‘My grandmother couldn’t take care of it so it was in a state. There were seagulls nesting in the attic rooms, apparently.’ She chuckles gently, her mood softening now that she’s talking about her grandmother. ‘Plus, my father wanted to bring it back to what it looked like when it was built.’

‘He’s done an amazing job,’ I tell her, looking up at the chandelier. ‘It’s stunning.’

‘Glad you’re impressed.’ Her mood snaps back again. ‘I think it’s obscene. The two of them rattling around in this big house when there are people literally sleeping in the bus shelter across the street.’

‘Yeah, but it’s been in your family for ever—’

She claps her hands together, letting me know that she’s done talking about it. ‘Let me give you the tour.’ She strides over to the door nearest us. ‘Drawing room, which is basically a posh living room no one’s allowed to sit in.’ She turns on the light and I stick my head in.

It looks like a doll’s house. Pale-grey painted walls with panelling beneath, parquet floors, a fireplace and, in the middle of it all, two delicate pink velvet sofas on wooden legs. There’s a Christmas tree between the two wide windows and she walks over to it, bending down to turn the lights on. As soon as she does, I gasp. I smelt it as soon as I walked in, the warm smell of pine making me wish that my parents would get one, but I don’t blame my father for not wanting to lug it up – and then back down – six flights of stairs every year.

It’s massive – at least fourteen feet tall – but still doesn’t reach the ceiling.

‘There might be a present for you under here,’ Poppy tells me with a sly smile.

‘Pop, I told you. I—’

She holds up her hand. ‘Don’t. I don’t care what you get me as long as you’ve thought about it.’

‘Fine, but you know that I’m probably not going to be able to escape over Christmas, right?’

‘I know. You said. But you’re still coming out on New Year’s Eve, aren’t you?’

‘Yes!’ I grin. ‘I can’t wait. I just need to find an excuse to get out of my Aunty Lalita’s party.’

‘I told you, food poisoning. Works every time.’

‘I know, but as much as I want to see you, I don’t think I can make myself puke. You know I hate it.’

‘Fair enough.’

‘Besides, I’m worried my mother will want to stay home with me.’

She points at me. ‘Good point.’

‘So I’m thinking period pain. According to that app you made me download, I’m due on.’

‘OK. So no under the belt stuff that night.’ She gives me the thumbs up. ‘Got it.’

If she was close enough, I’d whack her.