‘I don’t mind admitting now,’ piped up Noah, ‘that I had a bit of a wobble in the early days. My wire sculptures are quite expensive and I didn’t think I was going to shift any, but after today, I’ve changed my mind.’

‘Today’s been better?’ asked Ned.

‘Much better,’ Noah smiled. ‘I’ve sold two. Both to returning visitors who had browsed before but came back today to buy.’

‘That’s great,’ said Wren who, I noticed, was still looking peaky.

Theo rubbed her back and I wondered how long it would be before she was tucked up in bed with a hot water bottle. Not long, if the yawn she stifled was any indicator.

‘And I’m out of festive bunting again,’ said Sue. ‘I’ll have to make some more tonight, ready for tomorrow. I was hoping to eke it out and do it on Monday when we’re closed, but it’s been so busy today that it’s all gone.’

‘And I saw lots of your wreaths and garlands heading towards the car park, Lilith,’ I pointed out.

She was such a quiet character; it was easy to forget that she was there half the time.

‘Yes,’ she said, ‘I’m in the same boat as Sue now. I’ll be making more wreaths tonight ready for tomorrow.’

Everyone nodded and Theo gave her a thumbs up.

‘And one customer bought my entire collection of long-tailed tits,’ said Abbie, making everyone gasp. ‘She told me she’s got some branches set up in her conservatory and is in the process of filling them up with birds created using different crafts. She loves felt and said mine have so much character she couldn’t resist. Initially she only wanted one, but then…’

‘I pointed out they live in flocks of up to twenty,’ Noah cut in, ‘and…’

‘She took the lot!’ Abbie finished up. ‘She’s promised to send me a photo and said I can use it on my Instagram account. Her indoor branch idea has given me some inspiration for photographing the rest of my collection too.’

‘Assuming you have any left!’ chuckled David and we all laughed.

Theo then told us how busy he’d been and Wren had sold more of her silver studs in one day than at any other event she’d ever attended.

‘Thankfully I’ve still got lots in stock,’ she said with a smile.

I was pleased about that because I rather fancied a pair myself. I particularly liked the ones with a snowflake stamped in the middle and there were Christmas tree ones too, which I thought might make a nice gift for Maya. Given the beautiful journal she’d gifted me, she was definitely on my present list.

After the brief meeting, everyone headed home and as Maya was driving into Wynmouth to meet some friends in the pub, she offered to take Liam.