The Chocolate Shop was crazy-busy for the next hour. Thankfully, Holly was soon behind the counter with her, helping out. They could hardly keep up with the hot drinks orders: teas, coffees and a tsunami of hot chocolates. Emma’s takeaway cups had proved a godsend tonight too – she was so glad she’d thought to put in an extra order for them. The numbers of customers would never have fitted in the shop, but they were happy to take their drinks away and have them outside. The till kept dinging, and the microwave kept pinging, and they ran out of brownies within half an hour.

Lots of the festive chocolates were sold out too. She could see another week of early starts and late finishes looming. But hey, after the fear of losing her shop altogether this spring, she was not going to complain.

And then, as soon as they all piled in, they all seemed to pile back out. Bev called by and stayed a while to help clear the used mugs, cups and plates back to the kitchen, and loaded the dishwasher, and then she and Holly headed away home after the last customers had left.

Whilst Emma was wiping down the tables, she spotted something outside the window, and stopped. Oh, the flurry of customers had been replaced by a flurry of snow. There was something so special about the first snow of winter. She had to go outside to check she was right. And there, flake after flake glistening in the white lights, as though they were being shaken down like glitter from heaven. She stood feeling the soft patter of them on her face, one or two landing on her eyelashes.

She remembered the snow globe her granny had given her as a child. It must still be upstairs somewhere, she’d have to find it. It had an old-fashioned Father Christmas inside, sitting on a tiny wooden rocking chair, and when you shook the globe the glitter fell softly all around him. She used to make wishes to it as a little girl. What would she wish for now?

She knew. To see Luke one more time, to feel his arms around her. But she also knew that if she had that moment, she would never want to let go.

The street was empty, quiet now. ‘Miss you,’ she said up to the sky, the stars now hidden above the snow clouds. Whoever she met, however lovely they seemed, she knew her heart would always be Luke’s.

But, could there ever be room there for someone else too?

43

‘It’s so lovely to see you, Emma. I’m so glad you could come across.’ She was welcomed into Angela’s arms.

‘Yes, we know how busy you are,’ added John, greeting her warmly.