Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop

by Jessica Redland

  ‘How come they haven’t done a barn conversion?’

  ‘They thought a newbuild on a housing estate close to school was more practical but the girls love it here so much, I think they’re regretting it. Now that they’ve seen what my conversion looks like, I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t start their own next year.’

  ‘Am I going to finally get to see yours?’ I asked. So far, I hadn’t had an opportunity. While he’d been with Libby, it hadn’t seemed appropriate to visit and, since we’d started seeing each other, it had been too dark to explore by the time the shop closed.

  ‘I think it’s time.’ He slid his arm round me and snuggled me to his side as we walked.

  We passed some more barns and storage buildings, some obviously in use and others in a state of disrepair. ‘That’s been my home for the past year,’ he said, pointing at a static caravan on the left with his van parked beside it.

  ‘Cosy. I bet you can’t wait to move out of there.’

  ‘Seriously, Charlee, if I never see the inside of another caravan for the rest of my life, it won’t be a moment too soon.’

  We rounded a corner to head up another incline and I gasped. Nestling in front of some trees stood the most spectacular L-shaped barn conversion. Constructed from pale grey stonework with timber-framed windows. The larger part of the ‘L’ was two-storey and the other part appeared to be single-storey with a pitched roof suggesting a vaulted ceiling inside.

  A gravel drive had been laid leading up to a double garage but the rest of the grounds were churned up mud and rubble. I could imagine how they’d look with grass, flowerbeds, and possibly a pond.

  ‘Oh, Matt, it’s even more beautiful than I imagined.’

  ‘You really like it?’

  ‘I absolutely love it.’

  ‘The outside still needs a lot of work, which will be the project for spring, but the inside is close to finished. It’s all plastered and ready to paint, the kitchen and bathrooms are fitted, but there’s no furniture yet so it’s very echoey. Would you like to see inside?’

  I nodded eagerly as we tramped across the gravel to a timber-framed entrance porch.

  ‘There’s a side door into a utility room and boot room which will be the usual way in, but I want you to see it for the first time through the front door.’

  Matt unlocked the sturdy oak door and pushed it open. He flicked a couple of light switches as we stepped into a large stone flagged entrance hall. There was a grand wooden staircase in front of us and a beautifully decorated tree beneath it.

  ‘No furniture, but you’ve put up a tree?’ I asked.

  ‘Kendal helped me. She came decoration shopping with me. There’s meant to be a theme because I’ve learned all about the importance of themes from a certain master chocolatier I know, but Lucy and Erin kept putting random decorations in the trolley when we weren’t looking. Kendal and I spotted some of them but there were still some infiltrators that made it through the till.’

  ‘Theme or no theme, it’s gorgeous,’ I said. ‘I love big entrance halls with trees in them. They make a home feel so welcoming.’

  He smiled. ‘I know. You told me.’

  ‘And you remembered?’

  ‘I remember everything you say.’ He leaned forward and kissed me softly at first then with longing.

  ‘I’ve been dying to get you alone all day so I could do that,’ he said as we pulled away breathless.

  ‘It was worth the wait.’

  He kissed me again and I imagined racing upstairs to the master bedroom and tumbling onto the bed. Except he’d said there was no furniture yet so we’d have to wait a bit longer. He hadn’t stayed over at Coral Court because we’d wanted our first night together to be somewhere special in a place that held no memories of Ricky or Libby.

  I reluctantly pulled away from his kiss. ‘I could do this all afternoon but I think you’d better finish the tour or it’ll be dark and I’ll only have seen the entrance hall.’

  He smiled at me. ‘Good plan. The one-storey part to the left is the kitchen-diner. There’s a toilet and an office down here too but I’ll show you the lounge before the light fades and we miss the view.’

  Matt opened the door to the lounge and flicked on another light.

  ‘Wow!’ The lounge had high beamed ceilings. An inglenook fireplace with a real fire filled the wall opposite the door and, overlooking the back, were floor to ceiling windows.

  ‘Some of the windows are actually bi-folding doors,’ Matt said. ‘The plan is to build a deck out there on the same level as the house so that the outside and inside seem like one seamless space.’

  I wandered towards the doors. ‘Is that the sea in the distance?’

  ‘Yes. On a sunny day, you can see it much better. Not bad, eh?’

