‘Anyway,’ he continued brightly, as if their whole conversation hadn’t taken place. ‘I’ve heard about this giving tree thing you’re doing, and I was wondering if you’d like a tree? I’d be happy to donate one and we could have a little sign that says where it came from like we have at the fireworks display every year. What do you think?’

Little sign? Not according to Hazel.

‘That’s very kind of you, Mr Cole.’ He smiled condescendingly. ‘But we’re actually going to use one of the fir trees growing at Bluebell Park. There’s a gorgeous one that’s just the right size right next to Santa’s grotto. I did have a request from someone for a Christmas tree though, so if you wanted to donate one to a family in need then—’

‘If a family is in need’ – he made air quotes with his fingers – ‘then they should be asking for more than a tree. If you ask me, that’s taking the piss.’

Bella felt an imperceptible tightening in her shoulders at his swearing in front of Amias. She wasn’t judging. Everyone swore at times, but it just didn’t seem right to do it on school property. Normally people swore in front of kids when they were angry or upset and couldn’t help themselves. Mr Cole was quite calm.

So that was a no, then. Perhaps Hazel’s assessment of Mr Cole had been correct. His offer had come from his head rather than his heart, with purely mercenary motives.

‘Right, well, if you’d prefer not to, then I completely understand. I’ll let you two get off and have a lovely weekend.’

As they marched away it was then she saw the tall, handsome figure lingering by the playground gates and her heart somersaulted in her chest.

It was Evan.

Chapter 10

The steam of Bella’s breath hung in the cold afternoon air as Evan closed the gap between them, striding through the empty playground. Dusk had begun to fall over Meadowbank and the sky was heavy with cloud. Where the sun had set, an orange glow lingered low in the sky and above it a patchwork of pink, blue and grey.

Evan’s navy peacoat fitted his frame well, and his gloved hands swung by his sides. God she’d loved this man, but he didn’t look up and meet her gaze, keeping his eyes on the ground as he came towards her. If he was here in response to her message, she wished he’d waited until she was home. It would be much easier to talk there. Had he come here so she wouldn’t make a scene? Quite possibly.