Setting up earlier, Emma had seen a candle stall nearby, another that sold wooden hand-crafted decorations and toys, a jewellery stall, and one that had handmade cushions and soft furnishings. She’d spotted a really cute reindeer cushion on a red background that she might just have to go and buy for her window seat in the shop – now her tin-box till was filling nicely, she could indulge herself. It was going to be used for the business, after all, and would add to the festive feel of the shop, she persuaded herself. In fact, whilst it was quiet for a minute … She asked the lady on the stand next to her, who was selling Christmas cards, if she’d mind keeping an eye on her stall just for a minute or two and set off, hoping it hadn’t already been sold. There he was, appliquéd on, the cutest Rudolph with his red nose. She picked him up before anyone else had the chance and paid – a lovely memento of her first-ever – and by the looks of her takings, successful – Christmas market.

As she got back to her own stall and thanked the card lady, a school choir gathered around the Christmas tree and began singing carols, opening with ‘Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer’, which made Emma smile. There was always something special about carols at Christmas, about the magical build-up to the big day, all the excitement and anticipation, especially for the young ones. But she knew, all too well, it wasn’t easy for everybody; it was a time when you missed those who couldn’t be with you, when you remembered loved ones you had lost. The thought of seeing Luke’s parents again soon brought it home all the more too. A happy-sad tear crowded her eye as the choir launched into ‘Silent Night’.

The cold was beginning to bite again as the evening air chilled. You could see the singers’ breath mist the air. Emma rubbed her hands together and popped them into her coat pockets until she needed to serve again, when a little boy came up with his mum and chose a chocolate Santa. A middle-aged couple bought some rum-and-raisin fudge and a two of her flavoured chocolate bars, in mint and orange. Then it was quieter again; perhaps she’d go and get a hot chocolate from across the way to warm herself up. She took some change and made her way to Coffee Cabin once more.

‘Got going a bit, didn’t it?’

‘Yes, thanks for warning me.’

‘You’re welcome. What can I get you?’

‘A hot chocolate please, with cream if I can.’

‘You can indeed. It’s quite cosy in the cabin here, with the hot water steamer and coffee machine and all that. I bet you’re bloody freezing.’

‘You can say that again. I’ll be bringing thermal gloves if I ever do this again.’