The first few notes of ‘Deck the Halls’ filled the silence, and the lights were switched on in the nativity scene, which sent a few of the sleepy ducks, who had taken shelter there, squawking and quacking away. A second later the tree lit up, casting a magical golden glow over the green. The bright white lights sparkled in the moonlight and reflected off the still water of the duck pond and Meadowbank river. Anticipation mounted in the crowd as everyone in the village gasped. The choir sang a few more traditional songs with everyone joining in and then the Christmas music rang out from the speaker system erected behind the nativity scene. It did look a bit like the singing was coming from a large plastic donkey stood at the side of the tiny barn, but everyone began jiggling along as the first float emerged from the darkness.

Mr Miller’s open-top convertible had been covered in tinsel and his wife was dressed as a fairy godmother hanging out of the back. Her large ballgown had been adorned with strings of fairy lights and she waved a light-up wand in the air. She must have been freezing but her smile never faltered. After a short gap, the next float began circling around the green.

Next up was one of the local lad’s pick-up trucks. Lights adorned the bumper and an enormous cardboard house, decorated to look like a gingerbread house, stood on the back. His two young children waved at everyone from beside it as the mum, dressed as an elf, threw out packets of sweets. One landed by Mungo’s feet, and he picked it up before handing it to Nick with a grin.

More floats came past ranging from decorated work trucks with giant light-up presents, to a vintage car, beautifully decorated with a wreath and Mrs Santa standing up in the back.

As he glanced at Bella’s face, he could see how much she was enjoying it, and Freddie too. Every time a new float came past, she bent down to talk to Freddie, and they pointed and laughed at various things, enjoying each and every moment. Nick stepped forwards wanting to be involved. One hand rested on Freddie’s shoulder and without thinking the other went to sit on the curve of Bella’s waist. She spun to look at him and he worried he’d gone too far, but then she smiled, and he felt alive again.