As Nina began to recite a tale involving a horse-riding lesson, unflattering jodhpurs and the wedgie of a lifetime, Bella relaxed into the comforting atmosphere around her and the peace it gave. She knew it wouldn’t be long until everyone left, and her thoughts would run to what life might look like after Christmas when she had nothing to occupy her time or her heart. She pushed down the fear cresting inside and listened intently to Nina’s story. It was unlikely but she might, after all, pick up some tips.

Chapter 9

‘And so it was that the Angel Gabriel spoke to Mary and Joseph.’

‘That’s marvellous, Freddie. Well done.’ Mrs Brody clapped her hands together. ‘You hardly read your script either. Have you been practising at home?’ Freddie nodded, his cheeks growing pinker with the praise. It was clear he had as he was reading less like a robot and putting some wonderful expression into his voice. Bella smiled – maybe she’d stop in on her way home and let Nick know how well he was doing. ‘Well done you.’ Mrs Brody beamed. ‘Good job.’

All the children were piled into the main school hall and group rehearsals were now underway. Mrs Brody had given Bella, Nina and Johnny a timetable detailing when they were to be practising in the classroom and when they were all meeting in the main hall. No one dared argue and all three of them were simply moving their other lessons around to fit. When presented with the laminated document, they’d all nodded like terrified children and promised not to forget.

Having got the children to the hall where Mrs Brody had taken over, Johnny had begun to snooze.

‘Mary,’ blasted George, who was playing the Angel Gabriel, his voice so loud it echoed around the room.

‘Jesus Christ—’ cried Johnny, shooting upright like someone had poured freezing cold water over him.

‘No, Mr Feker, I’m the Angel Gabriel. Jesus is the doll.’ George pointed at the rather grubby doll lying in the cardboard box they were using in place of a manger.

Mrs Brody glared at Johnny and he hunched down in his chair. ‘Quite right, George. Sorry for interrupting.’

A ripple of giggling circulated around the room and Mrs Brody quelled it with the raising of her hand. George, thoroughly enjoying himself, carried on. ‘Mary, you are to go to Bethlehem and there you will have a child.’

‘A child!’ sang the chorus line along the back of the stage.

On the night, they were all going to be in top hats and tails and in an effort to get them used to it, Mrs Brody had scoured the classrooms for any type of headwear. As a result, the girls and boys were now in an assortment of berets, top hats, tiaras and headdresses and a random fez that none of them were particularly keen on wearing.