

‘Em!’ Her friend sounded exasperated. ‘Look, I can see why you ditched Malteser Man, but this guy? Boy, if I wasn’t married myself I’d be in there like a shot. So, what is it you don’t like about him? Don’t you trust him?’

‘It’s not that.’

‘So, what’s going on? Are you still missing Luke?’

‘Of course I still miss Luke. That doesn’t just go away because it’s been a few years, or because someone else is on the scene. It’s just that I – I’m not sure about things with Max. It doesn’t feel right to go any further.’ That was about as close to the truth as she could get.

‘So, you like the guy, he likes you, and you’re saying no – because?’

‘I’m fine on my own. I know where I stand. I have my own life, the shop, you, Alfie, my mum and dad, James. Why does it always have to be about a man?’

‘It doesn’t, but if a man’s rather gorgeous and interested in you, why not just give it a try? You never know, he might even make you happy.’

‘I am happy. I’m fine.’