The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas by Matthews Carole

Author:Matthews, Carole [Matthews, Carole]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Carole Matthews INK Ltd
Published: 2015-10-11T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Forty-Six

Chantal texted Ted to find out how he was coping. Lana, he told her, was still fast asleep and her temperature seemed to be coming down nicely. It meant that she had time to snatch another much-needed coffee. She was still deep in thought about Autumn’s situation. If only she’d told them before, maybe they could have helped her or been more sensitive. How awful to have all these babies waved in your face when you were feeling bereft.

Fancy having to hold in a secret like that. It wasn’t right. Poor Autumn. Chantal only hoped that there would, eventually, be a good resolution to this. Perhaps now that it was out in the open it would be easier for her to talk about. She loved Lana so much she couldn’t even begin to imagine how hard that must have been for Autumn.

Now her friend was busy with customers again and their conversation had come to a halt, so it was lovely when the door to Chocolate Heaven swung open and Stacey came in, loaded with shopping.

Chantal stood up to kiss her. ‘How nice to see you.’

Stacey frowned. ‘I thought you were going away with Lucy?’

‘Change of plan. Lana’s poorly.’

‘Oh no. I’m sorry to hear that.’

‘It was such a worry, but she seems a bit brighter now. I’m not staying for long as I left Ted on duty for an hour and he’ll be panicking.’

‘I wondered why he hadn’t called me,’ Stacey mused and Chantal felt a nip of jealousy. She wondered if Ted and Stacey had made plans for the weekend while she was away. Plans that would now have to be cancelled. Ted hadn’t said anything and it looked as if Stacey wasn’t going to enlighten her further.

‘I just checked in with Ted, but Lana’s still fast asleep. I’m hoping that doesn’t mean she’ll be awake all night again.’

‘Poor lamb.’ Stacey dropped her carrier bags by the sofa and then sank into it with a welcome sigh.

‘How are things with you?’

‘Better. I think.’

She was looking brighter, more vivacious, that was for sure, Chantal thought. There was a glow to her skin, a pinkness to her cheeks that hadn’t been there when they’d first met. There was no doubt that Stacey looked a lot happier with her life.

‘I spoke to an agency about a part-time nanny and they set me up with a lady yesterday for a trial period. She came and spent the day with me and Elsie and seemed really great. So this afternoon I’ve left her looking after Elsie for the first time by herself.’ Stacey fanned her face. ‘I’m glad that I had Lewis to take to nursery. I was so anxious about leaving Elsie that she had to practically push me out of the door. When I’d dropped him off, I really didn’t know what to do with myself, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to head to the supermarket and stock up the cupboards.’

‘Rock ’n’ roll,’ Chantal said.

Stacey laughed. It was tinkling, light.

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