‘The giving tree has been a good lesson for some of my Year 6s in understanding not everyone has as much as them. I think Roy has finally learned that having branded crisps and clothes doesn’t make him any better than anyone else. Apparently, he’s been teasing Megan about having the cheaper brand from the village shop for ages. I had no idea.’

‘It’s a good lesson for all the kids,’ said Nina. ‘A tough one, but a good one.’

Bella shot a look to Amias who had returned to his seat on the floor and was messing about. ‘I just feel bad about the ones I can’t fulfil. One form asked for a tree because they haven’t got one. What am I supposed to do about that? I wasn’t going to deliver anything until the Saturday before Christmas and by then it’ll be too late. I’m worried about fulfilling requests early and setting a precedent that could cause me problems.’

‘I don’t mind buying a fake tree and donating it,’ said Johnny.

‘Oh, Johnny, that’s lovely of you,’ Nina said, then blushed.

‘Do you guys think it’ll be okay to deliver a few things early?’

Nina shrugged. ‘I don’t see why not. It’s not that big a deal, is it? If these people are really in need, then an early delivery could make just as much difference as a Christmas Eve one.’

‘You’re right. I can run this any way I want, can’t I?’

‘You can. Has anyone started donating things yet?’

‘No, but the launch isn’t until this weekend.’

‘I’ll be there anyway but what about you, Johnny?’ Nina asked, beginning to colour.

‘Count me in,’ said Johnny, catching Nina’s eye and smiling shyly. Again, Bella wished he’d just pluck up the courage to ask Nina out.

Evan had asked her out after delivering her flowers. A giant bunch of red roses that had filled the house. He still hadn’t called her back and she’d thought about trying again at the weekend. She’d even contemplated ringing from someone else’s phone hoping he’d pick up to a number he didn’t recognise but that went a little bit too far towards nutcase for her liking. She hadn’t completely ruled out the idea for the future, but she didn’t want to descend into bunny boiler if she could help it.

As she glanced over her flock of children all sitting nicely in a line, she saw Amias shove Richard so hard he fell into Umar who fell into Hannah and on it went like a domino effect. The boys were all laughing but two of the girls further along the line clashed heads and began to cry.