Then it was all go again, with customers waiting at the door for bang-on opening time, and there were telephone orders, and a constant stream of business all day. Her shelves were looking rather depleted by lunchtime as she’d been busy for the last two days as well. But that was all for the good for her finances, if not her feet!

That afternoon, Emma found herself stifling a yawn. It was only 3.30 p.m. – at least two hours to go. Her early start – in fact, a whole week of early starts and late finishes – was catching up on her. A momentary lull in the shop made her realise how shattered she was.

She served a gentleman who looked in his fifties, whom she recognised as being a regular visitor to the village. He said how much his wife loved her chocolates and he’d diverted off the A1 main road especially on his way back from working in Edinburgh for a few days to take her a box back for Valentine’s Day. Aw, how sweet.

A few minutes later, the shop door chimed and in breezed Holly, who’d agreed to help after school again.

‘Hi, Em!’

‘Afternoon, Holly. It’s good to see you, it’s been really busy.’

‘Ah yes, the big day! Happy Valentine’s.’

‘Thanks! Have you had any surprises? Cards from secret admirers, or the like?’ Em asked her assistant.

‘No, sadly not, but there’s still time. I can live in hope.’ She laughed. ‘And you? Any cards?’

‘Now come on, Holly, don’t be daft.’

‘Not even Malteser Man?’

Emma had shared the disastrous-date tale with Holly to cheer her up one day.

‘Hah, I think I’d burn a card from him.’

Jeez, just imagine if he actually did call in to surprise her with a Valentine’s gift – maybe another grab bag of Maltesers? Hah, what a nightmare!

‘I think I’ll go and make us a coffee, Holly. I was flagging a bit there. It might keep us going.’

‘Good idea. Actually, would it be a pain if I had a hot chocolate? I really fancy that.’

‘Of course you can. You deserve it for helping me out so much this week. And I shall put on that swirly cream you like and mini marshmallows.’ She remembered there were some left from making the Rocky Road chocolate bars.

‘Okay, yes, that’d be fab. Delish.’

Emma was turning to go, when she spotted Holly’s head shoot up. The door chimed, and in walked the young man from the hotel.

‘Hello,’ Holly said rather cautiously from her position behind the counter.

‘Hi.’

‘I’ll just head out back, make our drinks,’ Emma said loudly, to give them a little space. She had seen what he was carrying and was smiling to herself, hoping. She couldn’t help but hover by the door to listen in, though.