So maybe he was here just for some chocolates. She sorted the confectionery into gift bags, trying to still the trembling in her fingertips. She hoped no other customers would come in just now; she wanted time to have a chat, though she really didn’t know what she was going to say. He’d cropped up so many times in her mind these past months. He couldn’t just pick up the sweets and walk back out that door, could he?

Oh damn. He was paying, putting his wallet away, picking up the gift bag. ‘Lovely shop you have here.’

‘Thanks … Umm …’ She had to stall him.

‘Ah …’ he started. They looked at each other.

She realised she still didn’t know his name. ‘I’m Emma by the way.’ She held out her hand.

‘Hello, Emma. Max.’

Max, yes that suited him. So, Mr Kiss was called Max. And he took her hand in his warm, steady palm.

‘Max Hardy.’

‘Nice to meet you … again, Max.’ There, she’d planted the seed, reminding him of their moment together on the beach.

‘I was actually wondering what time you close? As in, would you like to go for a drink or something, or a coffee, maybe?’ His voice was calm, quietly confident.

Inside her head, she did a huge air punch, and a silent woop!

‘Umm, well yes, that would be lovely. I finish at five, but I do have to take Alfie, my dog, out for a quick walk then.’

‘Ah yes, Alfie. The spaniel.’ He was nodding. ‘Cute little guy, brown and white.’

Aw, he remembered.

‘Yep, that’s the one.’

‘Well, I could always come with you for the walk – if you didn’t mind, that is.’

‘I don’t mind at all. What about if we meet at the car park by the beach? Say five fifteen.’

‘Great. And then, maybe, we can go for a drink together after that?’

‘Maybe, yes.’ Heart performing double somersault flip.

‘See you soon, then.’ He turned to go, taking his bag of chocolates.

She watched as he walked away from her to the door. Tall, muscular under those jeans, trendy leather jacket, dark cropped hair.

‘Okay, see you later, Max.’ She sounded cool, but felt very much like doing the Tigger bounce that Holly had perfected a few months before.

Was this really happening, after all those times wondering what had on earth had happened to him, where he had gone? Why had it taken so long for him to come back? Hopefully, she’d soon get the chance to find out.

The metallic-grey jeep was there, parked up by the dunes, looking out to sea.