The cold fresh air stung her nose as she took a deep breath. At least it didn’t carry the smell of manure, which was a hazard of living in the country. Instead, it was clear and crisp. Bluebell Park had become her own enchanted hideaway from the difficult feelings she’d been experiencing but recent events had pushed all thoughts of Evan and heartbreak from her mind. Although the park was an important part of the village, the way they’d transformed it for Christmas gave the place a special atmosphere.

Today she’d focus on the giving tree and wrapping the donations she’d received that hadn’t already been gift-wrapped or tagged. She didn’t mind – she absolutely loved wrapping presents and people were busy. She was just grateful they’d taken a tag and made a donation in the first place.

‘Morning, Mr Tomlin,’ she called as he marched along to the grotto.

The red of his Santa trousers was just visible between his huge duvet-like coat and big black boots. He waved and opened the door to be welcomed by her usual crew of Saturday volunteers. She swiftly followed, eager to escape the freezing, still air they’d been greeted with this morning. The frost that had made the ground twinkle when she left the cottage was fading and with any luck it would warm up a little more before the children arrived to visit Santa.

Inside, the volunteers’ hut had been looking like a second Santa’s grotto from the pile of donations already made and she had more tags to hang on the tree today too. The village of Meadowbank was being far more generous than even she had hoped for and with any luck any new tags would be gone before long too. Bella waited a moment before removing her coat. ‘Gosh that’s parky out there today. How are you, Mr Tomlin? We’ll have to make sure we get those little heaters on in a minute, so it warms up a bit for you.’

Mr Tomlin coughed before replying. ‘Thank you, most appreciated.’

‘Are you all right?’ asked Hazel, leaning towards him. ‘You look a bit pale today.’

‘Well, to be honest, I feel a little bit under the weather, but I’m sure I’ll survive. I wouldn’t want to let all my lovely children down.’