‘All done,’ I said, swiping my hands together.

  At that moment, I heard Frank jump up against the back door, his black nose pressed against the glass. As soon as I opened the door he came inside and settled down next to me, his happy tail pounding on the kitchen floor. I beamed down at him and patted his head, feeling happy. I would love to have my very own Frank.

  He must have sensed I was leaving as he began to whine gently as I wandered towards the front door. ‘I’ll be back soon, I promise.’

  I heard my phone beep again and dug it out of my pocket. It was Ann – again.

  ‘I’ve decided I may as well have a couple of drinks tonight. We can catch the 4 p.m. bus into town.’

  I’d thought about driving for a fleeting moment, but it was Christmas, and I knew once we were out and enjoying the festivities I would want to enjoy a tipple of mulled wine like everyone else at the Christmas market.

  I laughed at Ann’s text as I closed Marcus’s front door behind me. Some things just never changed.

  7

  It was early Saturday evening when Ann and I queued up for the number 325 bus heading towards town. There was a cutting chill in the air and a heaviness about the sky – snow had started falling lightly all around us. The bus was on time for once, which was a blessing as my feet were already beginning to feel numb. Filing on to the bus along with the other passengers I pulled down the zip on my coat and loosened it from around my neck. The lower deck was packed to the rafters and we couldn’t spot any vacant seats.

  ‘Stand or try upstairs?’ Ann asked. I nodded towards the stairs. It was at least a fifteen-minute journey into town, and I didn’t fancy hanging on to the back of a seat the whole time trying to keep my balance.

  Just before we climbed the stairs, I took off my gloves and shoved them into my parka pocket. I pulled myself up with the handrail, Ann following me as I snaked around towards the top deck. The doors hissed and the engine revved as the bus began to pull away. Suddenly it jolted and I lost my balance, falling straight onto the lap of a man who was sitting by himself. I don’t know who was more shocked – me or him. Ann grabbed hold of my coat from behind and yanked me up. ‘I’m so sorry,’ I said, deeply embarrassed.

  ‘And this is what she’s like without a drink!’ Ann chipped in. The man smiled at Ann’s remark while she plonked herself down on the seat in front of him. I squeezed in next to her but not before I apologised again. Ann twisted round towards him and rested her arm on the back of the seat. ‘Hi, I’m Ann. We’re off to the Christmas market. Where are you going?’

  The man was clearly amused. ‘I’m Will.’

  ‘Can I just apologise for my friend? She’s being a little giddy. She doesn’t get out often. It’s down to her tag, you see. She only has until 7 p.m. tonight before the alarm sounds,’ I said with a mischievous grin.

  ‘Huh!’ Ann rolled her eyes and swiped my knee playfully.

  We both laughed.

  The bell on the bus sounded out and it began to slow down. On hearing the hiss of the doors open downstairs, Will stood up.

  ‘That’s my stop. I hope you ladies have a lovely time tonight and make sure you’re home by 7 p.m.’ He winked at Ann before disappearing down the stairwell.

  Ann and I both laughed. ‘He was a bit of alright,’ Ann exclaimed.

  ‘He was indeed, but let me remind you, you’re old enough to be his mother and he looked that young his mum might still be receiving child benefit.’

  ‘Nah, he was at least in his twenties, and you never know – he may enjoy the experience of an older woman.’

  ‘Old being the correct word to use!’

  ‘You’re just jealous. He fancied me.’

  ‘How do you work that out?’

  ‘Because he couldn’t take his eyes off me.’

  ‘Ann Sandeman, you would flirt with anyone!’

  ‘Only if they have a pulse. I do know my limits.’

  We both chuckled.

  Ann was blessed with one of those smiley, friendly faces and everyone warmed towards her quickly. She was such a down-to-earth character and oozed fun. There was never a dull moment when she was around. Even on your darkest days she could still manage to make you smile. Though one of her worst traits – if you could call it that – was that, given half the chance, she would chat to anyone and everyone – but she never took her flirtatious manner one step further. She never meant any harm.

  I envied her marriage to Dave. After all these years their love for each other was still going strong. They hadn’t fallen into the same rut as Henry and I, and even now they managed to go out on what they called a ‘date night’ as often as possible to ensure they still spent quality time together.

