‘Thank you. That’s so kind of you to say. I love it here in my little corner of the world.’
‘I saw it on Instagram. Peaches came here and I was sold. She said she’s all over everything Love Emmy x.’
Emmy smiled knowingly. ‘Oh, yes. Lots of people come here via Peaches. We had all sorts of people in by way of her.’
Nina heard herself gushing again. ‘It’smuchbetter in real life. I didn’t think it would be. How wrong I was. I just love everything! It’s just so, I don’t even know what the word is! How on earth do you do it?’
Emmy laughed. ‘Lots of people say that. It’s better to outdo people’s expectations if possible. Not that that is what this is about. I just love jewellery and making buying it a gorgeous experience… That’s how the idea for all this started.’
‘You succeeded. Youreallydid. I don’t think I’ve ever had such a nice shopping experience. Everything is just so… I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it. It’s just gorgeous! Really, really nice!’
‘Aww, thanks, that’s so kind of you.’
About five minutes later, Nina had a cup of tea in front of her. She chatted about the fact that she was after a present for Sophie’s birthday and had no real idea what to buy. As she perched on a beautiful, pale pink velvet stool with her cup of tea in a pretty, old-fashioned cup and saucer, she explained her predicament to Emmy. ‘I'm looking for a birthday present for my friend Sophie, but I’m not sure what to get her. Hence, why I’m here.’
Emmy nodded. ‘What kind of style does she lean towards? More classic, or does she have a penchant for the unusual? That’s normally a good place to start.’
Nina thought for a moment. ‘Classic, I’d say. Maybe with a twist, but nothing too radical. She’s more classic now that she's had children. She used to be a bit more, hmm, how can I say? A bit more out there, but yeah, that’s changed these days. She spends a lot of time running around after her three children. Her husband is useless, not that you needed to know that.’
‘Yup, it happens. I have just the thing in mind,’ Emmy said as she walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a tray of various jewellery pieces. ‘These are some classic designs that are a bit different in their details. Have a little nose through these.’
‘Right, ooh, yes, thanks.’
Emmy pointed to a necklace with an intricate pattern on a pendant. ‘This pendant is quite plain until you look up close. The pattern is inspired by vintage maps, and it’s been a favourite for those who love a story behind their jewellery. I can hardly keep them in stock. In fact, I think this might be the last one.’
‘Mmm, oh yes, nice.’
Emmy smiled, pleased with the reaction. ‘It’s one of our best sellers. From what I’ve seen, they never disappoint, so that could work for her. I don’t think you can go wrong.’
‘Yes, I love it and I think she would like it.’
‘Right, well, that’s a contender.’
‘So, how long have you had the shop?’ Nina asked, sipping her tea and continuing to look through things Emmy showed her.
‘It's been a while now. It started as a small project, a passion, really, and it’s grown into something bigger. I’d had the idea in my head for years and years. As in, since I was a little girl and then quite by chance one day I came across this place. Every piece has a bit of my heart in it. That’s what I like to think, anyway. Love Emmy x went from there, really. It’s been quite the ride.’
Nina smiled. ‘It really shows. The shop has such a warm feel. It’s like stepping into a little jewellery haven.’
Emmy beamed at the compliment. ‘That’s exactly the vibe I was going for. I wanted it to feel like more than just a shop, more like a place where people can come and discover something special.’
‘Well, you’ve definitely achieved that. I’m so glad I came in.’
‘It was a bit of a gamble at the time. I just had a feeling about the building and everything and yeah, here we are. Sometimes gambling on life works out.’
‘Yup, so true.’
They continued to discuss various pieces, with Emmy sharing the stories behind some of the designs. Nina found herself not just shopping for a gift but wanting to ditch heractuallife, move into the shop, and never ever leave. Plus, she had a girl crush and life envy for Emmy so very, very badly.
Finally, after much deliberation, Nina chose the initial vintage map-inspired necklace. ‘I think this will be perfect for Soph. Yes, thanks.’
About fifteen minutes later, in possession of the beautiful gold necklace, exquisitely wrapped in the Love Emmy x branded paper and tied in a bow, Nina made her way back out of the shop with a smile on her face. She felt almost as if she’d been treated as she’d shopped for a gift for someone else. The whole experience had been very clever; it had made Nina somehow feel happy and gushing to tap her card and part with her money. She’d wanted to be part of the Love Emmy x dream.
As she stepped out onto the street, one of the trams came trundling up from the estuary. It rang its bell as it passed, and a conductor standing at the back smiled and waved as another tram came the other way. Nina walked along the pavement, keeping an eye out for Robby. He’d texted her to say he’d walked all the way along the length of Darling Street and was on his way back again.
After passing a few shops, she texted her whereabouts to Robby and stopped to look at a map that detailed the place Colin had told her was good to go for a coffee. A few minutes later, clutching the beautiful bag from the jewellery shop, she met up with Robby and they made their way to the little café called Darlings.
A woman on a pushbike went past, smiled, and said hello, and a man with a dog greeted them as he walked past. About ten minutes later, they approached the place Colin had recommended. Nina knew right away she wasn’t going to be disappointed as she looked at the lovely little coffee shop with its bow-fronted window, open front door, tables out the front, blue and white bunting and resident Labrador asleep by a mat at the entrance. She gazed at the sign above the café and nodded that it appeared to be the place Colin had told her about. It lookedlike something out of a picture book: a jumble of pink climbing roses snaked up and over the door from the right, paned floor-to-ceiling windows ran along the first floor, and an assortment of terracotta pots filled with flowers were tucked here, there, and everywhere.
