‘So you’re not even going to give it a chance, Em? You’re scared, aren’t you? I can see it in your eyes.’

‘I am so not.’ She tried to look fierce.

‘I’ve hit the spot, Em. You’re scared of getting hurt again. I can understand that. And, you know what, that means you really like this guy, doesn’t it?’

No answer.

‘So what are you thinking? You cut him off now, don’t take a chance, don’t risk getting hurt again?’

‘Sounds sensible.’

‘Agh!’

‘And what about Luke? Our relationship?’ Emma shot back. ‘I’m meeting up with his parents soon. What the heck will they think if I’m seeing someone else?’

‘Emma.’ Bev put a gentle hand on her friend’s shoulder. ‘Luke’s never coming back, honey.’

‘I know that. I’m not stupid.’ Her tone was sharp. She was getting fed up with this.

‘Okay, sorry.’ Bev softened. ‘But I’m sure his parents would understand. I’m sure they wouldn’t want you to live a life without a partner to love and love you back.’

There was a second or two of silence. Then Emma started quietly, ‘It just seems so very different than how it was with Luke. All those special moments we had, me and Luke, what it was like when we were falling in love. This now, it doesn’t feel the same, it’s not quite right.’

‘It’s bound to be different, Em. You’re in a different place. You’ve been through so much. And Max is a different man. It’ll take courage to make that leap of faith and try another relationship, when nothing’s set in stone, and yeah, it might go wrong, you might get hurt. But deciding to live a life without any relationship, without that kind of special love, holing yourself up here on your own for the next forty years? That’s no life at all.’

‘It’s been fine so far. I just can’t go there, Bev. I can’t do it.’ She felt safe here in her village, in the chocolate shop. Her life as it was now had a steady anchor. ‘What if anything happened to Max? What if he got ill? It makes me feel sick just thinking about it. I can’t go there again. I couldn’t put myself through it.’

‘Okay, okay, I understand. But just make sure you are certain, Em. Chances like this don’t come often. He won’t wait about, you know.’ Bev picked up the bottle of rosé. ‘Time for another glass, hun?’