‘The Covent Garden tree went up yesterday,’ Caro replied. ‘I checked. We just felt you needed some cheering up after last night’s shock and thought we’d bring it forwards. I can’t imagine trying to go places in another month’s time. It’s hard enough moving about now.’

‘You don’t mind, do you?’ Cynthia asked. ‘Your dad worried it would be too much too soon but sitting around at home or being at Bluebell Park wasn’t going to help any either.’

‘I appreciate it,’ Bella replied, tearing a piece from a delicious pecan plait and popping it into her mouth. She then sipped from her takeaway coffee, her appetite returning. Her heart was still utterly broken, but her mum was right. Being in Meadowbank today was going to be mentally tough. At least she’d have a day away to process everything that had happened or bury her saddest thoughts under happier memories before she faced everyone in the village. ‘Actually, I’m really grateful. Thanks, sis. Thank you, Mum.’

‘You’re welcome. Now let’s eat these up so we’ve got some energy for trampling those streets and walking our legs off.’ Caro looked alarmed at their mother’s words. ‘Don’t worry, we can take lots and lots of coffee breaks.’

The beautiful rolling hills and pastures of Meadowbank, which even in winter kept their verdant shades of green, were soon replaced by the busy station at Witchbury and from then, urban landscapes dominated until the tower blocks and graffiti-ridden bridges of London popped into view.

Bella loved their Christmas visit to the city. It was like entering a different, faster, more exciting world, but she was always happy to come back home again. The train pulled into the slick station at the heart of the metropolis and Bella couldn’t deny the small flicker of eagerness trying its best to light inside her.

Her horrible brain wondered what Evan was doing now with Pepper. She sounded like the type to drink a green juice every morning or eat things with chia seeds in she’d made the night before. Maybe she had a tiny, slender frame rather than the rounded hips and bum Bella had. She sounded pretty. Cynthia’s excited voice pulled Bella back from the edge of the rabbit hole. Going down that road wasn’t going to end well but a dark, meddling voice inside tried to pull her in. She ignored it, enjoying the bustle of the train station.

‘Get your tickets ready,’ her mum said, waving hers in the air as she trundled forwards.

‘Will do, Mum,’ she and Caro replied. Then Caro threaded her arm into Bella’s. Whatever happened, she was going to ignore the pain in her heart and hope that today would help it to heal it while she wasn’t looking.