‘I think it’s best the doctors do what they need to today, and it’s close family only at this stage. Sorry … I’m his mother, by the way, Christine. Shall I speak with you tomorrow, Emma? Maybe you can pop down another day, when we know more.’
‘Of course. And thank you for letting me know.’
‘You’re welcome, dear.’
‘Can you tell him I’m thinking of him, and to get well soon.’ Emma just about held it together, to say goodbye.
‘Yes. I’ll keep in touch.’
As soon as she clicked the phone off, Emma crumpled in a heap on her living-room floor, the tears flowing uncontrollably.
A night of worrying and praying for him followed, hoping against hope that history was not about to repeat itself. All she really wanted to do was to drive straight down there, though she wasn’t even sure which infirmary he was in, and find him in that hospital bed and hold him tight in her arms. But she had to sit there and wait. She had called Bev in the late evening as she had to talk to someone, and her friend knew more than most about the background to all this.
‘Shall I come round, Em? Do you want some company?’
‘No, I’m all over the place. Can’t settle to anything, even though I’ve loads to do. Just talk to me a minute. I’ll go off to bed soon. I should really try and get some sleep.’
So they’d chatted about all sorts of inane things. It was too hard to go too near the truth. What might be happening in that hospital an hour away? They couldn’t change anything, they just had to wait for news, which Emma didn’t expect at least until morning when the CT scan had been done.
‘He’ll be okay, Em. I’m sure he’ll be okay,’ Bev tried to reassure. ‘I’ll call again in the morning. And if you need anything, even if it’s in the middle of the night, just shout.’
‘Thank you.’
Emma had saved Christine’s phone number, but felt she ought to give his family their space for that evening. After all, they hadn’t even heard of her until today. She was still holding her phone in her hand after speaking to Bev. She looked at the photo of Max’s message written in chocolates and a tear dropped down on to her wrist.
She had a broken, dream-filled sleep, waking, with sharp snatches of memories of Luke’s death gripping her every now and then, then she’d sleep restlessly once more. She had to be ready to start work again in the morning. There was still so much to do. But at least it would keep her occupied. It was only one week until Christmas.
It was twenty to eleven in the morning, when her mobile rang: Christine. Emma froze, almost too scared to answer it.
‘Excuse me for just one second,’ she said to a gentleman who was browsing in the shop. ‘I really need to take this call.’
‘No problem.’ He carried on looking at the boat-shelf selection.
Emma walked towards the inner hall doorway and pressed ‘green’.
‘Christine? How is he?’ She hardly dared breathe.
‘They did the scan first thing this morning, and it’s clear.’
‘Oh, that’s brilliant!’ She didn’t care if the guy in the shop saw her tears of relief.
‘They’re just keeping him in for observation through the day. He dislocated his shoulder yesterday and that was put back in, and the broken collarbone is in a support sling. It doesn’t need surgery, though he’ll need physio later.’
‘Oh, poor Max! But it could have been so much worse.’
‘He’s been lucky.’
‘Yes. Thanks so much for letting me know. Can I come down and see him?’
‘We’re not sure quite when he’ll be released from hospital, it may well be later this afternoon. Shall I let you know? You could call at the house this evening – we’ll be having him with us to convalesce for a while. Make sure I can keep an eye on him so he’s not doing too much with that arm. I know what he’s like.’ She spoke the words fondly.
Emma had to smile. ‘Yes. Well, I’ll come down straight after work, if you’re sure that’s okay.’
‘That should be fine. I’ll confirm later, when they’ve discharged him from the ward.’
‘Thanks again, Christine, for letting me know. Send him my love. Oh, I’m so glad he’s going to be all right.’
‘We are very relieved too. I’ll be in touch soon, Emma. Bye.’
‘Bye.’ Emma clicked off the call.
‘Oh, sorry.’ She realised the chap was still standing there, with a bar of chocolate orange and another of mint crisp, ready to pay.
‘No worries.’ He was smiling.
‘He’s going to be all right,’ she couldn’t help but blurt out, still tearful. She didn’t even know this guy, but he was bound to have heard most of the call.