  ‘How’s Leo? Will he definitely be back for Christmas?’

  Ann looked up at me with a huge grin on her face.

  ‘Yes, touch wood,’ she said, tapping me on the forehead and laughing. ‘We managed to have a quick chat this morning and he’ll be home very soon, though he couldn’t give me an exact date. I can’t wait to see him. Every time I hear his voice I feel relieved knowing that he’s safe. I know he’s a grown man, but it doesn’t stop me worrying about him.’

  I nodded. I knew that feeling well – I felt exactly the same about the girls. I wasn’t the slightest prepared for empty-nest syndrome.

  Ann wrapped her arms around her body. ‘It’s freezing in here. Never mind a beer, I feel like something to warm me up.’

  ‘Hot chocolate or mulled wine,’ I suggested.

  ‘Definitely the wine! So what have you been up to today?’ Ann asked.

  I sighed. ‘I rowed with Henry this morning before he disappeared off to work. Well, when I say rowed that’s probably an exaggeration. I asked him to bring down the decorations from the loft and he grumbled in his usual style, muttering was it that time of year again.’

  ‘Will he get the decorations down for you tonight while we’re out?’

  ‘Don’t be daft, not a cat in hell’s chance. He’s so bah humbug about Christmas he’d put Scrooge to shame. Without a doubt he’d leave the decorating of the tree until the very last minute, if he did it at all. Whereas I like it to be all Christmassy from the beginning of December.’

  Ann grinned. ‘He might surprise you, and when you sneak in at midnight, you might be greeted by the glistening of baubles and the lights twinkling on the Christmas tree.’

  ‘And pigs might fly.’

  ‘Knowing Henry, you’re probably right. First thing this morning Dave rummaged around in the loft, looking for the decorations, and after a pub lunch we drove over to Cannock Chase. They had hundreds of freshly cut trees and this time we managed to choose one that didn’t need hacking in half once we’d arrived back home.’ She chuckled.

  ‘Remember when we used to take the children up there to visit Santa and feed the reindeer. They always got so excited. It only seems like yesterday,’ I said, suddenly longing for those times again.

  ‘Yes, I remember the time Abbie started screaming the minute she clapped eyes on Santa, and Leo held her hand while we coaxed her into sitting on his knee.’

  I smiled. ‘They were only about six then, it was all so cute.’

  ‘Time flies,’ we said in unison and grinned at each other.

  ‘How was Henry about you coming out this evening?’ Ann asked, suddenly grabbing on to the seat in front of her while the bus jolted over the uneven road.

  ‘The usual. I did remind him this morning as he disappeared rapidly out of the front door after the decoration conversation – and I haven’t seen him since. I’m sure sometime in the next hour he’ll text me asking me where his tea is,’ I replied, quickly glancing at my watch.

  ‘What are your plans for tomorrow?’ Ann asked.

  ‘I’ve got a party dress to make for a customer, and I’ve been thinking a lot more recently about maybe trying to expand my little sewing empire.’

  ‘Oooh, tell me more. What do you mean?’ Ann asked, looking intrigued.

  ‘Now I’ve got more time on my hands I was thinking about advertising my services. People always need alterations to clothes. I’ll still make soft furnishings but maybe I could branch out more – the list is endless.’

  ‘It sounds like a very good idea to me.’

  ‘Marcus seemed to think I should go for it.’

  Ann raised her eyebrows at me.

  ‘Marcus, eh? Your new neighbour Marcus? What’s he got to do with any of this?’ Ann asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

  At the mention of his name I bit down on my bottom lip, trying to stop the smile that I could already feel spreading across my face.

  ‘Oh my gosh! Do you fancy him? You do, don’t you?’ she squealed loudly.

  ‘Shhh! Keep your voice down – someone might hear you!’ I exclaimed.

  Ann lowered her voice and looked me straight in the eye. ‘Are you trying to tell me you have the hots for your new neighbour?’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous, I barely know him.’

  ‘I know you, Lizzie Stevens.’ Ann widened her eyes.

