‘I popped down to Wynthorpe Hall last night to see Catherine and happened to mention that you were putting your decorations up early this year, in spite of the fact that you had no tree and Angus, eager as ever, had taken early delivery of a few extras to set up around the Winter Wonderland trail.’

‘That man,’ Dolly chuckled. ‘I’ve heard the event is going to be even bigger this year.’

‘Given what I saw,’ Beamish told her, ‘I think you heard right. Anyway, Catherine said he could easily spare this one and insisted that I took it for you.’

‘That was very kind of her,’ I said.

‘The Connellys are always very kind,’ said Dolly.

‘And generous,’ Beamish added. ‘And,’ he went on, standing taller than I thought I’d ever seen him, ‘you’ll be pleased to know that Catherine will be more than happy to offer you a tour of the hall, Dolly.’

‘What?’

‘When we went to look at the lights you said you fancied seeing how the other half lived, didn’t you?’

‘I did.’

‘So, I went down there to see if that might be possible.’

‘Oh Beamish,’ Dolly clapped her hands together and I swallowed down the lump in my throat.

‘In view of their expanding plans for the Winter Wonderland they’re also decorating early this year so even though your trip is arranged for before the auction in town, the hall will be all dressed for Christmas too.’

‘I don’t know what to say,’ Dolly sniffed.

She looked and sounded absolutely delighted and I couldn’t help thinking what an honour it was to witness such an act of kindness. It was incredibly kind of Catherine to agree to open up her home but it was equally kind of Beamish to remember Dolly’s wish and go to the trouble of arranging it all.

‘It’s next Thursday,’ Beamish explained, also now sounding a little choked. ‘After school. Dorothy, the hall cook, said she’d lay on an afternoon tea and I said I’d run you there and back. You’ve been invited too, Hattie.’

‘Oh, my goodness. Thank you so much,’ I said, feeling genuinely touched to be included, ‘that’s really very kind.’

‘I thought it might be something you could both tick off the Wish List,’ he smiled, clearing his throat and sounding more like himself again. ‘There’s little in the Fenland countryside more quintessentially English than Wynthorpe Hall and at Christmas time the place is pure perfection.’

‘Now I’m even more excited!’ I laughed.

‘Well done, Beamish.’ Dolly winked. ‘You’ve got Hattie’s Christmas spirit stirring!’

By the time I had made us all breakfast and Beamish had carted all the boxes Dolly wanted out of the loft and set up the tree in a special stand and positioned it in the best spot, he was running a little late.