‘Why do I have a feeling I’m going to regret this?’

‘It’s only for the morning. We’ll get Mr Whittaker to take over this afternoon,’ Bella called out after him.

Nick spun and walked backwards. ‘You owe me, Bella. You owe me big time.’

‘I promise I’ll make it up to you,’ she replied, and as her body replayed the feeling of being pressed against him, she let her thoughts wander to exactly how she could do that and how wonderful that might be.

***

As lunchtime neared, Bella and Freddie made their way to the volunteers’ hut in the centre of Bluebell Park. They’d spent the whole morning talking about how excited they were for Christmas, and she was pleased to see that despite missing his mum he was still able to enjoy the season. What a little trouper. They were both particularly excited for the Christmas parade and seeing the village become a magical Christmas fairyland.

‘You stay in here with Hazel, Freddie, and I’ll go fetch us a sandwich and find your dad. I’m sure he’s finished helping Nina by now. Don’t move though, okay? You must stay in here.’

‘I will,’ he replied and as Hazel nodded her understanding through the open door, Bella made her way to the grotto.

Only a couple of children remained in the queue and Bella edged her way inside. As she stared at the scene before her, at the magic she’d created, pride filled her. The sparkling fairy lights, fake snow, piles of presents under the twinkling tree and large chair with a wonderfully cheerful Santa perched in it, made her feel like a child. A little girl was sitting on the chair next to Nick, listing all the things she wanted for Christmas, counting them off on her fingers as she went.

‘And I’d like a unicorn and a new bike with streamers on the handlebars and a basket to put the cat in.’

‘The cat?’ Nick’s voice almost slipped, and he lowered it again. Bella muffled her laugh. ‘Well, have you been a good girl this year?’

The little girl nodded. ‘I have, haven’t I, Mummy?’

The Mum tipped her head from side to side. ‘Well … I’m not sure …’ The little girl’s face froze and the mum laughed. ‘Yes, she has, Santa. She’s been very good.’

Nick leaned in and winked. ‘I knew that already.’ The little girl giggled, pressing her hand to her mouth. ‘I think you’re definitely on the nice list, but I need you to go to bed early on Christmas Eve so that I can leave you something special under the tree. Is that a deal?’

‘Deal,’ she declared.