Evie watched her mum curiously. She knew Anna loved her Peri Peri chicken but, like William, she was surprised her dad’s gift had elicited such a chuffed response. Peter usually got it very wrong—the last time he had Anna for Secret Santa he’d presented her with a packet of tea lights, telling her that the nice-smelling candles were out of their budget. But this year, Peter gazed at his wife as if she were the only woman in the room, and Anna looked uncharacteristically giddy. Evie’s heart swelled. Could they have turned a corner?

‘Right! Who had me?’ Meg asked.

William cocked an eyebrow, took out his wallet and slowly peeled two crisp five-notes from it. ‘Here you go.’

‘That’s very creative of you,’ said Hugo.

‘Nothing better than money, Hughie. Hahahahaha.’

Evie could feel Hugo’s knee bouncing beneath the table, but he only shook his head at his brother.

‘Why don’t I go next?’ Evie said quickly. ‘Who had me?’

Hugo raised his hand. ‘Guilty!’

Evie smiled, wiggling her fingers at him, as if to say ‘gimme’.

‘It’s actually in the other room. Be back in a tick,’ Hugo said, dashing out.

Anna beamed at Evie. ‘I wonder what it is.’

A moment later, Hugo returned carrying a large wrapped box, complete with a gold ribbon.

‘Hugo! What is this?’ Evie exclaimed, both excited and embarrassed by the grandeur of the gift in front of her.

Meg laughed. ‘That ribbon looks like it cost more than ten quid.’

‘I may have gone just a little over the limit.’ Hugo smiled sheepishly before nudging the box towards Evie.

Evie felt her neck get hot and red, uncomfortable with all the eyes on her. She carefully tugged at the ribbon, which did look like it cost a small fortune, and then slowly pulled back the delicate silver wrapping paper, careful not to tear it. Inside, she found a brown, padded box. Opening it and hunting through a sea of tissue paper, her fingers grazed the smooth leather of a Louis Vuitton handbag. Okay, this definitely came in over budget.

‘I thought you were due for an upgrade. The one you carry with you everywhere you go was looking a little tired.’ Hugo laughed.

‘Hey! I gave her that hot pink number,’ Anna said defensively.

Hugo put his hands up in apology.

‘What is it?’ Meg asked, peering over.

‘It’s a Louis Vuitton bag,’ Evie replied, staring numbly at the gift in her hands.

‘Wow! Aren’t they like a million pounds?’ Meg’s mouth dropped open.

Elizabeth tutted approvingly, her eyes bright. Finally, something she could get excited about in this drab house.

‘Wow, Hugo. This is so … I’m so … I love it,’ Evie said, thinking, this isn’t me at all. ‘Thank you.’

‘You’d look good with one of those too, love,’ Peter said, nudging Anna, who giggled behind her hand.