‘You looked it,’ he laughed. ‘I said, I’m going to use one of the computers myself, so I’ll leave that one switched on for you.’

‘OK,’ I nodded, ‘thanks.’

During Dolly’s party in the staffroom I was embarrassed to find the attention turning from her to me.

‘We wanted to give you these, Hattie,’ said Mr Matthews presenting me with a beautiful posy of flowers and a box of handmade chocolates. ‘To say thank you for stepping in and helping out.’

‘You’ve been a godsend,’ said Mr Patterson.

‘We couldn’t have managed without you,’ agreed Mrs Newton, my fellow TA.

It was a relief to know I hadn’t stepped on her toes.

‘And anytime you happen to be back in town,’ laughed Rose, who was unboxing something on the table. ‘Do feel free to come in and help again, won’t you?’

‘Of course,’ I laughed back, ‘and thank you all for making me feel so welcome and a part of the team. I know I haven’t been here for long this time and it’s been a bit manic in the run-up to the holidays, but I’ve absolutely loved it.’

I felt sadder to be leaving here than I had the hotel where I’d worked for over a decade. I’d been here for less than three weeks, but it had provided me with more than one lightbulb moment and I was most grateful for that.

‘If any hours come up,’ winked Rose, ‘I’ll get Dolly to send the details on.’

I didn’t have a chance to tell her that I would be genuinely interested because she had turned her attention back to my friend, beckoning her over.

Everyone gathered around the table and, with a flourish she revealed a stunning cake which she had commissioned Jemma at the Cherry Tree Café to make.

‘Would you look at that!’ Dolly gasped.

‘I thought you’d like it,’ said Rose as we all crowded closer to look at the details of the decorations.

The blue and white iced two-tier cake was adorned with intricate snowflakes and balancing on top were a pair of ice skates, complete with blue satin laces.

‘It’s perfect,’ said Dolly, dabbing her eyes with the lace handkerchief she always had in a pocket or tucked up her sleeve.

‘How does Jemma do it?’ asked Beamish, towering over everyone as he admired the creation.

‘She’s a cake-making goddess,’ said Rose, handing Dolly yet another envelope to open. ‘And Lizzie can match her in talent. She designed this card for you, Dolly.’

The card was every bit as beautiful as the cake and we all raised a glass to my dear friend who looked quite overwhelmed.

‘I had a feeling you might say something in assembly,’ she said as Alison came in with a basket of beautiful winter flowers, ‘but I wasn’t expecting anything like this.’