Mrs Barnes left and as she sipped the hot chocolate Nick had bought for her, she hoped he would remember to drop round that curry he mentioned. The thought filled her with warmth as she gazed back at the beautiful giving tree with its magical, glimmering fairy lights, and her fingers caressed the piece of paper in her pocket. She was really proud of Freddie. Probably more than she should have been as just his neighbour, but she couldn’t help it. There was something special about him and maybe something special about Nick too. Though she wasn’t sure why that thought had crossed her mind so soon after her break-up with Evan.

Chapter 13

Bella left the school, closing the gate that sat in the low flint wall behind her, and hurried across the green. In the evening darkness, the wind tried to steal the forms she’d been given for the giving tree from her hands, and she pushed them into the enormous carrier bag she dragged along.

Only two days after the launch of the giving tree and Meadowbank was already in action, showing its support. The launch of the giving tree and Santa’s grotto at Bluebell Park had been just as exciting and well received by the village as Bella had hoped. Every time someone spoke to her about it, she glowed at the praise and loved the positivity with which the village was getting on board with the idea. She was even starting to feel some of her old excitement for Christmas returning.

A number of gifts had been handed in to the school reception and passed on to Bella. She’d nipped out and taken some home at lunchtime, but there were still more to carry, and more forms too. The sheer number of both frightened and pleased her. Thankfully, she’d have help to write and laminate the tags tonight when Nina, Caro and her mum came round again. She just wanted to nip into the village shop for a bottle of wine and some supplies for them all first.

‘Hi, Meredith,’ Bella said as she entered. ‘Do you mind if I pop this bag down while I grab some bits? It’s a bit difficult to manoeuvre.’

The shop channelled an old-fashioned vibe and in between the banks of shelves were wicker baskets full of local produce. In the spring and summer months they normally lined the street outside, but now they were indoors full of Christmas essentials like decadent puddings.

‘Course not,’ Meredith said happily. ‘I’ve got some bits for you too.’

‘You do? That’s great. Thank you.’

Meredith began to load boxes onto the counter. ‘One of them is from me and the others are from Mr Crocket and Mrs Singleton. When I said I was dropping my bits for the giving tree round tonight they asked if I could take theirs too and you popping in will save me a trip.’