‘And you probably won’t believe him,’ Matilda added. ‘And you’ll spend your time going over every moment of the last few weeks or months trying to find clues. I bet you’ve already started doing that, haven’t you?’ Bella stared down at her cup and nodded. Hazel took over again.

‘The simple matter is, he’s gone. Your heart will heal, though I know it doesn’t feel like it right this minute. It’s all too raw, but they don’t say time heals all wounds for nothing.’

Despite Hazel’s advice, Bella was still sorely tempted to call Evan again. It hurt to think he could just cut her out of his life without a word. It hurt even more to think he’d got her message and ignored it. How could the man she’d loved so much ignore her pain like that? The man who’d done that wasn’t the one who’d shared her bed and she couldn’t marry the two up. Was he acting out of character, or had it always been in his character, but she’d failed to see it?

‘He doesn’t deserve you,’ Mr Whittaker said with a rather angry jab at the air. Considering he wasn’t a touchy-feely sort of man, his kind words meant a lot.

Hazel leaned forwards. ‘Promise me you won’t call him again.’ Her serious expression pinned Bella to the spot.

‘I promise I’ll try. It’s honestly the best I can do. Who knows what might happen when I’ve drunk half a bottle of wine with my mother tonight? And knowing Mum, it’d be better if I call him rather than her.’

Nina patted her arm, and Bella felt the enormity of it all coming back to her. Pulling a tissue from her pocket, she blew her nose. ‘Right, so,’ she began forcefully. ‘I’ve got something very exciting to talk to you all about today. I’ve had an amazing idea and I think you’re going to like it too. I think we should start a giving tree.’

All the volunteers except for Nina looked to each other in confusion and Bella outlined her idea and the conversations she’d had at the school staff meeting. Without naming names, she gave examples of the help needed in their peaceful little village.

‘I had no idea,’ said Hazel. ‘I mean, life’s not easy at the best of times, but I didn’t know so many people were in dire straits.’

‘Oh, I liked them,’ Mr Whittaker said, tapping his foot to a remembered tune. He then started humming something by Status Quo but no one had the heart to correct him.

‘And are you sure we should have it here?’