The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas

by Carole Matthews

‘Where does that leave me?’

  ‘You’re holding him at arm’s length, Nadia, and Jacob is being respectful of that. He’s such a gentleman. If you do want to take things further with him then you’ll probably have to make the first move.’

  ‘I don’t know if that’s what I do want.’ Nadia frowns. ‘Now Chantal is ogling Jacob.’

  I try to laugh it off. ‘I don’t think she’s really ogling as such.’ Maybe looking a little too longingly, though. Not good.

  ‘Perhaps you and Chantal need to sit down together and have a chat to clear the air. I’m sure she’d be delighted if you and Jacob get together. Just don’t rush things. Go over there now and have a snuggle with lovely Lana. That’ll make you feel better. I don’t want you two to be bad friends.’

  ‘We’re not,’ Nadia says. ‘It’s just that my head feels a bit messed up at the moment. It’s probably better that I don’t try to force things while I’m feeling like this.’

  ‘Good idea.’ I put my hand under Nadia’s arm and steer her towards Chantal. ‘It’s probably starting work again and all that goes with it. Don’t put yourself under too much pressure. You’ve been through a lot. Small steps.’

  Thankfully, Nadia breaks into a smile as we approach Chantal. As we get closer, Lana spits out her dummy and, with amazing skill, Nadia catches it just before it hits the floor. She takes a tissue from her bag and wipes it.

  ‘Thanks,’ Chantal says. ‘You’ve got better reflexes than me.’

  ‘Once a mother, always a mother,’ Nadia quips.

  ‘I hate using these things, but needs must. Lana loves it.’

  ‘Lewis did too, but they grow out of it.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Chantal says. ‘You don’t see many eighteen-year-olds with pacifiers.’

  ‘Hand over that delicious bundle,’ Nadia says.

  ‘Glad to.’ Chantal places Lana into her arms. ‘She’s getting heavier every day. Just like her mummy.’

  ‘I’ve never seen you look sexier,’ I say to Chantal, who’s looking very curvaceous in a form-fitting dress. ‘You’re rocking the Nigella vibe. Do you need another drink?’

  ‘No,’ Chantal says. ‘But now that my hands are free, I might well work on my curves and hit the cake buffet again. Can I leave you with Lana for five?’

  Nadia nods and Chantal heads across the room, zooming in on the cake.

  ‘Did she just snub me?’ Nadia asks.

  ‘Of course she didn’t, darling.’

  ‘Sorry, Lucy. I’m being paranoid. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.’

  Then Jacob leaves Autumn and Miles and goes across to chat to Chantal. Last time Ted, Jacob and Chantal were together – at my non-wedding – Ted found out that Jacob had been sleeping with his wife and punched him. A good right hook to the jaw. I hold my breath for a moment but Ted doesn’t even notice. He has Elsie in his arms and is far too engrossed in what Stacey’s saying.

  Nadia notices though and her lips tighten.

  ‘You have to clear the air. Otherwise you’ll drive yourself completely potty,’ I advise. ‘But now’s not the time. Let’s just enjoy the evening. We’re all friends together.’

  I take a swig from the champagne bottle. Flipping heck, there are more underlying tensions here than at the Annual Ewing Barbecue at Southfork.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  It’s late. The babies are overtired, so are taken home and everyone else has left except Clive and Tristan. Crush has gone home ahead of me to start making dinner. Otherwise we’ll be eating Kit-Kats and toast at midnight. Again.

  Clive and Tristan have been great, helping me to tidy up – now Chocolate Heaven is all back to normal and ready for me to open up in the morning.

  We all flop onto the sofas together. ‘Great job, guys,’ I say. ‘Couldn’t have managed without you.’

  ‘We’ve realised how difficult it is for you to be running this place single-handedly,’ Clive admits. ‘It was OK for a short time, but we know it can’t go on.’

  ‘I did want to talk to you about that,’ I admit.

  Tristan stands up again. ‘I think we need a caffeine hit. I’m going to make us all a cappuccino. If I can work out how to operate that fancy machine.’

  ‘I have loads of plans,’ I say excitedly to Clive. ‘We’re on the route now for Chocolate Ecstasy Tours which bring in new customers and they come nearly every day. Jen, who runs them, is great and we could do a lot more with her.’