  ‘I am a married woman,’ I said in mock indignation.

  ‘You know what I think, Lizzie Stevens?’

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘I think you’re protesting too much!’

  I looked at Ann and laughed.

  ‘I’m saying nothing.’

  ‘You don’t have to – that twinkle in your eyes says it all.’

  Ann winked at me knowingly and we began to giggle like a couple of schoolgirls.

  8

  We bundled ourselves off the bus and followed the sea of bobble hats towards the Christmas market. It was situated right in the centre of town, in the market square, and was already in full swing. Ann and I stood at the entrance, the two tall fir trees either side decorated to perfection. I squeezed Ann’s arm. ‘This is it.’

  ‘What is it?’ she asked, amused.

  ‘It’s Christmas! I’ve just got that Christmassy tingle throughout my body – we’re entering the world of Christmas!’ I said, smiling. ‘Come on, let’s queue up for a drink.’

  ‘I’m surprised you can feel anything – all I can feel is the wintry chill, and I’m not sure my feet are still attached to my legs,’ she said, glancing down just to check.

  I hooked my arm through hers and we sauntered along towards the small wooden huts that were dotted around. Draped with brightly lit fairy lights, they looked magical as the dusting of light snow settled on their roofs. Christmas music played out over the jovial chatter of the crowd. People were wrapped up tightly in their winter woollies, huddled together, laughing and joking as they hugged cups of mulled wine. Strangers chatted and loved-up couples were tangled in each other’s arms, enjoying the enchanted atmosphere. I shivered; it was freezing cold, even though I was wearing two jumpers and my parka. I wore that many layers, I could barely move my arms.

  ‘Shall we grab a mulled wine?’ I nodded towards the hut.

  ‘Most definitely,’ Ann replied.

  We jostled our way through the writhing mass of bodies towards the right hut and stood in the queue. I began to feel hungry with the tantalising Christmas smells of gingerbread, waffles and roasted chestnuts wafting through the market.

  ‘Warm doughnuts, hmm, shall we share a bag?’ Ann suggested.

  ‘Yes, sod the diet – there’s no point watching what we eat so near to Christmas.’

  ‘I always watch what I eat. Unfortunately I see lots of cakes and biscuits disappearing inside my mouth.’

  We chuckled.

  Ann whipped off her gloves and grappled with the money deep down in her pocket. ‘I’ll buy these ones, you get the next ones.’

  After we paid the assistant we bit chunks out of our warm doughnuts and wrapped our hands around the cups of warm mulled wine while we wandered around the marketplace, soaking up the atmosphere.

  ‘Is Dave looking forward to some time off over Christmas?’

  Ann rolled her eyes.

  ‘He’s working right up to Christmas Eve and to be honest Christmas Day will be just like any regular Sunday afternoon for him. He makes me smile. In his usual style he’ll devour his dinner and slob out in front of the annual James Bond film while balancing a can of beer on his stomach. Ten minutes after that he’ll be out for the count, snoring his head off. The joys.’

  The enthusiasm in Ann’s voice was non-existent.

  I chuckled.

  ‘I do love Christmas, I really do, but it’s rare I ever get to put my feet up before teatime,’ Ann sighed.

  ‘It’s not much different in our house. I’m usually waiting on everyone hand and foot, then the girls and Henry disappear off to watch the afternoon film leaving me with all the clearing up.’

  ‘You know what I’d love, Lizzie?’ Ann interrupted.

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘I’d love a Christmas of my choice, to do something that I wanted to do.’

  ‘Which would be?’

  ‘I’d love it if we could throw caution to the wind and disappear for Christmas. Christmas with my best friend would be perfect. We could hire a cottage in the middle of nowhere, put our feet up in front of a log fire and eat chocolate and drink wine to our heart’s content.’

  ‘Not forgetting watching whatever we wanted to watch on telly!’ I added, thinking that I really didn’t like the action-packed movies that were usually featured on telly on Christmas Day.

  ‘Doesn’t that sound wonderful?’

  ‘I have to agree it rather does.’

  ‘Can you imagine if we just upped and went? What do you think would happen?’

