‘I know. Thank you. I think it was Holly who let it slip after the landlord called to chase the rent. Once the village grapevine got hold of it, well, they had me closing down within the week.’

‘Well, it sounds like you might be in need of some time out. It’s been such a glorious day, and looks like it’s going to stay a nice evening, so I was actually calling to see if you’d like to come round for drinks in the garden here?’

‘Tonight?’

‘Yes, I’ll see if Joanne and Ali can make it too, if you’d like.’

Ali was a friend of Bev’s who lived in the next village; she also worked as a receptionist at the doctors’ surgery, and was always good company.

Well, it might beat her evening date with Alfie, the television, and pondering her financial woes. She hadn’t realised quite how lovely the weather had been as the shop front was shaded – ideal for chocolates, to be fair – with the sun hitting the courtyard at the back of the cottage of an afternoon.

‘Pete’s been out all day golfing,’ Bev added. ‘There’s some kind of dinner event afterwards too, so I doubt if I’ll see him back until past ten o’clock. So drinks with the girls seemed ideal.’

‘It sounds lovely. And yes, do ask Jo and Ali, that’d be lovely. What time do you want me around? I’ll just have to shut the shop up, take Alfie out for his walk, and give him some tea.’

‘About six-thirty, so we can make the most of the sunshine. Bring a cardi or fleece as we’ll try and stay outside. Pete brought home one of those chiminea things yesterday. We’ll set it up and give it a blast. Beat the Northumberland chill that’ll no doubt creep in later on.’

‘Great.’

‘I was thinking of making up a jug of Pimm’s and lemonade, to celebrate the start of summer. Maybe followed by a glass or two of Prosecco.’

‘Sounds delightful. Can I bring along anything to help?’

‘Now you’re asking … A scrummy box of your chocolates might be nice. Do you still do those Eton Mess ones? You know, the ones with strawberries, cream, and meringue? I think they’d go lovely with the Pimm’s.’ Em could hear the cheesy smile in her friend’s voice.

‘Yep, I do indeed. Made a batch of those yesterday morning, in fact, so I’ll bring some of those and a selection of other favourites.’ She’d also just made some dark choc ganaches with a hint of lavender, which were surprisingly good. She loved testing out new flavours with seasonal twists and she was now on to the tastes of summer.

‘Of course.’