The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop. Caroline Roberts

bases. At work she always wore a black apron (to hide the inevitable chocolate smears), teamed with black trousers and a plain white T-shirt; it didn’t really matter what was underneath as long as it was clean.

      Five o’clock rolled around so quickly. It had been another hectic day, with a rush over the lunch hour. Emma had managed a bite of Marmite on toast at around 2.30 p.m. for her lunch with a quick cup of coffee. She loved good coffee, and when she had time would grind her own beans. It was one of the few things she spent a little more on – having a really lovely cup of coffee from her cafetière really perked her up, especially on hectic days like this. She had been so glad when Holly arrived about an hour ago.

      The door chimed and in dashed the young man from the hotel. He was checking his watch. ‘Sorry, are you about to close?’

      ‘Oh, hi, Adam. No, you’re fine. We’re opening a little later tonight, with it being Valentine’s Day tomorrow.’ Emma smiled.

      She could swear she could feel the heat rise in the room. Holly was blushing furiously beside her.

      ‘How’s the hotel order going?’ he asked. He looked slightly uncomfortable.

      ‘Oh, you didn’t need the mini boxes for the hotel today, did you?’ She felt her heart race. She was sure they’d said for Valentine’s Day, and had planned to get them finished and delivered first thing in the morning. She felt a little anxious – she couldn’t afford to screw this up already.

      ‘Oh no, tomorrow is fine. Helen said for Valentine’s Day.’

      ‘So, how can we help today?’ Emma asked brightly, feeling relieved, as she shifted slightly out of the counter area. ‘Holly, would you mind helping here? I have another batch of dark chocolate hearts to make.’

      ‘Of course … so, what would you like? The usual, is it, coffee creams and the orange creams?’

      ‘Aah, yes, please …’

      Emma couldn’t help but listen in as she walked slowly towards the inner door of the shop. He sounded uncertain, as though that wasn’t what he was in here for at all. She paused just in the doorway, curious.

      Holly got the box out ready, four of each flavour as per usual. Wrapped them up, did the purple gift bow, and then weighed and priced them, which came to the normal five pounds twenty.

      ‘Um …’ He sounded a little uncomfortable. ‘I’d like something else. Another gift box, one like that, but a bit bigger this time.’

      Emma could imagine Holly’s shoulders sinking at that point, though she’d be trying her best to disguise it.

      ‘And what would you like in this one, some truffles and ganaches from the counter, maybe?’

      ‘Yes, a selection, please. I’m not sure which – what kind of things would you recommend?’

      ‘Well, I love these Baileys truffles, so definitely a couple of those, and Emma has just been making a new passion fruit filling, so you could try that. The raspberry and white choc is very good too, as is the hazelnut praline.’

      ‘Any more favourites?’ he prompted.

      ‘Yes, there’s the salted caramel, better not miss that. They really are delicious.’

      ‘Two of them as well, in that case.’

      She had filled all twelve cases now. ‘Done?’

      ‘Yes, that’s fine. Thank you.’

      ‘What kind of gift-wrapping?’ Holly asked, still managing to sound cheerful.

      ‘I’ll let you decide.’

      So she went for a bright pink bow and ribbon, which she tied beautifully.

      Emma was now spying subtly from the inner doorway. Bless her, Holly was being so helpful, even though she was probably feeling gutted inside. The tension in her assistant’s fingers was apparent, however, as she struggled to tie the bow.

      ‘Right, so together that’ll be twelve pounds fifty, please.’

      She popped the two boxes in one of their crisp white paper bags.

      The young man paid, then gave Holly a smile, which she returned wistfully.

      ‘Bye, then,’ she said.

      ‘Thanks. Bye.’ He turned at the last, with a nod.

      After the door to the shop closed, Em heard Holly let out a long, low sigh. As she peered further around the door frame, she saw the young girl’s head drop and her hand lift to sweep away a stray tear. ‘Life is sooo not fair.’

      She just had to go and give her assistant a hug.