Today she’d be making all the deliveries from the giving tree. The culmination of all her hard work. She didn’t expect either Nick or Freddie to be volunteering even though it was a Saturday. They probably wanted to spend time as a family as it was the last weekend before Christmas. But to cheer herself up, she’d dressed as an elf and decorated her car with tinsel and lights in as close an approximation of Santa’s sleigh as she could manage.

Burying her pain under the pile of presents she was loading into the car, she nipped into the volunteers’ hut ensuring she had everything, including a delicious festive spiced latte to see her through until lunchtime.

‘Well, that tree of yours was a resounding success, Bella,’ said Mr Whittaker. ‘You’ll be making a lot of people incredibly happy today.’

‘I can’t believe you’ve dressed as an elf though,’ said Matilda, scowling. She’d thought it a little over the top, but Bella wouldn’t be swayed.

Bella peered down at the felt elf shoes complete with bells she’d worn over her ankle boots. Her legs were just about warm in the tights she’d squeezed up over thermal leggings, but she couldn’t do without her coat. The sky had taken on that strange grey and orange hue it does when snow is on the way. The air was unusually still and the cold bit through her layers, inching over her skin. Still, she couldn’t imagine a better day to deliver presents. The weather was Christmassy, her car was Christmassy, she looked Christmassy, and Meadowbank appeared even more magical in the strange dusky light. As she’d driven to Bluebell Park that morning, lights had sparkled and flashed in the gloom, guiding her way.

The night before Bella had been through everything, double-checking that each form had a corresponding gift and planning her route around the village. All the tags had been taken from the tree and donations made so no one would feel left out. Meadowbank hadn’t let her down. And the radio played nothing but Christmas songs, which would undoubtedly lift her spirits if everything else failed to.

‘I like my elf costume, Matilda, and you can’t be one of Santa’s elves and not dress up.’

‘But you’ll freeze.’

‘No, I won’t. I’ll be in and out of the car all the time anyway. I’ll be fine.’

‘Well, you best hurry,’ said Hazel. ‘Snow’s on the way.’

‘It definitely is,’ replied Mr Whittaker, nodding. ‘My Mitzie didn’t want to go out for a wee this morning. I had to pick her up and take her outside. She only does that when it snows. I gave her a whole sausage for being so brave.’

‘You mustn’t give that dog people food,’ Hazel chided. ‘She’s getting fat enough as it is.’