‘It’s been so popular,’ she laughed, ‘I can’t think why I didn’t come up with it sooner. We’ve sold biscuit and cookie sets before at Christmas, but this has been the most ambitious so far and totally worth it. So many people have said they’ve never made one but the kits have encouraged them to have a go.’

‘Well, it certainly made it easy,’ I agreed. ‘We’re thrilled with ours, aren’t we, Dolly?’

‘Yes,’ Dolly agreed. ‘It’s a total triumph.’

‘I’m asking for photographs of the finished houses to pin up on the wall,’ Jemma continued, nodding to where there was a vast cork board displaying community news and events. ‘And next year we’re thinking about adding a gingerbread house competition to the bake sale.’

‘That’s a lovely idea,’ said Dolly. ‘I’m sure you’ll be inundated with entries.’

I didn’t reckon much for the chances of some of them transporting all that well.

‘Including yours I hope, Dolly,’ Jemma went on with a cheeky wink. ‘You’ll be able to enter two now you’re going to have all this extra time on your hands.’

‘Now there’s an idea,’ I laughed.

‘It’s a shame you won’t be here to take part, Hattie,’ Jemma rushed on.

I was itching to tell her that I might come back to compete, but kept my lips locked.

‘And if you do find yourself at a loose end, Dolly,’ she continued, pointing at the board again. ‘I’m in need of weekend staff.’

‘Thank you, Jemma,’ said Dolly. ‘I’ll keep it in mind, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.’

Jemma grinned and headed back to the kitchen.

‘You know,’ I said, nudging Dolly as I leant forward to read the small print on the advert, ‘when I grow up, I want to be like Jemma.’

‘Don’t we all,’ Dolly laughed.

The Santa parade was a sight not to be missed. The pavements were lined three deep in some places as the Wynthorpe Hall sleigh made its way sedately around the market square pulled by a couple of stout ponies. I was fairly certain it was Angus Connelly at the reins but I couldn’t be sure.

The lap ended under the huge Christmas tree and the adults began to line up, their children bouncing about them while they waited for their turn to be handed a gift from Santa himself. I was surprised I recognised so many of the rosy-cheeked little faces and Dolly and I waved enthusiastically back to a few who spotted us amongst the crowd.

‘Hello, you two,’ said Rose, who was queuing to see the big man with her family. ‘How’s the first day of the holiday been?’

‘Perfect,’ said Dolly. ‘Hattie has had us baking a gingerbread house.’

‘From a Cherry Tree kit?’

‘That’s the one,’ I confirmed.