I was pleased I was able to do something to make Dolly’s remaining time as stress free as possible.

‘Anyway,’ said the doctor, ‘I’d better press on, and you’ve got a visitor so I won’t keep you.’

‘I’ve got a visitor?’ I questioned, looking again at the second car parked along the pavement. ‘Oh, that’s Mr Matthew’s car, isn’t it?’

‘It is,’ said the doctor, unlocking his own. ‘I’ll see you next week, but if you need me in the meantime, just ring.’

I looked back to the cottage and could see Dolly peeping around the front curtains. When she spotted me, she beckoned me inside.

‘Here she is,’ she announced as I pulled off my wellies and unravelled my scarf. ‘Did you get everything you needed from town, my dear?’

‘I did,’ I confirmed, handing her the bag of buns, ‘and a little more besides. How lovely to see you, Mr Matthews.’

He was looking rather serious and I guessed that Dolly had told him her news.

‘And you, Hattie.’

‘What was the little more?’ Dolly quizzed, her bright eyes narrowed as she studied my face for clues. ‘Was it something from the Cherry Tree?’

‘You know it was,’ I laughed. ‘I’m going to be working there for a few hours on a Saturday from the new year.’

‘That’s wonderful,’ Dolly beamed, clapping her hands together. ‘And Mr Matthews here has a proposition to keep you busy during the week.’

I had no idea why she thought that looking after her wasn’t going to keep me busy.

‘Oh?’ I questioned, turning my attention to the headmaster.

‘That’s right,’ he said, clearing his throat. ‘I know it won’t be easy to begin with,’ he began, then faltered.

‘He means while I’m still clinging on,’ Dolly elaborated. ‘Go on, ask her,’ she urged.

Mr Matthews swallowed and started again. I really would have to have words with Dolly about giving folk a few minutes to come to terms with her prognosis before goading them into accepting it.

‘I’ve been looking at the school finances,’ he told me, ‘and I have funds to take on another teaching assistant. Not full time, unfortunately, but for three days a week and with the possibility of extending to five from next September. Given that you’ve fitted into the school team so well Hattie and that the children clearly adore you, I wondered if you would like to be considered for the position.’

I didn’t know what to say.

‘But I’m not qualified,’ I stammered.

‘You can study for the appropriate qualification at the local college one evening a week,’ said Dolly, shoving a pile of papers under my nose. ‘The majority of the coursework is done at home or in school.’

I looked to Mr Matthews, who nodded in agreement.

‘We’d love to have you on board,’ he smiled.