  Clive raises his eyebrows in approval.

  ‘I’d like to start doing chocolate-tasting events, too. Maybe the occasional supper or special chocolate cocktail evenings. I couldn’t manage that alone, though. I’d need to get in some help.’

  ‘It all sounds great, but there’s something I need to tell you first, Lucy,’ Clive starts. ‘There’s no easy way of saying this.’ He glances anxiously at me. ‘Tris and I have decided to stay in France. We love it there. The pace of life suits us both so much better and we’ve got time for each other in a way that we never had here. This is a great business, but it sucks the life out of you.’

  Don’t I know it.

  ‘If you want me to keep on running it, then I’m more than happy to,’ I jump in. ‘I could just do with some help. Aiden and I hardly see each other.’

  ‘The thing is . . .’ Clive looks uncomfortable. ‘We’ve decided to sell Chocolate Heaven. We need to move on and there’s a little place we’ve seen in our village that we’d like to buy. We can’t do it without the money from here.’

  ‘Oh.’ Hadn’t seen that one coming. I had an inkling that they might not return, but I never thought they’d be able to let Chocolate Heaven go.

  ‘That’s why we’re over here this week. Why we were able to come to the party. And it was a great get-together.’

  ‘Yes.’ We got through it without bloodshed, I think. Though I fear it might have been a close-run thing. I hate to acknowledge that there are undercurrents in our friendships – we have all been so steadfast and true, always there for each other. Friendships like that don’t often come along in a lifetime and we should cherish that.

  ‘We’re going to get the place valued and it will go on the market straight away.’

  ‘Wow,’ is all I can manage.

  Tristan comes back with our cappuccinos. He doesn’t make them as well as I do. There’s no heart in cocoa powder on the top and the froth isn’t as frothy as mine. It’s clear that he’s out of practice.

  ‘I know it’s a bit of a surprise,’ Clive continues.

  Too damn right. And I’m not sure that ‘surprise’ quite covers it. Body blow, more like.

  ‘We wanted you to be the first to know.’

  I gulp at my coffee, even though it burns my throat. I think I’m in shock.

  ‘If you want to buy the business, we’d give you first refusal, Lucy. I was looking at the books with the accountant yesterday and the takings are up massively since you’ve been managing it.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘You’re our rightful heir. We’d love you to have this place.’

  ‘I’d love it too,’ I manage to say. ‘But I’ve absolutely no idea how I’d raise the money.’

  I’ve nothing. No collateral. No deposit. Not even a pot to piss in. I’m wishing that my mother was still in Spain with The Millionaire, as I might be able to tap them for a few bob. My dad is now impoverished too, as he spent most of his money on The Hairdresser and now The Pilates Instructor. Damn them and their University of the Third Age libidos.

  ‘I can’t see anything much happening before Christmas,’ Clive says. ‘You’ve got a few weeks at least.’

  A few weeks. My heart plunges to the doldrums.

  ‘We know that you’re a resourceful woman, Lucy. You’ll come up with something.’

  He smiles at me in an encouraging manner and I want to weep. I’m glad Clive thinks I’m resourceful because, frankly, I feel as if I’m floundering. A few short weeks and I could lose Chocolate Heaven. There could be a new owner who boot
s me out onto the street. What will I do?

  Right now the only thing I can think of is writing a begging letter to Santa asking for a Christmas miracle.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  It was late when the taxi dropped off Nadia and Lewis at their little house. Her son was tired after the excitement of the afternoon and it wouldn’t have been fair to drag him across London on the Tube, so she’d splashed out to travel in comfort. Well, if you could call a London minicab that looked as if it hadn’t been near a car wash or an MOT station in recent years, comfort.

  She paid the driver. A man who didn’t seem to have the best grasp of the English language or, even, the geography of the area. Still, it meant that he hadn’t talked to her all the way home and Lewis had been free to doze on her shoulder. He’d been eating chocolate and cake to his heart’s content this afternoon and, after his sugar rush, now came the inevitable sugar slump. Tomorrow she’d make up for it with a surfeit of carrot snacks and an ultra-healthy packed lunch.

