December the twenty-first was a bright, crisp and cloud free day which started out with a sharp frost and ice underfoot. Everyone in the huts was in agreement about closing up a little early so we could all attend the solstice celebration, which was organised by Lilith and some of her friends, together.

Ned had hung a sign on the gate to explain the change in opening hours and he’d added a note to the Wynter’s Trees website and social media accounts too, so hopefully no one would be caught out. I had to smile when I read how he had worded it – we’re opening for a shorter time on the twenty-first to celebrate the shortest day – very clever.

‘Are you ready?’ he asked, when he came back from locking the barn, when it was time to leave. ‘Everyone else has gone.’

‘Yes,’ I said, adding a coat to my many layers and picking up my hat, scarf and gloves. ‘All set.’

Ned eyed me speculatively.

‘What?’ I frowned, looking down to see what had caught his attention.

Nothing looked amiss to me, although my appearance was a bit padded out.

‘I was just wondering if you found those thermals,’ he mused.

‘Well,’ I said, ‘you’ll find out later, won’t you?’

‘No time for a quick peek now, I suppose,’ he suggestively said.

‘Nope,’ I responded, brushing by him, with a smile. ‘No time at all.’

He looked disappointed but there really was no time to further speculate over my all-encompassing undergarments, and having promised Bandit we wouldn’t be too late back, he locked the door and we headed over to the truck.

‘So,’ I said, when we arrived in the village, which was busier than I had expected, ‘what’s going to happen at this solstice celebration?’

‘No idea,’ Ned grinned, expertly reversing into a tiny space at the side of the green which a much smaller vehicle had just vacated. ‘I’ve never actually managed to get to one before. The only thing I know about is the burning, which is a new addition this year. Have you got your paper, by the way?’

‘Yes,’ I said, thrusting my hand into the coat pocket to check.

Lilith had explained that all the attendees were welcome to write down anything they wished to leave behind from the year on a piece of paper which they could then burn in the ceremonial bonfire.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about the idea, from a spiritual point of view, but had nonetheless decided to give it a go and had spent a long time composing a whole list of things. By the time I’d finished, I realised I’d tracked back much further than just the last twelve months. I hoped that was all right.

‘Have you?’ I asked Ned.

‘Yes,’ he said seriously.