‘Thank goodness you agreed to come and visit,’ she carried on, bustling about in the kitchen, apparently oblivious to my reaction. ‘I can’t bear to even imagine what would have happened if you hadn’t.’

‘Me neither,’ I said, with a little shudder as I thought how hard Jonathan had tried to cajole me into not making the trip.

Looking back, I realised I was relieved to be away from him right from the moment I left the flat, even though the journey had been a shocker and he had made me feel nervous about travelling alone. There were lots of things I had stopped doing on my own. Jonathan had always maintained that it was better for us to do them together but I could see now that he was trying to make me more reliant on him. He always had to be the one in control. There would be no fear of anything like that happening with Beamish; he was the kindest and most generous of men and an equal partner in every sense. And he was mine. Along with the school, the local community and every pensioner within a ten-mile radius, that is.

‘So,’ said Dolly, ‘what are you plans for today?’

‘That rather depends on you, Dolly. Is there anything I can do for you?’

‘I don’t think so,’ she mused. ‘Doctor Harris is popping in at some point and I have a couple of friends coming mid-morning. It’s time I started telling everyone about my cancer so I’ve invited the two women I know who are most efficient at spreading news.’

‘Gossiping, you mean,’ I laughed, determined not to wince at her ability to casually throw the ‘C’ word into the conversation.

‘Got it in one,’ she laughed back.

‘In that case,’ I said, peering through the window to see how much snow had fallen. ‘I might wander into town. See if there are any last-minute presents to be had before I pack away the wrapping paper and ribbons.’

‘You should treat yourself to one of the iced and spiced buns in the Cherry Tree Café,’ she said with a wink. ‘And while you’re there, bring a couple home for me.’

The snow was only a light dusting, but as I was travelling on foot, I decided to wear the wellies Anna had lent me again. The idyllic icing sugar scene would soon turn to slush and the wellingtons would safeguard my jeans from any freezing splashes. Wrapped in one of Dolly’s knitted scarves and hats, I set off, smiling to myself as I thought what Jonathan’s reaction would be if he could see me going out in homemade gear. Not that his opinion could touch me anymore.

The town was busy for a Monday, but with the next day being Christmas eve that wasn’t too much of a surprise.