There was nothing quite like December in Meadowbank. She loved living in the small village, deep in the Kent countryside, and adored the tiny village school where she worked. City schools had large metal fences around them or protective concrete walls, but Meadowbank Primary had a low flint wall that ran all the way around with views over the village green and duck pond to the front, or acres of fields to the back. The children always played in the larger back playground, where the school looked out over farms and meadows. The only traffic they had to worry about were tractors and the occasional duck that had made its way from the duck pond and was hogging the hopscotch. With only fifteen or so children per class, it was a pleasure to teach and nurture the little minds in her care.

‘Right, let’s try and get this sum sorted out, shall we?’ Bella cheered. ‘So, don’t forget, we start here in the units column. Oliver, can you tell me what eight plus nine is, please?’

Oliver began counting on his fingers and Bella reminded him to try and do it in his head. He was such a good boy. Always playing nicely with the other children, especially Freddie in Miss Radcliffe’s class. Freddie and his father Nick were her neighbours in Bramble Cottage.

Last week, Nina told her that Freddie had been far keener to stay in and hand out the books for the next lesson than to go out and play with his friends, of which he had many. Nina had been meaning to have a chat with him about it, but as far as Bella knew she hadn’t been able to yet. It can’t have been easy for Freddie with his mum leaving six months ago, running off to Bali with another man. It was bound to have an effect.

It had been the talk of the village and, of course, the staffroom. She couldn’t understand why anyone in their right mind would leave the man Paige had left behind: Nick Cowley. He looked a bit like a stubbly Henry Cavill and who’d say no to that? Bella would obviously because she was happily in a relationship with Evan. In fact, she’d even go so far as to say blissfully happy. They never argued, never bickered, and agreed on almost everything, even down to what to have for dinner. Evan would sometimes tease her for being so optimistic about everything, but she liked it. It meant he knew her better than anyone. This would be their third Christmas in Lavender Cottage, and she was looking forward to making new memories and traditions with him over the years to come.