  ‘Henry might notice I was missing when his stomach began to rumble, and the girls would probably make themselves cheese and tomato toasties once they’d finally risen out of bed.’

  Ann laughed.

  ‘However, when push came to shove, I bet we’d miss everyone terribly.’

  ‘Ha you’re right, but one Christmas, Lizzie, one Christmas!’

  ‘I’ll hold you to that,’ I replied, swigging the mulled wine from my cup. ‘I will definitely hold you to that, Ann Sandeman.’

  9

  After drifting around the market for a couple of hours looking at all the different delights on the stalls, Ann and I spotted a vacant table in front of a roaring fire pit. We wiped down the melted snowflakes from the plastic seats with our gloves and settled down with a pitcher of beer.

  ‘Cheers! This is the life.’ Ann chinked her glass against mine.

  ‘Merry Christmas!’ I smiled, feeling the heat from the fire beginning to warm through me.

  Gulping our beers, we sat and gazed at all the hustle and bustle of people around us. Ann and I loved to people watch, and we laughed as we made up names and occupations for the folks that wandered past us.

  ‘Him over there’ – Ann nodded towards a man who was walking past our table – ‘blue bobble hat. I think his name is Joe and he’s a naked cleaner.’

  ‘A naked cleaner,’ I spluttered, laughing, then sprayed a mouthful of beer. ‘Whatever made you think of a naked cleaner?’

  ‘We all have fantasies, you know!’ Ann grinned.

  ‘Do we now,’ I said, suddenly wondering why Marcus Bowman popped into my head alongside Gary Barlow. ‘And some fantasies you need to keep to yourself,’ I giggled.

  ‘OK, the man strolling towards us now, the one in the black duffel coat with the red hat and scarf, I think, I think…’ I studied his face and was startled. ‘I think his name’s Will and he’s the man from the bus.’

  Ann spun round to find Will standing in front of us, grinning. ‘Well, well, well, ladies,’ he said, tapping his watch, ‘your tag must have been activated by now, it’s gone seven o’clock!’

  Ann grinned.

  ‘Besides which,’ he said, mischievously plonking himself down in the chair next to Ann, ‘I’m glad you’re a rebel and ignored your curfew because now I can very kindly offer to buy you both a drink.’

  Ann looked delighted. ‘That would be wonderful, thank you so much!’

  I stared at Ann wide-eyed. What was she playing at?

  ‘Same again, ladies?’

  We nodded.

  ‘I’m waiting for someone. He’s just finished up at work and nipped home to get changed. I’ll send him a text and let him know where to find us. Do you mind if we join you?’

  ‘Not at all,’ Ann gushed flirtatiously.

  Will stood up, and we watched him make his way towards the wooden hut.

  ‘What are you doing? We don’t even know them,’ I said, astonished.

  ‘One for you and one for me when his friend arrives!’ Ann giggled.

  ‘You are terrible! The alcohol has already addled your brain.’

  ‘Well if his mate is as gorgeous as him, we’re in for an exciting evening.’

  ‘What happened to only having a couple of drinks?’

  ‘Stop worrying! It’s not as though we’re ever going to see them again. Just because we’re happily married doesn’t mean…’

  I raised my eyebrows at her.

  ‘OK, I’ll rephrase that. Just because I’m happily married doesn’t mean I should never talk or even flirt with another male for the rest of my life. That’s just tragic.’

  ‘I think you’ll find that’s exactly what marriage is.’

  ‘Are you kidding? Look at it this way then – we can’t turn down a free drink.’

  ‘You never turn down a drink full stop! Do you know, the other evening Henry implied I had a drinking problem when I opened a bottle of fizz for our wedding anniversary.’

  Ann’s smile fell. ‘Oh, Lizzie, I’m sorry. I’d forgotten it was your anniversary.’

  ‘Don’t worry about it. So did he, and I drank the whole bottle by myself.’

  Ann touched my arm affectionately.

  ‘What are you going to do?’

  ‘I’ve no idea, I really have no idea,’ I said miserably, ‘but I can’t carry on like this. But hey, let’s not worry about that now.’ I nodded towards Will, who was making his way back towards us juggling a tray, four glasses and another pitcher of beer.