‘This is lovely,’ I said, holding up one end, while Wren climbed on to a chair, no doubt flouting every health and safety rule Ned had written up, to hang it. ‘We could do with some in the barn.’

‘I’ve just dropped a load off,’ said Sue, tucking her grey curls behind her ears, the better to show the studs off. ‘Ned’s hanging it now.’

‘I told you he was feeling better,’ giggled Wren, as she stepped back down. ‘He wouldn’t be negotiating heights if he wasn’t.’

‘Has he been unwell?’ Sue frowned, no doubt wondering why that would be the cause of amusement.

‘Hungover more like,’ I told her.

‘He got blotto in the pub last night,’ elaborated Wren. ‘I have no idea how Liza managed to manhandle him home.’

‘He was fine,’ I said, looking back at the bunting and willing my cheeks not to flame again.

‘That looks great, Sue,’ said Wren, her gaze following mine.

‘Yes,’ said Sue. ‘It does. I’m pleased with how well that mix of patterned fabrics works together. I’ll tell you what’s not looking so good though.’

‘What?’ Wren and I chorused.

‘Santa’s little corner in the barn,’ said Sue, wrinkling her nose. ‘I’ve just been and had a look at it and it’s definitely more shabby, than chic. I didn’t notice Thursday night because of the lighting, but in the cold light of day, it’s looking a bit chipped and jaded.’

‘More grotty, than grotto?’ Wren suggested.

‘Definitely,’ Sue confirmed sadly.

I excused myself and went to have a look. Sue was right. Dad and I had painted the original backdrop together and by the looks of it, it hadn’t been touched up or repainted since. The sight of it, so dated and worn, made my heart sink, but not for long.

There was nothing I could do about it during open hours, but as soon as the last customer left and the huts were closed, I set to with the brushes and paint from the storage area and speedily began to rectify the situation and bring the mural, back to life.

‘What are you up to?’ asked Ned, when he eventually materialised from the office, long after his dad had left.

‘A bit of a touch up job,’ I said, standing back to look at all the extra bits I’d started to add. At this rate Santa and his visitors would think they really were in the snowy landscape of Lapland. ‘Sue pointed out earlier that it needed a bit of attention. It looked all right in the evening, but not quite as pristine as it used to in the day.’

‘Um,’ Ned nodded, taking a closer look, ‘I suppose it is a bit worse for wear now you’ve got the spotlights on it and I can see which bits you’ve been working on. I feel bad for not noticing before.’