‘It’s as easy or hard as you make it, Nick. You just have to be straight with yourself and with Paige. Don’t you think you deserve to be happy too?’

He did. He knew he did. The trouble was, Freddie deserved it more and for Freddie to get what he wanted, his mum and dad had to be a couple again. Nick tried to erase the kiss from his mind and force down the feelings he had for Bella. It made him feel almost full, as if they were sitting in his stomach as heavy as rocks. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to eat his dinner with how hard it all was. Could he suck up his heartbreak for the sake of his boy? The little pink squirming thing he’d been handed ten years ago and promised he’d do everything he could to keep safe and make happy. He’d have to. Even if it meant breaking his own heart to do it.

Chapter 29

For the last week of term Bella threw herself into work. Her contact with Nick was sparse and Paige seemed to have made herself at home, so Bella found solace at Bluebell Park, finishing the giving tree. She would be sad to see it go, but it had done so much for the village. People often stopped and thanked her, saying what a difference it had made knowing they’d have enough food to eat or gifts for their children. In some ways, it had been her Christmas present to Meadowbank, the village she loved so much.

At school, the end of term always heralded excitement and at Christmas even more so. Apart from a few basic lessons the last week was spent on fun activities with the children; reading Christmas stories and watching festive films. They even had a party in each classroom on the last day of term. The weather had forecast snow, and everyone had their fingers crossed for that rarest of things: a white Christmas.

Bella did her best to regain some of her optimism and whenever she was in company smiled and laughed as if heartbreak wasn’t keeping her awake at night or taking over her thoughts during the day. Hers and Nick’s steps towards each other had been hesitant but based on solid, heartfelt emotion, so it was crushing to see that Paige had slotted herself into Nick and Freddie’s life so seamlessly. As much as she longed to see Nick, it was easier without them running into each other.