Since the presents were delivered, Bella couldn’t walk down the street without being thanked for organising the giving tree. Even though she couldn’t love it more, it filled her with affection for her little village. And although she’d arranged it, it was the people around her – her friends and neighbours in Meadowbank – who’d made it possible. As usual, the village had come together and now everyone was going to have a wonderful Christmas with presents, gifts and more than enough food.

Nick, Paige and Freddie exited the grotto and Freddie ran over showing her his present. He’d been allowed to open it, and he waved the superhero comic book in the air as if it was the best Christmas present he’d ever received. As soon as he reached them, Bella’s mum and dad had gathered him up and were getting him to show them pictures and talk them through it. They were going to make exceptional grandparents not just to Caro’s baby, but to him too.

‘Freddie,’ called Nick. ‘We’ve got something to do, haven’t we?’

He frowned in confusion, then his face brightened. ‘Oh yeah.’

Nick nodded at Paige and she went to walk away, but Cynthia stepped in. ‘Paige, my love, you haven’t got one of Mrs Bumble’s mulled wines. Shall we go and get one? It’s pretty much pure alcohol and you could probably pickle something in it, but it doesn’t half take the chill off.’ She wrapped her arm around her waist and hastened her on.

After Bella had told her mum about the kiss and Nick’s declaration of love, an overjoyed Cynthia had accepted Paige as part of their family and was making an effort to include her.

‘Bella,’ Nick said. ‘Have you seen there’s a tag hanging on the giving tree?’

A cold chill ran down her spine. Had she missed one? Was someone still desperately waiting for a present, feeling like the village had forgotten them? No one had said anything, but perhaps the tag had been handed in late. Perhaps someone hadn’t understood how it worked and hung the tag themselves. Bella told herself to calm down. It was late on Christmas Eve, but if she drove straight to Witchbury she’d be able to buy something, she was sure. Nick took her hand, and they went to investigate.

The red ribbon fluttered in the cold winter wind, and Bella reached out for it. It wasn’t Christmas-tree-shaped as hers had been or laminated, and it had been written by a child. Her throat closed over at the thought that a child might miss out because she hadn’t double-checked the tree. Slipping it off the branch, she pulled it towards her, then gasped as she read the words out loud.