He turned and walked out the shop. Maybe he should start wearing a wedding ring so people would know he was not in the market for a relationship. Though knowing women like Jade, that wouldn’t stop her.

Penny sat in the bakery window, eating a freshly baked chocolate croissant. It was Saturday and the kids from the local school were chasing each other round the giant Christmas tree in the town square, throwing lumps of slush at each other and squealing with delight as the ice made contact with their skin. It hadn’t properly snowed. It never did in White Cliff Bay. They’d had tiny flurries of snow over the last few days which had gathered at the roadsides and frozen overnight, but any beautiful picturesque snow-topped village scenes were very far away.

The multi-coloured lights from the tree danced and flickered in the dull morning light, casting puddles of blues, greens, purples and reds across the wet cobbles. Every shop window twinkled with festive lights, candy canes, Santas, reindeer and the odd baby Jesus. Some were beautifully decorated, with every star, twinkle or speck of glitter strategically placed, some were a hodgepodge of fun and character.

Being in the town amongst all the hustle and bustle always cheered her up. People were so friendly and chatty. A walk of a hundred yards would sometimes take over half an hour or more because people wanted to stop and chat, even if they had only seen her the day before.

The door to the bakery burst open and the warmth and delicious cake smells were interrupted briefly with a blast of cold air.

Penny smiled at her friend Maggie as she waddled through the door. She was huge, and getting bigger by the minute. She’d never dream of saying that to Maggie’s face though, as everyone else in the town thought they should.

Maggie flopped down in the brown leather armchair opposite Penny and took a large bite of the croissant Penny had bought for her.

‘Where are your little angels today?’ Penny asked, looking around for Maggie’s sons, conspicuous by their absence.

‘Daniel has taken them to watch football, so I get some peace for a few hours, but I actually miss them when they’re not with me, it’s way too quiet.’

‘You’ll have another little one to add to the menagerie soon; how is my godson today?’ Penny asked.

Maggie rubbed her oversized belly affectionately. ‘He’s fast asleep now, but he never stays still at night, feels like he’s doing the samba in there.’

‘He’s eager to come out.’

‘Well, he needs to keep that eagerness to himself for another six weeks. January thirteenth and not a moment before. I’m too busy for him to come now.’

‘How are the preparations for the Christmas Eve ball going?’ With only ten days until the ball, Penny was sure that Maggie had everything organised with military precision.

‘Good I think. The marquee is being delivered a few days before. Food is sorted, tables, chairs, heaters, they’ll be delivered on the day and I have a crew of people who will set everything up. You know what I’m like, these were all organised months ago. But I’m still getting twenty emails a day with queries or changes or demands. The band want their own dressing room, which is a headache, but it’s the bloody ice carvers who are causing me the most stress.’

Penny smiled. The competitors were an odd bunch. There was probably going to be ten of them, including her, exhibiting their entries at the ball, with one smaller competition in the lead up to the ball. In the next few days some of the best ice carvers in Europe would descend on White Cliff Bay. It thrilled Penny to be rubbing shoulders with the elite but she had met a few of them before and knew that they were highly competitive and some were very bitchy.

‘How are your new neighbours?’ Maggie said, through a mouthful of croissant.

‘I’ve only met Henry.’

Maggie took a big sip of tea, eyeing her suspiciously. ‘What’s with the look, Penny Meadows?’

‘There was no look.’

‘There was definitely a look.’

‘He…’ Penny rubbed her eyes, hating that Maggie knew her so well. ‘He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.’

Maggie clapped her hands and squealed with excitement.

‘Mags, he’s 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.