  Rousing her son, she ushered him towards the front door. This wasn’t the best area to live in and she was getting to hate going out at night by herself. Perhaps if her job worked out, she might be able to move somewhere a little nicer in years to come. She’d certainly like to get Lewis out of this environment. Somewhere nearer to Chocolate Heaven and the other girls might be nice, though she imagined that the property prices would be prohibitively expensive. Anywhere decent in London was extortionate these days.

  She fumbled with her key in the lock and, as she did, a man stepped out of the shadows by her wall, making her jump.

  ‘Nadia,’ he said and, of course, she recognised his voice instantly.

  ‘Tarak?’ Her heart was banging loudly in her chest. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘I came to talk to you about a few things for work,’ he said. ‘I’m not going to be in the shop tomorrow and I wanted to catch you.’

  ‘You could have called me.’

  ‘I was just passing.’

  ‘How do you even know where I live?’

  ‘From Anita, of course.’ Her brother-in-law looked offended, as if it was perfectly reasonable for him to be lurking in the bushes next to her house late at night. She wondered exactly how long he’d been waiting for her to return and the thought creeped her out.

  ‘It’s late, Tarak. I need to get Lewis into his bed. We’ve had a busy day and he’s falling asleep on his feet.’

  ‘I can come in and wait.’ Tarak was undeterred. ‘I’ll put the kettle on or pour us a drink.’

  ‘I’ve had enough to drink today.’ But, as it looked as if she wasn’t going to get rid of him otherwise, against her better judgement she said, ‘You can make us a quick cup of tea.’ Emphasis very much on the quick part of it.

  She was tired herself and the thought of a long bath and an early night was very appealing.

  They’d been stood on the doorstep for too long, so she let them in, Tarak following close behind. She wondered if Anita really knew that he was here.

  ‘Go right through to the kitchen,’ she said, pointing the way. ‘You’ll see where everything is. I’ll take Lewis straight up to bed.’

  She steered her son to the stairs and up to his room. As she helped him to undress, Lewis asked, ‘Who’s that man?’

  It was telling that her son didn’t even recognise his uncle. ‘Your Uncle Tarak,’ she told him. ‘That’s who I work for now.’

  ‘I don’t think that I like him.’

  She felt much the same. ‘He’s family,’ she said, avoiding agreeing with him.

  In the bathroom, Lewis cleaned his teeth. ‘I like Jacob better.’ Toothpaste spluttered out of his mouth.

  Me too.

  She thought about ringing Jacob and asking him to come over. That way Tarak was sure to leave. However, it wasn’t exactly fair to use Jacob like that. Instead, she pulled out her phone and texted him.

  Can u ring me in 10 mins, she typed. Unwanted visitor. She could hear Tarak moving around downstairs, opening and closing her cupboards, rummaging through her belongings. Goosebumps prickled her skin.

  Who? Want me to come over?

  That was just like him and a sense of relief washed over her. He was the best friend she could have, always at the other end of the phone.

  No. Only Tarak. Jacob knew full well what she thought of her brother-in-law and her difficulties with him.

  Sure, came the reply.

  Ur a pal. xx

  When Lewis had finished his ablutions, she tucked him into bed. ‘No story tonight. Straight to sleep. Uncle Tarak wants to talk about work. I’ll come and kiss you before I go to bed.’ Though most nights Lewis seemed to find his way out of his own bed and into hers. She didn’t usually have the heart to take him back.

  Downstairs and Tarak was waiting in the living room. There was a cup of tea on the coffee table and he was holding a mug in his hands.

  ‘He’s getting to be a big boy,’ he said to her.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Man of the house.’ Said in a way that implied he was aware she was alone.

  Everything about him made her want to shudder. How had her sister stayed married to him for so long? Did she not see what he was like? She wondered if there had been other staff in the shop who’d refused to stay for long due to his attitude and constant innuendo. She thought this sort of sexual harassment had gone out of fashion in the workplace in the seventies.

  She took her tea and went to sit in the armchair as far away from him as possible. ‘What was it that you wanted, Tarak?’

  ‘I thought we should get to know each other all over again.’ He made himself comfortable on the sofa, his stomach, soft now, spilling over the waistband of his trousers.

  ‘You said it was about work.’

  ‘I think good staff relations are very important.’

