‘It’s mad!’ I called back, ‘but we’ve sold practically everything already.’

There were just a few bags of biscuits left, but they were fast disappearing and I was pleased I’d had the chance to make some extras. The parents loved the baubles and I could well imagine them adorning the family trees for many years to come. I knew my mum still had two of the angels I had made when I was in primary school. Well, she had the last time I saw her at Christmas. They had still merited pride of place on top of the tree then, even though they did look somewhat out of place with all her other decorations.

‘We should do this on a Saturday,’ puffed Mr Matthews as he rushed around, trying to keep tabs on the children whose parents hadn’t been able to come because they were at work.

‘Yes,’ I agreed. ‘I’m sure it would be much easier if the children came and went with their families on a weekend afternoon.’

‘And it would be much more convenient for those who can’t get the time off during the working week,’ he added. ‘Unfortunately, though, unless I have all staff willing to come in, then it’s out of the question I’m afraid.’

‘Perhaps the PTA could fill any gaps?’ I suggested.

‘Perhaps,’ he said, checking the time on his watch. ‘Not long now. Don’t forget to man an exit when the bell goes, Hattie. I’m only letting children out of the main door today and they all have to be ticked off their class lists and with a family member before they go.’

‘Unless we’ve had written confirmation of other arrangements,’ I added.

We’d all been well drilled about how to let the children go at the end of the day and I wondered if it was a responsibility any of the parents even thought about when they were in a rush to get home.

‘Have you got the bauble for Peter Patterson?’ Beamish asked, as he pushed his way through the throng with a little girl with blonde bunches in his arms.

‘Yes,’ I said, taken aback by the sight of him in the role of childminder.

He was obviously very relaxed in the part. In fact, I’d yet to find a role that he wasn’t relaxed in. Clearly, he had carried this little one about before. She had her arms draped loosely around his neck and was enjoying the view from her elevated position.

‘It’s here.’ I said, tearing my eyes away, as I pointed to where I’d stored those belonging to any children whose parents couldn’t attend. ‘I’ve put them to one side so they don’t get sold by mistake and I’ve put some extra biscuits with them too.’