‘My Mitzie is not fat. She’s just … poofy. It’s all that curly poodle hair.’

Bella giggled. ‘You really do pamper that dog, Mr Whittaker.’

‘Here,’ said Nina, ‘I’ll load these last bits in while you go and get yourself a hot drink and a snack to take with you.’

Bella gave them all a kiss on the cheek, feeling Mr Whittaker’s stubbly whiskers against her skin. ‘Thank you all for helping with this. It’s so wonderful to know we’ve made a difference.’ Feeling her eyes misting with tears, she said, ‘But if it does start coming down with snow, you’ll close the park and head home too, won’t you? I don’t want you being stuck out here or walking back in bad weather. You could trip and fall.’

‘We will, we will. We promise,’ Mr Whittaker replied. ‘Now, be off with you.’

‘Bella,’ Hazel called, and she paused at the door. ‘You’ve done well with everything you’ve been through. Very well.’

‘Hasn’t she just?’ said Matilda, leaving her tea and stopping by Bella’s side. ‘You’ve been marvellous. You’re a real treasure. Not like that Paige. Leaving that poor, lovely man and their poor, lovely boy for six whole months. She’s got a nerve if you ask me.’

‘More front than Woolworths,’ said Mr Whittaker.

‘Woolworths hasn’t got any front anymore, Mr Whittaker,’ Nina said. ‘They went out of business years ago.’

‘Did they? Well, blow me down.’

Bella left the hut as Mr Whittaker descended into a reminiscence of spending his childhood pocket money in the large Woolworths in Witchbury and after securing her coffee, headed to her car. As she approached, she was surprised to see a truck she recognised, and Nick and Freddie step out of it.

‘Hi,’ Nick said, edging forwards. His eyes widened as he took her in.

It was the first time she’d seen him since the school Christmas play and her heart beat a fast tattoo as she took him in. Even with his beanie hat pulled down on his head, his hair tufted out underneath and she wanted nothing more than to run her fingers through it. His eyes were penetrating, and his square jaw was covered in stubble as though he hadn’t slept for days.

‘We’re here to volunteer – well, Freddie is. I’ve – I’ve got something to do. Is it okay if he comes with you?’

‘Oh. Yes – yeah, of course.’

Freddie stared up at him almost fearful and she wondered what was going on. Nick knelt down in front of him. ‘You remember what we talked about, mate? It’s going to be okay, but you’ve worked hard on these presents and you deserve to deliver them with Bella. I’ll be back soon.’