‘Sorry, Stan, I was off in a world of my own for a moment there. I’ll just go fetch your mint creams for you. There’s a fresh batch out the back.’

‘That’s fine, my dear. We’re in no hurry, are we, Hilda?’

‘No, none at all, pet.’

Emma sorted out their order, had a little chat, and saw them on their way with a smile. What a lovely old couple.

Silly woman, imagining it might be him! Emma was cross with herself, even as she wandered to the window and scanned the road outside just in case. She knew she was just clutching at straws. Sometimes you got the wrong one and the whole damned stack came down around you. And then, sometimes, you could pluck one out – and nothing at all would happen. Surely nothing happening was the safest bet?

15

Wednesday of the week after, Emma spotted the school bus trundling past up the hill.

She knew what was coming next. Two minutes later, in flew Holly, all of a dither.

‘Oh my, I’ve only got like five minutes to get ready.’ She’d obviously run up the hill from the harbour-side drop off. ‘Right, what do you think?’ She started pulling out clothes from her school rucksack.

She displayed a pair of white jeans with a deep-pink blouse and a denim jacket to pop over.

‘Nice. I like it.’

‘Or …’ Holly fished out a to-the-knee dress in navy print with a small red flowery pattern on.

‘Ooh yes. The dress. That’s really pretty and just right for afternoon tea. What’s going on your feet?’

‘Ankle boots – I didn’t have room to carry anything more. But I do have dark tights, so it doesn’t look silly and summery.’

‘Okay, that will work well. Pass me the dress and I’ll give it a quick iron for you.’

Holly shot her a look. ‘Have I got time?’

‘Of course. It’s been screwed up in that bag all day. It’ll only take me five minutes. Go on, pass it over, and you get out of your school clothes and into the tights. I’ll have it ready in a flash. We’ll just shout out if someone comes into the shop. They can wait a minute or two.’

Emma whizzed upstairs and soon had the dress pressed for Holly. She found Holly in the downstairs kitchen in her underclothes.

‘All ready for you, madam.’

‘Thanks, Em. It’s like having a second mum.’

‘You’re welcome.’

‘Agh, I am sooo nervous. I feel so sick, I don’t know how I’m going to manage tea and cake.’ Holly slipped the dress over her shoulders.

‘You’ll be fine. The nerves will all settle down once you get there.’

‘But what do I say, how do I make conversation?’

‘Holly, you never stop talking here. I’m sure you’ll be fine.’