‘Yep. Oh Em, he’s so dreamy. I really like him. I just hope he likes me. I’m not sure how he feels, though, he just seemed a bit too polite.’

‘Well, that’s no bad thing. And maybe he was a bit nervous too. First date and all that.’

‘Maybe. He’s so not like the boys at school.’

‘I imagine he’s a little older.’

‘Yeah, he said he’s twenty.’

‘There you go then. A couple of years makes a big difference at that age.’ Emma finished pouring melted dark chocolate into the last mould. ‘So, the all-important question … are you seeing him again?’

‘I think so. He’s going to call me.’

‘Ooh, exciting.’

‘I know! OMG, I totally feel worn out now. I’ve been concentrating so hard on not saying anything stupid.’

Emma smiled. ‘Well, you can relax now.’

‘You’re kidding! I’ll be on tenterhooks waiting for him to call me, won’t I?’

‘Ah, yes.’

‘Well, I’d better get back and get my homework done, I suppose.’

‘Do you need a lift home? I could take you around in the car.’

‘Nah, I’ll walk.’

‘You sure? It’s dark out.’

‘It’s dark when I get off the bus these days, Em. No, I’ll be fine. Thanks anyway.’ She picked up her rucksack from the bench where she had left it earlier.

‘Okay, well, glad that it all seemed to go off well. See you Saturday afternoon, yeah?’ It was back to shorter hours for Holly again now the Valentine’s rush was over.

‘Yep, see you Saturday.’

‘Keep me posted. Hope you get your call soon,’ Emma grinned.

‘Me too.’

16

Adam had called Holly just a couple of days after the afternoon tea, and he and Holly had had a cinema date that seemed to go rather well. The only downside was that Holly had been mooning about the shop with a puppy-dog look on her face for the past fortnight, and was so full of chat about suitable outfits and hairstyles for the next impending supper date. Which was rather cute – but also frustrating when a customer was sometimes left waiting at the counter to be served. Emma had had to remind her assistant to focus on more than one occasion lately, but as the weeks rolled on, thankfully Emma had managed to scrape together enough funds to make the first higher rent payment and Easter had arrived before she knew it.

‘So, girls, has the Easter Bunny been yet, do you think? Shall we go and have a look?’

‘Yesss, Auntie Emma!’ they chorused.

Whilst James had kept the twins busy inside, Emma had placed a trail of her handmade chocolate eggs wrapped in gorgeous spotted foil around her brother’s back garden. Chloe had even strewn a couple of half-chewed carrots and a few torn lettuce leaves for extra effect.