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‘Oh, and these, of course.’ He passed her the very same box of chocolates, grinning. ‘I’m sure you’ll like them, seeing as you chose them all yourself.’
Holly seemed lost for words. But the huge grin across her face echoed his. Then her smile dropped a little, and she looked concerned. ‘But the other chocolates … every week. Who …?’ She sounded as though she hardly dared ask.
‘Oh, right, yes – I get them for my gran.’
‘Your gran?’
‘Yep. I’ve been staying with her since I got this new job. I couldn’t have afforded to rent somewhere on my own – I’m on trainee wages at the moment – and Gran lives just down the road in Seahouses. She’s let me have her spare room, so the chocolates are a bit of a thank you.’
‘Oh, I see.’ All those weeks of thinking he was seeing someone else. Holly could hardly believe it.
Emma was still listening in, and smiling widely at this point, out of sight in the corridor to the kitchen. Aw, that’s so lovely.
‘Thank you so much.’ Emma could hear the lump that must have formed in Holly’s throat.
‘And …’ he started. There was a brief nervous pause. ‘I wondered if you might like to go out with me sometime? I was thinking maybe a coffee or something, perhaps at the hotel? Oh, I’m Adam, by the way.’
Yes, Emma had said. ‘I’m Holly.’
Emma couldn’t help but peek through the doorway at this point, to see Holly lay the bouquet down carefully on the counter to take the hand Adam was offering in a handshake.
‘Actually,’ Holly leaned across the bouquet and the countertop, ‘I think I need to do this.’ And with that she gave him a peck on the cheek, which made the colour soar in his face.
‘Thank you for the flowers and the chocolates. And yes, I would love to come for a coffee.’
‘Great!’ He seemed to relax. ‘So, maybe this week? When’s a good time? I get a Wednesday off generally.’
‘Oh, I’m at school – Sixth Form,’ she quickly added. ‘But I get back by quarter to four, so maybe around then.’
‘That’s fine. Well then, call up at the hotel at a quarter to four next Wednesday and head for the lounge area. We could have some Afternoon Tea. Do you like that?’
‘Ooh yes. Sounds lovely … Oops, hang on.’ There was a moment of panic when she realised she’d still be in her school clothes. ‘I’ll just need five minutes more.’ She darted a look at Emma, who was now hovering at the inner doorway. ‘Need to get changed,’ Holly mouthed across to her. ‘Can I do that here?’
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