  ‘It’s stunning!’ Acres of grass, flanked by trees, perfectly framed the sea view. I imagined sitting on the deck with Matt, enjoying a glass of wine, and drinking in that view as the sun went down.

  I turned back round. ‘I love that you’ve got another tree in here.’

  ‘It looked like it needed one.’

  ‘Nice chairs too.’ I pointed to the pair of battered candy-striped deckchairs either side of the fireplace.

  ‘What are you talking about? They’re vintage! A couple more of those and the lounge will be complete. It’s a style statement.’ Matt grinned. ‘Come on. I’ll show you the kitchen.’

  As I’d hoped, the kitchen-diner had the most incredible vaulted ceiling.

  ‘They’re all the original beams,’ Matt said. ‘We’ve kept as much of the original barn as we could.’

  ‘So much history and character,’ I said, marvelling at how sympathetically the restoration had been done.

  The kitchen had been fitted with a large island in the centre of the room and tall cupboards on the side walls. At either end of the room were open spaces.

  ‘There’ll be a dining table at that end, overlooking the garden,’ Matt said, pointing to the back of the barn. ‘The other end will have sofas and be a relaxing space.’

  Turning in a small circle, I took in the pale blue Aga, the mix of pale blue and cream units, and a log burner at either end of the room.

  ‘What do you think?’ Matt asked.

  ‘Do you know what you’ve created here? You’ve created my dream kitchen. In fact, you’ve created my dream house. These are the units I fell in love with in that catalogue you showed Jodie and me.’

  He nodded. ‘When we broke up, Libby said she’d suspected I wanted to be with you from the start but the moment she was certain was the day the kitchen arrived and it was the one I’d told her you loved rather than the one she’d picked out. She said it was also the moment she knew she had to let me go because she realised she wasn’t bothered that I’d done that.’

  I ran my fingers along the granite worktops. ‘It’s all so beautiful, Matt. I can’t wait to stop over, assuming I’m invited. When will you be able to properly move in?’

  ‘Everything was connected earlier this week so I’ve got heat, light, water, and all the appliances work. I could have moved in on Tuesday, but I haven’t got any furniture yet so I decided to wait.’

  ‘I think I’d have still been tempted if I’d been you, unless you’re unable to tear yourself away from luxurious caravan living, that is.’

  He laughed. ‘You saw how knackered that caravan looks from outside. Believe me, it’s ten times worse inside.’

  ‘So why didn’t you grab a sleeping bag and move in?’

  ‘I had my reasons.’ He looked at me with such tenderness in his eyes. ‘I need to give you your Christmas gift. It’s hanging from the tree in the hall.’

  He took my hand and led me out of the kitchen.

  ‘Look for the teddy bear.’

  I looked the tree up and down then spotted him nestled among the branches next to what looked like a fox wearing a skiing jacket; clearly one of Erin or Lucy’s random choices. ‘There he is!’

  ‘Lift
him down but, be warned, he’s heavier than he looks.’

  ‘He’s the colour of chocolate,’ I observed, removing the small dark brown jointed bear.

  ‘I’m glad you said that, because a chocolate bear was the brief I gave.’

  ‘Ooh! Is this one of Jemma’s from next-door? I’ve wanted one of these for ages.’ Jemma was the manager of Bear With Me, the specialist teddy bear shop next door to Charlee’s Chocolates. She made gorgeous miniature teddy bears called Ju-Sea Jem Bears which she sold alongside her mum’s larger Ju-Sea Bears. I’d popped into the shop a few times over the Christmas period, loving the magical, festive feel inside. I’d treated Jodie to one for Christmas but hadn’t been able to justify the price-tag for a treat to myself but now I had a chocolate-coloured one of my very own.

  Matt nodded. ‘The bear might have something round his neck.’

  I turned him round and spotted a shiny brass key dangling down his back. Oh my God! Did this mean what I thought it meant? I looked up at Matt, questioningly.

  ‘A key?’ Matt frowned. ‘Hmm. I wonder what that opens.’ He nodded towards the front door and winked at me. ‘Do you want to give it a try?’

  My hands were shaking so much that I missed the lock on my first couple of attempts but made it into the hole on my third. I turned the key and listened to the click. Facing Matt, I said, ‘It would seem that it unlocks your front door.’

