Violet nodded. ‘She got cranky with me because I told her I didn’t believe her about Santa. She said I’d see for myself when I woke up tomorrow and there were no presents because there was no Mummy to give them to me.’

Andrea felt as though flames were coursing through her body, burning her from the inside out. How dare Heather treat her child this way, how dare she leave her all alone for Christmas.

The woman wasn’t fit to be a mother.

Andrea crouched down in front of her. ‘Sweetheart, I’m so sorry she said those things to you. But I’m going to fix it. You know how you wanted to stay at my place tonight?’

Violet nodded.

‘Well here’s the thing, I’m going away to a holiday house up near a beautiful lake for Christmas. Would you like to come with me?’

A voice at the back of her head was telling her that she was taking things too far. That taking Violet away up the coast was basically kidnapping and that she should find another solution, another way to make Christmas magical for her small neighbour. But the rage she felt at Heather was drowning out any sense of reason. Besides, Heather had told Andrea she wanted her to step in and help out.

Violet finally tore her eyes away from her feet to look at Andrea. ‘Yes, please,’ she said.

Then she launched herself at Andrea for a hug that nearly caused her to topple backwards. In all the time she’d known Violet, the most physical affection the child had ever instigated was to hold Andrea’s hand. The unexpected hug told her she was doing the right thing.

‘Okay, go and pack some clothes into your backpack and I’ll write a note for your mum.’

*

Darren

When he opened the door, his eyes widened. ‘What are you doing here?’

Sage stared back at him. ‘That’s a good fucking question.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean I don’t really know why I feel like I need to do this . . . but for some reason, I do. There’s something I have to tell you.’

Darren knew then and there what it was she wanted to say. ‘You’re not a ballet dancer, are you?’

Her eyes flickered in surprise and then she nodded. ‘How did you know that?’

But he didn’t answer. Instead he held her gaze and asked, ‘Sage, are you S. Carter?’

To her credit, she didn’t look away and her voice was steady when she replied. ‘Yes.’

He didn’t know if he was furious or devastated or if he just didn’t care anymore. It had been one thing after another and he was fed up.