From that day on, he’d found it easier to ask for help when he needed it, but only with them. The fact his marriage had fallen apart wasn’t his parents’ fault and he didn’t want to burden them or anyone else with his problems. He could see the merits of the giving tree but couldn’t help but feel that some people would take advantage.

Nick squeezed Freddie’s hand then ran his thumb over the smooth baby-soft skin as they strolled along hand in hand. He knew it wouldn’t be long until that went the same way as Daddy. It would be something only done occasionally and never in front of his friends. He savoured the feeling again. ‘So, how are you doing with your lines? Do we need to practise some more?’

‘Mrs Brody was really impressed with me the other day.’ He beamed. ‘I remember most of them. There’s only a couple that I need to practise.’

‘We can do that tomorrow if you like, before school on Monday.’

‘Okay.’

Nick frowned at the way his son, who had always been happy and excited at the prospect of school, dipped his head and focused on his shoes. On Friday, Miss Radcliffe had told him of another accident with Amias Cole and it had been bugging Nick ever since. Was it really an accident? Freddie didn’t think so and he got the impression from Bella that she wasn’t entirely convinced either. Though she hadn’t said as much. She was always very careful in how she spoke about the kids. Very professional. He’d seen her speaking to Mr Cole at the same time Miss Radcliffe had talked to him. As Bella hadn’t mentioned anything else, he’d been crossing his fingers that it was all dying down.

Knowing how excited Freddie had been about the new grotto, Nick decided not to press and instead talked to him about all the other things he liked and asked whether he fancied curry for dinner, to which the answer was a resounding no.

As they entered the park, the pathway to the central area, where all the chalets and the playground were, meandered along, dotted with benches. Acres of fields swept away in the distance to one side and Meadowbank wood lay on the other. Lights had been strung from each of the chalets giving Meadowbank its own small, cosy Christmas market.

‘Wow, Dad, look at the grotto.’ Freddie pointed and Nick followed his gaze.

Bella had done an amazing job of decorating it and if the inside was half as good as the exterior, the kids were in for a treat. A short picket fence encircled the grotto itself and lights and red bells had been strung all along, though the lights were off until the big reveal.