  ‘So it does. The reason I didn’t move in is that I don’t want to do it alone. I want to do it with you. I love you, Charlee, and I want us to start our life together here. I know that I was originally meant to be moving in with Libby, but she’s had nothing to do with the design of this place. She ordered some cushions and some candlesticks and she’s kept those. I chose everything else from room sizes to light fittings and, as it turns out, those choices were mainly influenced by you. When we go upstairs, I think you’ll recognise the décor in the bathroom too. I know it isn’t painted and I know there’s no furniture yet, other than a couple of stylish deckchairs, but will you move in with me?’

  I rushed towards him, flung my arms round him and kissed him. ‘I’d love to. Can we stay here tonight?’

  ‘If you like.’

  I nodded. ‘There’s something we haven’t been able to do yet and I can’t think of a better way to spend our first Christmas evening together.’ I put my hands up to my cheeks. ‘Oh, my God! I’m blushing. I’m rubbish at this stuff.’

  Matt laughed and pulled me into a kiss.

  ‘What a pair we make. I get embarrassed saying I love you and you get embarrassed about… you know. Argh! It seems I’m just as bad.’

  I laughed too. ‘Thank you, Matt. You’ve just taken Christmas gift giving to a whole new level. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to give you anything so amazing.’

  ‘You could and I’m hoping that you will do in a minute. You liked your first gift from the tree which means that I can give you your second one and, if you accept it, you’ll be giving me the best Christmas present ever. This time you’re looking for an angel.’

  I immediately looked up to the top of the tree, but there was a silver star up there.

  ‘She’s a bit lower,’ he said. ‘And to your right.’

  I stepped closer to the tree and peered into the branches at eye-level. ‘Found her!’

  ‘Lift her off.’

  I unhooked the sparkly silver angel and, as I did, something metal dropped to the floor. ‘Oh no! I’ve broken her halo,’ I said, kneeling down on one knee to retrieve it. ‘Sorry.’ I looked at the halo between my fingers. But it wasn’t a halo. I twisted round to face Matt who was on one knee too.

  ‘The house is for us to start our lives together, and the ring is for us to stay together for always. Will you marry me, Charlee?’

  I squealed with excitement as I flung my arms round him. ‘Yes!’

  He slipped the platinum diamond engagement ring on my finger and, under the tree in my dream home, I kissed the man of my dreams. This Christmas had already eclipsed all others and it just kept getting better and better.

  35

  I was on a blissful loved-up high over the week that followed. Matt and I packed up my belongings at Coral Court and moved into the barn. Between us we owned an assortment of chipped mugs, mismatched pans, a pair of old deckchairs, an inflatable mattress and a couple of sleeping bags, but it was all we needed to start our new life together because we had each other.

  His family were delighted about our engagement although he’d already told them his plans as he’d been too excited to keep it to himself. Jodie was so thrilled, she clung to me sobbing. We’d asked them to keep it quiet from everyone else as we had a big moment planned for announcing it and that moment had just arrived.

  ‘Thank you for joining us at the farm tonight to see the New Year in,’ Matt announced, looking round the sea of happy faces in the haybarn. ‘Many of you join us every year, but you’ll have noticed a few unfamiliar faces tonight. Mum and Dad have very kindly let me hijack the party this year because, as well as seeing in the New Year, there’s something extra special to celebrate tonight.’

  Matt looked towards me and gave me a dazzling smile, making me feel quite weak at the knees. The annual New Year’s Eve party had a black tie tradition so he was back in that tux again, looking delectable, and this time I could openly appreciate it without feeling guilty.

  ‘In the run-up to last Christmas, I was called out to an emergency leak at Charlee’s Chocolates on Castle Street. I met and became friends with the owner, Charlee Chambers. This Christmas, I asked Charlee to marry me and she said yes, so tonight is actually our engagement party.’

  Taking their cue, Tim and Kendal pulled down some sheeting covering several ‘happy engagement’ banners, and Dean pulled a cord, releasing a net full of silver and purple balloons from the ceiling. There were gasps and applause and I blushed as everyone turned to look in my direction.

  ‘So please join me in a toast to my beautiful fiancée, Charlee, to the best Christmas ever, and to an amazing start to the New Year.’

