‘Yes, but next year will be pretty amazing when he or she is running around going crazy.’

‘It will,’ she replied with a soppy grin at Luke. ‘Where’s Mum and Dad?’

‘Boozing it up at the mulled wine stall. Mrs Bumble’s making a killing today. I know you can’t drink any but it’s like Christmas-spiced rocket fuel.’

‘Dad!’ Freddie cried, waving madly. ‘It’s our turn next.’

‘Back in a minute, okay?’ He kissed Bella on the cheek and headed off.

‘So,’ Caro said as they sat down on one of the benches. ‘Things are going well then?’

‘They are.’ The biggest of smiles stretched Bella’s cheeks.

‘Isn’t it hard with Paige being around?’

‘It’s a bit more complicated, but I don’t mind.’

‘Of course you don’t,’ Caro replied, nudging her sister. ‘It’s nice to see you stupidly positive again.’

Just then, her mum and dad came over, extra cups of mulled wine in their hands. ‘Here you are, poppet,’ Cynthia said, handing one to Bella. ‘Merry Christmas, darling.’

‘Merry Christmas, Mum.’

‘I got one for Nick,’ said her dad looking around. ‘Where is he?’

‘In the grotto.’

‘Ah.’

As they waited, they talked about plans for tomorrow. Bella had presumed that Paige would be spending the day with Nick and Freddie and that she might possibly see them on Boxing Day or the day after. Every time she’d tried to talk to Nick about it, he’d been a bit cagey, and she’d suspected that some things were still to be sorted out. As much as Paige could be hostile to her, she didn’t want her spending Christmas Day on her own.

‘Bella,’ shouted one of the villagers coming over. ‘Oh, Bella, I’m so glad I found you.’

‘Is everything all right, Mrs Picard?’

‘I just wanted to say thank you for the gift. I don’t know who nominated me, but I’m so looking forward to opening it and then I’m off to Hazel’s again this year. I don’t think I’ve looked forward to a Christmas as much in years.’

‘I’m so glad to hear it.’

‘And my daughter, who’s swanned off to Scotland, well, I shall be far too busy to miss her and it’s all because of you and your fabulous idea for a giving tree. Thank you, darling. You’ve made my Christmas.’

Mrs Picard wandered away and Bella sipped her drink.