‘He’s a changed lad,’ she wistfully said. ‘Coming here has given him a real focus. Thank you for taking him under your wing, Liza.’

‘I’m just pleased it’s worked out,’ I told her. ‘And you are most welcome, but I haven’t really done anything. He’s just got on with things himself. He’s very intuitive and has picked things up so quickly.’

‘He’s always been independent,’ she said. ‘I used to think he was naughty when he was little, but I can see now that’s not what it was. He was just strong-willed.’

‘I wonder where he gets that from?’

Chelsea gave the question a very dramatic eye-roll.

‘And he’s never been a fan of school,’ she further said, ‘but knowing he’s got his job here on a weekend has kept him on track. His form teacher rang to tell me he’s been turning in homework and there’s been no disruption in class.’

‘That’s fantastic,’ I said, feeling proud on both her and Liam’s behalf. ‘School is very much a one size fits all and if you don’t fit…’

‘You’re fucked.’

‘I wouldn’t have put it quite like that,’ I laughed, ‘but yeah, you’re right. That’s why I loved my job using art as therapy so much. It gave the students who didn’t fit an alternative for a little while every day.’

‘I bet you were good at it too.’

‘Thanks, Chelsea.’

I wondered if there might be the possibility of a job for Liam at Wynter’s Trees beyond Christmas, maybe even full-time when he left school. Perhaps I could plant the idea in Ned’s head before I left.

‘Are you going to stay for the evening?’ I asked. ‘Or do you need to go? I can run Liam home later if that would help.’

‘I had planned to go,’ she said, turning to face me and in the process, making the bells on her hat jingle, ‘but I think I’m going to stay. I can give you a hand if you like?’

The evening got busier and busier and I was grateful for Chelsea’s help. David had bustled in at some point with refreshments in the form of mugs of hot chocolate and a couple of thick slices of spiced and fruity stollen.

He looked completely taken aback as he watched the two of us working so companionably together. I had to laugh at his dumbfounded expression. Had I been able to see into the future even just a few weeks ago, I knew I would have been wearing the same look of shock myself.