On the village green Captain Rupert Forbes-Kitchener had deployed some of his staff to erect a huge Christmas tree. It was his annual gift to the village and now it had been decorated with garlands of silver and a variety of colourful baubles. A circle of straw bales had been arranged around the tree to provide seating for anyone who needed it. Snow was falling as the carol singers gathered and the pantile roof of The Royal Oak was covered in wavy patterns.

Most of the men in the church choir had lamps on long poles, which they brought out every year. Tom Feather was holding a trimmed ash branch on which hung a hurricane lamp, which cast a flickering light on Lily’s face. His lusty bass voice rang out and Vera smiled when she caught a glimpse of Lily standing alongside him. Clouds of silver mist hovered around their heads as they launched into the opening verse of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’.

It wasn’t long before Mavis Higginbottom, the buxom barmaid from The Royal Oak, came out with a plate of mince pies and another with slices of cake, each topped with a sliver of Wensleydale cheese. Clarence, her husband and owner of the pub, followed behind with a huge jug of steaming mulled wine and a collection of cracked tumblers.

The carol singers gathered round and enjoyed the welcome treat.

‘Lovely singing, Miss Evans, as always,’ said Clarence.

‘Thank you for your generosity,’ said Vera, ‘and you’ll forgive me if I don’t partake of your magnificent punch.’

Clarence was aware that no drop of alcohol ever passed Vera’s lips and he smiled in acknowledgement. ‘As long as you have some cake. Mavis makes a smashin’ bit o’ cake.’

Lily and Tom were enjoying the hot mulled wine and wondering what Clarence had added to give it a kick like a mule. ‘Cheese with cake?’ Lily wondered aloud, picking up a slice.

Tom grinned. ‘It’s a Yorkshire thing. You know what they say – fruit cake without the cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze.’

Lily opened her eyes wide in mock astonishment, but she was secretly pleased at the thought.

A few minutes later ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ rang out around the village green.

At 11.15 p.m. it seemed as if the whole village was on the move, trudging through the frozen snow towards the bright lights of St Mary’s Church.

Whirling snowflakes pattered against the huge oak door as Tom and Lily walked in. The pews were soon filled and a candle flickered on each of the ledges of the stone pillars. Green holly with bright-red berries had been attached to the lectern and Elsie Crapper played ‘Away in a Manger’ as the congregation settled down. Finally, the chief bellringer, Archibald Pike, tied off his bell rope and took his usual seat at the back of the church. Aloysius Pratt closed the door and a calm silence descended.