Noel cheers and I shriek and jump on him without thinking, so excited that I don’t know what to do with myself. He catches me easily and my legs encircle his waist and my arms wrap around his shoulders. ‘You did it!’

He pulls me tight to him and spins us around. ‘We did it.’ His voice is muffled against my shoulder, but I can hear the unsteadiness in it. He genuinely didn’t expect to win. It makes my arms tighten around him because I’m so proud, I could burst.

By the time he puts me down, the mayor has announced that Fiona’s tree has come second and the pet supply shop is in third place, and is looking at us, saying, ‘If Mr Roscoe is quite ready …’

My lips are throbbing where they were pressed against the skin of his neck, and I have to grip onto one of the tables for support as he goes up to shake the mayor’s hand and thank all the kids for their votes. He gives a speech about loving this community, thanking everyone for their help in pulling the competition together, and finishes by saying how much he hopes everyone will continue supporting the market even when Christmas is over. He points me out and mentions that I supplied the trees and invites everyone to visit Peppermint Branches and starts talking about the hot chocolate and roasted nuts, and Santa and the sleigh. Despite the fact that Fiona, Fergus, and Glenna are all watching me like a bird of prey might watch a mouse before they swoop down and carry it away in their claws, I can’t help thinking how sweet it is that he’s using his win as another way to push my business.

The mayor steps back up onto the makeshift platform and promises the council will have the bare tree at the other end of Elffield decorated in a replica of the winning tree before next weekend. Noel thanks everyone again and jumps down, and he’s enveloped by a crowd of well-wishers. He meets my eyes over the swarm of people between us and gives me a wink as another little old lady pulls him down and pinches his cheek.