I was experiencing Carol. Carol singing. The thing on Holly’s list for me. And it was a blast. In the worst-best way possible. I didn’t know it was possible to get the words to “Away in a Manger” so wrong. So loudly. And the tune? At one point I did wonder if she was doing a different song altogether. Most of the crowd was watching her just as much as the pros.

But that was only the start. As they were singing the final note of a song about staying another day (depressing, and not really anything to do with Christmas so far as I could tell, but actually quite a tune), a big finale of fake snow was released from the roof of the post office. But the wind was so strong, it just whipped, in one big white blanket, straight on the stage and attached itself to the announcer who was walking out. He was wearing the biggest gold chain I’d ever seen. But with a suit.

“He’s the mayor.” Ruby took a deep breath, trying to regain herself from the carol singing-laughing. “It’s a thing.”

“HELLO, MIDDLE MARSH!” he yelled.

Carol looked close to exploding as she shouted back, “LITTLE!”

“Sorry, yes. LITTLE MARSH! It’s time for us to all say a big…” The mayor walked forward with his hand in the air but slipped on the fake snow and cursed loudly into the microphone. “Erm, sorry. I meant ‘happy Christmas.’ Let’s start again, shall we? Are you ready for the big switch-on?”

The crowd cheered.

“Let’s kick things off by welcoming the big man himself…”

Santa Claus walked out from the side of the stage. Even across the crowd, I heard the twins squeal with excitement.

Fred leaned over. “He was once on the quiz show The Chase.” He stopped. “As in the guy in the suit, not actual Father Christmas.” I had no idea what he was talking about, but I appreciated the detail.

Mom would love this. I flicked on my data to send a picture. But I instantly wished I hadn’t, as out of habit, I found myself checking my DMs. One from Dove.

What’s up? You’re still on for this right? The drinks looked but have you seen your follow count?

Ow. What she meant was had I noticed I was very nearly back in fifth place. I fired off a quick reply before I could overthink it.

I’m on it! Watch this space Got something much more than hot chocolate planned!

That wasn’t a lie—I had #OneElleOfAChristmasDayInLondon. But I knew I needed to do better in the interim, not leave it all to the end of my trip—and I wasn’t sure this dinky lights switch-on was what Dove and the rest of my followers would be after. Fred saw me looking stressed and mouthed, Are you okay? I nodded. But my phone buzzed once more.