‘Will they fit in the bag?’

‘I think so.’

Bella went to the wine bottles at the back and grabbed a couple, then stopped at the crackers. She was thinking of cheese and wine for nibbles tonight. Her mum would bring mince pies so she didn’t need to bother with those. Cynthia was slightly addicted to them and bought them as soon as they appeared in the shop. Bella quite fancied something a little different. Before long she stopped at the till.

‘Anything else?’ asked Meredith.

‘No, thanks. Just these bits.’

‘How are you coping, my lovely?’

She was getting used to the question now and Bella summoned some cheerfulness. ‘Pretty good actually. The tree’s keeping me busy as you can see. How’s little Georgie?’

Meredith had recently given birth and Georgie was now about four weeks old but there was no keeping Meredith from the shop she loved so much. It had been her parents’ before her, and she was determined to keep it going. Luckily, it didn’t seem to be struggling as everyone in the village used it.

‘She’s a terrible sleeper but we’re starting to get her into a routine so I’m sure she’ll settle down soon. All the others did.’

The bell over the door tinkled again as Mrs Baxter, an elderly neighbour, walked inside. She had an old-fashioned scarf wrapped over her head and tied under her chin. ‘I thought I saw you come in here, Bella. I took one of your tags on Saturday and I’ve got my present here all wrapped up and ready to go. I stuck the tag on. Was that the right thing to do?’

Bella quickly scanned the beautifully wrapped parcel. The tag from the giving tree had been stuck on top so she knew exactly who it was for. ‘It was, Mrs Baxter. Thank you.’

‘Oh, it was my pleasure, Bella dear. I’m very lucky with my pension, that it’s enough, especially with my mortgage all paid off years ago. It’s the least I can do.’

‘Well, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your support and I know whoever receives this will too.’

‘What can I get for you, Mrs Baxter?’ asked Meredith.

‘Nothing, dear, I just popped in to give this to Bella. Toodle-oo.’

Mrs Baxter disappeared, and Bella eyed the paper bag of wine and the larger carrier bag of gifts. Meredith followed her gaze.

‘Are you going to manage all of this?’

‘I think so,’ Bella replied, paying. She tucked Mrs Baxter’s present under her arm, then picked up the carrier bag and Meredith handed her the other, the wine bottles clanking as she steadied herself. She had no idea how she was going to find her keys, but she should at least make it the short distance up the lane to her front door.