‘Well, that’s good news.’ He was still holding the chocolate bars.
‘Oh, that’s four pounds ninety-eight, please.’ And she popped them into a bag.
He passed over a five-pound note. ‘Thanks, and you have a happy Christmas.’
‘You too. Merry Christmas.’
Just the customer saying that made her feel all emotional. She needed to go get a tissue or she’d be blubbing all over the chocolates at this rate.
Emma found the address Christine had given her in a tree-lined avenue in Morpeth. It was a large red-brick townhouse. She pulled up outside and found herself feeling a little nervous. As well as seeing Max all bashed up, she’d be meeting his parents for the first time too.
She rang the doorbell and stood waiting anxiously, desperate to just run in and find Max and gently give him the hugest of hugs.
A tall, elegant-looking lady came to the door. She was very slim, with coiffed short grey hair, wearing smart navy trousers, a white blouse and a blue-patterned scarf at her neck. Her eyes were a kind blue-grey but they looked tired.
‘Hello, you must be Emma. Lovely to meet you.’ She extended a hand in greeting. ‘Come on in.’
It all seemed quite formal.
‘I’m sure you’d like to see Max. I’ll show you through … we’ve set him a bed up in the dining room. Saves the stairs,’ she explained. ‘He seems quite sore with his ribs.’
‘Hey.’ Max tried to prop himself up on the pillows, with a grimace. They had set out a sofa-bed for him to rest in. Emma noticed the large green-black bruise he had on one cheek.
‘Hi there. What have you been getting up to?’
‘Doing acrobatics off the scaffolding. Forgot the safety net.’ He tried to smile.
‘I’ll go make some tea,’ said Christine, politely leaving them on their own.
Ah, dammit, the tears were starting again.
‘Hey, come here. I’m okay, Em.’
Max knew exactly why this was so hard for her. He reached out his good arm and she found shelter in his clumsy half-hug. He winced again.
‘Sorry.’ She moved back a little, afraid of hurting him.
‘It’s all right, don’t you go anywhere. Just here is fine.’ And he motioned for her to snuggle up on the good side of his battered chest.
It felt so good, to feel him right there beneath her head, feel the warmth of his skin through his T-shirt, hear his heart beating loudly in his chest.
‘Max . . ’ She didn’t raise her head, just spoke the words loud and clear. ‘In answer to your chocolate message: I love you too.’
A while later, Christine brought in tea and biscuits on a tray and asked Emma about her chocolate shop and the village. Emma shifted from the bed, feeling a little awkward being that close to him with his mum right there – not that Christine batted an eyelid when she came back in. Emma pulled up a dining chair next to the bed. Max’s dad, Trevor, also popped his head in the room at that point to say a friendly hello. He had no doubt been warned to give them a bit of space. He seemed a nice man, a thinner version of Max without the stubbly beard.
Emma stayed for over two hours in the end, sharing a tender kiss with Max as she said goodbye, and promising she’d call back again tomorrow after work, even though it was a forty-minute drive afte
r a long working day. But it would be harder not to see him. It was difficult enough leaving him there as it was, now they had found each other again. As she walked out of the room she was already missing that contact, that closeness, but she knew he’d be well looked after by his family.
48
‘Emma, you’ve got to help me. They are scheming to take me to Uncle George’s for Christmas Day,’ Max was whispering down the phone line. It was four days later. ‘It was already arranged before the accident. A family Christmas Day and they hadn’t told me. Honestly, he’s batty as a hoot, his wife can hardly cook, and they have three cats who hate me. The claws will be out. Can you come and rescue me?’
‘Are you able to come here?’
‘Yes, I’m feeling sore but I’m way better. And I’d love to be with you.’
‘Well, I have James and the family for dinner, but yes, no problem, you could come along too. That’d be fine.’
‘The only thing is, I’m trapped here. I can’t drive yet and Mum won’t let me stay home on my own, absolutely won’t hear of it on Christmas Day. Is there any chance you could come and fetch me? I’m sorry, I know that’d be a pain as you’ll still be flat out at the shop.’
