The audience began to applaud as the cast rounded off their performance with a stilted rendition of Silent Night. Annie felt a jolt of jealousy when the parents started to cheer and wave, their faces glowing with obvious pride. One day, she told herself. One day I’ll be sitting amongst them instead of here on the side lines with the other teachers.

‘Are you all right, Annie? You look as though you might be about to cry.’

Annie turned to the woman sitting to her right and forced a smile.

‘I was just thinking back to when I played the part of Mary on this very stage,’ she fibbed. ‘I can’t believe it was thirty odd years ago.’

Lorna Manning smiled back. ‘I wish I’d been here then. It must have been a lot different with at least twice as many pupils and parents.’

Like many other small rural schools across the country, Kirkby Abbey Primary School was under threat because of falling pupil numbers and budget cuts. With only twenty-two children now enrolled, the council was considering closing the school, but Lorna – headmistress for the past ten years – was campaigning hard to keep it open.

If and when it did close, parents would have to transport their kids to the nearest other school, which was some fifteen miles away. It was one of the very few negatives that came with the move back to Cumbria but, as far as Annie was concerned, they were far outweighed by the positives.

She hung around as Lorna stepped up onto the stage to praise the children and thank all those who had come to see the show, especially the villagers who’d turned up to offer their support even though they weren’t parents. After that, everyone gathered in the reception area while the hall was cleared and the children got changed.

Annie hadn’t expected to get involved with school activities so soon after arriving in the village. But a staff shortage had prompted Lorna to offer her some part-time work as soon as she expressed an interest. And that suited Annie perfectly, because it meant she could divide her time between shifts at the school and renovating the house.

This was the first time since the move that she had been in the company of so many people. Some she recognised from before she left the village and moved to London thirteen years ago, others she’d met during the visits to her mother following her father’s death. But a good many of those around her she’d never seen before and she was keen to make their acquaintance.

A table had been laid with free soft drinks, mulled wine and mince pies. Annie positioned herself next to it so that she could explain to people what was on offer and introduce herself to those she didn’t know. But the first person to approach the table was Janet Dyer – her twin sons had played shepherds in the play.

‘A cracking show as always,’ Janet said, helping herself to a wine. ‘Just the right mix of chaos and confusion. I loved every minute.’