‘I had an excuse then,’ Esme replied. ‘I didn’t know how to do washing.’ But suddenly her face clouded in concern. ‘There is one thing.’

‘What?’ asked Mark, pausing on his way to get more drinks. ‘After everything you’ve been though today, I can’t believe there’s anything worse to deal with.’

‘Oh yes there is,’ replied Esme, resting her head on the table and speaking from under her arms. ‘I still have to tell my mother.’

‘Well, you’re on your own there, love,’ said Helena, smiling. ‘I’ve met your mum and she is batshit crazy.’

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Acknowledgements

I think Christmas stories are my favourites to write, even when they don’t always behave, like this book did! My first thank you has to go to my wonderful friend Belinda Missen (read her books please, she’s amazing and way funnier than me!) for helping me figure out what wasn’t working in the first part of the story and getting it right.

I’d also like to thank the lovely Miss Beck at my children’s school for answering my questions about the rules teachers have to stick to when it comes to consoling children. Your knowledge played a huge part in the book and I’m so grateful for your time at the end of the day when I’m sure all you wanted was a sit-down and a cup of tea!

My family have always been there for me, helping me to sort out plot holes and being incredibly supportive so I’d like to thank the Baineses and the Gingers for listening to me harp on and supplying me with wine and cuddles when needed.

Finally, I’d like to thank my agent, Robbie Guillory at the Kate Nash Literary Agency, and my lovely editor Sarah Goodey at HQ Digital. I’m so proud of this book and it wouldn’t be anywhere near as good without you two! Sarah, we will definitely make it to cocktails soon. I can feel it! I’d also like to give a shout-out to Helena, my copyeditor. The copyedits are my favourite part of the process because it’s like putting on your perfume and a final swipe of lip gloss before you go out. Thank you, Helena!