‘Oh, after work tomorrow, Christmas Eve, I could come down and get you then. You’d better clear it with your mother first, though. I don’t want to be in the middle of any family dramas when I get there.’
‘Will do, but she’ll be fine if I’m with company and being fed. She just didn’t want me left alone. Honestly, she’s great, my mum, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like I’ve reverted to being eight years old this week. She even cut up my dinner for me yesterday. She did just about hold off spoon-feeding me, however.’
Emma chuckled. ‘She’s only trying to look after you, I’m sure. I bet you’re sitting there all grumpy like Victor Meldrew. Okay, I’ll come and save you. But clear it with the family first. Call me back to confirm, and I’ll try to get there around six.’
Christmas Eve arrived at last. Holly was helping, and Bev was due in later. At eleven o’clock it was pretty hectic already, lots of last-minute gifts and stocking fillers being bought, and people looking stressed-out calling for pep-up coffees on their way back from the supermarket, or visiting family. Then there were the lucky ones who were already off and relaxing for their Christmas break in their cottages and B&Bs by the sea, with the workers still going strong, like a little army of ants keeping all the cogs going, the chocolate supplied, the teapots filled.
Emma was tired, but she did love this time of the year. Yes, it was busy, had been for weeks, but it was also special. She had her Christmas lights on, carols and festive pop music playing, and was sporting her old faithful reindeer jumper, which made its outing every year, with red bauble earrings. Bev was about to turn up shortly in her elf costume, apparently (they’d decided a Christmas outfit was a must) and Holly was here as Father Christmas in a red-felt suit, with a white beard and all – though she was having problems as the beard kept dunking in the hot chocolates! Oh yes, less than twenty-four hours to the big day itself, and they were in full Christmas mode.
In one way, Emma couldn’t wait for the door to close, for the final customers to be gone and allow her just to kick off her shoes, chill out, and make the most of three days’ holiday. She had decided to take the day after Boxing Day off too – everyone would have had so many chocolates over Christmas no one would be wanting more that soon. And it was time she took a little bit of time out for herself.
Mind you, she would be driving down to Morpeth straight after work today, to collect Max, so not quite kicking off her shoes. But then, she was really looking forward to having him here with her and the family too.
They served a group of six sitting around one of the window-seat tables, and then Holly’s mobile went off. Emma nodded to let her know it was okay to take the call, and her assistant went out to the kitchen to speak more privately.
Holly came back looking a little upset.
‘Everything all right?’ Emma asked.
‘Not really. Adam’s gran is quite poorly with the flu, bless her. We were going there tomorrow for dinner. She wanted to cook for us, as we really wanted our first Christmas together and my mum and dad are away down south visiting my brother. Adam’s mum died when he was young, that’s why he’s extra close to his gran, and his dad’s got to work. He’s a chef and someone has to cook all those Christmas dinners, so we don’t really have anywhere to go.’
Two more wouldn’t hurt, Emma mused; she had a turkey that was big enough to feed a family of twelve, and she could soon prep some extra vegetables. ‘Why don’t you both come here? It’s fine. I’ve got James and the family over, and Max now too. He’s on the mend.’
‘Aw, I’m so glad about Max! That’s such good news, Em.’
‘So two more will be fine. Oh, and make sure you take a turkey dinner away for Adam’s gran too. You can call and visit her, see how she’s doing. I wouldn’t like to think of her on her own all day for Christmas. What do you reckon?’
‘I think that would be amazing.’ She gave Em a big hug. ‘I’ll ring Adam straight away. Are you really sure?’
‘Absolutely, the more the merrier.’ It’d be a busy day cooking, but hey, she’d have plenty of helpers and wasn’t that just what Christmas was all about?
49
‘Merry Christmas!’ Max was sitting beside her; he’d managed to prop himself up against the pillows and had a big cheesy grin on his face.
‘Merry Christmas, Max.’ She smiled, and moved carefully across, remembering his injuries, to plant a kiss on his cheek.