  ‘I’m too tired for this now,’ she said. ‘I can’t play games, Tarak. I’d be really glad if you could just drink up and leave.’

  ‘That’s not very nice.’ His voice became even more smarmy. ‘We’re family. I’m not going anywhere, Nadia. It would pay you to treat me well.’

  ‘I like my job, Tarak. I like working with my sister. If you and I have a good relationship, it’s a bonus, but it’s not my priority.’

  His smile faded. ‘Maybe it should be.’

  ‘If my job depends on it, then maybe I should resign straight away. I’ll leave you to explain it to Anita.’

  Her phone rang. Not a moment too soon. When she answered it was, of course, Jacob.

  ‘Hi,’ she said. ‘Yes, I’m still awake. Excellent. It would be good to see you.’

  She tried to pretend that she was ignoring Tarak, but she could see that his face had darkened.

  ‘I’ll look forward to it.’ She hung up and turned to her brother-in-law. ‘I’m expecting someone. Perhaps you should go home to your wife.’

  Tarak put his mug down. ‘Booty call?’

  ‘I don’t think that’s any of your business.’

  She stood up and walked to the door. Somewhat reluctantly Tarak followed her lead.

  In the cramped hallway, he stood close to her. Too close.

  ‘We could be good for each other,’ he said. ‘Remember that.’

  ‘All I want from you is a job. Nothing more.’

  ‘You may come to regret that,’ Tarak said.

  ‘I don’t think so.’

  His smile was oily. ‘I’ll see you in the shop then. There are times when it’ll be just the two of us. We should make the most of it.’

  Nadia shut the door behind him and listened until his car roared away into the night. Only then could she breathe easy. Creep.

  A second later her phone rang again, startling her. It was Jacob.

  ‘Hi.’

  ‘Has he gone?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Just. He’s such a sleazebag.’

  There was a pause before Jacob said, ‘This might be completely the wrong thing to say.’ He hesitated again.
‘But do you want me to come over anyway?’

  Nadia hesitated, heart still pounding. Were Jacob’s words loaded? If so, it was more than she could deal with right now.

  ‘Not tonight,’ she said, managing to keep her tone neutral. ‘I’m going to go straight to bed.’

  ‘OK. Night then, Nadia.’

  Was that disappointment she could hear in his voice or was he simply worried about her? ‘Night, Jacob.’

  Hanging up, she felt a hot tear squeeze out of her eye and roll down her cheek. Did she want to get involved with Jacob? Did she want to get involved with any man? There was so much at stake.

  Nadia was jaded, weary and, despite not wanting to cry, she let the tears flow. It was so difficult. She was tired of being alone and yet terrified of getting involved again.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chantal lay in bed, Lana nestled at her breast. It had been a nice naming party. Lucy had pulled out all the stops for them and, other than a little tension with Nadia, everyone had got along brilliantly.

  She listened to Ted in the en-suite bathroom. He’d been in the shower and now he was shaving to save a few precious moments in the morning. He was humming tunelessly but happily. Her husband wasn’t a great one for social gatherings these days, but he seemed to have enjoyed himself. A few glasses of champagne had certainly helped to relax him; he seemed uptight so often these days. She guessed that he had a lot on his plate with two families to juggle now.

  She’d seen him looking at Stacey and remembered that, once upon a time, before life got in the way, he had looked at her like that, too. If she was going to keep this marriage together, then she was going to have to get him to look at her like that again.

  Since Lana had come along, Chantal felt that her love for Ted had, if anything, deepened. Sometimes she watched him caring for Lana, the love shining in his eyes, and her heart felt full of love for them both. She was eternally grateful that he’d turned out to be such a good dad. OK, so he might not be at the front of the queue when it came to volunteering for nappy-changing duty, but he was a world expert when it came to winding.

  Yet she couldn’t ignore the fact that it was a more platonic love she held for Ted now, rather than the passion they had once shared. Something had shifted. The early chemistry they’d had wasn’t there anymore. There was no passion. There was, however, a mellow respect and affection. She wondered if he felt the same. Was that how all relationships ended up – particularly after you introduced children into the mix? No one wanted to frolic around the bedroom when they had a new baby, did they? She should talk to Ted about it, but how to broach it?