Free Christmas at Lilac Cottage: (#1 White Cliff Bay) by Holly Martin Page B

all her stuff in the whole annexe, let alone in the tiny bedroom. Most of it was going to have to stay in boxes in the shed that Penny said they could use until they moved out.
    Daisy caught him watching and smiled up at him.
    ‘Are you OK about moving here? I know you’ll miss your friends but…’
    ‘It’s fine. I will miss them, of course I will, but I’ve always wanted to live near the sea and this place is beautiful. Besides, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to work for a company like White Cliff Bay Furniture Company. It means more money, regular hours. Plus we can be here to help Anna with the baby when she needs it too. I really think we did the right thing in coming here.’
    Henry smiled. Through her endless, almost innocent, enthusiasm for everything, especially Christmas, there was a very wise young lady underneath her childlike exterior.
    ‘I really like it here in Lilac Cottage. Can we stay? I know you wanted to move into the town and you wanted somewhere a bit bigger for us but… this feels like home. I know that’s a weird thing to say after being here for such a short time but we’ve moved around so much over the last few years and this is the first place that I’ve really wanted to stay. I don’t know if it’s that incredible view from my bedroom window or having Penny and Bernard next door, but it feels good here.’
    ‘I like it here too.’
    ‘Penny is good company, I like her. She might be the only friend I make down here so…’ she trailed off, awkwardly.
    Henry felt a kick to the stomach, hating that Daisy felt that way. ‘You’re going to make a ton of friends, you’re bright, funny, sweet, kind. What’s not to like?’
    Daisy shrugged and looked away and Henry wondered if the fear of making friends and settling in was at the root of the nightmare.
    ‘What were you doing in Penny’s house last night? She came to get me because you were having a nightmare on her sofa.’
    Although it was inappropriate for Daisy to go in Penny’s house, it was the nightmare that troubled him more than anything. Daisy only normally had nightmares when something was bothering her.
    ‘Oh god, I’m sorry. I was in our lounge and the door was open and I thought I’d just go and see Bernard for a while. I must have fallen asleep.’
    ‘And the nightmare?’
    Daisy shrugged. ‘No idea.’
    ‘I was concerned something might be worrying you. Is it starting at a new school or… about Penny?’
    She looked confused. ‘Why would I be worried about Penny? She’s absolutely lovely.’
    ‘That I’m sort of going on a date with her on Tuesday. It’s not a proper date, I can cancel if you want.’
    ‘Dad, I want you to go out on dates. It’s high time you got yourself a nice woman to look after you. I’m certainly tired of doing it.’ She grinned mischievously. ‘Just pick someone lovely, not anyone like that bitch Emily.’
    ‘Watch your language.’
    ‘It’s true though, she was.’
    ‘I know she was, but I still don’t want you to use words like that.’
    ‘Give me one word to describe your ex-girlfriend that isn’t a swear word.’
    Henry couldn’t. ‘OK, no one like Emily, I promise.’
    ‘But I don’t think you should go out with Penny either, not properly,’ Daisy said and Henry couldn’t help the huge wave of disappointment that crashed through him at those words.
    ‘Why not?’
    ‘She’s… vulnerable. She’s like those puppies you see in the advert for the dogs’ homes, those ones that have been beaten or neglected.’
    Jeez, the kid was astute.
    ‘I know there have been other women beyond the ones that you have dated seriously, the ones that never get brought back to the house, that you meet up with occasionally and…’ Daisy waved her hand vaguely. Henry blushed. Shit, he thought he had been discreet. ‘Penny is an all-or-nothing kind of girl. Don’t use her and then cast her aside for the next. Either give her everything or don’t go out with her at