We’d spent the entire afternoon attending to the final details, soothing fraught teenage nerves, and rectifying last-minute costume mishaps. All of the other Charis House staff were there to help with the preparations, including supervising the various student teams of caterers, ushers, and sound and lighting technicians. Now, after racing back to the Coach House to get changed, I was hovering in one corner, watching as the guests began making their way to the plastic seats, the buzz of chatter blending with the faint tinkle of background music and the rustle of coats and hats being gratefully removed in the heat of the hall.

It was easy to spot the family members of the students who’d be performing – a mix of excitement, wariness, and full-blown fear on behalf of children who’d previously had the spotlight on them for all the wrong reasons. In between the anxious faces were the usual crowd from the village, along with a good sprinkling of my parents’ friends and other supporters of the school.

My heart swelled with joy and pride at being a part of the amazing endeavour that went so far beyond a mere show, while at the same time it ached that this might be the beginning of the end.

‘Hey.’ Adam appeared at my side, nudging my elbow. ‘Strange to be back, isn’t it?’

‘I’m here every year, so not really,’ I said blandly, scanning the crowd.

‘Okay. That’s fair. I’m genuinely sorry for all the years I missed.’ He put one hand on my shoulder to turn me towards him, and as my eyes caught his it was impossible to ignore the crackle of chemistry. Adam’s features had roughened over the years, bearing a decade of long days and late nights on the road, but in his eyes I saw the boy I’d fallen in love with.

‘Well, I suppose what matters is you’re here now.’

‘You look incredible.’ He smiled, generating another crackle. A lack of options had forced me back into Mia’s red dress, so I almost believed him.

‘Not so bad yourself,’ I conceded. ‘Very seasonal.’ Instead of his usual jeans and T-shirt, Adam wore a form-fitting, powder-blue suit decorated with snowflakes around the cuffs and lapels. His blue bow tie already hung undone and he had on silver trainers. He looked like a rock star at an awards ceremony. I tried really hard not to swoon.

‘Come on, then, time to go backstage.’