Caro snoozed on her shoulder after moaning about the size of her feet and threatening to take her shoes off, and her mum chattered on about the extra presents she’d bought. For so much of the day she hadn’t thought about Evan leaving or going home to her empty house. She hadn’t thought about living her life without him, because her mum had been right: she’d been busy making memories with her family. Tomorrow though would bring new heartbreak as she felt it all again. If only she could continue to keep it at bay.

Bella turned her mind to the poverty she’d ignored on her previous visits to London. How many people in Meadowbank needed help but were afraid to ask for it? She thought of the huge Christmas tree in Covent Garden and her mum’s idea of a gift for Mrs Barnes and something stirred deep inside her brain. A vague idea began to form, crystallising into something more solid as she worked through it. She’d read about giving trees in magazines before. Charities were using them quite a lot now. They were a great way of helping others and were perfect for this time of year.

Could she set one up at Meadowbank?

There were so many other parents throughout the school who for one reason or another were dreading Christmas, and even some children too. In Bella’s own class, she couldn’t pretend that last term, Sinead’s single mum had pulled her out of a school trip to the local castle because she couldn’t afford it. What would she be doing for Christmas this year if she couldn’t afford a moderately priced educational visit? She must be dreading Christmas too. Oliver’s mum and dad had three other children in school all needing costumes. Would they be worried too?

Every teacher at Meadowbank Primary was aware of the food bank vouchers being given out in confidence. The recent harvest festival donations had gone as quickly as they’d come in. Though neighbours helped neighbours in Meadowbank, some people didn’t feel they could ask for help and only spoke to the school begrudgingly. Bella firmly believed that if the village knew more of their neighbours’ suffering, they’d want to offer some assistance.

For the first time since discovering Evan’s note, she felt something other than pain. That familiar drive that forced its way into her brain, egging her on when she had the bit between her teeth, took hold, forcing back the tears that were constantly bubbling just below the surface.

‘You two, listen, I’ve got an idea.’

Caro stopped leaning against the window and sat upright, her eyes sleepy.