They parked up outside The Chocolate Shop, her little haven. She could ask him in for coffee. But they’d already had coffee, and she was feeling way too confused about all this as it was. They were still in his vehicle, so she said a friendly ‘thank you’, and leaned over to give him a polite kiss on the cheek. He turned his head to meet her lips with his – and ooh!

My, he was such a good kisser, stirring up all kinds of dangerous feelings and sensations that hadn’t surfaced for a very long time. It was like he’d rewired her body.

But it was purely physical, she reminded herself. Hah! She could hear Bev’s voice in her head now, hilariously: ‘It’s about bloody time. Just get yourself back in the saddle, girl!’ which she ignored. She could get this so wrong by rushing into things and end up getting herself hurt. Why spend all these years keeping herself safe? She felt a little vulnerable already, so where the hell did it go from here? Nowhere in a rush, that was for sure. All this relationship stuff felt rather like an emotional Russian Roulette. She had let herself get carried away enough as it was.

‘Goodnight, Max. Thanks for a lovely meal, and a lovely evening.’

‘You’re so welcome, Emma.’ He looked slightly disappointed as she moved to get out of the jeep, but he seemed fine. ‘I’ve had a great time too,’ he continued. ‘Tomorrow?’ he asked. ‘Are you still free for a walk in the morning?’

Oh yes, she had already agreed to that. It was only a dog walk, and she’d have to take Alfie out as it was.

‘Ah, okay, yes, that’ll be nice. Come here for, say, ten?’

‘Great, will do. Sweet dreams, Em.’

‘You too. Night.’ And she felt like someone had shaken her up like a snow globe as she watched him drive off, and head down the hill to his harbourside B&B, wondering where her emotions were going to settle.

25

Emma woke early, all the emotions of last night flooding her brain. So, she and Max were about to go on another beach walk together, stirring up memories of that first meeting on Boxing Day.

She got up and made herself a cup of tea, carrying it through to the small living room where she sat for a while with Alfie. From the cottage window, she could see it was a bright autumn day, just perfect for a wrapped-up, sandy stroll.