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‘And we need the time, Evelyn,’ Nick added. ‘We’ll start fundraising this week – if you say yes – and step things up as we approach the August bank holiday, with the final events and Summer’s Christmas being that weekend.’

‘We’re planning to turn the Summer Carnival into a fundraising event for Summer,’ Jake explained. ‘The council are meeting this week to finalise the charity for the year. We’re going to put forward Summer’s cause.’

The hope that Evelyn was starting to feel disappeared like snow melting under a downpour. ‘But they might not pick her.’

‘They will,’ Jake reassured her. ‘Dad will champion the cause, and half of the fundraising committee is made up of the WI. Your mum and mine are both members.’

‘Mine too,’ added Nick. ‘The WI vote is fairly certain.’

‘And as to the rest of the village? You’re part of our community, Evelyn. You grew up here, and even though you’ve only been back a short while, you’re already important to Broclington. And so is Summer. You only had to see her at the Spring Fling to know that.’

‘And you really think we can raise enough money?’ Evelyn turned to look at Nick.

‘I really do.’ He nodded seriously and she could see nothing but honesty in his eyes. ‘I raise funds for charities. I don’t do lost causes. I wouldn’t offer to do any of this if I didn’t think there was a damned good chance of us pulling it off.’

‘But it’s such a huge undertaking, so much money.’ Evelyn was still worried.

‘Let me try to explain why I’m so confident.’ Nick took a breath. ‘Christmas is a truly magical time. It’s a chance to leave the stresses and seriousness of everyday life behind for a few hours, and remember the innocent joy of childhood. It’s when we gather the people you love the most close, and share wonderful memories and moments that will last the whole year through. We cherish the family we’ve gathered around us – whether they’re family by blood or friendship – and give thanks for all the goodness in our lives.

‘It’s cosy and warm and built around the concept of kindness to others – that’s why we give gifts. We fill the streets with lights to turn the darkness and coldness into something beautiful. Simply put, Christmas brings out the best in people and fills them with hope.’

‘And that’s exactly what Summer needs,’ Jake added. ‘And what our fundraising will offer. Hope.’

‘And,’ Nick finished off the thought, ‘I really think people will want to get behind that message.’

Evelyn pressed her lips together tightly, not wanting the hope bubbling in her chest to escape. ‘And Tom and Mr Khan really think this will work?’

‘They can’t promise anything,’ Jake reminded her quietly.

‘I know that.’ Evelyn was impatient.

‘But, yes. They’re both really hopeful for this. Confident even. And waiting for your call.’ He squeezed her hands tightly, and Evelyn felt a rush of warmth as his eyes sparkled. ‘So, what do you think?’

‘I think I’m one of the luckiest people on the planet.’ She reached across to grab Nick’s hand. ‘And I think I might have just made a new best friend. Thank you so, so much for all of this.’

‘So we’re doing this?’

‘I want to read everything first, and talk to the doctors, but … yes. I think we’re doing this.’

‘Fantastic!’ Nick grinned hugely. ‘Operation Summer’s Christmas is a goer.’

Chapter Thirteen

Jake could feel Evelyn’s tension beside him as they sat in the council meeting, waiting for the usual humdrum village business to be finished. Her whole body was tense, and his fingers were going numb from where she squeezed his hand so tightly. But he wouldn’t have moved for anything. Well, anything short of the three hundred thousand pounds they needed for Summer’s treatment.

Within hours of the nerve-wracking meeting in his flat, Evelyn texted him a single word: yes. She’d spoken to his dad – who’d called him almost the same second she’d hung up on him, and spoken with Summer’s oncology consultant. Whatever they had said reassured her, and Operation Summer’s Christmas was officially going ahead.

In the few days since, Nick, true to his word, started a fundraising campaign – launching a website and started prepping press releases. He’d met Summer, and been utterly charmed by her, and arranged for a photo shoot, which she absolutely adored. All he was waiting for now was the agreement from the village council to officially make Summer’s cause their charity of the year, before he would start contacting every journalist, publicist, philanthropist, local dignitary and celebrity in his substantial contacts list.

Beside him, Evelyn shifted, and Jake realised they’d finally reached the vote. Even though he’d assured her again and again that Summer would be picked, he knew she wouldn’t be able to relax until it was made official. He could understand the sentiment. Even though he knew it would go in their favour, he couldn’t help the nervousness in his stomach. It was Summer’s life that depended on how the ten council members raised their hands in the next minute or so. But that was the point. It was a little girl’s life – and one who was a member of their community. They had to vote for her.

He could feel Evelyn start to shake beside him as the motion was read out. Unable to bear watching, she buried her face in his shoulder. Gently, he stroked her hair, trying to offer some level of comfort as he watched the council leaders consider the motion.

The three WI members raised their hands almost immediately. There was no surprise there. And his dad’s hand had gone up before the motion was even completed. The Head of the School’s Governing board – whose elderly Labrador was a regular patient of Jake’s – shot him a wink and raised his hand too. Two more hands went up, and Jake sighed in relief.

‘Evelyn.’ He stopped stroking her hair, his eyes blurring as he whispered to her. ‘You need to look at this.’

‘I don’t think I can,’ she mumbled into his shoulder.