‘That’s fine. Well then, call up at the hotel at a quarter to four next Wednesday and head for the lounge area. We could have some Afternoon Tea. Do you like that?’

‘Ooh yes. Sounds lovely … Oops, hang on.’ There was a moment of panic when she realised she’d still be in her school clothes. ‘I’ll just need five minutes more.’ She darted a look at Emma, who was now hovering at the inner doorway. ‘Need to get changed,’ Holly mouthed across to her. ‘Can I do that here?’

Emma nodded. ‘Of course.’

‘So about five to four.’

‘Yes, next Wednesday,’ Adam confirmed.

‘That’s great.’

‘Fab.’

‘Brilliant.’

Both were rooted to the spot, grinning, as though neither could quite believe it.

‘Better go, then.’

‘Yep.’

‘See you soon.’

‘See you Wednesday.’

‘Thanks again for the flowers … everything.’

‘You’re welcome.’

Adam left the shop, with a big grin plastered on his face and a backward glance at Holly.

As soon as he was out of sight, Holly started jumping up and down. ‘Oh my! I have a date.’ Bounce, bounce, bounce. ‘With Adam.’ Bounce, bounce, bounce.

‘Blimey, it’s like Tigger has taken over your body!’ Emma was laughing. ‘Watch out or you’ll be toppling all the shelves over, and wrecking my chocolates. Hey, honestly though, I think it’s wonderful, Holly.’ At last. ‘See, you should listen to your Auntie Emma.’

‘His gran.’ Holly grinned. ‘All along it was his gran.’

And they both giggled, just as another customer walked in to the shop. More Valentine dreams to help make come true. It was times like these that made Emma’s heart soar. It seemed there really was a special magic about The Chocolate Shop – no wonder it was so very precious to her.

14

It was wet and wild the next morning. Emma had heard the wind rattling around the eaves all night, lifting the roof tiles, with rain spattering noisily against her bedroom window pane.

At least there was no six o’clock alarm, today. Bliss. The room was still dark, and she had no idea of the time, so she switched on the bedside lamp. Eight-fifteen. She’d had a nice lie-in, but a few more minutes wouldn’t go amiss. It wasn’t the kind of day to be rushing up for anyhow, though she knew she’d have to let Alfie out to the yard soon enough – he’d be crossing his legs otherwise.

She had already decided to close the shop today. Now that Valentine’s Day was over, a wet Wednesday in February wasn’t going to draw in the crowds, and she could use the next few days to make enough supplies to keep the shop going for now. So, for the first time in a while, she could actually relax, read a book, watch some TV, get the fire on and chill a bit.