Rea looked up with a frown. ‘OK, thanks.’ Her expression suggested she wasn’t quite sure why Laurel was suggesting it but Laurel had bad memories of the bus to school and one tiny, blonde she-devil called Amie Blunt.

‘At least she hasn’t refused to go to school completely,’ Rea continued. ‘I’ve read about that happening and the parent gets fined.’ A tear leaked from the corner of her eye. ‘I’m so crap. If I could go out I’m sure I’d be able to support Daisy more.’

Heart hurting for her sister, Laurel pulled her back into her arms. ‘It’s OK, Rea. I’m here, now. If Daisy needs a visible adult presence at school, it can be me.’ They continued their work until darkness fell, when they went indoors to shower away the dust and prepare a meal in the kitchen that had been Rea’s alone for so long.

When they’d eaten, Daisy checked the time. ‘The tree lighting’s at seven-thirty, Auntie Laurel.’

Laurel didn’t sigh, but she felt like it. ‘We’d better get our coats.’

Rea seemed happy to clear away the dishes so Laurel was soon stepping into a cold clear evening with her niece.

‘Wish it was snowing again.’ Daisy gazed up hopefully at where the wind chased ragged clouds across a pearly moon. When they’d crossed Main Road she took the route across the playing fields, where it was much darker, though the lights of the village hall and car park could be clearly seen a hundred yards away.

But Laurel couldn’t help herself. She hesitated.

Daisy looked around enquiringly. ‘What’s up?’

After a long, deep breath, Laurel made herself go on. It would be ridiculous to insist they went around by the road when the action was so clearly going to take place on this side of the hall. ‘Nothing.’

They had soon crossed the grass, which was just beginning to crunch with frost, and were in a car park full of milling people – what passed for a crowd in little Middledip. Laurel made herself relax, joining Daisy in a noisy queue for hot chocolate and the first mince pies of the season. Daisy seemed to know everyone and Laurel recognised a few faces peeping out from under hats and scarves. She hung back and let Daisy take the lead.

Then a small blonde lady made a welcome speech explaining how they’d decided it would be nice to erect the village hall Christmas tree outside rather than inside this year, so everyone could enjoy it.

After a pause for applause she got everyone counting down, their voices swelling as one. ‘Five … four … three … two … one … hooray!’ The lights blazed, illuminating a pine soaring into the night sky, a golden star on top and coloured lights winking from every branch.