‘Shhh, you boys, I want to hear Poppy’s wonderful news,’ said Bella, looking at Andy out of the corner of her eye.

‘Actually, it’s not my news, it’s Damian’s,’ said Poppy. ‘Jack Meadows wants to use his screenplay and turn it into a MAJOR MOTION PICTURE!’

‘What?’ Whatever Bella had been expecting, it wasn’t this. ‘Oh, my God, you’re going to be so rich!’ A couple passing them on the street looked at her oddly, and it crossed her mind that her comment didn’t quite chime with the spirit of Christmas. It was what they were all thinking, though. ‘Oh, Damian, well done, I’m so pleased for you.’ There were more hugs all round. ‘So will you be moving to LA?’

‘Well, yeah, I’ve got to go there anyway for Poppy Takes LA,’ interrupted Poppy, chattering away like a magpie, while the two men raised eyebrows at one another, laughing. ‘It’s all worked out brilliantly.’

And they all carried on towards the pub, the two girls in front talking nineteen to the dozen.

‘You must be over the moon,’ said Andy, shaking Damian’s hand. ‘Well done.’

‘Thanks, mate. Yes, I am,’ said Damian, shaking back. ‘Only just heard this morning and it hasn’t quite sunk in yet.’

‘I can imagine.’

‘And congratulations to you on breaking that story about the people traffickers. That has to have been the scoop of the century!’ Now that Damian was on the verge of proper success, he could allow himself to be gracious about other writers’ triumphs.

‘Thank you.’ Andy smiled. ‘I’m just really glad that we managed to stop him before he could ruin any more lives.’

They had reached the pub now, its tiny old-fashioned exterior festooned with Christmas garlands and foliage, its warm, welcoming interior glowing through the windows.

Poppy pushed open the door, and they all followed her in.

Ben and Natalia had managed to bag the table closest to the door, the large, square one that was big enough to seat them all comfortably. Ben and Natalia’s very presence made the cool little pub look like a movie set.

They jumped up and there ensued another flurry of hugs, greetings and Christmas wishes.

When Bella moved round to greet Ben they both paused slightly, as neither of them knew quite how to react to the other. Then Bella opened her arms and, smiling, said,

‘Happy Christmas, you treacherous bastard.’

Ben laughed and gave her a hug.

‘Happy Christmas to you too. Does this mean bygones can be bygones?’

Bella nodded. ‘Thank you,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘And sorry for everything. I have to say you’re looking great!’

Bella smiled. Some things never changed.

‘OK, so who wants champagne?’ asked Poppy. ‘We’re celebrating!’

‘Why?’ asked Ben and Natalia in unison.

‘Your buddy Jack wants to make a movie out of my screenplay!’ Damian grinned at Ben.

‘Oh, mate, that’s brilliant!’ Ben’s delight was genuine and he enveloped his former best friend in a huge man hug. Poppy and Bella smiled soppily at each other. ‘Hmmm, I wonder if he needs a supporting actor?’