So, it was real, not some Christmas wish she’d been running in her mind. He was really here, his arm in a sling, and apart from the broken collarbone and cracked and bruised ribs, he was okay, though no doubt sore.
Last night had been interesting. She had offered to sleep on the sofa to give him the chance to get some uninterrupted rest, but he insisted she stay with him, that he’d be fine. But she was frightened she might roll over or starfish and bang into him in the middle of the night, so kept herself tight to her side of the bed.
It was Christmas Day. She had a turkey to cook, presents still to wrap for James and his family – she would have done them last night, but then she’d had her last-minute trip down to Morpeth – and they’d be arriving all too soon. Holly, Adam, James, Chloe, the twins, all to feed and entertain. She had invited her parents too, but they had already made plans to have lunch with close friends. They were going to call in and see her late afternoon on Boxing Day. But hey, it would all come together, there was no mad rush. For now, what she really wanted was to just cherish a few quiet moments with this gorgeous man beside her.
‘Surprise!’ Max bellowed above her head.
Or maybe not so quiet, then.
‘Now, I can’t quite reach it,’ he continued, ‘but there’s something wrapped up for you under my side of the bed. Do you mind getting it out for me?’
Emma sat up and got out of bed. She was just about to lean under the bed, when she realised she was totally starkers and thought better of it – that particular position might not look very elegant, so she slipped on her satin dressing gown.
‘Spoilsport.’ He grinned from his nest of pillows.
As she got down on her hands and knees she saw a gold-foil, gift-wrapped box, which looked professionally done with a lovely silver-and-gold trimmed bow. She took it back into bed with her. Max watched her carefully as she began to unwrap it. She wasn’t a rip-and-go kind of girl; always liked to savour gifts. Inside she found a black velvet box and carefully opened it to reveal a beautiful silver necklace with a delicate heart pendant.
‘Oh, I love it! Thank you so much.’ She touched the heart and smiled at him. During these past few weeks, it felt very much like he had given her back a piece of her heart. She gave him a quick kiss on the lips, then placed it round her neck straight away, popping her long hair over her shoulder to reach and fasten the clasp more
easily.
‘Phew, glad you like it. I thought the heart was just right – hopefully. It’s white gold, by the way.’
‘Thank you. Now I feel like my gift to you will be a bit of a letdown.’
‘Never. Just being here for Christmas with you is pretty damn good, to be fair.’
Emma had wrapped Max’s gift up a few days ago and placed it in the cabinet of her bedside table.
He opened it to find a bottle of Armani aftershave and a new scarf to keep him cosy out on the building sites. It seemed appropriate, seeing as it was a scarf that had brought them together in the first place.
He fumbled one-handedly with the wrapper and box, then gave himself a spritz of the aftershave. ‘Hmm, yes I’ve had this one before. I really like it.’
Emma inhaled. Ooh yes, it smelt even better on him than in the shop in fact.
‘And a scarf – that’s great. I can wrap up and think of you.’ He smiled warmly as though he was genuinely pleased.
It was a nice Barbour one, in a checked blue pattern on grey. She had wanted to get him something nice, but she hadn’t had tons of money to spare. She’d also popped in a box of whisky truffles, his favourites.
‘Not too boring, I hope.’
‘Just perfect, thank you.’ And he leaned in to kiss her.
An hour later they were in the downstairs kitchen. Max offered to help with the mass of vegetables lined up ready to prepare: potatoes, Brussel sprouts, carrots and parsnips. Emma looked at him, and then his arm in its sling, with a wry smile.
‘Thanks, but maybe you could set the table for me? That’d be great.’
‘Aah …’ Max twigged. ‘Yep, of course.’
‘I’m going to set the table up out in The Chocolate Shop, at the big round table and new window seat made by an ever-so-lovely builder chap I know.’ She grinned. ‘With a couple of extra chairs, we’ll be able to fit the eight around.’
‘Yeah, that sounds ideal. And yes, I know that guy – he’s sound. I’m sure he’d make someone a great catch.’ He winked at her.
‘Right, I just need to get out my Christmas tablecloth and the cutlery’s all in that drawer.’ She pointed.
The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop Page 29