Normally the thought of their new, exciting grotto would have brought a huge smile to her face, but today a shroud of gloom covered everything, dulling her feelings. She hated Evan for that. For stealing away things that should have been fun or special, but thinking of her trip last week, the glowing lights of London lit her memories and she vowed not to let him take any more. Today, she was going to announce to the volunteers what Bluebell Park would be up to this Christmas and how much it was going to help the village. They’d be as excited as she was and then these miserable feelings would be buried even further.

‘Morning, all.’

Their genial conversation died, and she was met with a stony silence. Glancing around at their sympathetic faces it was clear they’d been chatting about her.

‘We weren’t sure we’d see you today,’ said Hazel, a little uncertainly. ‘We missed you last week, but we didn’t know whether you’d need some more time.’

Hazel was about the same age as her mum and had been one of the first to volunteer at Bluebell Park. She was one of those people who were on every committee and council they could find because she liked to be busy. Unlike Bella’s mum who was enjoying her retirement and had spent much of the summer lying on a sun lounger in the back garden, drinking lethal homemade cocktails at unsuitable times of the day.

Bella hung her coat on the rack and took a seat, aware of the nervous glances in her direction. She vowed not to rattle on as she kept doing with Nick Cowley but to keep her answer short and brief. ‘I won’t lie … it’s been really tough this week, but I think the best thing I can do is keep busy.’ Bella clasped her hands together in her lap. ‘Anyway, I’ve got something to tell you all in a minute, and it’s very exciting.’

Nina handed her a cup of tea they’d already got from the chalet next door where Annie’s Tearoom was setting up. She flashed a sympathetic smile and Bella had the feeling she’d tried to steer the conversation away from Bella and Evan but had been unsuccessful. Bella gripped the cardboard cup, focusing on the warmth spreading through her fingers rather than everyone’s soppy expressions that were threatening to make her cry for the fifty millionth time. Evan had described her as overemotional in his more unthinking moments, but she couldn’t help crying at sad things on TV or blubbing at romcoms. It was just who she was.

‘I’m so sorry, Bella,’ Hazel said. ‘But if he can’t see how amazing you are, you’re better off without him.’

‘Definitely,’ everyone agreed.