Emily peered out and finally saw the woman standing outside her open front door, as a driverless, boxy little purple car reversed out of the double garage and around to the door, stopping in front of her.

‘Gosh, that must be one of those self-park cars. How nice, wouldn’t mind one of those!’ she said.

Moments later a rather meek-looking man in an anorak, carrying a shopping bag, hurried out the front door. He climbed into the passenger seat of the little car as the woman got behind the wheel and they drove off.

‘They look fun, our neighbours!’ Jason said.

‘Fun – not! We must go over later and tell them how much we love their Christmas decorations,’ Emily replied, mischievously.

‘And perhaps get invited in for a lovely glass of lukewarm Liebfraumilch.’

‘You really think they’d be that classy?’

‘Now now, don’t be a snob, Em. I’m sure they’d be classier than that. Lidl’s rosé at least.’

Santa was still rocking away in his grotto, but at least, in the bright morning sunlight, they couldn’t see his flashing eyes.

‘Oh look!’ Emily pulled out a large, embossed album from the packing case. ‘Our wedding album! Where shall we put it?’

‘Let’s see.’

She handed it to him. On the front, against the plain grey background, was a picture of himself and Emily. She was radiant in a cream dress and a sparkly tiara, and he was beaming, in a white shirt, black suit and a buttonhole matching her bouquet of red gerberas. Alongside them were their bridesmaids and his best man.

‘Can’t believe it was six years ago next July!’

‘Me neither!’ she kissed him. ‘It’s not been totally shit, has it?’

Jason screwed up his face. ‘Nah, not totally.’ He gave her an impish smile. ‘There’ve been some good moments…’

‘Just a few…’

He stood up and embraced her, holding her tight. ‘Every second has been amazing. I love you to bits.’

‘I love you to bits, too.’ She looked into his eyes. ‘As soon as we get straight, can we get a puppy?’

He frowned. ‘I’d rather a cat, they’re cleaner.’ He patted her tummy. ‘Maybe we’ll soon be having some of our own kittens, finally?’

‘I’d like three. Ideally, two boys and a girl?’

‘Two boys – that’s what royalty call an heir and a spare.’

‘That’s horrible!’

‘Joke.’

‘Not a funny one.’ She gently unwound his arms and stepped away. ‘So, plan for today?’

‘Make love?’ he suggested.

‘We’ll fit that in. First we need to find a garden centre and buy a Christmas tree and then stop by the pub and village store.’

‘And then make love?’ He put his arms around her.

She shook her head, giving him a quizzical look. ‘Why can I never be angry at you for long?’

‘Because you fancy me too much.’

She flicked two fingers at him then turned back to the packing case. As she continued removing stuff, he returned to his breakfast, putting the microwave instructions to one side and flipping through pages of the album as he ate. ‘God, it was such an amazing day!’