The Cosy Christmas Chocolate Shop. Caroline Roberts

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       5

      Though the shop was closed for another day over the New Year break, Emma was in the kitchen early making up a batch of whisky truffles. She liked to keep herself busy, would spend the time off preparing for the next few weeks, and warming whisky truffles were always a good seller through the winter months.

      She melted the dark chocolate, then warmed the whisky just to the point where a little vapour was coming off it, next she’d whisk them together. The smell was rather delicious, even this early in the morning. She’d look forward to trying one with a cup of rich coffee later. The ganache mix she’d made had to refrigerate for at least four hours before it would be ready to roll into the circular centres, ready to dip in melted dark chocolate. Bliss.

      There was a knock at the back door, footsteps, then a head popped round, all dark-brown curls and a cheery smile.

      ‘Oh, hi, Holly. Good to see you.’

      ‘Hey, Em. Happy New Year! I was just in the village fetching some milk and the papers for Mum. Thought I’d pop in and say hello.’

      ‘Happy New Year. But we did see each other on New Year’s Eve.’

      ‘Ah yes, so we did – it’s coming back to me now. I was slightly squiffy at that point. Soz. Anyway, I wanted to find out when you’ll need me back in next.’

      ‘Well, it’s going to be pretty quiet for a few weeks …’ She saw Holly’s face drop. No doubt she’d spent all her recent wages on her New Year’s Eve outfit. ‘But you could maybe help out for a couple of hours each Saturday afternoon. It’ll give me the chance to do some crafting. I’m sorry, Holly, I really do wish I could give you more hours, but January’s just not a great time.’ She’d be counting the pennies as it was. ‘We’ll be busier in Feb for Valentine’s Day, though. I’ll need you loads more then, and on the build-up to Easter, of course.’

      ‘Okay. No worries.’ The young girl smiled, though she still looked a little disappointed.

      Emma felt awful; she so wished she could give her more work. Holly was a great help and lovely with the customers, chatty and friendly behind the counter. She was nice company for Emma too. But the business really wasn’t making enough for her to keep paying for extra hours. As it was, she probably could have managed without Holly for the whole of January. She could craft the chocolates in the evenings – she had enough time on her hands – but she wanted to help the young girl and she’d really need her to stay on for when it got busier in the spring. Some other business might snap her up otherwise, and that would be such a shame, both for Emma and The Chocolate Shop.

      ‘Making more supplies, I see.’

      ‘Yes, dark choc whisky truffles.’

      ‘Mmm, I love those.’

      ‘Actually, I’ll only be two more minutes making the mix for these. Do you fancy staying for a coffee?’ Em realised the company would be great. She hadn’t seen a soul yesterday.

      They were soon settled on stools in Emma’s kitchen with cups of coffee in front of them. The whisky truffles weren’t quite ready, but she did have a few chocolate-orange ones left that she’d made just before the New Year.

      ‘Aw, thanks, Em, this is so nice. I always used to love coming in here, even before I got the job. It’s such a magical little shop. I used to stand there, browsing the shelves, choosing my favourites, or sometimes trying something new because you have such gorgeous flavours. And the smell …’ Holly smiled. ‘All that cocoa scrumminess; just amazing.’

      She’d spotted the sign that Emma had put in the shop window one day, saying a part-time assistant was required and had walked right in and introduced СКАЧАТЬ