I returned to the sofa. ‘I didn’t think she’d move out so quickly. I thought there were no places at Bay View.’

Mum pulled a face. ‘There weren’t but someone died and she was top of the list.’

‘Oh. That’s sad. But good for her.’

‘Will another old lady move in?’ Logan asked, still watching the removals workers.

‘I’ve no idea,’ I said. ‘It would make a great first home so it might be a younger person or a couple.’ The décor hadn’t been changed since the 1970s so it needed completely gutting but it was a lovely cottage full of potential for someone willing to take on a project.

Logan turned round, his face animated. ‘Ooh, what about a family with a boy my age?’

‘Maybe. It’s only got two bedrooms so it’s not really a family home although there’s room to extend.’

‘It’ll be months before we get new neighbours,’ Mum said. ‘It isn’t even on the market yet. Mrs Denholm said she wants to settle in at Bay View first.’

I stood up and stretched. ‘Right, time to go. Are you both ready?’

Mum nodded. ‘Quick wee and I’m good.’

‘I just need my bag and my trainers.’ Logan ran out the room and thundered up the stairs.

‘Why’s Dr Steadman suddenly decided to see you again two days before Christmas? And why does he want me to go with you? He’s barely acknowledged my presence before.’

‘I don’t know. I just do as I’m told. Don’t worry. Annie and Liv will be fine opening the shop and we’ll be there before it gets too busy.’

I pulled on my coat and boots while they both sorted themselves out, smiling at the change in Mum over the last month or so. She had a new mantra: Parkinson’s does not control me. I control Parkinson’s. And it seemed to work. She was exercising regularly with Karen, attending counselling, and she was seeing her GP for stress management and depression.

She’d taken a massive step back from the business and the suggestion that Annie and Liv would be fine without us showed me how far she’d come as she’d have normally been worried about queues and replenishing stock so close to Christmas. She’d also met up with her friendly stalker’s sister every week, who’d introduced her to a few other locals with Parkinson’s and the opportunity to discuss shared experiences seemed to really help her.

For me, the weeks had passed by ridiculously quickly. I’d steadily taken on more responsibility at Bear With Me, including running a couple of bear-making workshops, which I’d loved.