  I sipped on my champagne as cries of ‘Congratulations!’, ‘To Charlee!’, ‘To Charlee and Matt!’ and ‘Happy New Year!’ rippled round the haybarn as Matt joined me and kissed me.

  Sarah, Nick and many of our friends from Bay Trade and Castle Street were the first to offer hugs and congratulations, delighted with the news. Friends of Matt’s parents, neighbours and relatives swamped us for the next thirty minutes or so, congratulating us and admiring the ring, with his relatives welcoming me to the family. Matt stood by my side throughout, giving me a running commentary on who everyone was.

  I imagined there’d be curiosity surrounding Libby’s swift exit from Matt’s life and my appearance. They were all tactful enough not to say anything in front of us although I giggled as several guests made a beeline for Matt’s parents afterwards, no doubt desperate to find out what had happened.

  When everyone had expressed their congratulations, Matt slipped his arm round my waist and gently kissed me. ‘You look absolutely stunning this evening. Not that you don’t usually but tonight… that dress.’

  I smiled as I gave him a little twirl. Ginny who ran The Wedding Emporium at the other end of Castle Street had a stunning range of prom dresses for hire and I’d chosen a deep purple one with off the shoulder tulle sleeves and silver crystals round the waist and down the top of the tulle skirt. We’d chosen the silver and purple balloons to match my dress.

  ‘I could say the same about you in that suit,’ I said running my hand down his lapel. ‘Last time I saw you in this, I thought I was going to have to lose you from my life because I wasn’t sure I could cope with seeing you all the time, thinking it was never going to be more than friends.’

  He brushed his thumb lightly across my cheek. ‘I have a confession to make. Last time I wore this, I came so unbelievably close to telling you how I felt about you, especially when we were on the dance floor.’

  ‘I thought you were go
ing to say something and then I thought I’d imagined it.’

  ‘You didn’t imagine it.’

  I glanced round the busy haybarn. It had been beautifully decorated for the party with an eight-foot Christmas tree and swathes of holly, ivy and fairy lights wrapped round the pillars. Sarah had made several floral displays with red and white flowers and trailing ivy.

  ‘It’s so beautiful in here tonight and it feels extra special to have our engagement party in the place we had our first proper kiss. I love it in here.’

  ‘Enough to have our wedding here too?’ Matt asked.

  We’d been so focused on planning for the party and settling into the house that we hadn’t spoken about wedding venues but it was a brilliant suggestion. Gazing round the room once more at the tree and the flowers, I could see how fantastic it would look for a wedding.

  I drew Matt into another kiss. ‘I’d love to get married here. I couldn’t think of anywhere more beautiful or more meaningful.’

  ‘I wish Pierre and Stacey could have come,’ I said to Matt, as we topped up our drinks a little later after we’d both mingled. ‘It feels like all the important people in our lives are in this one barn, and there’s only them missing.’ Pierre had promised Gabby he’d see New Year in with her and he couldn’t let her down.

  ‘It’s a shame but we’ll see them tomorrow for lunch so we can give them our news then.’ He put his arms round me and kissed me.

  ‘Get a room you two,’ hissed Jodie, filling up her glass.

  ‘How’s it going with Dean?’ I asked, unable to resist.

  ‘Stop it! We’re just friends.’ But I could tell from the smile in her voice and the twinkle in her eyes that it wouldn’t stay that way for long. I’d be stunned if the pair of them didn’t kiss at midnight but it was down to Jodie and Dean from now on. I wouldn’t meddle any further.

  ‘I’d like to propose a toast,’ I said to Matt, holding up my glass. ‘To Ricky and Gabby.’

  He frowned. ‘Because they’re your two most favourite people in the whole world? Are you sure?’

  ‘I’m sure. It may seem strange but if it hadn’t been for Gabby being so horrible, I’d never have left my job. If it hadn’t been for Ricky’s suggestion, I’d never have come to Whitsborough Bay and opened Charlee’s Chocolates. If it hadn’t been for him refusing to help me and enlisting his useless mate Toadie instead, I’d never have had a leak in my flat and if it hadn’t been for Ricky shagging BJ behind my back, he’d have come round and sorted out the leak, and I’d never have met you.’