The berry garlands were pretty, but it still felt a bit dark and dreary. She needed to inject that golden glow you saw in Christmas movies. Something that made it feel as cosy as her roaring log fire did in the cottage. Finding some lights, she hung them just below the garland and as soon as she switched on the little battery packs, the place filled with a warm orangey blush. The walls still needed something else though, and Bella made a note to buy some wreaths to hang up. They also needed to do something with the floor. The traditional red Persian rug was rolled up in the corner, but she felt it needed something else to make it extra special. Taking a moment to stand back and survey the scene, she hit on it.

Snow!

Sprinkled at the edges of the room, under the tree and in front of the fireplace it would really add to the magical feel. And more lights. You couldn’t go wrong with hundreds of white twinkling fairy lights, and stockings to hang from the fake fire.

Now to get started on the tree. All thoughts of Evan were soon forgotten as she happily worked away crouched down, fiddling with the base of the bushy fake Christmas tree. Standing back, she admired the gorgeous deep green of the leaves. It was a type of green you only saw at this time of year; there was nothing else like it. After a few more hours of work, Bella stood back surveying the almost ready grotto. The children were going to love it.

She’d always found it incredibly exciting to visit Santa’s grotto as a child and loved creating that magic now. As she stepped outside, she glanced at the tree that was to become the giving tree. Soon it would be covered in lights and dotted with special gift tags that could change Christmas for the families of Meadowbank. Bella felt a swelling of pride. She’d heard the saying that it takes a village to raise a child; well this year, it was going to take a village to make a Christmas.

Bella smiled, feeling better than she had ever expected to only a week after her break-up. Checking no one could see, she raised her eyes to the sky and crossed her fingers hoping it would last.

Chapter 8

On Wednesday night, Bella settled on the sofa with her mum and sister next to her. Nina curled in the armchair opposite.

‘I can’t believe I’ve had so many forms handed in already,’ Bella gasped, looking through the stack in her hands. ‘It’s such an eye-opener. A sad one, but I’m still glad I’m doing it.’