Bella held her nose and Freddie giggled, doing the same. ‘Okay, I’m going in.’ She slid the scissors over the tape and lifted the flaps of the box to find a sea of packing cardboard. Digging through the mass she gasped as she uncovered the tiny smelly contents. ‘It’s posh cheese.’

‘Did someone actually request posh cheese?’ Nick asked with a laugh.

‘Not that I recall and I’m the only one who’s made up the tags. That must be why it didn’t have a number on.’

‘So,’ said Nick. ‘Someone’s seen the idea for a giving tree but rather than take a tag, they’ve just decided to send a package of posh cheese? That’s a bit odd, isn’t it?’

‘It’s the thought that counts, I suppose. I mean, it’s a bonkers thought, but it’ll still be a nice gift for someone. I’m sure we can find a good home for it, but I think this one might be past its best.’ Bella reached in and pulled out a brie-like cheese that didn’t look like it should have been blue but was now threaded with purple-blue lines. It certainly shouldn’t have been flattened into a disc.

‘Urgh, that’s gross,’ Freddie cried edging away.

Bella held it in her fingertips. ‘Trouble is, I’ve got nowhere to put it.’

Nick stepped forwards to gallantly take it from her. ‘I’ll walk it to the bin for you, if you like.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yeah, we want to help. That’s actually what we came here for, isn’t it, mate?’ Freddie ambled over to his dad’s side and Nick ruffled his hair. ‘What did you want to ask Bella?’

Freddie’s eyes were wide and earnest. ‘Can we do some volunteering too?’

‘Volunteering? Here?’ At first, she’d thought she’d misheard. Nick had always been a rather self-contained man and knowing how busy he was she was more than a little surprised.

Freddie nodded and Nick stepped in to explain further. ‘Hang on, let me get rid of this stinky cheese first.’ He dumped it in the nearest bin then jogged back. Bella couldn’t help but admire his broad frame. ‘Freddie’s always loved the park and we thought it’d be a good way to spend some time together too. At home we just sit around on the PlayStation. Not all day, obviously,’ he added quickly, clearly worrying she would disapprove. ‘We just thought getting out and doing something else would be really nice.’

‘We’re always happy to have volunteers,’ Bella replied. ‘We tend to get more in the summer than the winter months. Most people are afraid of the cold. What sort of thing did you want to do?’

‘How about we help you now?’