Christmas at Lilac Cottage - Holly Martin Page 0,12

married.’

Maggie frowned. ‘I know his sister, Anna, she was telling me how much she was looking forward to having him here at last. She never mentioned a wife.’

‘Daisy,’ Penny prompted.

‘Oh yes, I do remember Anna saying something about her now, my brain is rubbish lately, I can’t remember anything.’

‘Anyway, the weird thing is… I think he sort of flirted with me.’

‘Why is that weird? You’re funny, sweet, beautiful, hugely talented.’

‘Because he’s married.’

‘Oh yes. Urgh, what a creep, all men are the same. No loyalty.’

‘You say that when you’re married to one of the most devoted men I know.’

Maggie’s face split into a huge grin. ‘Daniel is pretty amazing, isn’t he? He carried me home the other day because I was tired and couldn’t face the one-minute walk up the hill. I haven’t cooked a single meal since I became pregnant. I do love him.’

‘He’s so excited about becoming a dad again. I saw him the other day, it was all he could talk about.’

The door opened, sending a blast of cold air over them again. Penny looked up straight into the soft grey eyes of Henry. He was with a small girl, her tiny hand clutched in his. Penny recognised the little girl from around the town and guessed she must be his niece. He gave Penny a small wave before moving to the counter. She couldn’t take her eyes off him and it seemed he was having trouble looking away from her too. Something had passed between them the night before and they both knew it.

Maggie hissed to gain Penny’s attention and she tore her eyes away from her giant sexy neighbour.

‘Is that him?’ Maggie whispered, thankfully quietly enough that no one would hear her.

Penny nodded, subtly.

‘He’s hot.’

‘Maggie!’

‘What? Everyone is thinking it.’ Maggie cast Henry an appreciative look. Sure enough, every woman in the shop – the old, the young, the happily married – was staring at him in complete adoration.

‘Is that his niece?’ Penny whispered, trying to change the subject slightly.

Maggie nodded. ‘Bea. I think she’s just started school.’

Penny sighed, forcing her attention out of the window and away from Henry. ‘Mags, I think I need to start dating again. It’s been too long.’

‘I’m not surprised you’ve come to that decision after that gorgeous specimen moved in next door.’

‘He’s married,’ Penny laughed with exasperation.

‘Yes, yes of course. Well, there are plenty of other single men in the town.’ She looked out the window too as if one might just happen to be walking past. ‘What about George?’ Maggie gestured to the curly haired guy on the opposite side of the street. They had gone to school with George and, although she hadn’t hung around with him, she knew he was lovely. ‘He’s sweet, nice-looking, very funny, divorced.’

Penny watched Libby come out of the shop opposite with two cream-topped hot chocolates. She passed one to George and he wiped the cream affectionately from her nose, then handed her what looked like a bag of sweets. Libby was obviously very excited about the contents and she kissed him on the cheek to say thank you. Penny smiled at the look he gave her. ‘And he’s completely in love with his best friend. I don’t think I stand a chance.’

‘Really?’ Maggie peered across the road at the two of them. ‘I thought he was in love with Polly.’ Maggie gestured to the cute freckly red-head at the back of the shop who worked there with her mum Linda.

Penny looked at Polly who was busily chatting to Matt from the jewellery shop. ‘No but Matt is, and I’m pretty sure the feeling is mutual.’

Everyone had someone. She had always vowed that she didn’t need anyone to make her happy, but in reality being alone was no fun.

Just then Linda Forbes, the owner of the bakery, came over with her little six-year-old granddaughter, Tilly, who had the biggest toothiest grin and a mop of messy ginger curls. Penny was glad of the distraction, though she could still see Henry passing her little glances over Linda’s shoulder.

‘Tilly wants to know if you’d like to try our newest recipe, these are marshmallow snowmen biscuits.’

‘Thank you,’ Maggie signed with her hands at Tilly, before taking one and devouring it in seconds.

Penny smiled at Tilly and carefully signed. ‘Did you make these?’

Tilly’s face lit up and her hands flew into action as she signed her reply. Penny had to concentrate really hard to see what she was saying. ‘I helped with putting the marshmallows on the icing