‘You’ve been brave enough to take this huge step – the kind of thing that most people dream about doing but never have the courage to actually do. Don’t underestimate how much courage it takes to throw yourself headfirst into a completely different life. If you can do that, you can overcome whatever else is thrown at you.’

Gizmo stands up on his back feet and paws at my leg, so I put my wreath down and pick him up. I rest my chin on his head and rub his brown ear while his white ear twitches in Glenna’s direction and his nose sniffs for any hint of food he might be able to snaffle.

‘For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing an excellent job so far.’ She gives me a wide smile and nods at the little dog in my arms. ‘And so does Gizmo.’

‘Thank you.’ I don’t try to hide the surprise in my voice. ‘I think I’m floundering around in the dark. I’ve been reading the books I bought and my head is so full. I don’t know how I’m going to remember any of it, and I’m never sure if I’m doing it right.’

‘You could always ask Noel.’

‘I’ve already been asking Noel too much. I don’t know what I’d have done without his expertise and advice, but he’s got his own farm to run and his own business to take care of. I can’t keep asking him all these questions and expecting him to help me with everything.’

‘You came to help us on Halloween night.’

‘But that was just a bit of fun. Who wouldn’t want to spend Halloween on a pumpkin farm when they live next door to one?’ I try not to think about my disastrous pumpkin carving attempts that night – from the hedgehog that looked like Simon Cowell to the bat that everyone thought was a fried egg. ‘I can’t keep relying on him. I need to be able to do this stuff by myself. I didn’t come here so my gorgeous neighbour could run a Christmas tree farm for me.’

I only realise what I’ve said when Glenna’s face lights up like I’ve given her next week’s winning lottery numbers. I did not just admit how gorgeous I think he is to his own mother. I’ve never wished for a sinkhole before, but I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to one popping up to swallow me whole anytime now.

‘He’s one of the best, you know?’ She says after a few minutes of cringingly awkward silence.

She would say that, she’s his mum.