‘Emma, you’ve got to help me. They are scheming to take me to Uncle George’s for Christmas Day,’ Max was whispering down the phone line. It was four days later. ‘It was already arranged before the accident. A family Christmas Day and they hadn’t told me. Honestly, he’s batty as a hoot, his wife can hardly cook, and they have three cats who hate me. The claws will be out. Can you come and rescue me?’

‘Are you able to come here?’

‘Yes, I’m feeling sore but I’m way better. And I’d love to be with you.’

‘Well, I have James and the family for dinner, but yes, no problem, you could come along too. That’d be fine.’

‘The only thing is, I’m trapped here. I can’t drive yet and Mum won’t let me stay home on my own, absolutely won’t hear of it on Christmas Day. Is there any chance you could come and fetch me? I’m sorry, I know that’d be a pain as you’ll still be flat out at the shop.’

‘Oh, after work tomorrow, Christmas Eve, I could come down and get you then. You’d better clear it with your mother first, though. I don’t want to be in the middle of any family dramas when I get there.’

‘Will do, but she’ll be fine if I’m with company and being fed. She just didn’t want me left alone. Honestly, she’s great, my mum, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like I’ve reverted to being eight years old this week. She even cut up my dinner for me yesterday. She did just about hold off spoon-feeding me, however.’

Emma chuckled. ‘She’s only trying to look after you, I’m sure. I bet you’re sitting there all grumpy like Victor Meldrew. Okay, I’ll come and save you. But clear it with the family first. Call me back to confirm, and I’ll try to get there around six.’

Christmas Eve arrived at last. Holly was helping, and Bev was due in later. At eleven o’clock it was pretty hectic already, lots of last-minute gifts and stocking fillers being bought, and people looking stressed-out calling for pep-up coffees on their way back from the supermarket, or visiting family. Then there were the lucky ones who were already off and relaxing for their Christmas break in their cottages and B&Bs by the sea, with the workers still going strong, like a little army of ants keeping all the cogs going, the chocolate supplied, the teapots filled.