‘I was thinking they can hand them in at Bluebell Park rather than leave them under the tree. I’ve become aware of a number of families who are struggling financially, and this could really help them this Christmas.’ Mrs White’s eyes narrowed slightly as she listened, and Bella’s voice wavered as her apprehension got the better of her. She believed so fervently in this idea, but did she have the courage to go against Mrs White if she said no? Perhaps she shouldn’t have raised it as a question but more a statement of fact. ‘I was thinking we could make it for the entire village as I know some of the lonelier older residents could do with a bit of support too. What do you all think?’

‘How will it work exactly?’ asked Mr Osbourne. Though he clearly wasn’t convinced, Bella was grateful he was hearing her out without dismissing the idea straight away.

‘And where will it be?’ Mrs White readied her pen. ‘You said Bluebell Park, didn’t you? That would be better I think. I’m not sure the school would be the right place for it.’

‘I wanted to put it at the park so people can freely access it. We have to be so careful about strangers entering the school—’

‘Not that we have any in Meadowbank, but good thinking.’

‘There’s a beautiful fir tree right next to the grotto that would be perfect.’

‘I know the one,’ Nina said.

Mrs White nodded and made a note on her clipboard. ‘Where will you get the information from as to who needs what?’

‘That’s where we all come in. We all know families who need some help from our own classes, and I was thinking we could have a form for people to fill in for themselves or to nominate others. If we have them available here and at Bluebell Park, then people can hand them in to me. Each form will get a number and I’ll then create the tags. The tag will have the number on and state generally what’s needed. That way it’ll all be anonymous, and no one will get embarrassed. Someone then takes a tag, buys the gift and delivers it back to us with the tag attached. I’ll coordinate everything. And then, as we get nearer to Christmas, I’ll deliver the donations. What do you think, Mrs White?’